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Houston Environmental News Update December 9, 2020
December 10, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update December 9, 2020

Year in review? Donate, WSFF tickets now on sale, RAQPAC: State of the Air Report, Circular Economy, Holiday with the Cranes, Blackwood Open Market, Green Jobs, and more

Earlier this year, we asked you to let us know what you see as issues or events of importance to the greater Houston region’s environmental community for 2020. This is what you told us:

  • COVID-19
  • Black Lives Matter: Environmental justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion are all front-of-mind
  • Zoom
  • The release of the City of Houston’s Climate Action Plan on Earth Day 2020
  • Fewer miles being driven because of COVID-19 Stay-at-Home orders
  • Thought: Can Houston make itself into a sponge city to protect itself from flooding (Note: see info about recent hearing held by the City of Houston relating to green infrastructure)

Now that are approaching the end of 2020, what do you, our readers, believe have been the most significant environmental accomplishments, controversies, issues, news, and events in the greater Houston region so far this year?

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

CEC NOTES

Houston Climate Action Plan Educational Outreach Partners Workshop

On Dec. 11, 2020, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., join CEC and the City of Houston to leverage community resources and create strategic opportunities for Houston-area youth to engage in civic conversations and actions around climate resilience. This virtual, collaborative planning workshop is for all Houston informal educators and community engagement coordinators. Details and free registration via eventbrite.com.

Virtually Wild! Field Trips

Need a virtual lesson, activity or field trip for your students? Send an email to SCA Americorps Intern Emma Wilson (emma.wilson@cechouston.org) to book and create a free, custom program that aligns to any of the Science TEKS. She is available any date and time from now until March. Or, join us for Virtually WILD Communities every Tuesday at 4:00 on Facebook Live (houstonwild) or 4:30 via Zoom (email emma.wilson@cechouston.org for the links). This program is great for all audiences, and gives Houstonians a chance to interact with various environmental professionals every week. Details at hereinhouston.org.

Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tour

Tickets are on sale now for the Wild and Scenic Film Festival On Tour, hosted by CEC, on Jan. 29, 2021. Purchase your tickets today; they make a great holiday gift. Special thanks to our program sponsors: McMac CX and Veritex Bank. The Silent Auction is also back by popular demand. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com. In the meantime, you can watch (or rewatch) the Wild About Houston Green Film Festival, then vote for the Fan Favorite, which will be shown at the January festival. Watch the October and November programs on the CEC YouTube page.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

Learn more about public participation opportunities at cechouston.org/public-participation-opportunities/.

Dec. 11: Meeting on North Houston (I-45) Highway Improvement Project MOU

On Dec. 11, 2020, beginning at 3 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Policy Council Workgroup will hold a virtual meeting on the Memorandum of Understanding between the key cooperating entities on the proposed North Houston (I-45) Highway Improvement Project. Find more information, including on how to access the meeting, at h-gac.com.

Comment Period Extended to Jan. 13, 2020: Coastal Texas Study

The United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas General Land Office recently released plans for the Draft Feasibility Report and Draft Environmental Impact Statement of the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study, also known as the Coastal Texas Study. The public review period has been extended to Jan. 13, 2021. Find the documents and information on how to submit comments at swg.usace.army.mil. NOTE: Several area environmental groups have raised concerns about the draft reports. Watch a recent discussion on the study by those organizations here.

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).

THEA Petition: San Jacinto River Waste Pits

The Texas Health and Environment Alliance (THEA) invites you to learn about their concerns regarding the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site. While progress has been made, THEA is urging the EPA to ensure that the toxic material is handled safely at every phase of the process. This includes safety measures for the workers handling the waste, best management practices to protect the environment, a careful plan for transporting the waste on our roadways, and proper disposal of the waste such that it will not negatively affect public health at its new location. THEA has organized a petition to demonstrate community support.

RAQPAC meeting: State of the Air Report

On Dec. 10, 2020, from 10 a.m.-noon, the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Regional Air Quality Planning Advisory Committee will host a virtual meeting. The meeting will include a presentation by Charlie Gagen of the American Lung Association on its latest “State of the Air Report.” The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams by clicking here or by calling +1 346-262-0196,,916185352# ID: 916 185 352#. For the full agenda, visit h-gac.com.

Texas Children in Nature Virtual Meet-Up

On Dec. 10, 2020, from 5-6:30 p.m., Texas Children in Nature will hold a Virtual Meet-Up to discuss what the next year holds for Texas Children in Nature and what its partners across the state have been up to. This is a great chance for everyone to share and ask questions of the partners. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

DIY Eco-Holiday Gift Ideas

On Dec. 10, 2020, from 5:30-7 p.m., the U.S. Green Building Council Texas Chapter will host a virtual craft session in which architects Kathleen English and Steve Stelzer will demonstrate how to make origami ornaments, a long-standing homemade holiday gift idea. The event will include demos of some other fun, homemade holiday gift ideas. For more information and to register, visit usgbctexas.org.

Sierra Club General Meeting

On Dec. 10, 2020, beginning at 7 p.m., the Sierra Club Houston Group will hold a virtual general meeting featuring a presentation by Sarah Matson of the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department, who will discuss the recently announced updated draft Long-Range Solid Waste Management Plan covering waste and recycling programs for Houston until 2040. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Addicks and Barker | Has the Army Corps Given Up on Houston?

On Dec. 11, 2020, from 12:30-2 p.m., Bayou City Initiative will host a virtual stakeholder meeting in which local flood mitigation leaders Jim Blackburn, Auggie Campbell, Mary Anne Piacentini, and Larry Dunbar will discuss the recent recommendations for Buffalo Bayou released the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

What’s Next for the Circular Economy?

On Dec. 11, 2020, from 3-4 p.m., the Baker Institute at Rice University will hold the final webinar of a series dedicated to the discussion of circular economy and sustainability goals. Rachel A. Meidl, fellow in energy and environment, and Emily Tipaldo, executive director of U.S. Plastics Pact, will consider how to achieve a circular economy for plastics and answer many of the questions received from the audience over the course of the webinar season. For more information and to register, visit bakerinstitute.org.

Celebrate the Holidays along Buffalo Bayou

Buffalo Bayou Partnership offer several ways to celebrate the season while staying safe:

Social Change Scientists Video Competition

Enter the McMac Cx, Air Champions – Social Change Scientists Video Competition. Simply create a 30 to 90 second video about air quality using provided prompts, and enter using this Google form . A winner will be announced at the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition’s Green Film Series event on Jan. 29, 2021. The winner will receive a state-of-the-art Flow Personal Pollution Monitor (PPM) valued at $150.00 from McMac Cx. Questions? Want to be on the selection committee? Want to learn more about Air Champions? Contact David McLean at david.maclean@mcmaccx.net or read the details on the Google form.

Application for Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force

On behalf of the first five members of the Community Flood Resilience Task Force (CFRTF), Harris County is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the remaining task force positions. The CFRTF is looking for multi-disciplinary members who are committed to serving the community and represent the geographic, gender, age, racial, and ethnic diversity of Harris County. These members will join the first five nominees—Bill Callegari, Iris Gonzalez, Lisa Gonzalez, Dr. Earthea Nance, and Bob Rehak—in furthering effective flood resiliency efforts across the County. If you are interested in serving on this Task Force, please submit an application at CFRTF.harriscountytx.gov, by Dec. 11, 2020.

Victoria Gardens Park Volunteer Tree Planting

On Dec. 12, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston Parks & Recreation Department’s Natural Resources Management Program will host a volunteer tree planting event at Victoria Gardens Park, 4900 Werner. Shovels will be provide. Be sure to bring a refillable water bottle, along with shoes, gloves, and clothes that can get muddy. Pre-registration is required. Register by emailing Naturalresources@houstontx.gov. For more information, visit .volunteermatch.org.

Holiday with the Cranes

On Dec. 12, 2020, from 10-11 a.m., the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council will hold its annual Holiday with the Cranes event virtually. The event will feature a presentation by Glenn Olsen of GOBirding Ecotours, who will discuss the annual migration during the winter months to Galveston of Sandhill Cranes. He will discuss the history of this important species and some amusing and interesting aspects of its behavior and connection with humans. For more information and to register, visit galvestonnaturetourism.org.

Blackwood Open Air Market

On Dec. 12, 2020, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Blackwood Educational Land Institute will hold its final Open Air Market of the year. It will offer freshly harvested organic produce and herbs for you to enjoy at home as well as seedlings, plants, and trees for your own garden. They’ll also be serving lunch and treats from its wood-fired bread oven. They’ll be joined by several vendors offering nourishing local foods and handmade goods. There will be tours of the 33-acre working, educational farm with warm seasonal drinks. For more information, visit the Facebook event.

Wild Texas Film Tour available virtually in December

The Wild Texas Film Tour, which normally hosts screening events in cities throughout the state, has gone virtual this year for the entire month of December. Hosted by filmmaker and conservationist Ben Masters, the films showcase “wildlife, adventure, and conservation stories from across the state.” All of this year’s films will be available free of charge with a suggested donation to help cover the festival’s streaming costs and fund the next Wild Texas Short Film Grant. Among this year’s selections is Bayou City, a short film produced by Olivia Haun (Schmidt), the 2018 Wild Texas Film Tour Grant recipient and outreach specialist for the TPWD Wildlife Diversity Program. Bayou City was made to “shed light on the issues the bayou ecosystem have faced over the past century, and to share the successes that provide an alternative vision and relationship between Houston and its bayous.” The film features Mark Kramer of Armand Bayou Nature Center, Susan Chadwick and Tom Helm of Save Buffalo Bayou, Suzanne Simpson of Bayou Land Conservancy, Kelli Ondracek of Houston Parks & Recreation Department, and Diana Foss of TPWD Urban Wildlife Program.

CCL Meeting: Greentown Labs and Texas Resolution Project

On Dec. 12, 2020, from 10:30 a.m.-noon, the Houston chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby will host a meeting featuring a presentation by a Greentown Labs, a green tech incubator that will be opening a new facility in Houston in the Spring of 2021, and a discussion of Texas Resolution Project. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Christmas Bird Counts

The 121st annual Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for December 14, 2020, through January 5, 2021. Organized by the National Audubon Society, this all-volunteer effort takes a snapshot of bird populations to monitor their status and distribution across the Western Hemisphere. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels. There is NO FEE to participate in Christmas Bird Counts. We encourage you to learn more about the counts–including a few dozen within a two-hour drive of downtown Houston–at HoustonAudubon.org. Unsurprisingly, adjustments are being made to the count to try reduce the risk of transferring the coronavirus. You can also participate from your yard or neighborhood as a feeder watcher. Regardless, be sure to coordinate with the compiler to find out how to participate.

Try counting these! “Attack of the Grackle Cloud,” (c) Adam Baker, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Long-Term Environmental Trends in the Gulf of Mexico

On Dec. 14, 2020, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the Committee on Long Term Environmental Trends in the Gulf of Mexico will hold a webinar meeting 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. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

NOAA Marine Debris Art Contest

The NOAA Marine Debris Program’s annual art contest, designed to reach K-8 students and help raise awareness about marine debris, is now open for entries. The resulting calendar, featuring the winning artwork, provides a daily reminder of how important it is for us to be responsible stewards of the ocean. All students in kindergarten through eighth grade from all U.S. states and territories in recognized public, private, and home schools are eligible to participate. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 15, 2020. For more information, visit marinedebris.noaa.gov.

TAEP Virtual Year-End Happy Hour

On Dec. 17, 2020, from 4-5 p.m., the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals will host a Virtual Year-End Happy Hour, featuring guest speaker Thomas Pommier of the City of Houston Office of Sustainability, who will provide and update on the city’s Climate Action Plan. For more information and to register, visit taep.memberclicks.net.

Virtual Rain Barrel Workshop

On Dec. 19, 2020, the Galveston Bay Foundation will host a Virtual Rain Barrel Workshop, where participants can learn how to use rain barrels to conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff, pollution, and bacteria entering Galveston Bay. The $35.00 registration includes one barrel, one connector kit, and admission to the workshop for yourself and one guest). Barrels will be picked up by drive-through at the GBF offices, 1725 Highway 146, Kemah. For more information and to register, visit galvbay.org.

Virtual Winter Camp

From Dec. 28-31, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center will hold a Virtual Winter Camp for students ages 4-12. Participants will Investigate the adaptations and strategies animals use to survive till spring. They will learn about the challenges animals face during migration and learn how the Center’s year-round residents survive Houston’s wintry weather, meet some of our Animal Ambassadors, go for scavenger hunts, and perform winter experiments. For more information and to register, visit houstonarboretum.org. 

CELF Civic Science Scholarship applications open through Dec. 31

The Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation is leading a multi-state cohort of middle and high school teachers through student projects focusing on air quality. Teachers will receive an air quality monitor, a chance to connect with other teachers from other states through a virtual professional learning community, and the opportunity to have students present their air data findings – along with student-driven solutions – at the virtual CELF Student Symposium in Spring 2021. Applications are being accepted through Dec. 31, 2020. For more information and to apply, visit celfeducation.org.

Gulf Research Program Fellowships applications open

The Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has opened the application period for its Science Policy Fellowship and Early-Career Research Fellowship (Track One: Human Health and Community Resilience). The Science Policy Fellowship helps scientists hone their skills by putting them to practice for the benefit of coastal communities and ecosystems. The application deadline is March 3, 2021. The Early-Career Research Fellowship supports emerging scientific leaders as they research ideas not yet tested, pursue collaborations, and build a network of colleagues who share their interest in improving offshore energy system safety and the well-being of coastal communities and ecosystems. The application deadline is Jan. 13, 2021. For more information, visit nationalacademies.org.

Gulf of Mexico Bay Watershed Education and Training Program applications

NOAA Fisheries is seeking proposals under the Gulf of Mexico Bay Watershed Education and Training (Gulf B-WET) Program, which funds locally relevant, authentic experiential learning for K-12 audiences through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences. MWEEs are multi‐stage activities that include learning both outdoors and in the classroom and aim to increase understanding and stewardship of watersheds and related ocean, coastal, riverine, estuarine, and Great Lakes ecosystems. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Feb, 26, 2021. There will be explanatory webinars on Dec. 16, 2020, and Jan. 11, 2021. For more information and to register for the webinars, visit noaa.gov.

How to Have a Holiday Without Harming the Bay

The Galveston Bay Foundation reminds us that litter and trash impact Galveston Bay throughout the year and we tend to create even more trash during the holiday season. According to the EPA, “Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, American household waste increases by more than 25 percent. Trash cans full of holiday food waste, shopping bags, bows and ribbons, packaging, and wrapping paper contribute an additional 1 million tons a week to our landfills.” The GBF offers its Sustainable Gift Guide to help you reduce your household’s impact on the Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. You can learn more from the NOAA Marine Debris Program at noaa.gov.

Harris County Master Gardeners plant sales

Harris County Master Gardeners is offering contactless plant sales through the rest of this year and in 2021. All sales will be 100% online / pickup only. Products can be picked up from two locations. When checking out, patrons will be asked to choose your desired pick up location. For full details, visit hcmga-online.company.site.

Citizen Science Program for Bird Observation

The Audubon Society’s Texas Estuarine Resource Network (TERN) and the Harris County Department of Education are collaborating to bring a community-based citizen science program to prepare teachers and students in grades 5-12 as field researchers for bird observations. Participation in the project comes with field guides, binoculars, and a birding expert to help you learn the observation protocol.  If your school is within walking distance of a waterway (pond, bayou, creek, ditch) please contact Lisa Felske (lfelske@hcde-texas.org) to inquire about the program.

SFA Sustainability Degree Program

Stephen F. Austin State University offers an online bachelor’s degree in sustainability, designed to accommodate community college transfers or other students wanting to stay in their hometown location. The degree builds core competencies in sustainability, including local field experiences/internships in community development, grant writing, renewable energy, or sustainability assessment and monitoring. The degree offers flexibility to choose courses that fit students’ interests and schedules, merging environmental studies with economic, social and technical themes. For more information, please visit sfasu.edu or email Dr. Bill Forbes at forbesw@sfasu.edu. Additionally, the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies now has a fully online option to combine graduate courses in sustainability with those in business, geographic information systems, public administration, and social work or social science. A certificate in nonprofit management may be obtained within that program. For more information, visit sfasu.edu.

Recurring Events with Changing Content

Virtually WILD! field trips

Virtually WILD! offers the community a chance to interact with conservationists and wildlife live every week. On Dec. 9 and 16, learn about cool snakes from the Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center. Corresponding activities and archived videos, as well as registration details, are available at hereinhouston.org.

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.” 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 “Rewilding the Urban Wilderness“. Find all of the blog entries at abnc.org.

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.

  • There are new paddling trails popping up all over Texas. Grab your canoe and come along as we check out some of the state’s best river trips, on the coast, in Houston, and on the Guadalupe River
  • When you think of a river adventure in San Antonio, the famous Riverwalk comes to mind. But the Mission Reach Paddling Trail is and adventure of a different sort that’s worth checking out
  • Grab a paddle and hit the river, wherever you live there is a paddling trail nearby. For folks in Dallas there’s one right in the heart of the city. The Dallas Trinity Paddling Trail is 10.2 miles of unexpected fun

Additional Upcoming Events

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