Houston Environmental News Update March 10, 2021

March 10, 2021

Houston Environmental News Update March 10, 2021

Infrastructure reports, Future of Buildings, Picnic in the Park, Native Landscapes for Birds, Fix A Leak Workshops, Earth Day, Jobs, and more

The American Society of Civil Engineers recently released two reports related to infrastructure: the 2021 Texas Infrastructure Report Card and, nationally, Failure to Act, released March 3, 2021, on the economic impacts of investment in infrastructure.

2021 Texas Infrastructure Report Card

The ASCE Texas Chapter released its infrastructure report card for Texas on February 10, 2021. The report evaluated ten infrastructure categories, four more than in the last report card, resulting in a grade of “C”, up from “C-” in 2017. The following are grades:

Aviation: B-
Bridges: B-
Dams: D+
Drinking Water: C-
Energy: B+
Flood Risk: C-
Highways and Roads: D+
Levees: D
Parks and Recreation: C-
Solid Waste: B
Transit: B-
Wastewater: D

The report touches on investments, recycling, education, resilience, environmental impacts, climate adaptation, and strategic planning. The hard work of the ASCE report card committee volunteers empowers residents of Texas and legislators to understand the state of our infrastructure. You can read summary information, key facts, and news about the Texas report at infrastructurereportcard.org; the full report is available at texasasce.org.

We applaud the inclusion, this year, of grades for parks and recreation, solid, waste, and transit, as well as references to climate change, air quality, and pollution. The report does not, unfortunately, include a discussion of equity, and we encourage the ASCE, in its next report card, to consider environmental justice and the disproportionate impacts of underinvestment in communities with poor infrastructure.

You might have noticed that the highest grade, a B+, is for Energy, and you might be scratching your head. Mark K. Boyd, PhD, PE, M.ASCE, Chair 2021 Texas Infrastructure Report Card Committee, writes the following: “Oil & gas infrastructure was considered in the full report card together with electricity and alternative energies.Â The complete energy chapter, now available but unfortunately not out when the grades were first announced, [focused]Â on electrical transmission infrastructure and distribution systems, not generation.Â Our initial findings indicate the transition and distribution systems worked well during this crisis.Â It is critical to identify the root cause of failures and determine which could have been avoided with improved processes and which may have been the result of not adhering to industry standard practices.” The Texas Section is looking into the issues and plans to share its complete findings later this year and intends to provide law makers with comprehensive policy recommendations for energy infrastructure.

Speaking of ASCE, the Houston branch on March 16, 2021, will host a virtual meeting featuring Texas A&M professor and Texas state climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon in a talk entitled “Effects of Weather and Climate on Extreme Rainfall Return Values in Southeast Texas.” The meetings

is free to attend for members, government officials, and students; the general public can attend for a fee. Learn more and register at ascehouston.org.

2021 ASCE Infrastructure Report Card: Failure to Act

The national report, Failure to Act: Economic Impacts of Status Quo Investment Across Infrastructure Systems, quantifies how the persistent failure to invest in our aging infrastructure impacts the economy, including GDP, jobs, personal disposable income, and business sales.Â Read the full report at asce.org.

ASCE finds that with an increased investment of $281 billion a year â€” $5.48 more per household a day â€” the U.S. can eliminate this drag on the economy, protecting by 2039:Â

$10 trillion in GDP, nearly half of the annual U.S. GDP in 2019
More than $23 trillion in total output (primarily business sales)
More than 3 million jobs in 2039, two times the number of Walmart employees in the U.S.
More than $3,300 in a familyâ€™s annual disposable income each year from 2020 to 2039, which is over half of the average Americanâ€™s householdâ€™s monthly expenditure of $5,102.Â

ASCE also has released recent companion reports on Electricity (2020), Water and Wastewater (2020), and Surface Transportation (2021).

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

CEC NOTES

Request for Submissions â€“ Earth Day Murals at Discovery Green

Discovery Green is seeking fourteen Houston artists to paint murals that celebrate the richness and diversity of our community, culture, and natural environment!WAG is curating and managing this incredible public art opportunity, so please send your submissions via https://weingartenartgroup.submittable.com. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 12, 2021. Murals will be on view April through October 2021, with a live painting event during Earth Day Houston, presented by Green Mountain Energy at Discovery Green in partnership with CEC on April 18, 2021. Image: “Hands of Heroes” by Anat Ronen. Photo Courtesy of Discovery Green.

Note: Interested in exhibiting at a scaled-back, socially distanced Earth Day event? Have a virtual or outdoor event that should be promoted as part of Earth Month Houston? Contact becky@cechouston.org.

Environmental Educators Exchange

Join the Environmental Educators Exchange on March 12 and 26 for a look at native plants in Texas and the benefits of wildlife gardens, in addition to conversation about the City Nature Challenge. Della Barbato will lead both March meetings starting at 9 a.m. Email alicia@cechouston.org for the virtual meeting link. Order your “EEvengers Unite” shirt from Custom Ink with this link, thanks to Jaime Gonzalez: https://www.customink.com/g/ypz0-00cd-mkwa

Region 4 Education Service Center and our environmental educators are teaming up to create videos and field trips about Houston STEM resources for our teachers. If you want to submit a video or host a field trip, contact alicia@cechouston.org for more details about the project.

Fire & Flood: Queer Resilience in the Era of Climate Change film and panel discussion

On April 11, 2021, at 7:00 pm, join Rice University’s Fondren Libraryâ€™s Green Team for a virtual panel discussion about the documentary â€œFire & Flood: Queer Resilience in the Era of Climate Change.â€ The panel will feature Vanessa Raditz, director of the documentary; Kennedy Loftin, chief development officer at the Montrose Center; and Rice anthropology graduate student Kristin Gupta. Fondren Library will provide people who sign up for the panel access information to watch the film in advance.

Fire & Flood examines two climate-related disasters from 2017â€”Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the fires in Santa Rosa, Californiaâ€”through the viewpoint of LGBTQ individuals that experienced them first hand. The documentary focuses on the perilous situations that many LGBTQ communities face relating to climate change and also provides hope for resilience for these communities.

Co-sponsors include Riceâ€™s Center for Environmental Studies; Riceâ€™s Administrative Center for Sustainability and Energy Management; Rice University Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality; Rice Environmental Society; and CEC Houston.

Virtually Wild! Field Trips

Need a virtual field trip about Houstonâ€™s environment for your students? Visit hereinhouston.org/virtual-field-trips for live and asynchronous options with the Virtually Wild program.

CEC, through an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation and in partnership with USFWS Houston Community Partnerships & Engagement Program and the Girl Scouts of America, is offering Virtually Wild! programs specifically designed for Girl Scouts. Upcoming presentations include:

3/11 – Be Eco-Friendly Out There (D/B/J)
3/23 – Coral Reef Tour (D/B/J)
3/25 – Flower Power (B/J)
4/1 – Tree Huggers (C/S/A)
4/6 – City Nature Challenge (B/J)
4/8 – City Nature Challenge (C/S/A)

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).

CEER Climate Justice Trainings Series

CEER is excited to offer a training series focused on climate justice. 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. Â These trainings merge an interrupting racism curriculum with a climate justice curriculum. Learn how to help 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. Each workshop is offered twice, virtually, and will be held on Saturdays from 10am-2pm.Â The workshops will be bilingual (English and Spanish). Learn more and register for Envisioning Our Future on either 3/13/21 or 3/27/21 on Facebook or at ceerhouston.org.

Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program

Does your organization hire college students as summer interns? The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program. Almost 600 university students apply annually from across the nation for a paid summer internship assignment. About 70 percent of the applicants are STEM majors. Their internship assignments are either with the TCEQ, other state agencies, county and city government, or with private sector companies who sponsor these interns. Submit an online sponsor request through March 31, 2021 to receive student applications to fill your summer 2021 internship (or micro-internship) assignments at tceq.texas.gov.

Kathrine G. McGovern Canopy Walkway opens at Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary

Houston Audubon along with Mrs. Kathrine McGovern officially opened the highly anticipated canopy walkway at Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary in High Island with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 4, 2021. The Kathrine G. McGovern Canopy Walkway, an elevated viewing experience through the forest canopy and sub-canopy, is designed to complement the natural backdrop and setting of the sanctuary and is now open to the public. The 700 feet of boardwalk with a handicap-accessible entrance ramp meanders through the sanctuary through premium birding areas, and reaches up to 17 feet into the treetops. The immersive experience includes an overlook at Smith Pond and at the Clay Bottom Pond Rookery which is already a crowd pleaser for both intense birders, wildlife photographers and for casual tourists, who are thrilled to see an up-close view of migratory and resident birds resting and nesting. Read the full press release and watch a video of the walkway.

Texas Nature Challenge

Texas Nature Challenge, a collaboration between the Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Children in Nature and Texan by Nature, is an opportunity to reach out to families, classrooms, and other types of groups across Texas to engage them with your programs. Propose challenges for groups to discover nearby nature. Challenges can be any type of activity either at your nature site, at home, or in any nature space. For more information, visit texaschildreninnature.org.

San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group openings

The Texas Water Development Board’s San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group has two new voting-member vacancies for the newly established Coastal Communities Category and an additional seat for the Public Category. Applications will be accepted by mail and email until March 26, 2021. The address is SJRFPG Attn. Fatima Berrios, 10555 Northwest Fwy, Suite 120, Houston, TX 77092. Find full information at twdb.texas.gov.

Texas grassroots mini-grants

Texas Campaign for the Environment Fund with the help of some generous donors is now able to make mini-grants to grassroots â€œkitchen tableâ€ groups working on environmental issues. Through small grants to traditionally under-funded organizations and communities, weâ€™re working with a grassroots network to fight pollution and protect public health all over Texas. Learn more at texasenvironment.org.

eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants (Apply by April 2)

The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) is pleased to offer your organization an opportunity to apply for a NOAA-NAAEE Collaborative Aquaculture Literacy mini-grant. Through this mini-grants program, NAAEE supports partnerships sharing the mutual aquaculture literacy goals of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationâ€™s (NOAA)Â Office of Education (link is external), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and National Sea Grant Office. These mini-grants will provide informal learning institutions (e.g., aquariums), aquaculture industry (e.g., shellfish, finfish, seaweed farmers), and NOAA partners with support for the co-development of innovative educational experiences that explore aquaculture topics. Learn more at naaee.org.

TWRC’s 2021 â€œWild InSightâ€ Photo Contest

TWRC Wildlife Center is holding its 2021 â€œWild InSightâ€ Photo Contest. All wildlife photo snappers, hobbyists, â€œphone-tographersâ€, amateurs and professionals welcome. Enter your best photos, giving visual insight about wildlife living in the wild and then invite friends and family to vote for their favorites. Top 16 photos (receiving the most votes online) will be featured on a full 8 1/2 x 11 glossy, color page in the 2021/2022 â€œWild InSightâ€ calendar. The deadline for entry is June 21, 2021. For more information on prizes and how to submit photos, visit twrcwildlifecenter.org.

San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group Public Meeting

On March 11, 2021, beginning at 8 a.m., the Texas Water Development Board’s San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group will hold a public meeting virtually. Members of the public may register to attend the meeting here. For additional information, or to be notified of future Planning Group meetings, please contact Region 6 Planning Group Sponsor, at: 713-274-2059, SanJacFldPG@eng.hctx.net, or Harris County Engineering Department, Attention: San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group Sponsor, 1001 Preston, 5th Floor, Houston, TX 77002.

How Cities Are Combating Climate Change

On March 11, 2021, from noon-12:30, the Texas Tribune will host a conservation between environmental reporter Erin Douglas and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, chair of the Climate Mayors Coalition, on the role Texas cities play in combating climate change. Cities are a key contributor to climate change as transportation, buildings and power plants are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, stronger hurricanes and subfreezing temperatures have had costly impacts on cities’ services, infrastructure, housing and health. For more information and to register, visit cities-climate-change.splashthat.com.

Future of Buildings

On March 11, 2021, beginning at 6 p.m., AIA Houston and Architecture Center Houston will present the latest in the Houston 2020 Visions Lecture Series, called “Future of Buildings.” Today, buildings need to be able to adapt, confronting a varied array of challenges including drastic environmental changes, increased density, and new environmentally friendly technologies, all while being sustainable and open to re-use and adaptation. Ideas of regeneration, resiliency, efficiency, sustainable planning, and green strategies must begin at the scale of the single building. For more information and to register, visit aiahouston.org.

Picnic for the Park

On March 11, 2021, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Memorial Park Conservancy will host its annual gala virtually. The event raises critical funds for the day-to-day care of Memorial Park including its vast urban trail network that provides enjoyment, well-being, and connectivity for the millions of people who love Memorial Park. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit memorialparkconservancy.org.

Window Pains: Helping Birds Survive a Human World

On March 11, 2021, beginning at 7 p.m., Houston Audubon will virtually host a special speaker event featuring biologist-turned-architectural consultant Heidi Trudell, who will discuss inexpensive and simple solutions to the problem of bird collisions into windows. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Sierra Club General Meeting: The Case for a Bike-Friendly Houston

On March 11, beginning at 7 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Sierra Club will host its monthly meeting featuring a talk by BikeHouston Executive Director Joe Cutrufo, who will describe how the humble bicycle is transforming Houston from an automobile-dependent oil town into a green, multimodal metropolis. He will talk how advocates like BikeHouston are making the case for bicycle-friendly transportation infrastructure, and ways people can get involved in the movement for safe streets and better bikeways. For more information, see the Meetup event.

40 Ideas for a Sustainable Future

On March 12, 2021, from noon-1 p.m., the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston will present a discussion with Yale University scholar Daniel Esty about his book A Better World – 40 Big Ideas for a Sustainable Future. Esty examines how policies relating to sustainability are shaped by a wide array of complex factors, such as Big Data, climate change and environmental justice. He also stresses the need for these policies to be pursued in a truly bipartisan, balanced and economically realistic approach. To register, visit wachouston.org.

Port Houston Community Grants Program submissions open

The Port Houston Community Grants Program is officially open and accepting letters of interests for 2021. We’re focused on enabling projects that are aimed toward Community Outreach, Workforce Development, Environmental Stewardship and Maritime Commerce. The deadline for submitting Letters of Intent is March 12, 2021. The deadline for all applications is April 16. Find out more about the Community Grants program and the application process by visiting porthouston.com.

Back to Basics: Outdoor & Weather-Related Risks Workshop

This year, Blackwood Educational Land Institute is offering a modified version of its â€œBack to the Basicsâ€ program for teens and adults as a series of skills-based workshops taking place this spring. On March 13, 2020, the Institute and wilderness medicine expert Tim Graham will present a workshop on â€œOutdoor & Weather-Related Safety Risksâ€ to all. As we witnessed over Winter Storm Uri, weâ€™re just one power outage or extreme weather event away from being exposed to the elements. In advance of the annual Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification course Tim will lead an overview of evaluating and mitigating physical safety risks when outdoors, whether youâ€™re in the great outdoors or the urban jungle. The second week (March 20) will focus on food from seed to plate, with an overview of regenerative agriculture, ancestral health and nutrition, and basic outdoor cooking techniques. The third week (March 27) will focus on principles of living on the land. For more information and to register, visit blackwoodland.org.

Raptor Center Education Center Work Party

On March 13, 2021, from 8 a.m.-noon, Houston Audubon will host a morning of gardening and sanctuary maintenance at the Raptor and Education Center. Activities include trail maintenance, filling bird feeders and baths, litter pick-up, native gardening, and invasive species removal. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, spaces are limited. For more information and to register, visit volunteersignup.org.

Native Landscapes for Birds

On March 13, 2021, from 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m., Native Prairie Society of Texas will present a “Native Landscapes for Birds” class. Participants will learn: the importance of birds and Texas’ role in bird migration; how to identify threats to birds and steps to reduce them; the relationship between birds and native plants; how to create and maintain bird-friendly native plant landscapes. They will also become familiar with up to 50 native Texas plants that benefit your local birds. For more information and to register, visit npsot3.123signup.com.

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary seeks Advisory Board applicants

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for two seats on its advisory council, a community-based group of individuals that provide advice for sanctuary management. The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following council seats: Commercial Fishing and Conservation. Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve 3-year terms. For more information and registration materials, visit flowergarden.noaa.gov. Applications for this recruitment cycle are due March 15, 2021.

Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is an art- and science-based curriculum that teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. The program encourages students to explore their natural world, invites them to investigate biology and wildlife management principles and challenges them to express and share what they have learned with others. The winning artwork from a national art contest serves as the design for the Junior Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces annually. All of the revenue from the sale of Junior Duck stamps goes to support recognition and environmental education activities for students who participate in the program. Find complete information in the the 2021 program brochure. The Texas Contest entry deadline is March 15, 2021. Entries are due to Felice Yarbough (felice_yarbough@fws.gov).

Everybody Matters: From Peace Building through Human Rights to Climate Justice

On March 16, 2021, beginning at noon, the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies at the University of Saint Thomas will present a webinar featuring Mary Robinson, former.President of Ireland and author of the acclaimed book Climate Justice. To register, visit stthom-edu.zoom.us.

Fix a Leak Week Workshops

Houston Public Works, Dallas Water Utilities, Fort Worth Water are bringing together a virtual class line-up featuring some of the leaders in the leak repair industry, providing comprehensive information about repairing simple water leaks inside and outside the home. Part 1, Indoor Leak Repair, will be held March 16, 2021, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Part 2, Outdoor Irrigation Leak Repair and Cold Weather Pipe Protection, will be held March 18, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. To register, see this form. For more information, send an email to WaterConservation@HoustonTX.gov. Select participants who complete the survey at the end of the program may get a special giftâ€”first come, first serve while supplies last.

Houston as a Low-Carbon Energy Hub

On March 16, 2021, from 2-3 p.m., the Center for Houston’s Future will host the latest in its Houston Low-Carbon Energy Webcasts, a discussion of Greater Houstonâ€™s opportunities to lead on carbon capture and hydrogen in a low-carbon economy. Center CEO Brett Perlman will moderate a discussion on recent research findings with panelists Chuck McConnell, Energy Center Officer at University of Houston’s Center for Carbon Management in Energy; Andy Steinhubl, Retired Partner at KPMG; and Cindy Yeilding, Retired Senior Vice President at BP America. For more information and to register, visit zoom.us.

TAEP Virtual Luncheon Meeting

On March 18, 2021, from noon-1 p.m., the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals will host its monthly luncheon meeting virtually, featuring a presentation by Alan Black, Harris County Flood Control District operations director, titled “Status of the Harris County Flood Control District Bond Program and the Challenge of Managing Environmental Compliance.” For more information and to register, visit taep.memberclicks.net.

March Mart Virtual Plant Sale

From March 20, 2021, Mercer Botanic Gardens will host its March March plant sale virtually. Shoppers will be able to shop a wide selection of plants virtually and enjoy curbside plant pickup. All orders are pickup only; plants cannot be shipped. Plant pickup is offsite at The Mercer Societyâ€™s Horticultural Propagation Center, approximately one mile from Mercer at 3602 Hirschfield Road in Spring. Members of The Mercer Society can shop early starting Friday, March 19, at 4 p.m. and will receive a discount code via email the week before the sale. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Earth Day GreenUp 2021

On March 20, 2021, from 8-11 a.m., The Woodlands Township will host the 10th annual community litter cleanup, Earth Day GreenUp. Team up with family, friends and neighbors for a socially-distanced volunteer opportunity to target litter on pathways, along waterways and in greenbelts. Help keep our community beautiful and enjoy the outdoors while bagging litter from streets, pathways and streams. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Invasives Beware

On March 20, 2021, from 9-11 a.m., Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center will hold an event in which park staff and volunteers to assist with habitat management and enhancement projects throughout Jones Park by removing invasive species, managing the forest understory, and planting trees. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, see theÂ Facebook event.

Bolivar Flats Beach Clean-Up

On March 20, 2021, from 9 a.m.-noon, Houston Audubon will sponsor a volunteer beach clean-up event at Bolivar Flats on the Bolivar Peninsula. Not only will this activity reduce the amount of plastics that our shorebirds and wildlife are exposed to, but clean-ups provide great opportunities to witness the wildlife of Bolivar, the activity on the ship channel, and experience hands-on conservation. All ages are welcome. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Climate Reality Project Leadership Corps Virtual Training (April 22-May 2, 2021)

The Climate Reality Leadership Corps Virtual US Training will feature four days of two-hour live broadcasts, with additional on-demand viewing and interactive sessions available between April 22 and May 2. During the training, youâ€™ll join broadcast sessions with some of the worldâ€™s leading climate experts and activists â€“ led by former Vice President Al Gore â€“ along with breakout sessions designed to dive deeper into the most important climate topics of today. Learn more and register at climaterealityproject.org.

Reminders About Ongoing Opportunities

Wildlife by Design classroom presentations. Offered in Spring 2021 by Texas Wildlife Association. Learn more at texas-wildlife.orarg.
Virtual Field Lessons. Offered free by Texas Wildlife Foundation and the East Foundation to 5th-8th-grade teachers. Learn more at eastfoundation.net.
Harris County Master Gardeners plant sales
Contactless plant sales continue through March 20. Learn more at hcmga-online.company.site.
Living the Change discussion group. Presented by Interfaith Environmental Coalition of Houston through April 29. Learn more at eventbrite.com.
The Young Texan Ambassador Program is a brand new program offered by Keep Texas Beautiful and invites students ages 15-25 to get involved in keeping communities clean and beautiful. Applications are being accepted through March 5, 2021. For more information and to apply, visit ktb.org.
Solar Installer Training Course offered free by LoneStar College and RigUp. Learn more at lonestar.edu.

Recurring Events with Changing Content

Prepared for Life? The Boy Scouts of America

In the latest “Houston & Nature” podcast, Nivien Saleh speaks with Eagle Scout James Sy, who provides an unvarnished view on the good, the bad, and the great about being a member of Boy Scouts of America. Topics include: Do they live up to the promise? Whatâ€™s it like to grow up among the Scouts? Is being an Eagle Scout really as special as some people say? To hear the full podcast, visit houstonnature.com.

Virtually WILD! field trips

Virtually WILD! offers the community a chance to interact with conservationists and wildlife. Visit our virtual field trip videos on the CEC YouTube channel; new videos posted weekly. Corresponding educational activities are found at hereinhouston.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.

The restoration of Bastrop State Park after it was devastated by fire has the park returning to its very roots. In the 1930’s, the Civilian Conservation Corps restored the forest and built the roads, trails and buildings that made up the park. Now a new crew is helping with restoration and erosion control, supplying the park with the kind of labor and energy that only a corps of young people can
It’s a hot muggy afternoon in an east Texas marsh, and it’s time to hunt for alligators. We tag along with some lucky hunters that get a chance of a lifetime to hunt alligators at J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area
Postcard from Texas: Sunrise at the Texas City Dike brings out several coastal birds to enjoy in the morning*