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Houston Environmental News Update August 5, 2020
August 5, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update August 5, 2020

Oysters! Climate Action Planning Across Texas, Texas Children in Nature Workshop, Houston Botanic Gardens Docents, Big Bend Camping, Green Jobs, and more

Happy National Oyster Day!

Galveston Bay Foundation, among many other things, is an oyster champion in our area. They have programs to collect shucked oyster shells for recycling (oysters grow best on other oyster shells), to garden oysters (baby oysters are called “spat”), to build linear oyster reefs to protect shorelines, and to support large-scale reef restoration.

Working with partners, GBF also publishes the Galveston Bay Report Card, which, most recently, gave the Bay a grade of “D” for shellfish overall, and a “C” for oysters. “Oyster populations and the reef habitats that they create in Galveston Bay have been negatively impacted by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the drought of 2011, Hurricane Ike in 2008 and increasing fishing pressure,” states the Report, “but oyster populations in Galveston Bay received a C, indicating that the population may be recovering.”

Facts about oysters (from TPWD unless otherwise noted):

  • Oysters have been found attached to bricks, boats, cans, tires, bottles, crabs, and turtles, but they prefer to attach to other oysters. 
  • All oysters sold in Texas must be certified, which means they must be harvested, handled, processed, and stored in accordance state and federal standards.
  • Oysters are protandric–in the first year, they spawn as males, but as they grow larger and develop more energy reserves, they spawn as females. From eggs, they hatch into free-swimming veliger; once they land they become spat.
  • Because they are filter-feeders, oysters may ingest pollutants out of the water.
  • Oysters are in best condition in winter and early spring, but are good to eat all year long.
  • A world record has not been established for the most pearls in an oyster, but a Galveston Bay oyster containing 356 pearls must be a leading contender. Because the commercial oyster lacks the ingredient in its secretion to form the mother-of-pearl coating that gives the luster and beauty of the true pearl, its pearls, although interesting, are not valuable.
  • Oysters may be taken by hand, with tongs or by oyster dredge (more about oyster regulations)
  • Galveston Bay oysters are being passed off as Blue Points and Chincoteagues in other parts of the country. (Robb Walsh’s book Sex, Death, and Oysters.)

If we are lucky, keep an eye out for two future oyster events: Bayou City Waterkeeper’s Folks ‘N Oysters on Nov. 7, 2020, and Galveston Bayou Foundation’s inaugural Houston Oyster Festival in spring 2021.

The image of an eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is (c) Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

Please scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community.

CEC NOTES

Houston Environment in Review: Midyear Survey

What you think have been the most significant environmental accomplishments, controversies, issues, news, and events in the greater Houston region so far this year? Take two minutes to take our survey, and you can see what other people have submitted. We’ll check back in at the end of the year.

Call for submissions: Wild About Houston Green Film Festival

The CEC is proud to host the third annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. CEC hopes to use this festival to tell local environmental stories, highlight the work of CEC’s member organizations, and to inspire our residents and visitors to make a difference in the environment and our quality of life. The festival will be held virtually to protect the health and safety of our community in these times. We invite you to submit a film for consideration. Films should be specific to the environment in the Houston/Gulf Coast Region, should be no more than seven minutes long, and must be of suitable quality to be shown publicly. Find the Submission Guidelines here, and make submissions here.

Educators Professional Development in 2020

CEC’s HERE in Houston has compiled a listing of professional development opportunities for educators, including registration links, throughout the remainder of the year. Find the full listing (and send updates) at hereinhouston.org.

Environmental Educators Exchange

The next virtual meeting of the Environmental Educators Exchange (EEVENGERS) will be held August 14, 2020, from 9:45-10:15 a.m. All are welcome to join us and take a few minutes to share best practices for environmental education in the Houston region this fall. Based on lessons learned during summer programs, come prepared to discuss what is and what’s not working and questions for the EE community. Sing up on this Google form.

Trivia Night Results

CEC congratulates our July 29 Plastic Free Trivia Night winners: Lisa Rasberry, who won a one-year membership to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center; and Adam R. Perkins, who won beer glasses from the American Association of Zoo Keepers Houston Chapter and a produce box from Sustainable Harvesters. CEC sincerely thanks our sponsors: Houston Arboretum, American Association of Zoo Keepers Houston Chapter, and Sustainable Harvesters.

Environmental Issues Virtual Forum with Candidates for Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 3

On August 20, 2020, the Houston environmental community will host a virtual candidate forum with Tom Ramsey and Michael Moore, the two candidates for Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 3. We invite you to join as Houston environmental leaders ask questions. This informational forum is not affiliated with any party or candidate. Advance registration is required. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with information on joining the ZOOM meeting. Tendremos un intérprete disponible para cualquier persona que desea escuchar en Español. Se proveera instrucciones cuando comience la reunión de Zoom. Advance registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/environmentalforum2020. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with information on joining the meeting. Event co-hosts include:

Air Alliance Houston * Bayou City Waterkeeper * Bayou Land Conservancy *
Bayou Preservation Association * CEER  (Coalition for Environment, Equity and Resilience) * Citizens Climate Lobby * Citizens’ Environmental Coalition * Galveston Bay Foundation *
Houston Audubon Society * Houston Sierra Club * Houston Tomorrow * Katy Prairie Conservancy * National Wildlife Federation * Save Buffalo Bayou * THEA (Texas Health and Environment Alliance)

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have endeavored to confirm the opportunities listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts, particularly in light of concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Ask an Ecologist

On August 6, 2020 (and every Thursday through September 24), beginning at 3 p.m., Bayou Land Conservancy will present a Facebook Live event called “Ask an Ecologist.” Attendees can submit nature-related questions or topics and receive answers live. For more information, visit the Facebook event.

Climate Action Planning Across Texas

On August 6, 2020, from 3-4:30 p.m., the U.S. Green Building Council Texas Chapter will hold a webinar discussing the climate action plans of four Texas cities: Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, featuring representatives of each city. The discussion will focus on implementing those strategies involving the core competencies of USGBC Texas and its members. For more information and to register, visit usgbctexas.org.

Texas Children in Nature Virtual Meet-Up

On August 6, 2020, from 5-6:30 p.m. Texas Children in Nature will host a virtual meet-up for educators and partners across the state to discuss ways to get students outdoors once school resumes. For more information and to register, visit texaschildreninnature.org.

Galveston Bay Foundation Virtual Programs Educator Professional Development Workshop

On August 7, 2020, from 9-10 a.m., the Galveston Bay Foundation will host a free, virtual workshop for educators to learn how the GBF can help engage students and integrate local environmental knowledge into curricula. Participants will hear about GBF’s free virtual classroom workshops, videos, curriculum, and more, One hour of CPE credit is available for this workshop. Email Cindy Wilems at cwilems@galvbay.org with any questions. Register at surveymonkey.com.

Call for Docents: Houston Botanic Garden

The soon-to-open, 132-acre Houston Botanic Garden is seeking volunteers to serve as docents. Docents will help the Garden in its mission to enrich life through discovery, education, and the conservation of plants and the natural environment. Docents will receive specialized training to lead tours of the Global Collection Garden, Culinary Garden, the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden, and local habitats including the Coastal Prairie and Stormwater Wetlands. Gardeners, educators, individuals of all levels and backgrounds encouraged to apply. Docents are asked to commit to leading at least two tours per month. The first part of training is offered virtually on either Saturday, August 8 or Wednesday, August 12, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. via Zoom. The second part of training will take place at the Garden in late August. Learn more on HBG’s facebook page.

Public comments sought on The State of Transportation in the Houston-Galveston Region report by August 8

The Houston-Galveston Area Council has released the draft 2020 Transportation Performance Measures report, evaluating the region’s progress in meeting key goals for improved performance of our transportation system. The 2020 report defines the region’s performance measures, assesses the region’s achievement in meeting target goals (read the Scorecard), and provides recommendations for adjustments to future targets for continued improvement. Members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments about the Report and Scorecard through Aug. 8, 2020. Residents and stakeholders may submit their comments using any of the following methods: online here; by phone at 1-855-363-2516; by emailing PublicComments@h-gac.com; or by mail to P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777, Attention: H-GAC Transportation Performance Measures Comments.

Call for Public Comment on the Draft Prospectus for the Fifth National Climate Assessment

The U.S. Global Change Research Program seeks public comment on the proposed themes and framework for the Fifth National Climate Assessment. Please refer to the Federal Register Notice for the full text of the NCA5 Draft Prospectus. More information on NCA5, including the draft timeline and frequently asked questions, can be found here. Based on input received through this public call, USGCRP will develop an annotated outline that will be released for comment at a later date. A call for author nominations and technical inputs will also be posted in one or more subsequent Federal Register Notices. All comments must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on Aug. 10, 2020. For more information on how to submit comment, visit globalchange.gov.

Third Way Briefing: Getting Over Highway Expansion

On August 11, 2020, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Third Way, Air Alliance Houston, and LINK Houston will host an discussion on how to overcoming highway expansion and focusing on transportation projects that will improve traffic safety, help people access the things they need, strengthen local economies, and reduce emissions. Panelists will include Third Way Policy Advisor Alex Laska, US PIRG Transportation Campaign Director Matt Casale, and Air Alliance Houston Executive Director Bakeyah Nelson, Ph.D., as well as local leaders including MacGregor Park Super Neighborhood Association’s Tomaro Bell, Independence Heights Redevelopment Corporation’s Tanya Debose, and Stop TxDOT I-45’s Susan Graham. For more information and to register, visit us02web.zoom.us.

Webinar: Law and Sea-Level Rise

On August 11, 2020, from 1-2:30 p.m., the Gulf of Mexico Climate & Resilience Community of Practice will co-present the latest in its “Fast and Easy CEU’s: Coastal Resilience Webinar Series.” This presentation will focus discuss some of the various legal statues that can influence municipalities’ options in dealing with coastal roads and other infrastructure that become inundated as a result of sea level rise. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Camp at Home: Bay Explorers and Bay Naturalists (scholarships available)

The Galveston Bay Foundation has extended its popular Bay Explorers and Bay Naturalists camp for another week, from August 17-21, 2020. Each camp highlights the Galveston Bay ecosystem and connects campers to their role in the environment. For more information click here. Registration is open until August 12. Additionally, GBF can provide a limited number of scholarships to campers who would like to learn more about the Bay but may not have the funds to do so. If you are interested (or know someone who may be) in applying for a full camp scholarship, please fill out this scholarship application by August 7. Scholarship applicants will be contacted on August 10 with decisions.

Long-Term Environmental Trends in the Gulf of Mexico

The National Academies’ Committee on Long Term Environmental Trends in the Gulf of Mexico will be assessing various aspects of current U.S. Gulf of Mexico restoration efforts, including the cumulative effects of multiple restoration projects and the effects of acute events (e.g., hurricanes) and long-term physical changes (e.g., sea level rise). The committee will also evaluate existing resources for informing restoration decision making and recommend adaptive management strategies. On August 12, 2020, from 10 a.m.-1:15 p.m., the Committee will host and open session where representatives from the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program, Gulf restoration funders, and Gulf state natural resource agencies will discuss their expectations for the study. A Q&A period with panelists and committee members will follow. For more information on the study (including committee information) nationalacademies.org. To register for the meeting, visit eventbrite.com.

The Progressive Forum: Whale oil to petroleum to renewables

The Progressive Forum website just released an essay on its blog, “Houston Beyond Fossil Fuels,” by Randall Morton, President of the Progressive Forum, Houston. The articles discusses an the optimistic business case for a Houston recovery with big opportunities in renewables as well as a civic renascence. The essay asserts that growth-technology and financial markets drive change quickly, how that dynamic decimated the 50 year reign of the whale oil industry, and how that dynamic is now decimating fossil fuels. Read the full article at progressiveforumhouston.org.

Virtual Lunch Bunch: Big Bend Camping and Collections Trip

On August 12, 2020, from noon-1 p.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will host a virtual Lunch Bunch featuring greenhouse manager Jacob Martin, and Brandon Hubbard, manager of The Mercer Society’s Horticultural Propagation Center, who will discuss their recent Big Bend journey, including the difficulties they overcame to get to the specific oak populations. Participants will observe collected plant specimens, learn about plants identified on the trip, and understand the importance of plant collection trips. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Texas Children in Nature Teacher Workshop

On August 12-13, 2020, Texas Children in Nature will host an online workshop on how, with COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing, schools can use creative ways to address the needs of their students in the upcoming school year. Join experts in the field as they discuss the tips and tricks of taking your class outdoors. Also addressed will be best practices of outdoor lessons and how various subjects can be transitioned into outdoors learning. For more information and to register, visit texaschildreninnature.org.

Chocolate Bay Public Meeting

On August 13, 2020, from 2-4 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will hold a virtual public meeting for area stakeholders to provide input and feedback to help create a plan to reduce high concentrations of bacteria found in the Chocolate Bay Watershed, including Chocolate, Halls and Mustang bayous. Registration is required. For more information, visit the project website or contact Steven Johnston at 832-681-2579. 

Exploration Green Conservancy Status and Volunteer Recruitment Meeting

On August 13, 2020, beginning at 7 p.m., Exploration Green, the new 200-acre recreation, conservation and flood control green space in Clear Lake, will hold a virtual public meeting to provide a status update and seek new volunteers for key administrative functions to bring the project to completion. Volunteer opportunities are in communications, fundraising, amenities, financial management, outreach, environmental education, in addition to now-limited outdoor work. For more information and to receive instructions for participating in the meeting, send and email to ExplorationGreen@gmail.com.

Beautify the Bucket Registration Extended to August 15

Artist Boat’s Beautify the Bucket Competition is designed to allow citizens to take an active role in beautifying Galveston’s beaches in a way that also encourages better stewardship behaviors in others. Anyone can participate: individuals or groups, children and adults alike. All barrels in the Fall 2020 competition will be displayed and judged on Saturday, September 12, from 8 a.m.-noon at Menard Park in Galveston, with winners will be announced at noon. Registration has been extended to August 15. See all terms & conditions on the website and register at artistboat.org.

Sierra Club General Meeting: The Proposed I-45 Expansion Project

On August 15, 2020, from 7:30-9 p.m., the Sierra Club’s Houston group will host a virtual meeting featuring Molly Cook of the Stop I-45 Coalition, who will discuss why the group believes TxDOT’s current proposed North Houston Highway Improvement Project design, timeline, and process are inadequate to meet the needs of Houston’s present and future populations. For more information and to register for the meeting, visit sierraclub.org.

Online Education: Climate Change Emergency

On August 15, 2020, Urban Harvest will present the second in its free, two-part online course titled Climate Change Emergency, In the second part, called “Plants and Food in a Changing Climate”, Bob Randall, Ph.D., will focus on the looming threats to the food supply created by climate change and reasonable avenues for changing the trajectory. For more information and to register, visit urbanharvest.org.

Virtual Rain Barrel Workshop

On August 15, 2020, from 2:30-3:15 p.m., the Galveston Bay Foundation will host a virtual rain barrel workshop with rain barrel pickup from 9 a.m.-noon before the workshop at the Galveston Bay Foundation Office (1725 Highway 146, Kemah). The workshop will consist of a presentation via Zoom on the benefits of collecting rainwater, as well as proper rain barrel preparation and installation instructions and tips. For more information and to register, visit galvbay.org.

Wetland Lawsuit Against the Army Corps of Engineers

On Aug. 4, 2020, Bayou City Waterkeeper filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, challenging its decision to allow development over wetlands without requiring any form of mitigation. The decision likely will increase flood risk for local residents in the Bayou Brae neighborhood in League City, Texas. Read the full press release at bayoucitywaterkeeper.org.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Virtual Summer Camps extended

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is offering virtual Summer Camps for children ages four through 12, with campers grouped in classes by age. Navigating around Covid 19, this virtual Summer Camp allows families to connect with nature from their own homes, while supporting the Arboretum’s crucial conservation and education efforts. With school starting later in so many local school districts, the Arboretum has decided to offer four additional weeks of the virtual camps, through Sept. 4, 2020. For more information and to register, visit houstonarboretum.org.

2021 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards nominations

Each year, the Governor’s Office and commissioners from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality honor the state’s most outstanding environmental projects through the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Winners from across the state exemplify how Texans set the standard for ensuring clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste. The application period for the 2021 awards is now open. See the winner videos for 2020. Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 25, 2020. 

Texas Children in Nature Stories Project

The Texas Children in Nature network is leading the statewide effort is to ensure equitable access and connection to nature for children. Part of these efforts is the launch of the TCiN Stories Project. This effort uses StoryCorps Connect to collect personal stories from families across the state about their experiences with nature during the pandemic. Through telling their stories, people are able to connect with each other in a profound way. Please join this effort to collect stories! Interview friends and neighbors or be interviewed yourself. TCiN can help you get set up for interviews, including helping craft questions and find people to interview. Learn more and listen to stories (including stories from CEC interns) at texaschildreninnature.org.

EcoExplorers Daily Outdoor EcoPrograms

The Armand Bayou Nature Center is offering a new EcoProgram called EcoExplorers for children 4-10 years old, which provides several flexible Outdoor EcoClasses to fit your schedule during this unprecedented time of transition. Class sizes are limited to 10 children per counselor. All activities will be held outdoors, and masks are required. ABNC EcoExplorers will be adhering to the Health Protocols set forth by the CDC, Gov. Abbot’s Open Texas Plan and the American Camp Association concerning the COVID-19. For more information regarding the efforts we are taking please see the Parent Information Guide. For more information and to register, visit abnc.org.

Deer Park Education Program videos

The Deer Park Education Program (part of the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas) has created a series of videos designed to inspire and educate students of all ages to the wonders of the flora and fauna of the Coastal Prairie Ecosystem. Five videos have been created so far. Three of these videos are part of a series called “Field Trip to Deer Park Prairie”, allowing everyone to virtually tour the gem located in Deer Park. Links to all of the videos can be found at texasprairie.org or the NPAT YouTube Channel.

“Nature as Nature” blog

The Armand Bayou Nature Center offers its “Nature as Normal” blog as a means to “remember that things are still happening as normal in the bigger picture, and that we’ll all be back to normal soon too.” Each entry features photographs by award-winning kayaking photographer Gary Seloff and ABNC Volunteer Photo Walk Leader Lyman Brown, with commentary by ABNC’s Conservation Director and Chief Naturalist, Mark Kramer. The latest entry is titled “Return of the Endangereds.” Find all of the blog entries at abnc.org.

COVID-19 Registry seeks public’s input

The COVID-19 Registry, spearheaded by Rice University with partnering organizations, is a research study that provides real-time information to health departments on the spread of COVID-19, who is being affected, and how. The registry will help to: track virus spread over time and across geography; measure economic and health impacts; understand behavior in response to policy changes; and identify popular and effective sources of information. Data from the registry will be stored in a highly secure system built by Rice University. Things learned from the registry will be published, but will not include any information that would identify participants. For more information and to take the survey, visit rice.edu. Read the most up-to-date findings here.

TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife

Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3 p.m. each Saturday and on municipal access cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Houston, Texas City, Galveston, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Sugar Land, and on HCC TV. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). For a preview, visit TPWD’s YouTube Page.

  • Texas Game Wardens often have a difficult time showing oyster harvesters where they can and cannot legally harvest the delectable Gulf food. Paul Daugherty went to work on the problem and wrote an App that solved the problem
  • Bats, birds and caverns are what you’ll find at Kickapoo Cavern State Park. Located north of Del Rio, you can experience the flight of the Mexican free-tailed bat, have a guided cavern tour to see the largest column formation in Texas, and possibly see the endangered golden-cheeked warbler while exploring the park
  • Postcard from Texas: With spring and summer long gone, McKinney Falls State Park takes on the muted tones of fall in Central Texas

Additional Upcoming Events

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