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Houston Environmental News Update January 6, 2020
January 7, 2021

Houston Environmental News Update January 6, 2020

Wild & Scenic, Zoo Lights and Dunes Day, 10 years on Facebook, H3AT Map results, Debris Management Workshop, TEAA Providers’ Meeting, Trees of Houston Giveaway, Faithful Resilience, Green Jobs, and more

“Zoo lights waterway” on flickr by John Stephen Chandler
Zoo Lights waterway was photographed by John Stephen Chandler and is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA-2.0.

Last week, we looked back at 2020, and shared our reader’s thought about the most significant environmental accomplishments, controversies, issues, news, and events in the greater Houston region in 2020.

CEC is especially grateful to all of our readers, members, donors, and volunteers who have helped us connect our environmental community. You remind us that we are not alone and that together we can make our world a better place. THANK YOU!

This week, we ask you to try to predict the future. How do you see the environment and our community changing in 2021? And, perhaps more importantly, how will you be part of that change? Please take our survey.

Today’s banner photo, of Houston Zoo Lights, was photographed by John Stephen Chandler and is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA-2.0. We’re sharing this photo to remind you of recycling opportunities for both Christmas lights and trees. (Speaking of recycling, check out the notice, below, from the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling.)

Trees

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

CEC NOTES

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. Preview the film lineup on our website. The program features local winners from the Wild About Houston Film Festival: City of Pearland, SETSVN and Native Prairies Association of Texas. Special thanks to our sponsors: McMac CX and Veritex Bank. The Silent Auction is also back by popular demand; bidding is now open on this Google Form. Purchase festival tickets at eventbrite.com.  

Virtually Wild! Field Trips

Need a virtual lesson, activity or field trip about Houston’s environment 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 TEKS. She is available any date and time from now until March. Or participate in a scheduled program with the USFWS on Wednesdays. Details at hereinhouston.org/virtual-field-trips. 

Environmental Educators Exchange

Join CEC for the Environmental Educators Exchange on Jan. 15 and 29, 2021 from 9:30 – 10 a.m. January’s meetings feature tips on collaborative social media practices from Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation, and updates from TAEE and TCIN. Email alicia@cechouston.org for the meeting link.

CEC educators survey

CEC wants to hear from our formal and informal educators. What are your professional development needs in 2021? Please take this brief survey to help us help you in the new year. Google Form: https://forms.gle/iJLBtxGNj5GzTQsr7.

CEC Celebrates Ten Years on Facebook

On January 6, 2011, CEC created its Facebook page, more than a year before Facebook enrolled its one-billionth user. CEC posted its logo, but, from what we can tell, little else until later in the year.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

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

Comment Period Extended to Jan. 13, 2021: Coastal Texas Study

The United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas General Land Office recently released plans for the Coastal Texas Study. Learn more and 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).

Bayou Preservation Association seeks board members

Bayou Preservation Association

Bayou Preservation Association is seeking qualified applications and nominations for volunteer service to the organization’s 2021 Board of Directors. Board members will support the work of Bayou Preservation Association and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. The application outlines requirements, board member responsibilities, and qualifications. Applications are due on Jan. 31, 2021 in order to be considered for board services starting in 2021. For full information on how to apply, visit bayoupreservation.org.

Coastal Communities Project shares awareness materials

The Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Coastal Communities works to provide communities resources and opportunities to reduce pollution concerns in area waterways. One of the resources is the Coastal Communities Roadmap with free outreach messaging communities can share with residents on different topics, such as illegal dumping, pet waste, and FOG (fats, oils, and grease). A full year’s worth of messaging is available, with two messages each month in four formats (social media graphic, web banner graphic, flyer, and bill insert). All messages are free to download, and communities are welcome to add their logo/branding to all messages. For more information, contact Kendall Guidroz.

City of Houston launches Protect Our Pipes campaign

The City of Houston’s new Protect Our Pipes campaign provides resources to educate residents on how they can help prevent sewer overflows in their community. Visit www.protectourpipes.org for more information and to download flyers, infographics, fact sheets, and videos for online and print distribution. You can contact the campaign at ProtectOurPipes@houstontx.gov. 

Wildlife by Design classroom presentations

During Spring 2001, Texas Wildlife Association will offer its free, TEKS-aligned Wildlife by Design classroom presentations for grades K-8 in a virtual format. Each school can have up to two program dates per school year. Each presentation is designed for a classroom length period of time, up to 60 minutes, and for a group of 20-50 students. There are options for both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. All presentations will be interactive and provide opportunities for student action/participation. For full information and to register, visit texas-wildlife.org.

HE3T Mapping: New Data Reveals Neighborhoods Impacted by Urban Heat Island Effect

On August 7, 2020, the Houston Harris Heat Action Team (H3AT)—a collaboration between Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), the City of Houston, Harris County Public Health (HCPH), and The Nature Conservancy of Texas (TNC)—held a one-day urban heat island mapping effort with the help of 84 community scientists, and funding support from Lowe’s and Shell. The effort was part of the 2020 Heat Watch program led by CAPA Strategies and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and it resulted in a total of 320 square miles of Houston and Harris County being mapped by local residents. The data and results—including a report, story map, and GIS mapping layers—are now available at www.H3AT.org. In addition to over 230,000 temperature and humidity measurements collected throughout the day, the project partners also leveraged satellite imagery to model temperature and heat index values—or “feels like” temperatures—across the study area. Data shows a 17.1 degree difference in temperature between hottest and coolest areas in Houston/Harris County. Read the Houston Mayor’s press release.

Star Announces New Executive Director Brittany Rosenberg

STAR thrilled to announce that Brittany Rosenberg is STAR’s new Executive Director! Brittany joins STAR from the City of Fort Worth and brings a wealth of passion and industry knowledge. She has also been an active member of STAR and serves on the STAR Re-use Council Steering Committee as Treasurer. Her first day with the organization was December 7, 2020.

Workshop: Debris Management Preparedness in Challenging Times

On Jan. 7, 2021, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host an online workshop. It will focus on activities that can assist jurisdictions in being prepared to respond to and recover from a disaster debris generating incident including: the challenges of COVID-19 on solid waste staffing, collections, and disposal; and recent changes in disaster debris and public assistance regulations and guidance. For more information and to register, visit h-gac.com.

Mercer Botanic Gardens Volunteer Orientation

On Jan. 7, 2021, from 6-7 p.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will hold a virtual orientation for prospective volunteers. Participants will discover everything the center has to offer, from helping maintain the gardens, to plant propagation and sales, to educational programs and the Mercer Ambassadors. The orientation will be held at Timber Lane Community Center in Spring. For more information, including how to register, see the Facebook event.

Texas Association for Environmental Education Providers’ Meeting

On Jan. 8, 2021, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., the Texas Association for Environmental Education will hold a virtual providers’ meeting. Representatives from environmental education programs such as zoos, parks, museums, institutions of higher education, and nature centers will meet online for updated information designed to help their staff members work more effectively with schools throughout the state. For more information and to register, visit constantcontact.com.

Volunteer Tree Planting at Sylvan Rodriguez Park

On Jan. 9, 2021, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston Parks & Recreation Department’s Natural Resources Management Program will host a volunteer tree planting event at Sylvan Rodriguez Park, 1201 Clear Lake City Blvd. Shovels will be provided. 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.

Trees For Houston Giveaway

On Jan. 9, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon, Trees for Houston will host a free, drive-through tree giveaway at its future headquarters at 2001 W. 34th Street. There will be a a variety of species, 3-to-5-gallon trees. For more information, see the Facebook event.

COVID, the Environment & Justice: A Faith Panel Discussion

On Jan. 10, 2021, from 3-4:30 p.m., the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston will host an online panel of speakers from diverse faith traditions to explore the connections between COVID, the environment and justice. Each speaker will address this topic from the perspective of their faith. Afterward, the discussion will open up to questions and comments from the virtual audience. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Houston Urban Gardeners Monthly Talk: What To Grow Now

Learn how to grow some of your own food. Quarterly “what to grow now” so you know what to plant when in our year round gardening climate. Fruit trees, edible natives, soil health, tips from local farmers & more. 2nd Monday of each month. Check website &/or subscribe to newsletter at houstonurbangardeners.org, or follow Facebook page or join discussion group at facebook.com/houstonurbangardeners. More info at meetup.com.

Social Science Basics for Coastal Managers

From Jan. 12-13, 2021, the Apalchicola National Estuarine Research Reserve will present a free, two-day workshop on the  basics of social science research and survey techniques. The social sciences are a valuable but often overlooked element of coastal zone management. Issues from marsh restoration to flood mitigation all involve understanding critical human elements—the knowledge, values, and attitudes—of the people who live, work, and play in our communities. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Faithful Resilience: A Study on Climate Resilience for Faith Communities

From Jan. 12 through Feb. 6, 2021, the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston will present a weekly, six-part study on climate resilience for faith communities. Participants will learn how their houses of worship or faith community can become a force for climate resilience. For full course description and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Every Penguin in the World with Charles Bergman

On Jan. 14, 2021, beginning at 7 p.m., Houston Audubon will present an online event featuring author-photographer Charles Bergman, will discuss his recent book Every Penguin in the World, about his forays around the southern hemisphere–from the Galapagos to South Africa to the Antarctic–in his quest to see all 18 species of penguins in the world. The talk will combine stories and photography to capture the plight and the experience of penguins worldwide. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Flaring and Methane Pollution in the Permian Basin

On Jan. 14, 2021, beginning at 7:30 p.m., the Sierra Club Houston Group will hold its monthly meeting virtually, featuring a presentation by Emma Pabst with Environment Texas, who will discuss a Texas’ Permian Basin, where oil and gas are pumped out of the ground, into the air, and shipped through vast networks of pipelines that fuel homes, businesses, and petrochemical facilities across the state. She will discuss the environmental problems involved with this production. For more information and to register, see the Meetup event.

PACE – A New Financing Option for Industrial Energy, Water and Environmental Projects

On Jan. 15, 2021, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., the South Texas Section of The American Institute of Chemical Engineers will present a webinar featuring Dub Taylor of the Texas PACE Authority, who will discuss how PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) enables industrial site owners to obtain affordable, long-term financing covering up to 100 percent of the cost for energy efficiency, water conservation and on-site generation technologies. For more information and to register, visit aiche.org.

Arbor Day Celebration at Jones Park

On Jan.16 and 17, 2021, Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center will host an Arbor Day Celebration. Visitors will learn about tree care and tree planting tips from park staff and members of the Texas A&M Forest Service. Free saplings are available for all attendees while supplies last. Reservations are required. For more information, see the Facebook event.

“Again, Together: The Cumulative Impacts of Environmental Racism in Houston” online film screening and panel discussion

Join One Breath Partnership of Jan. 21, 2021, for an online screening and panel discussion. The film, created in partnership with Ronald L. Jones, brings together stories from communities across Houston that have been impacted by environmental racism — namely redlining, segregation, underinvestment, exposure to pollution, gentrification, inequitable disaster recovery resources and freeway development. Panelists include Dr. Dena King, Dr. Bakeyah Nelson, and Keith Downey. Learn more and register at onebreathhou.org.

Unequal Realities: Telling Environmental Justice Stories in the Oil and Gas Capital of the World

One Breath Partnership is collaborating this winter and spring with Houston-based Grackle & Grackle (run by the novelist and memoirist Miah Arnold) to offer an online, eight-week writing workshop on Sundays, led by Allyn West, starting on Jan. 23, 2021. The class will include guest speakers and will practice the nuts and bolts of compelling storytelling. Application required; scholarships available. Learn more at grackleandgrackle.com.

Urban Harvest permaculture classes

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Urban Harvest offers a series of permaculture classes and hands-on training in the field, totaling approximately 100 hours, based on the curriculum of the International Permaculture Institute. Graduates of the Designers Certificate Course are invited to join the Permaculture Guild of Houston. The classes are grouped under titles, called modules, which are offered each season and do not need to be taken sequentially, except for Module 1. Module one includes two classes that are prerequisites required before going on to take Modules 2 – 5.

Reminders About Ongoing Opportunities

  • Gulf Research Program Fellowships applications open.
    Deadline Jan. 13, 2021. For more information, visit nationalacademies.org.
  • Gulf of Mexico Bay Watershed Education and Training Program applications
    Webinar on Jan. 11, 2021. Deadline: Feb. 26, 2021. Learn more at noaa.gov.
  • Harris County Master Gardeners plant sales
    Contactless plant sales continue in early 2021. Learn more at 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. If your school is within walking distance of a waterway (pond, bayou, creek, ditch) please contact Lisa Felske (lfelske@hcde-texas.org).
  • SFA Sustainability Degree Programs
    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. Visit sfasu.edu or email Dr. Bill Forbes at forbesw@sfasu.edu. To learn more about the Masters program, 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. Stay tuned for new programming in January. Corresponding activities and archived videos, as well as registration details, are available at hereinhouston.org.

Enchanting Children With Nature: A Teacher’s Tale 

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In the latest “Houston and Nature,” podcast, Nivien Saleh talks with Mary Ann Beauchemin of Russ Pitman Park, who explains why it is so important to introduce children to the outdoors at an early age and shares her best strategies for doing so. To hear the podcast, visit 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.

  • The official state fish, the Guadalupe Bass, has been restored to the South Llano River. Threatened by loss of habitat and hybridization with non-native, introduced Smallmouth Bass, the Guadalupe Bass was close to being wiped out. We’ll learn what happened and how biologists figured out how to restore the Texas native back to the South Llano River
  • Postcard From Texas: Slow Day on the Llano River

Additional Upcoming Events

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