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Houston Environmental News Update October 21, 2020
October 21, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update October 21, 2020

Wild About Houston! UH Energy Symposium, Bike Around the Bay, Prairie Pandemonium, Focus on Fifth Ward, Gulf Coast Water Conservation Symposium, Green Jobs, and more

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 CEC will 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. Register at eventbrite.com. If you are interested in sponsorship, visit cechouston.org.

Please scroll down to read about public engagement opportunities and notes from our member organizations and the community.

CEC NOTES

Justice and Transformation: Houston Women on Climate Action, Oct. 28, 2020

On October 28, 2020, beginning at 6 p.m., please join Rice University’s Fondren Library for a discussion on justice and climate. This virtual panel will bring together four Houston women whose work addresses climate justice: Dr. Denae King (TSU), Dr. Cymene Howe (Rice), Amy Catherine Dinn (Lone Star Legal Aid), and Iris Gonzalez (Coalition for Environment, Equity & Resilience (CEER)). CEC is pleased to be a cosponsor of this event. Learn more at library.rice.edu/JusticeTransformation.

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.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

Learn more about public participation opportunities

Through Nov. 9, 2020: North Houston Highway Improvement Project MOU Listening Session

On Oct. 22, 2020, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Policy Council will hold a virtual public Listening Session to receive feedback on the Memorandum of Understanding between the key cooperating entities on the proposed North Houston (I-45) Highway Improvement Project that will showcase their commitment to ongoing discussions regarding the project’s design, opportunities for increased transit, and mitigating community impacts. For more information, including how to attend the meeting, visit h-gac.com. If you are not able to attend Thursday’s MOU Listening Session, the same people will be back in the room for their regularly scheduled Transportation Policy Council Meeting on Friday, Oct. 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Find out more about the meeting at h-gac.com. Comments will be accepted until at least Nov. 9, 2020.

Through Oct. 30, 2020: Texas House of Representatives seeks testimony regarding aggregate mining

Sand Mining sediment – West Fork San Jacinto River

The recently formed Texans for Responsible Aggregate Mining (TRAM) is a statewide coalition of member groups (including CEC member organizations Bayou Land Conservancy, Bayou City Waterkeeper and Air Alliance Houston) seeking to work with lawmakers, state agencies, and good-faith industry operators to create state standards for best management practices in the rapidly expanding Aggregate Production Operation (APO) industry, and adopt those standards into law. TRAM’s goal is to create a healthier, safer and more desirable community for Texans as well as a more efficient APO industry that is aligned with the concerns of the communities in which they operate. TRAM invites members of the public to submit written testimony to the Texas House of Representatives Interim Committee on Aggregate Production Operations by Oct. 30, 2020. Learn more here.

Through Oct. 30, 2020: TCEQ accepting comment on revised penalty policy proposal and begins Compliance History rulemaking

Though Oct. 31, 2020, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is accepting comments on a proposal to revise the commission’s penalty policy. The penalty policy was last revised on April 1, 2014. Since then, statutory changes have occurred, and recent incidents have caused significant impacts to the public and the environment demanding accountability within the bounds of TCEQ authority. The comment period will last 30 days. After the Oct. 30 deadline, received comments will be presented to the commissioners for their consideration at a future commission work session or commission agenda. For more information on the proposed revisions and how to comment, visit tceq.texas.gov.

Through Oct. 31, 2020: City of Houston Draft Long-Range Solid Waste Plan

The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) is excited to announce the creation of an updated Long-Range Solid Waste Management Plan covering waste and recycling programs for Houston until 2040. The draft plan will provide for sustainable materials management for the Houston area for the next 20 years. SWMD welcomes comments through Oct. 31, 2020. Learn more at houstontx.gov/solidwaste/longrange/index.html. Residents are encouraged to provide comments on surveymonkey.com.

Through Nov. 2, 2020: Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study Interim Feasibility Report released

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, along with the Harris County Flood Control District, recently released an Interim Feasibility Report for the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate alternatives with the goal of helping to reduce flooding under a range of flood events. Information sessions are scheduled for Oct. 15, 22, and 26. Learn more at usace.army.mil.

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).

Houston Audubon’s 2020 Avian Affair

On Oct. 22, 2020, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Houston Audubon will virtually holds its 2020 annual fundraiser, called “An Avian Affair.” The event will be livestreamed for all. Registering in advance allows people to receive event updates, bid on the silent auction, receive bid notifications, and participate in Fund-a-Need. For more information and to register, visit benefitbidding.net.

2020 Scenic Houston Virtual Celebration

On Oct. 22, 2020, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Scenic Houston will host its annual fundraising celebration vitually. The event will present the Scenic Visionary Award to John R. Breeding, president and CEO of the Uptown Houston District, and feature  a conversation with urban planner, educator and author Alexander Garvin. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit scenichouston.org.

Bayou Land Conservancy – Past, Present, and Future

On Oct. 22, 2020, beginning at 7 p.m., The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. will kick off of its 2020-2021 Going Green Sustainability Lecture series with a talk by Becky Martinez, conservation director of the Bayou Land Conservancy, who will discuss the lands that BLC, working with willing landowners, has protected over the last 20 years and their Strategic Conservation Plan to protect lands in the future. She will also discuss how BLC connects our greater community to nature through educational series, events and volunteer opportunities. For more information, including how to connect, visit thewoodlandsgreen.org. 

UH Energy Symposium Series: Houston’s Low-Carbon Energy Capital

UH Energy, the UH Bauer College of Business, and the Center for Houston’s Future have conducted a major research project on Houston’s potential role as “Houston’s Low-Carbon Energy Capital”. This month, the results of these projects are being unveiled during a seminar series on Fridays, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The remaining presentations are: “Hydrogen” (Oct. 23), and “Circular Plastics Economy” (Oct. 30). The series not only shares the findings of these studies, but also begins a broader discussion on Houston’s energy future with leading industry experts. Each session will conclude with an audience Q&A. For more information on the series, visit uh.edu.

Focus on Fifth Ward: Cancer Cluster and Environmental Justice

On Oct. 23, 2020, from 6-8 p.m., the Houston Climate Movement, Public Citizen Texas, and the Coalition for Environment, Equity, and Resilience will host an online discussion connecting climate change, toxic sites, and the fight for environmental justice in Houston, specifically in the Fifth Ward. For more information, see the Facebook event .

Bike Around the Bay

On Oct. 24, 2020, beginning at 7 a.m., the Galveston Bay Foundation will host its annual Bike Around the Bay fundraising event. The ride will start/finish at Fort Anahuac Park in Chambers County. There are 28-, 67-, and 95-mile routes. There is a $100 fundraising minimum to pick up your packet and participate in the ride. All funds raised from the ride will support the work of the GBF. They will be taking every precaution to ensure the health and safety of riders and volunteers throughout the event. For more information and to register, visit gbf.convio.net.

Prairie Pandemonium

On Oct. 24, 2020, from 8 a.m.-noon, the Armand Bayou Nature Center will hold its Prairie Pandemonium event, where volunteers will become part of a team planting effort to transplant native grasses into ABNC’s restored prairies. This important effort will give the ABNC prairies a jump-start to a native state of abundant wildflowers and tall grasses. Registration is required for participants. All waivers and confirmations from participants must be received by Oct. 17. Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information and to register, visit abnc.org.

Volunteer Tree Planting at Exploration Green

On Oct. 24, 2020, from 8 a.m.-noon, Exploration Green will host a volunteer tree planting event in Phase 2 (between Reseda Drive and El Dorado Blvd) near the entrance on Reseda Drive and Diana Lane. Please wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring your own work gloves, refillable water bottle, and snacks. Tasks range from heavy to light; there is a job for everybody. Please RSVP to Susan Parker at egcvol2@gmail.com if you plan to attend. Planting groups will be restricted to four volunteers, ages 15 and older. Masks will be required. Another planting event will be held on Oct. 31.

Community Walk and Ride

On Oct. 24, 2020, beginning at 8:45 a.m., the Nature Heritage Society Houston will host a Community Walk and Ride along Sims Bayou. Participants will meet at the parking lot at the corner of South Acres Drive and Scott Street, across the street from Woodson School. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Works Days at Talbot Brothers Prairie in New Boston and Lawther-Deer Park Prairie in Deer Park

On Oct. 24, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon., the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will host a volunteer workday at the Talbot Brothers Prairie in New Boston. This special workday will involve collecting seeds from the prairie to plant in areas that were disturbed during the fence project. For more details and to RSVP, contact Kirsti Harms at kirsti_harms@texasprairie.org.

On Oct. 24, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will host a voluntter workday at Lawther-Deer Park Prairie in Deer Park. This is an opportunity to explore and help out at this special coastal prairie and continue work on the new boardwalk. For more information and to RSVP, contact Kirsti Harms at kirsti_harms@texasprairie.org. 

Texas Conservation Alliance Annual Meeting

On Oct. 24, 2020, from 10-11:45 a.m., the Texas Conservation Alliance will hold its Annual Meeting virtually. The meeting will provide the latest developments on state river damming and reservoir initiatives, happenings at the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge, state paddling trail projects, and logging policy in Texas’ national forests. Get a preview of the 2021 calendar of events across the state in celebration of TCA’s upcoming 50th anniversary. For more information, inclucing details on how to participate, visit tcatexas.org.

Your Vote, Your World

On October 24, 2020, at noon, join the Climate Reality Project, EARTHDAY.ORG, and the Hip Hop Caucus for Your Vote, Your World, a live digital rally with activists, artists, musicians, and cultural icons. Explore the urgency of this moment and how we will make our voices heard this November. Guests include former US Vice President Al Gore, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., Stacey Abrams, Saad Amer, Bishop William J. Barber II, Dr. Robert D. Bullard, Catherine Coleman Flowers, Don Cheadle, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lil Dicky, Dave Matthews, Thomas Middleditch, Ozomatli, Kal Penn, Questlove, Mark Ronson, Drew and Jonathan Scott, Zeke Thomas, Danni Washington, Calum Worthy, and many, many more. Learn more at earthday.org.

ForesTREE Experience

Teachers of grades K-8 interested in learning about forest ecosystems and conservation education topics and sharing that knowledge with your students in the classroom are invited to take part in the ForesTREE Experience offered by the Texas A&M Forest Service and Project Learning Tree. This program is a blended synchronous and asynchronous learning series. Teachers must complete all three online meetings in order to receive full credit. An introductory session will be held on Oct. 26, followed by sessions on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9. .Learn more at texasforestry.org.

The Path of Hope: A Study on Climate Action for Faith Communities

On Tuesdays from Oct. 27 through Nov. 17, 2020, the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston is presenting 15-minute videos featuring interviews with U.S. faith leaders, representatives of climate-impacted communities from the global South, and presentations by UN officials and other experts. The series focuses on how climate change is impacting the core ministries of faith communities around the world, how those impacts will increase in the future, and why these impacts create an imperative for people of faith to advocate for strong US climate action. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more information.

People’s Eco-Challenge

The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites Houstonians of all faiths to join their team for this year’s People’s Eco-Challenge, through Oct. 28, 2020. This online event offers you the opportunity to care for the earth by taking on a challenge in: justice for the whole community, healing & renewal, waste, food, health, transportation, energy, community, nature, water, or simplicity. Create a new environmental justice/stewardship habit over the course of the three weeks of the challenge. Join the team at https://peoples.ecochallenge.org/. For more information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at: gcs.lrc@gmail.com.

Lunch and Learn with Center for Climate Integrity

Join Houston Climate Movement on Oct. 28, 2020, for a lunch and learn via Zoom. The Center for Climate Integrity will cover Texas’ climate impacts, their associated financial costs, and the fossil fuel industry’s history of disinformation and climate denial, begging the question: who should be held accountable for these costs–corporate polluters or taxpayers? Register here to join the Movement.

Trash Talk: BBP’s Clean & Green Program

On Oct. 28, 2020, beginning at 1:30 p.m., the Buffalo Bayou Partnership will hold a webinar featuring Mike Garver, BBP Board Member and Robby Robinson, BBP Field Operations Manager, who will discuss the Partnership’s “Clean and Green Program.” For more information and to register, visit buffalobayou.org.

Green by Design

On Oct. 28, 2020, beginning at 3 p.m., the Green Building Resource Center will present a webinar featuring architect Peter Pfeiffer on the merits of taking a “street-wise” common-sense approach to high performance design strategies as compared to the expensive and maintenance intensive “green gizmos” approach being promoted by most. Pfeiffer help the participant critically determine what works – what is effective and long lasting – and what may simply be ‘hype’ of the latest ‘fad’ product or method.”  For more information and to register, visit codegreenhouston.org.

Insect Allies of the Prairie Landscape

On Oct. 28, 2020, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will host a virtual meeting featuring a presentation by Erin Mills, entomologist and director of the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, who will discuss how an entire army of tiny inhabitants keep prairie ecosystems alive and thriving. For more information and to register, visit houstonprairie.org.

Gulf Coast Water Conservation Symposium

From Oct. 28-29, 2020, the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) will host the 9th Annual Gulf Coast Water Conservation Symposium, with the theme “Integrating Water Management on the Texas Gulf Coast: Moving Forward with a One Water Approach”. This year’s symposium is focused on case studies and tools to help attendees identify challenges and solutions for successfully managing water as an integrated resource. For more information and to register, visit harcresearch.networkforgood.com.

2020 Art of Saving Sea Turtles

On Oct. 29, 2020, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., the Turtle Island Restoration Network will hold its annual Art of Saving Sea Turtles fundraising event virtually. The event celebrates local sea turtle conservation and community art and helps raise critical funds to support Turtle Island Restoration Network’s sea turtle conservation programs in the Gulf and on Galveston Island. To register for the free event, visit act.seaturtles.org.

Local Foods, Local Places planning assistance applications now open

Through Oct. 30, 2020, communities are invited to apply for a new round of planning assistance from the Local Foods, Local Places program, which is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Local Foods, Local Places helps communities revitalize neighborhoods through development of local food systems. For more information, visit epa.gov.

Net Zero Home Tour

On Oct. 31, 2020, the Green Building Resource Center will sponsor the Net Zero Home Tour, a walk-through of a construction site of a house with a high performance building envelope and efficient appliances zeroed out by solar panels. For more information, visit codegreenhouston.org.

Houston Botanic Garden Opening: Celebrating the Mediterranean

On Oct. 31, 2020, 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 the Mediterranean region. The event will include  a virtual lecture on the influence of Persian gardens, from Lisa Balabanlilar, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of History at Rice University, children’s activities, and more. For more information, visit hbg.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. Through 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.

Power Tools For Nonprofits registration now open

From Nov. 17-18, 2020, the annual Power Tools for Nonprofits conference will be presented by CenterPoint Energy with community partners, United Way of Greater Houston, and the University of Houston Downtown as a full, high-quality conference all online and easily accessible. The conference will feature experts and insights across a variety of topics of most importance to nonprofit organizations working in these most unusual times. Topics will include Advocacy & Community Engagement, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Fundraising, Leadership, Management, and Personal Development. For more information and to register, visit eventsquid.com.

Submit your Ideas for Texas Restoration Area Planning

The Texas Trustee Implementation Group is beginning the process of considering restoration activities that will address injuries caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Through Dec. 10, 2020, the Implementation Group is seeking restoration project ideas that benefit wetland, coastal, and nearshore habitats, and living coastal and marine resources, and restore water quality through nonpoint source nutrient reduction in the Texas Restoration Area. In our next restoration plan, a range of projects will be considered to address injuries to these restoration types: wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats; nutrient reduction (nonpoint source); oysters; sea turtles; and birds. Additional information on these restoration types is available in Chapter 5 of the Trustee Council’s Programmatic Restoration Plan, and the Strategic Frameworks for birds, oysters, and sea turtles.

“Unmuted” report examines best practices in videoconferencing

The Goodman Center recently released its report, “Unmuted: What works, what doesn’t, and how we can all do better when working together online.” Based on a survey of 4,405 people at nonprofits and foundations, colleges and universities, and government agencies, “Unmuted” examines the explosion of videoconferencing triggered by the pandemic and addresses the question: What’s really happening when working together face-to-face means screen-to-screen? Download a free copy of the report at thegoodmancenter.com.

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!

Recurring Events with Changing Content

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 “Night Heron Departures“. Find all of the blog entries at abnc.org.

“Houston and Nature” podcast

In the latest “Houston and Nature” podcast, Nivien Saleh speaks with permaculture expert Shawn McFarland about the lively Houston permatculture community. She discusses how it can be applied to business, architecture, and how people live their lives. As a consequence, it lends itself to re-imagining how we function as a society. Hear the latest episode at houstonnature.com.

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.

  • Conservationist and hunter Terrance Jackson will be the first to tell you, “If Wild Turkeys could smell, they’d be nearly impossible to hunt.” Follow Terrance as he travels across East Texas working to restore and harvest the Eastern Wild Turkey
  • Take a leisurely look at the sand and surf at South Padre Island National Seashore

Additional Upcoming Events

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