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Houston Environmental News Update September 23, 2020
September 24, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update September 23, 2020

The Condor and The Eagle: Climate Justice Film. Bird Week Movie Night, Hummingbird Xtravaganza, Workplace Giving, Bioblitzes, Circular Economy, I-45 Video Game, be CEC’s Neighbor, Green Jobs, and more

Join CEC for the Houston virtual premiere of the award-winning film, The Condor and The Eagle, on September 30, 2020.

Not only is Houston one of the leading industrial cities in the country, it is also one of the pollution capitals in North America. With this status comes environmental racism – leaving low-income and minority residents with unsafe living conditions. The Manchester neighborhood is one example of this; this region is bombarded with pollution and poverty. The residents in this area are exposed to high levels of environmental pollution, leaving them with a 22% higher cancer risk than others in Houston. 

This film explores the ongoing collective climate awakening and the need for urgent change. Follow along with four Indigenous leaders who embark on a trans-continental journey from the Canadian plains, to the Manchester neighborhood of Houston, to deep in the heart of the Amazonian jungle. Their path takes them on an unexpectedly challenging and liberating journey; one where they will discover the power of their shared voices. 

Local Environmental Justice leaders at the forefront of this fight will join us after the premiere of The Condor and The Eagle for a Q&A session. 

Get ready to come together to build effective social movements and support the fight to defend the heart of our planet. For tickets and more information, visit the ticket page. 

In a follow-up event on October 6, 2020, join CEC for a virtual event, allowing students to meet with professionals who make saving the planet their life work. Attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions, learn how to pursue a green career, and inquire about internships/job shadowing opportunities. Learn more and volunteer as a mentor at eventbrite.com.

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

CEC NOTES

Support the environment through workplace giving

If you work for employers such as the City of Houston, the State of Texas, or HISD, among many other public and private workplaces, remember that the fall is campaign season for most employee workplace giving programs. Employees are offered the chance to select from many charitable organizations to support through payroll contributions. You can give to CEC via EarthShare of Texas, as one of 60 local, regional and national environmental organizations supported by EarthShare of Texas. You can designate individual organizations or let EarthShare of Texas divide it equally among their participating organizations. A complete list of participating workplaces is available at www.earthshare-texas.org. For more information about EarthShare of Texas, including information about how your organization can offer workplace giving, please visit www.earthshare-texas.org or call 800-GREENTX. Look for the the CEC’s code number under the EarthShare of Texas heading in workplace giving campaign literature at all state agencies (035569), at HISD (0111) and at the City of Houston (1413). Please consider CEC in your workplace giving program!

Houston’s Virtual Green Job Program

At this unique program on October 6 from 3-5 p.m, students will have a chance to meet in small groups with professionals who make saving the planet their life work. Ask questions, learn how to pursue a green career, and inquire about internships/job shadowing opportunities. CEC is also seeking professionals to participate. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Tickets on Sale: 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. The festival will tell the story of local environmental issues, their champions and how you can make a difference. The festival will be held virtually to protect the health and safety of our community in these times. Stay tuned for additional promotions. Purchase tickets online at eventbrite.com.

Trivia Night: Water World

Join CEC and Houston Public Works for a night of fun as we test your knowledge of water use around the world. We’re also raising money for the Houston Water Aid to Elderly Residents (WATER) Fund, which provides assistance to senior citizens in need. Learn more and sign up on eventbrite.

Be CEC’s Neighbor at MECA

CEC’s office is at MECA (Multicultural Education and Counseling for the Arts) in the historic Dow School in the Old Sixth Ward off of Memorial Drive just outside of downtown. Studios (aka classrooms) are available, including one right next to CEC! (We might even share our conference room.) Learn more at meca-houston.org or email rachel@cechouston.org to get the scoop.

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).

National Drive Electric Week

Join the National Drive Electric Week national organizers, Plug In America, the Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association as they celebrate the 10th year of this national EV campaign. This Kick-off event will feature exciting speakers, tools to help you drive electric, prize drawings, Q&A, and much more. Local Drive Electric Week events will take place during the week of Sept. 26 – Oct. 4. Link to additional info and registration for the online Kick-Off Event on Sept. 24, 7:00 pm CT; requires advance registration.

Celebrate Commute Solutions Month in September

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.

Lights Out for Birds

Most North American migratory birds fly at night, and lights on buildings can disorient birds on their paths, resulting in fatal collisions. The Upper Texas Coast plays a key role on the Central Flyway, an important migratory path for birds. Birds that move along and across the Gulf of Mexico depend on safe passage through the Houston-Galveston area. From Sept. 15-Nov. 15, Houston Audubon is participating in “Lights Out for Birds,” an effort to reduce light pollution in the region. For more information and to make a pledge to help reduce light pollution, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Community Update: Mercury Testing of Berry Bayou

On Sept. 24, 2020, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Bayou City Waterkeeper, Caring for Pasadena Communities, and Lone Star Legal Aid will hold an online update about their successful efforts to push the City of South Houston to continue testing for mercury at its wastewater treatment plant along Berry Bayou in southeast Harris County. Attendees will learn more about this victory and how to protect the community’s health from harmful water pollution. To register for the meeting, zoom.us.

HoustonXDesign Week – “Foresight 2020”

Through Sept. 25, 2020, the  AIA Houston Interior Architecture Committee will present the fourth annual “HoustonXDesign Week, focusing on “Vision for Interior Architecture and Design.” It will include a variety of activities and venues highlighting the work of interior architects, designers, workplace experts, artists, and maker culture. Through a variety of tours, lectures, and exhibits, we bring together an array of disciplines and explore the many facets of design in corporate, hospitality and academic spaces throughout Houston. For more information and to register, visit aiahouston.org.

2020 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards

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.

Celebrating GoMRI around the Gulf

In the immediate aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI), led by an independent academic research board, launched a $500 million mission to study the effect of oil spills on the environment and public health. On Sept. 25, 2020, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the GoMRI will host an online event celebrating it partnership with Texas. For more information and to register, visit gulfseagrant.org.

The Circular Economy – From Theory to Reality

On Sept. 25, 2020, from 3-4 p.m., the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University will present a webinar about the “circular economy,” an alternative to the traditional linear economy of materials extraction, production, use and disposal. Though the circular economy model aims to go beyond the practices of reducing, reusing and recycling by incorporating reengineering, redesign and remanufacturing, transitioning to such a system comes with many challenges. For more information and to register, visit bakerinstitute.org.

Bird Week 2020

Houston Audubon is celebrating its annual Bird Week virtually, through Sept. 26, 2020. Bird Week is about celebrating the important role Houston plays in the journey of billions of migratory birds and the everyday lives of our resident birds. Houston Audubon and local conservation partners arrange a week of events centered around our region’s birds and wildlife – from bird walks to mindfulness talks to Purple Martin watch parties, there is something for all Houstonians to enjoy. For the full schedule of events and information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

17th Annual Run in the Park (virtual)

From September 26 through October 3, 2020, Hermann Park Conservancy’s 17th Annual Run in the Park is taking place virtually. That means you can run, or walk, a 5K or 10K between those dates in Hermann Park or from the comfort of your own area, while still supporting the Park. Registration costs $20 for the 5K and 10K events. As thanks, you’ll receive a Run in the Park t-shirt mailed right to your door, as well as gifts from Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Shake Shack. For more information and to register, visit hermannpark.org.


Prairie Planting Event at Blackhawk Park

On Sept. 26, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston chapter of the Texas Prairie Association will offer s an opportunity to explore and help out at the Lawtheer-Deer Park Prairie, including staring work on a new boardwalk. To RSVP and for more details, send an email to Kirsti Harms at kirsti_harms@texasprairie.org. 

Virtual Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza

On Sept. 26, 2020, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will present its annual “Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza” virtually. Taking place at the peak of hummingbird migration, XHX is a once-a-year opportunity to see these amazing birds up close. Watch on Facebook Live as staff and volunteeers carefully catch and band these tiny travelers and sign up to symbolically adopt one. The event will also include guest speakers, live animals, kids’ activities, and the chance to shop the online gift shop. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz

Through Sept. 27, 2020, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, will host a Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz. It’s a free event where people take and upload photos, using the iNaturalist app, of plants and wildlife to learn more about nature in our area. All ages are invited to participate. For more information, visit houstonarboretum.org.

En-ROADS, a climate change simulator

On Sept. 27, 2020, beginning at 12:45 p.m., Houston climate activist Sandy Spears will hold a webinar in which she will explain En-ROADS — a transparent, freely-available policy simulation model that provides policymakers, educators, businesses, the media, and the public with the ability to explore, for themselves, the likely consequences of energy, economic growth, land use, and other policies and uncertainties, with the goal of improving their understanding. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

EcoRise: Remote Learning Jam Session

On Sept. 29, 2020, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., EcoRise staff, Teacher Ambassadors, and other experienced EcoRise teachers will present a collaborative share session around sustainability and remote learning. The webinar will will highlight new opportunities and Eco-Audit Grant ideas for those ready to dive into creating innovative approaches to remote Eco-Audit grants. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Fifth Ward Community Meeting

On Sept. 29, 2020, beginning at 5:30 p.m., Texas Health and Environment Alliance, Inc. will host a virtual community meeting to discuss the abnormally high cancer rates in Houston’s Fifth Ward, and what the community, advocacy groups, and government agencies are doing about it. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com .

National Coastal & Estuarine Summit

The National Coastal & Estuarine Summit will be held virtually September 29 – October 1, 2020. This will be a highly interactive, state of the art, virtual opportunity to network with colleagues, share lessons learned, and hear from experts on the latest in coastal restoration and management. More than 300 expert panels, presentations, and posters have been selected and more than 30 sponsors have already committed to support this year’s virtual Summit. For more information and to register, visit estuaries.org.

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.

Memorial Park Conservancy’s State of the Park

On Oct. 1, 2020, beginning at noon, the Memorial Park Conservancy will hold its annual State of the Park, a moment to celebrate the past year’s advancements at Houston’s signature urban wilderness and recreation park. Shellye Arnold, President & CEO, will provide a look at the Park’s Ten-Year Plan projects, including the transformative Land Bridge & Prairie. A panel of urban parks and cultural engagement experts will lead a discussion on the power of parks as places of healing and renewal.speaks to the Park’s role in bringing communities together. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit memorialparkconservancy.org.

Bayou Preservation Association’s 17th Annual Symposium

Bayou Preservation Association’s 17th Annual Symposium will be going virtual this year on Thursday, Oct. 1 and Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. This year’s Symposium theme Bayou-Diversity: Celebrate, Protect & Restore will address the expanding importance of diversity in all its forms — physical, geomorphological, biological, socioeconomic, and conceptual. For more information and to register, visit bayoupreservation.org.

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.

Texas Pollinator BioBlitz & Plant Sale

From Oct. 2-18, 2020, Mercer Botanic Gardens will host the Texas Pollinator BioBlitz, an annual, statewide effort to increase the awareness of Texas pollinators, including many species of butterflies, moths, bees, and more. Texans of all ages are encouraged to venture outdoors at Mercer Botanic Gardens and participate. On Oct. 3, 2020, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will hold a Virtual Pollinator Festival & Plant Sale. Pollinator nectar and host plants, including plenty of Texas native plants such as coneflowers, milkweed, and passionflowers, will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting Mercer Botanic Gardens. For more information, see the Facebook event.

AAMA Graphic Design Assistance for Nonprofits

The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans’ Work and Learn Center teaches opportunity youth graphic design through its Youth Enterprise Design Studio. Participating youth, ages 16 – 24, are not enrolled in school, employed, or in a job training program. The Youth Enterprise Design Studio supports these passionate students while providing valuable career and hands-on experience. The students create a variety of designs and branding materials for local businesses and non-profits, ensuring that your vision becomes a reality. You can help support participants by providing experience working with clients. If you are interested in supporting AAMA’s students with your graphic design needs, please contact Jacob Saenz for a consultation at jsaenz@aama.org or at (218) 932–4661. Be on the lookout for the great work they have been doing for the CEC!

Houston Botanic Garden Opening: Celebrating Asia

From Oct. 2-4, 2020, from the Houston Botanic Garden will continue its series of opening season weekends with special educational opportunities that will showcase Houston’s cultural richness and biodiversity, focusing on Asia. The event will include an outdoor educational demonstration on ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arrangement, a virtual lecture on Vietnamese gardens in Houston, performances by Dance of Asian America, children’s activities, and more. For more information, see hbg.org.

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. 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.

ABNC “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 “Armand Bayou Osprey“. Find all of the blog entries at abnc.org.

Gulf Freeway PEL Study MetroQuest Survey–Video Game Style

TxDOT is conducting a study to identify issues and potential solutions for improving the Gulf Freeway from downtown to Beltway 8 South. Community ideas are key to this study and there’s an easy way for folks to provide input – TxDOT’s online survey is available until Oct. 11, 2020, at txdot.gov/inside-txdot/gulf-freeway-pel-study.html.

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.

  • The waters of Mineral Wells, west of Fort Worth, have long lured visitors. Relaxation at a lakeside state park is more the draw than the historic spas today, but entertaining exercise is also an option
  • Meet some landlords looking out for their tenants at a small high-rise condo complex that’s completely for the birds. Purple martins seem to need people, and the birds provide some rewards for those who watch out for them
  • Grab a flashlight and head underground to experience the wonder of the Longhorn caverns. Explore these unusual formations up close to see intricate details created over thousands of years

Additional Upcoming Events

Check out the latest Green Jobs at cechouston.org/green-jobs/.

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