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Houston Environmental News Update September 2, 2020
September 3, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update September 2, 2020

Chocolate Tube Slime, Wilderness, Houston 2020 Visions, Wildscapes Workshop, Living the Change, Parks for Pollinator, Urban Design and Public Health, Green Jobs, and more

Photo of possible chocolate tube slime on a log

A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.

National Wilderness Act, September 3, 1964, by President Lyndon B. Johnson

Texas is home to six federally designated wilderness areas, and five of them are in east Texas (Guadalupe Mountains wilderness area is much further west.) All five of these wilderness areas were created in 1984 and are under the purview of the USDA Forest Service, one of four agencies–along with the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management–that manage federal wilderness areas. The five ‘local’ wilderness areas are:

Photos of these national wilderness areas are remarkably hard to find, so we are grateful to Brady Reed whose photo of Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis splendens) was taken in or near the Sam Houston National Forest. If you have photos of any of these wilderness areas that you might want to share with us, please send them to news@cechouston.org. Note: the image has been cropped and at the time of newsletter publication the species identification had not been verified on iNaturalist.

Land that might qualify as a federally designated wilderness area is becoming increasingly rare. In the Houston-Galveston region, we rely on state and local governments as well as on land trusts such as Bayou Land Conservancy, Galveston Bay Foundation, Houston Audubon, Katy Prairie Conservancy, Native Prairies Association of Texas, The Nature Conservancy – Texas Chapter, and The Trust for Public Land, all of which are members of both the CEC and the Texas Land Trust Alliance. Land trusts in Texas have protected over 1.7 million acres, which in turn provide more than $1 billion in natural resource and community benefits such as flood prevention.

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

CEC NOTES

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.

TAEE Conference registration now available

CEC is proud to partner with the Texas Association for Environmental Education to host a virtual conference on September 25 & 26, 2020. CEC encourages all of our environmental educators to register and actively participate. Highlights include a special session for pre-service teachers, a preview of a new Texas wildlife movie, and a focus on quality virtual programming. Please share the opportunity within your own networks, and contact info@taee.org if you have any questions. Learn more at taee.org and register online.

Future CEC Events

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) and Hurricane Laura.

Houston 2020 Visions now online

Houston 2020 Visions, a collaboration between the American Institute of Architects (AIA Houston), Architecture Center Houston (ArCH) and the City of Houston, addresses challenges from the impact of severe weather events like Hurricane Harvey with a focus on urban design and planning. Featuring 26 projects, the exhibition highlights innovative proposals from visionary architects, engineers, environmental thinkers, city planners, educators, and scholars. Virtual programming, including dynamic panel discussions with national and regional resiliency experts, will be curated to pair with featured projects, taking place throughout the late Summer, Fall and Winter of 2020. The in-person exhibit will debut in the Fall of 2020, as the inaugural exhibition for the new, relaunched Architecture Center Houston (ArCH) at 902 Commerce St, which flooded during Hurricane Harvey. For more information, visit houston2020visions.org.

“Water Quality in Houston” report

Understanding Houston, a collaboration between the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University to serve as a central resource for longitudinal data and trends on a broad range of issues affecting the Greater Houston region, recently released a report on “Water Quality in Houston.” Read it at understandinghouston.org.

NPSOT Wildscapes Workshop begins this week

The Native Prairies Society of Texas, Houston chapter’s Wildscapes Workshop fundraiser begins this week. The NSOCT donates most funds raised to various nature centers and programs to restore habitat throughout our region.  Several online talks are scheduled. The Native Plant Sale follows with online purchasing for Wildscapes Registrants on Sept 12, for the public on Sep 13. Pickup will be the weekend of Sept 19-20.Registration is now open at npsot.org.

Info Session for New Solar Co-op forming in East Houston

On Sept. 3, 2020, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., the Sierra Club Houston Group and Solar United Neighbors will present a webinar to help inform residents and businesses about how the non-profit Solar United can assist in the process of installing solar panels. Solar United Neighbors is currently helping to establish a new Solar Co-op in east Houston (east Houston is broadly defined as most communities on the east side of Houston and Harris County). For more information and to register, visit solarunitedneighbors.org.

Celebrate Commute Solutions Month September 2020

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is excited to help our region explore the many commute options that are available in Greater Houston. Carpool, telecommute, transit, walk, bike, and compressed work weeks have all been important tools for managing congestion and improving air quality in our neighborhoods and on our highways. And in recent months, telecommuting has taken center stage as a primary tool for resiliency in the middle of COVID. Learn more at yourcommutesolution.org.

Living the Change Weekly Discussion Group

Beginning Sept. 3, 2020 and continuing through November, the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston will host a weekly online discussion group inviting Texans of faith accept the Walk on Earth Gently invitation and commit to a sustainable lifestyle. Walk on Earth Gently invites people of faith into a journey of Living the Change that the world needs. The journey is inspired by religious teachings to turn away from consumerism and to seek balanced relationships with all people and the planet we share as our common home.  This 12-week program focuses on making personal lifestyle changes in three areas:  transportation; energy; and food. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Parks For Pollinators 2020

On Sept. 4-7, 2020, Pearland Parks and Recreation will join parks throughout the country in a fun challenge to see how many pollinator species can be documented this September. With the iNaturalist app, you just take a picture of a pollinator (bee, butterfly, bat, etc.) or pollinator-friendly plant, and the community will help identify the species. You can participate by exploring the nature and wildlife anywhere around the John Hargrove Environmental Complex. Any observation you make will count during the event. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Virtual 2020 Bays and Bayous Symposium abstracts due Sept. 7

The 2020 Bays and Bayous Symposium will be held virtually from December 1-3. The theme for the virtual event is “Sound Science, Sound Policy: A 2020 Vision for the Future”. The symposium focuses on (but is not limited to) coastal science research, education and outreach in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Scientists from universities, NGOs and government agencies share their research findings at the event, and leaders from coastal municipalities showcase their resilience and conservation efforts. Educators and extension professionals also present their research and successful outreach efforts. Abstracts due no later than Monday, Sept. 7. For more information, visit bbs20.baysandbayous.org.

Greens Bayou Coalition welcomes new staff

Greens Bayou Coalition is pleased to welcome Colleen Gilligan Gilbert as the new Executive Director. Colleen joins the coalition from Reach Unlimited, Inc., where she served as Enterprise Development Manager for 11 years, providing job opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, serving on the sustainability team, and advocating for Reach clients with local, state and federal officials.  Colleen has over 20 years in nonprofit management and leadership and will serve as the primary advocate for the Coalition’s mission and initiatives. Ashley Rex is joining the staff as the Coalition’s Director of Development. Ashley most recently served as Campaign Manager for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night campaign in which she worked to increase fundraising efforts and established lasting relationships with community partners.

“Get Into Your Sanctuary” photo contest submissions due Sept. 7

In celebration of national Get Into Your Sanctuary activities, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is hosting its annual photo contest. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, ONMS is accepting the public’s best photos of the National Marine Sanctuary System to help celebrate the beauty and importance of these special places, including Texas’s own Flower Garden Banks NMS. Photo contest categories include Sanctuary Views, Sanctuary Life, Sanctuary Recreation, and a new category for 2020 — Sanctuaries at Home. This new category showcases photographs that illustrate how the public can connect with a national marine sanctuary from afar, whether it be through stewardship activities in participants’ homes or neighborhoods or sanctuary-related artwork. Submissions are due Sept. 7, 2020.

The Post-Pandemic Future of Urban Design and Public Health

On Sept. 9, 2020, from 12:15-1:30 p.m., the Kinder Institute for Urban Research will present Richard Joseph Jackson, M.D., professor emeritus at the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, who will discuss how cities can rethink their use of public space and public infrastructure to better plan around the needs of people. For more information and to register, visit kinder.rice.edu.

Community Projects and Spirit of Community Awards

On Sept. 10, 2020, from 1-2:15 p.m., the Gulf of Mexico Climate and Resilience Community of Practice will host a webinar in which two communities will share their stories of tackling climate resilience. The Climate and Resilience Community of Practice annually awards to one individual and one community the Spirit of Community Award. The webinar will include a short award ceremony to announce the winners and acknowledge their achievements. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby Forum on Climate Change

On Sept. 10, 2020, from 6-8 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Citizen’s Climate Lobby will host a a climate forum with area congressional candidates to discuss their proposals for addressing climate change. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Artist Boat’s Beautify the Bucket Judging and Awards Ceremony

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. 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 announced at noon. For more information, visit artistboat.org.

Houston Climate Action Plan Discussion with Lara Cottingham

On Sept. 12, 2020, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby will host a discussion about building support for national climate legislation as well as the details and next steps for Houston’s Climate Action Plan, presented by Lara Cottingham, the city’s chief sustainability officer.

Community Outdoor Outreach Program grants available

Texas Parks & Wildlife’s Community Outdoor Outreach Program is now accepting applications for outdoor education programming. CO-OP grants provide funding to tax-exempt organizations for programming that engages under-represented populations in TPWD mission-oriented outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental education activities. Grant awards range between $5,000 – $30,000 for eligible activities that take place between March 1, 2021 – September 1, 2022. Recreation Grants staff will host a CO-OP Grant Writing Webinar on Tuesday, September 15 at 9 a.m. This webinar will discuss grant program requirements, provide an overview of the application process, review the newly modified scoring criteria and answer questions from applicants. Register for the webinar at gotowebinar.com. Applications are available now via the RGO 2020 system and the deadline is November 6, 2020 at 5 p.m CST. For more information and to apply, please visit tpwd.texas.gov.

Parks and Natural Areas Awards Application Period Now Open

H-GAC’s 15th annual Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Awards program is now accepting applications. The Parks and Natural Areas Awards honor projects in four categories: Projects Over $500,000; Projects Under $500,000; Planning Process; and Policy Tools. Winning entries serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. The application period will be open until 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 30. An online application guide is available. No funding is associated with this awards program. Winners will be notified in December and recognized in 2021. For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo at 832-681-2507.

The Great Texas Birding Classic Conservation Grants proposals due Oct. 1

Do you have a habitat conservation, acquisition, or enhancement project to fund that will benefit native, wild, and unrestrained birds? Do you have an enhancement project that will improve or enhance access for birders and wildlife watchers while protecting habitat for birds? Submit your project proposal now to be eligible for potential funding from the Great Texas Birding Classic. Visit Conservation Grants for project criteria, proposal form, and a list of previously funded projects. Select winning teams choose which conservation projects are funded each year, and selected projects will be announced by the end of December. The deadline for proposals is Oct. 1, 2020.

Apply to join the World Oceans Day Youth Advisory Council

The World Oceans Day Youth Advisory Council helps develop World Oceans Day into a unique opportunity to connect and unite youth and others around our blue planet, with the focus on action for a healthier ocean and more sustainable society. All young people, between the ages of 16 and 24, are invited to apply. Applications for the newest contingent are due Oct. 2, 2020. To apply, visit surveymonkey.com.

Public comment sought on 2020 Forest Action Plan

The Texas A&M Forest Service has updated the 2020 Forest Action Plan and is requesting public comments through October 11, 2020, before a final version is published at the end of the year. The Texas Forest Action Plan is a resource strategy document that is updated every five years and is based on an assessment conducted in that time frame. This assessment is to identify the issues, threats, and opportunities of state forest resources. Five primary issues were identified based on input from interested stakeholders from across the state: 1) Urban Forest Sustainability 2) Central Texas Woodlands Conservation 3) Sustainability of Forest Resources in East Texas 4) Water Resources and 5) Wildfire and Public Safety. The plan was developed based on three national themes: conserve working forests, protect forests from harm, and enhance public benefits from trees and forests. Read the Forest Action Plan at texasforestinfo.tamu.edu and provide comment using this Google form. If you have any questions please contact Mac Martin, Staff Forester, at mac.martin@tfs.tamu.edu.

Ask an Ecologist

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.

“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 “The Urban Alligator – Part 2.” 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.

  • Ian Kasnoff has turned a 16-foot long trailer into a camera, complete with darkroom. Follow Ian as he documents some Texas state parks with his traveling trailer camera
  • Where do alligator gar go to spawn? Ask Karim Aziz. Using Geographic Information Services and overlaying biological data, he conceived of and designed a mapping system that accurately predicts where the gar will spawn
  • Postcard from Texas: Relax along the banks of the Nueces River as it flows by resting rocks and rustling trees

Additional Upcoming Events

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