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Houston Environmental News Update September 30, 2020
October 1, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update September 30, 2020

Welcome Fall Interns, Virtual Green Jobs Program, State of the Park, BPA Annual Symposium, Texas Pollinator BioBlitz, Health & Nature Symposium, Green Jobs, and more

One of the great privileges of being part of the CEC is the opportunity to work with our interns: young people who are preparing to change our world and make it a better place. We are welcoming back three interns, Ashley Odstrcil, Tooba Narejo, and Hannah Guyton, as well as more than a dozen new interns. You can read more about them on our website (and we will be sharing more profiles over the next several days as our interns complete orientation).

In fact, we enjoy mentoring our future leaders so much that we are planning multiple events to connect people at the beginning of their environmental and professional careers with mentors. Our next event is next week, on Wednesday, October 6, 2020, from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, when we are hosting a Virtual Green Career Program. Students will have a chance to meet in small groups with professionals who make saving the planet their life work. You can ask questions, learn how to pursue a green career, and inquire about internships/job shadowing opportunities. CEC is also seeking professionals to participate as mentors that afternoon. Free, but registration required at eventbrite.com. If you are interested in being a mentor or a partner organization for future green career events, please email alicia@cechouston.org.

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

CEC NOTES

Trivia Night: Water World

Did you know? Six billion gallons of treated water are lost every day. On Oct. 14, 2020 from 6-7 p.m., CEC is partnering with Houston Public Works to discuss water usage in our world and test your knowledge on the subject. This is a family friendly, virtual event! Any money raised will go to the Houston Water Aid to Elderly Residents (WATER) Fund, which provides assistance to senior citizens in need. Learn more and sign up at eventbrite.

Tickets on Sale: Wild About Houston Green Film Festival

The CEC is proud to host the third annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival. The virtual festival will tell the story of local environmental issues, their champions and how you can make a difference. This year, the number and quality of film submissions was so great that we decided to host two nights of programming: October 21 and November 18, 2020. Each night will feature different films. A few of the best local films will be shown at the January 2021 Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tour. Tune in to the live program to vote for your favorite film, or register to receive a link to watch the on-demand program later. In addition to pay-what you-can tickets, you can pre-order a delicious meal featuring local, organic food from Pat Greer’s Kitchen. Register at eventbrite.com. If you are interested in sponsorship, contact Alicia Mein-Johnson.

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!

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).

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.

Imagine A Day Without Water Essay Contest

Houston Public Works is sponsoring the “Imagine A Day Without Water” essay contest, open to 1st-8th grade students within the City of Houston limits, whether in public, private or homeschool settings. Essays up to 300 words should focus on what it takes to deliver clean and safe water to people’s homes, and describe what it would be like if the water stopped flowing. Prizes for teachers and students are $200 gift cards. The deadline for entries is Oct. 16, 200, and winners will be announced during the Oct. 21 City Council meeting. For full details, visit cechouston.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.

17th Annual Run in the Park (virtual)

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.

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.

Unplugged Adventure: Texas Prairie Grasses

On Oct. 4, 2020, from 4-5:30 p.m., Katy Prairie Conservancy will present “Unplugged Adventure: Texas Prairie Grasses,” a virtual walk to explore the hidden utility behind the beautiful fall grasses, including medicines, groceries, in textiles and for arts and crafts, presented by author and master gardener Cindy Crosby. For more information and to register, visit katyprairie.org.

Texas Recycling and Composting Summit

From Oct. 5-9, 2020, the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) will present the Texas Recycling and Composting Summit virtually. The Summit brings together professionals from the materials management industry to learn, collaborate, network, share successes, and support the industry in Texas. The Summit provides attendees the unique opportunity to meet and connect with prospective clients and partners who are working to advance recycling in Texas. For more information and to register, visit recyclingstar.org.

The 48th Annual Short Course for Appointed and Elected Officials

From Oct. 5-9, 2020, the 48th Annual Short Course for Appointed and Elected Officials will be presented as part of the 2020 American Planning Association Cross-Chapter Collaborative Virtual Conference for for planning commissioners and elected officials. APA Texas supports planning commissioner training to assist commissioners not only to do a better job, but to enjoy the time they spend serving their community. For more information and to register, visit texas.planning.org.

The Health & Nature Symposium

On Oct. 7, 2020, from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. the Center for Health & Nature (a partnership between Texan by Nature, Houston Methodist, and Texas A&M Health Science Center) will present the annual Health & Nature Symposium virtually. The Symposium convenes friends of the center, researchers, potential funders, and donors to explore ways to advance the science of the interplay between exposure to natural environments, health and healing. For more information and to register, visit centerforhealthandnature.org.

TCiN 2020 Summit Session: Teachers and Students Learning Outdoors

On Oct. 7, 2020, Texas Children in Nature will offer two virtual workshops for both formal and informal educators teaching in an outdoor setting that will provide best practices for teaching students in an outdoor environment. Sessions are available at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Spring Creek Watershed Partnership Meeting

On Oct. 8, 2020, beginning at 2 p.m., the Spring Creek Watershed Partnership will hold a virtual public meeting to discuss water quality issues impacting the Spring Creek watershed in Grimes, Harris, Montgomery, and Waller counties. Local stakeholders are invited to participate in the Spring Creek Watershed Partnership, which will develop a watershed protection plan to address these challenges. To register, visit springcreekpartnership.weebly.com.

Texas Children in Nature Virtual Meet Up

On Oct. 8, 2020, from 5-6:30 p.m., Texas Children in Nature will present a virtual networking event. Partners from across the state of Texas can gather to discuss getting more kids outside. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Low Carbon Energy Summit

On Oct. 8 and Oct. 15, 2020, the Center for Houston’s Future will present the second annaul Low Carbon Energy Summit, which highlights the region’s progress in accelerating Houston’s development as a leader in the energy transition. This year, the focus will be the theme of innovation, spotlighting the technologies and players making Houston a low carbon energy capital. For more information and to register, visit centerforhoustonsfuture.org.

EcoRise: Sustainability in Outdoor Learning

On Oct. 10, 2020, from 10-11:30 p.m., EcoRise will present an interactive learning experience to explore EcoRise lessons that utilize outdoor spaces as well as options to adapt lessons for outdoor learning, using its Outdoor Learning Guide. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Truckload Sale

On Oct. 10, from 10 a.m.-noon, the Green Building Resource Center will hold its semi-annual Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Truckload Sale at the Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington Ave. 50-gallon rain barrels and 65-gallon compost bins are available. The deadline to place orders is Oct. 4 at 11 p.m. For more information, visit rainwatersolutions.com.

Climate Forum for TX HD 148

On Oct. 10, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby will host its monthly virtual meeting, including a forum with the candidates for the Texas House of Representatives District 148. Attendees are encouraged to remain on the Zoom call until 1 pm to learn more about Citizens’ Climate Lobby and ways that they can engage their elected officials to help advocate for meaningful climate change legislation. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Virtual Rain Barrel Workshop

On Oct. 11, 2020, from 4-4:45 p.m., Galveston Bay Foundation will hold a virtual workshop on the benefits of collecting rainwater, as well as proper rain barrel preparation and installation instructions and tips. Participants can register to pick up their rain barrels (included in the $35 cost) at one of three locations. For more information and to register, visit galvbay.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 “Otters Encounters“. 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.

  • Tucked away in the Texas hill country, Longhorn Cavern is a hidden gem ready to be explored. This unique river formed caved has been home to an underground restaurant, concert hall, and a fallout shelter
  • From the endangered piping plover to the threatened snowy plover, shorebirds in Texas continue to lose habitat as beach development booms. Follow along with some biologists as they work to save these struggling shorebirds
  • Relax among the early morning grasses of the Chihuahuan Desert just outside of Marfa

Additional Upcoming Events

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