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Houston Environmental News Update January 13, 2021
January 14, 2021

Houston Environmental News Update January 13, 2021

Texas Legislature, MLK National Day of Service, Climate Justice, Volunteerism, Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Every Penguin in the World, Arbor Day Celebration, Day of Service at the Big Thicket, Sustainability through Equitable Communities, Green Jobs, and more

Since the mayhem last week, much of our attention has been focused on Washington D.C., and likely will continue to be until things have calmed down in the capitol. A little closer to home, however, the 87th Texas Legislature Regular Session began yesterday without quite the same excitement as the certification of the election of the President and Vice President last week. Nevertheless, our state legislators have been busy, pre-filing more than 1400 bills and resolutions before the Legislature convened.

Pre-filed bills pertaining to the environment from November (we’re still working on December) relate to air contaminant emissions, hydrofluorocarbons, renewable energy, fuel, groundwater, above ground storage tanks, aggregate mining, pipelines, property taxes, seismic monitoring, solid waste facilities, and concrete batch plants. Learn more about the bills that have been filed, key dates for the session, and interim activities at cechouston.org.

While we may not agree with the positions of all of our elected officials, we can appreciate the people who serve our community as elected officials. If you would like to serve your community (perhaps without the side of politics), now is a great time to start.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is on Monday, an opportunity to honor his service and commit to his vision of equity, peace, justice, nonviolence, and neighbors working together to build a better future.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.“

“The time is always right to do what’s right.“

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In our newsletter, we do our best to share opportunities to work toward a better future. We’d like to highlight a few that we think are especially aligned with MLK Day of Service:

CEER Climate Justice Trainings Series

CEER is excited to launch a training series focused on climate justice, starting later this month. The series will be offered as three workshops focused on Past, Present and Future. The curriculum features environmental experts, the lived experiences of residents and core elements of an interrupting racism training. It will be a dynamic training space full of storytelling, music, power building and piquing curiosity.  These trainings merge an interrupting racism curriculum with a climate justice curriculum. Our goal is to create space that brings in more folks to shape the narrative about what climate justice is, what it means for Houston and how we achieve it. The audience will be a mix of impacted community members, the general public, advocates, health equity experts and city and county folks implementing solutions around the climate crisis in Houston. The full series of workshops will take place virtually on the following dates and times. Each workshop is offered twice and will be held on Saturdays from 10am-2pm CT. The workshops will be bilingual (English and Spanish). Learn more on the CEER Facebook event page or at ceer.org.

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

Join One Breath Partnership on 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. Denae King, Dr. Bakeyah Nelson, and Keith Downey. Learn more and register at onebreathhou.org.

Volunteer Houston & Houston Together

Volunteer Houston is a great place to find volunteer opportunities. It has also stepped up its support for volunteer coordinators. Case in point: Houston Together, an annual volunteerism event (virtual in 2021, April 21-24) that supports nonprofits. Early registration is now open for nonprofits. Register by February 5 for a chance to win an annual subscription to the Leaderosity Learning Library (L3). On VolunteerHouston.org, you can find opportunities with CEC and several of its member organizations, including Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy, Mercer Botanic Garden, TWRC Wildlife Center, Memorial Park Conservancy, Nature Discovery Center, Recipe for Success, Armand Bayou Nature Center, BikeHouston, Galveston Bay Foundation, Hermann Park Conservancy, and the Houston Chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas.

Local environmental groups in the Houston region offer a vast array of opportunities to volunteer and to serve our community. Not sure where to start? In addition to finding volunteer opportunities here in our newsletter, check out these resources for finding local environmental volunteering opportunities:

  • VolunteerMatch.org–Many organizations, including most of the above, also post opportunities on this national site, where you can search for both local and virtual opportunities.
  • Allforgood.org, a service of the Points of Light volunteer organization.
  • EarthShare of Texas provides, among other things, suggestions for corporate volunteer groups.
  • CECHouston.org–Volunteer with CEC! In 2019, dozens of volunteers contributed almost 2000 hours of their time helping with everything from this newsletter to selecting films for our upcoming film festival to board service.
  • Serveforgood.org–A resource developed by local teens for teens.

Among our favorite calls are inquiries about volunteer opportunities; with a community of almost 150 member organizations, CEC can suggest great volunteer opportunities for everyone. If you are new to town or new to environmental volunteering, please get in touch.

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.

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 Public Works launches Smart Utility Check-Up Program

Houston Public Works is inviting commercial buildings to join its inaugural Smart Utility Check-Up Program. The free program is designed to improve water and utility efficiency within the commercial sector. Businesses who participate will receive monthly water, electricity and gas utility assessments. Imperial Utilities & Sustainability, Inc. will provide data analysis on utility use with a breakdown of cost and consumption patterns. Participating businesses will also receive recommendations on how to save money on their utilities and rebate assistance. Availability is limited, and registration closes Jan. 31, 2021. Participants must be a Houston Water Customer, fully operational for 2 years, and maintain a 75% building occupancy. Applicants with a central plant that services multiple buildings & customers are not permitted. Businesses interested can apply here.

Governor’s Community Achievement Awards

Keep Texas Beautiful, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, annually awards the prestigious Governor’s Community Achievement Awards to Texas communities for their outstanding overall efforts to keep their communities beautiful. This year, ten winning communities will share $2 million in landscaping awards from the Texas Department of Transportation, with the amount based on population size. The funds are used for landscaping projects along local rights-of-way. The deadline to apply is March 4, 2021 at 5 p.m. For more information and to begin the application process, visit ktb.secure-platform.com.

CELF Civic Science Scholarship applications open through Jan. 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. The deadline for applications has been extended to are being accepted through Jan. 31, 2021. For more information and to apply, visit celfeducation.org.

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.

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.

Faithful Resilience: A Study on Climate Resilience for Faith Communities

Through Feb. 6, 2021, the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston is presenting a weekly 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.

Day of Service at the Big Thicket National Preserve

The Big Thicket National Preserve is seeking volunteers for their annual Longleaf Pine Tree Planting on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 18, 2021. Join the National Park Service in creating a future forest of the iconic pine of East Texas. For more information and to pre-register for the event. contact the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center at 409-951-6700 between 9 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week. Due to current COVID-19 conditions, the national preserve has modified the event to allow for volunteers to participate in a safe manner.

Over a Decade of Growth: Seeing the Big Thicket Thrive

On Jan. 18, 2021, from 3-4 p.m., the National Parks Conservation Association will host a special talk about how NPCA helped Big Thicket National Preserve take on the task of rebuilding a forest. The Longleaf Pine habitat has declined to the point that critical species were disappearing and some are now completely extinct from the area. Through the work of NPCA and the park service, this landscape is making a comeback. National Parks Service Rangers and other partners will discuss next steps in helping this habitat and the critters who call it home find their roots. For more information and to register, visit npca.org.

Take Care of Texas Student Video Contest judging

From Jan. 18-29, 2020, the public will have the opportunity to pick their favorite submission in the The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s annual Take Care of Texas Video Contest for students in 6th through 12th grades. The videos portray positive ways Texans can help keep air and water clean, conserve water and energy, or reduce waste.There will be six winners. Waste Management of Texas, Inc. will provide prizes–GoPro cameras and scholarships. The middle and high school students who win first place will be recognized by the TCEQ Commissioners and representatives from Waste Management of Texas, Inc. For information on how to watch the videos and pick your favorites, visit takecareoftexas.org.

Sustainability through Equitable Communities

On Jan. 19, 2021, from 7-8:30 p.m., the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation will present the final segment of its inaugural Teacher Environmental Literacy Series, which will look at establishing equity within our classrooms and for our students by having academic conversations of what equity looks like through the lens of sustainability. For more information and to register, visit celfeducation.org.

En-ROADS, a Climate Change Solutions Simulator

On Jan. 20, 2021, from 7-8:30 p.m., the Bay Area Chapter of the Texas Sierra Club will hold a virtual meeting featuring John Glover, a member of the Citizens Climate Lobby in Houston, and an En-ROADS ambassador will present and explain this Climate Change Solutions Simulator. For more information and to register, visit the Meetup event.

Urban Stream Processes and Restoration Program – Advanced Stream Restoration Design

From Jan. 20-21, 2021, the Texas Riparian Association, Texas A&M AgriLife and the Texas Water Resources Institute will present a workshop on how maintaining or restoring riparian vegetation along urban streams can also improve surface water quality throughout the watershed by filtering nonpoint source pollution. For full information and to register, visit twri.tamu.edu.

Center for Houston’s Future 2021 Annual Meeting

On Jan. 21, 2020, from noon-1:15 p.m., the Center for Houston’s Future will hold its 2021 Annual Meeting virtually, featuring a discussion with Harvard Business School Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter, led by METRO Chair Carrin Patman. Kanter will speak about her latest book,Think Outside the Building: How Advanced Leaders Can Change the World One Smart Innovation at a Time. For more information and to register for free, visit centerforhoustonsfuture.org.

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

Join One Breath Partnership on 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. Denae King, Dr. Bakeyah Nelson, and Keith Downey. Learn more and register at onebreathhou.org.

Embracing Renewable Energy: Conroe ISD’s Plan

On Jan. 21, 2021, beginning at 7 p.m., The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. will present a virtual lecture by Conroe ISD’s Easy Foster, director of planning and construction for Conroe Independent School District, who will discuss  the new Stockton Jr. High School’s 1 MW solar array, how CISD came to the decision to do the project,  and the district’s future renewable energy plans which include a second array which has recently broken ground at a future junior high school in east Montgomery County.  Mr. Foster will be accompanied by the project’s consultants, LEAF Engineering. For information on how to attend, visit thewoodlandsgreen.org.

Climate Justice Workshop – Examining The Past

On Jan. 23, 2020, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Coalition for Environment, Equity & Resilience (CEER) will host the first in a series of virtual trainings about climate justice. Local experts, including Dr. Robert Bullard of Texas Southern University, and community members will share how racism shaped policies in the past and how those policies are impacting the climate crisis right here in Houston. Learn more and register at the Facebook event, or register for the full series at ceerhouston.org.

Using the Outdoor Spaces on Your Campus

On Jan. 23, 2021, from 10 a.m.-noon, Texas Children in Nature will present the second part of its “Using the Outdoor Spaces on Your Campus” online workshop. Experts in the field will discuss the tips and tricks of taking your class outdoors. Also addressed will be best practices of outdoor lessons and how various subjects can be transitioned into outdoors learning. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

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

  • Harris County Master Gardeners plant sales
    Contactless plant sales continue through March 20. 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.

  • Many playa lakes of the Southern Plains have been plowed under cropland, silted over, or diverted into irrigation pits. But the value of these shallow lakes for groundwater recharge and wildlife habitat has landowners and conservation groups working together to restore playa lakes for the Plains and the future of its economy and biodiversity
  • For more than 70 years, folks have visited Bastrop State Park to enjoy its history and marvel at the Lost Pines. Forest fires and floods have ravaged the park in recent years. Now comes rebirth: new trees, new plants and new life. Come experience the park’s recovery from nature’s fury
  • Prescribed fires by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are carefully planned events conducted by a specially trained and skilled crew. From the burn boss to the grunt and the engine to the drip torch, see what and who it takes to safely put on a prescribed fire

Additional Upcoming Events

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