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Houston Environmental News Update July 14, 2021
July 15, 2021

Houston Environmental News Update July 14, 2021

50 Years of Connecting Our Environmental Community! Welcome Dr. Renae McGowen. Uneven RunOff, KPC Conservation Cemeteries survey, Bird Banding, Moth Week events, Green Jobs and more

Fifty years ago, on July 14, 1971, the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition was incorporated as a nonprofit organization for “charitable and educational purposes…leading to the improvement of the environment.” It was to do this by undertaking the following activities (as indicated in our articles of incorporation):

  1. Provide civic and professional groups with continuing educational opportunities for the development of common policy positions concerning matters affecting environmental quality;
  2. Provide member groups with an enlarged opportunity to share such fiscal, administrative, personnel, and expert resources as may be necessary to the conduct of such studies, inquiries, research, consultative and educational activities required in the development of recommendations concerning environmental control policies and programs;
  3. Provide member groups and other interested organizations with continuing information concerning public hearings, legislative, and governmental actions of relevance to environmental quality control policies, programs, and actions;
  4. Disseminate information beneficial to the public and community concerning the causes and prevention of environmental degradation through public discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, or other similar educational programs;
  5. Accept and administer gifts, donations, and bequests, whether of money, personal property, or real estate, and otherwise to accumulate, administer and disburse funds to advance or achieve any of the above stated purposes;
  6. Encourage the continuing support of the public in all the activities of the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition Educational Fund throughout the area served by this organization.

Terry Hershy has long been recognized as the driving force behind the creation and perseverance of the CEC. The coalition she built started with an outstanding group of women who were proactive in the environmental causes of the day: Helen Anderson, Marguerite Johnston Barnes, Anne Heesch Coates, Mary Cravens, Kay Crooker, Dorothy Davis, Sarah Emmott, Hana Ginzbarg, Shirley Wozencraft Goodwin, Ada Grundy, Gabrielle Hale, Diana Hobby, Ann Wier Jones, Letty Knapp, Marjorie Milby, Marion Monsen, Cynthia Rowan Taylor, Lucie Wray Todd, Eloise Walsh, Maggie Wray, Barrie Zimmelman. Our articles of incorporation indicate that the original trustees were Arthur A. Atkinson, Ph.D.; Fred E. Bunger; and George H. Hagle. The incorporators were Stuart N. Henry, Andrew C. Olivo, and Charles S. Matlock. 

These visionaries saw that there was a need for local environmental groups (about two dozen) to communicate with each other, to coordinate their efforts, and to support each other. They created the CEC to serve that need.

Originally, the Coalition published a joint calendar listing the activities of member groups in order to avoid conflicting events and duplication of programs. Soon an answering service was established, community forums were organized, and the coalition grew. They successfully lobbied for many quality of life issues. Together, they saved Buffalo Bayou from being straightened and lined with concrete, they created a nature center at Armand Bayou, and they built safe places to ride bicycles – just to name a few early accomplishments. The CEC has served as an incubator for new organizations (and provided the first webpages for many of them in 1996), shared information about environmental opportunities with hundreds of thousands of people, and sparked more connections in our environmental community than we can count. Learn more about our history–and that of the broader environmental community–by viewing our work-in-progress timeline. For 50 years, CEC has been undertaking the tasks set forth at the time of incorporation. 

With your help, along with our extended community of environmental organizations, volunteers, newsletter subscribers, donors, partners, members, event attendees, educators, filmmakers, and the multitude of people in our region taking large and small actions every day, we can continue to protect and improve our environment–for everyone. 

Today we begin a year-long campaign to celebrate the extraordinary legacy that they created. Our initial goal is to raise $50,000 in unrestricted funds to support CEC’s efforts. We are a small organization–only two regular employees (see below)–and your support at any level makes a tremendous difference. Please consider giving $50, $500, $5,000, or $50,000 (or more). 

While financial support is critical to our continued success, it is the breadth, depth, and diversity of our coalition that defines the CEC. You can contribute in other ways:

  • Share our newsletter with a friend, acquaintance, or coworker.
  • If you are involved with an environmental organization that is not yet a member of the CEC, please reach out to become a member.
  • Volunteer! We are currently recruiting board and committee members to help plan events like the Green Film Series and Earth Day Houston, to contribute to our publications, to guide our burgeoning environmental education program, to provide strategic and financial oversight.
  • Contribute to CEC’s timeline! Let us know about activities, accomplishments, and milestones of the CEC and other environmental organizations doing work in the Houston region; legislative, policy, legal, and programmatic wins (and losses); and, for context, events within the broader environmental–and environmental justice–movement. Send information to rachel@cechouston.org.
  • Support other organizations doing environmental work in the Houston region.

Thank you for being part of our environmental community.

CEC NOTES

CEC Welcomes Dr. Renae McGowen as our Environmental Education Specialist

CEC is delighted to welcome Dr. Renae McGowen to manage our environmental education programs. Dr. McGowen is an award winning higher education administrator and adjunct professor with a demonstrated history of success in the higher education industry. Skilled in corporate development, revenue generation, nonprofit organization, instructional design, student development, and strategic planning. She is a proven adult education leader with a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) focused in Higher Education Administration and a Masters degree with emphasis in Training and Development. She has a passion for the environment and is excited to work to connect the environmental community with teachers and their students. Learn more about Renae at cechouston.org.

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Engage your students with lessons outdoors. Over 30 workshops are in the regional summer professional development calendar to connect you with local resources. Sign up today at hereinhouston.org.

Breaking Through – How to Build A Strong, Sustainable Nonprofit

Presented by the Executive Service Corps of Houston and Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Breaking Through – How to Build A Strong, Sustainable Nonprofit is a free, robust, six-month business training program for nonprofit organizations with a multifaceted approach including workshops, mentoring/coaching, and development of of a business plan. Topics covered include governance, financial management, marketing and branding, fundraising, volunteers, insurance, IT, HR, and disaster planning. Apply now for a July program start date. Special consideration given to CEC’s member and partner organizations. Download the flyer and simple application.

Montopolis: The Living Coast

We are excited to announce that The Living Coast event, planned for last year but postponed, has been rescheduled for Sep. 18, 2021, at MATCH. The Living Coast performance by Montopolis combines original music, live narration, and cinematic images of the Texas gulf coast. Surfers and sailors, shrimpers and oilmen, poets and scientists all share their stories about this complicated region of serene beauty, vast industry, and incredible contradictions. All ticket sales will be donated to the Matagorda Bay Foundation and the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition.  Tickets now available.

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Upper Oyster Creek Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Group

On July 23, 2021, from 1:30-3 p.m., the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host a virtual stakeholder meeting of the Upper Oyster Creek Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Group to discuss iongoing work to decrease bacteria concentrations, and increase dissolved oxygen concentrations, in the creek. A representative of the Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research will give a presentation about the dissolved oxygen modeling they are doing for the creek. For more information and to register, visit tceq.texas.gov.

H-GAC Unified Planning Work Program and Title VI Environmental Justice Program Virtual Public Meetings

On July 22, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Unified Planning Work Program and Title VI Environmental Justice Program will host two virtual public meetings to discuss proposed program updates. H-GAC seeks public feedback on what it can do to reduce congestion, improve air quality, create safer bike and pedestrian paths, increase access to public transportation, and create a more connected, inclusive transportation system for everyone who lives and works in the region. To register for the public meetings and view the meeting documents, visit h-gac.com/unified-planning-work-program or h-gac.com/title-vi-program. The public comment period is currently open and closes on Aug. 11, 2021. Comments may be submitted by email at PublicComments@h-gac.com, by phone at 1-855-363-2516, or by mail to “Attention: Unified Work Program and Title VI Environmental Justice Program”, P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX, 77227-2777.

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).

Uneven RunOff

In collaboration with the Texas Health and Environmental Alliance, Inc., researchers at Rice University recently unveiled Unven RunOff, a storymap which consolidates available data on toxins in the local environment and how they interact with flooding and runoff patterns in Harris County. The goal for the project was to consolidate the available information and create a spatial-visual resource that can be used to help stakeholders at all levels understand potential threats to the environment and patterns of inequity in Houston’s environmental pollution. Find the Uneven RunOff storymap here, and learn more about the project and see the recorded presentation of the findings at txhea.org.

Katy Prairie Conservancy survey on conservation cemeteries

The Katy Prairie Conservancy was recently selected as one of three projects in the Texas Outcomes-Based Finance Challenge. The KPC’s project – the development of the first conservation cemetery in the Houston metro area – is now underway. The goal of this initiative is to conserve another piece of coastal prairie, contiguous to the Katy Prairie Preserve and within our strategic priority area. This conservation cemetery will be a beautifully restored nature sanctuary that is a perpetual resting place for the deceased. The KPC is asking the public to participate in a short, three-minute survey intended to gather basic demographic information and test awareness and interest regarding the new conservation cemetery. Take the survey here.

Gulf Coast Green early bird registration ends July 19

AIA Houston’s 16th Annual Gulf Coast Green Conference, themed “Environmental Equity,” will be held virtually Aug. 5-6, 2021. This year’s conference looks at the important role that environmental equity holds in both the AEC community and the built environment. Early bird registration will close at 11:59pm CT on July 19. For more information and to register, visit aiah-gulfcoastgreen.org.

Early registration open for SSPEED’s 10th Conference

The Severe Storm Prediction, Education, & Evacuation from Disasters Center (SSPEED) will hold its 10th conference, titled “Post-Harvey Climate & Flood Impacts on the Built Environment,” from Jan. 27-28, 2022 at the Anderson-Clarke Center at Rice University. Early registration is now open through September 15. Learn more and register at sspeed.rice.edu.

Armand Bayou Illustrated: A Life on the Bayou, by Mark Kramer, now available

Armand Bayou Illustrated – A Life on the Bayou is a beautifully written resource for anyone interested in the bayou city’s natural history, ecology and wildlife. Written by Mark Kramer, Conservation Director and Chief Naturalist Emeritus at Armand Bayou Nature Center, the book chronicles Mark’s knowledge gained over a lifetime of living, working and playing on the most beautifully preserved bayou in the bayou city. Particular emphasis discusses coastal prairie ecology, bayou ecology, wildlife and native people. Spectacular pictures from award winning wildlife photographer Gary Seloff complete the illustrated element. For more details and to look inside visit the Amazon website where paperback and ebook editions are are available.

Plastic Free EcoChallenge

Throughout July, the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites you to join its team n the Plastic Free EcoChallenge. Plastic pollution now contaminates the deepest trenches in the ocean, high mountain peaks, and even the air we breathe. Plastic has entered the food chain, killing wildlife, and causing the average person to eat one credit card’s worth of plastic each week. During the Challenge, you select the challenges you’d like to accomplish during the month and when/how you do them. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.

Houston Parks Board volunteer event at Thomas Bell Foster Park

On July 14, 2021, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston Parks Board’s Green Team will hold a volunteer event planting a new wetland area in Thomas Bell Foster Park, 12895 Greens Bayou St, For more information and to register, visit houstonparksboard.volunteerhub.com.

Lunch and Learn: Coastal Extreme Weather Threats to Water Quality

On July 15, 2021, from 11 a.m.-noon, the Texas General Land Office will present a webinar featuring  John Nielsen-Gammon, Ph.D., Texas state climatologist, who will discuss extreme weather trends for the Texas coast and threats to water quality. The coastal environment is particularly vulnerable to threats from extreme weather, as coastal storms tend to be more intense than storms inland and both freshwater and saltwater flooding are possible. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

The View from TCEQ: Mid-year Regulatory Update

On July 15, 2021, from 11:30-1 p.m., the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals will hold a virtual monthly luncheon meeting featuring a presentation by Ramiro Garcia, Jr., Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit taep.memberclicks.net.

OHBA: Nature’s Best Hope is You, with Doug Tallamy

On July 15, 2021, beginning at 6 p.m., join OHBA (Organic Benefits Horticulture Alliance) for a Zoominar with Doug Tallamy, a globally famous environmental expert, lecturer, and the author of Bringing Nature Home and Nature’s Best Hope. This world-renowned entomologist and native plant promoter will discuss the simple steps that each of us can and must take to reverse declining biodiversity, and will explain why we–ourselves–are nature’s best hope. Register at ohba.org.

Several Steps Forward One Backward: Climate Change, Latin America, and Human Rights Resilience

On July 15, 2021, beginning at 6 p.m., Holocaust Museum Houston will present a webinar featuring Rosa Celorio, Ph.D., associate dean and professor of International and comparative legal studies at George Washington University Law School. The event will be bilingual in Spanish/English. Celorio serves in several international roles, including acting Senior Advisor for the United Nations CEDAW Committee in the elaboration of their new General Recommendation on Indigenous Women, and as the International Human Rights Dispute Resolution Authority between the Government of Belize and the Maya Indigenous Peoples. For more information and to register, see the Facebook event.

Native Plant Society meeting: Art from the Garden

On July 15, 2021, beginning at 7:30 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Plant Society of Houston will hold in-person meeting at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Texas A&M Agrilife County Extension Agent Brandi Keller will discuss how to dry, press, make dyes, prints and more from the foliage in gardens. Socializing will begin at 7 p.m. For more information (including safety protocols, visit npsot.org.

Texas Wildlife Association’s Wildlife 2021

From July 15-18, 2021, the Texas Wildlife Association will hold its annual convention at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. Wildlife enthusiasts from across Texas will come together for three days of fun, education, and networking. The event will include an auction, private lands summit, and education seminars. For more information and to register, visit wildlife2021.com.

2021 STAR Texas Environmental Leadership Awards nominations open through July 16

The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling is accepting nominations for the 2021 Texas Environmental Leadership Award. These awards recognize individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses developing and maintaining programs involving recycling, composting, sustainable materials management, public outreach, special event recycling, and more. Award nominations are due Friday, July 16.

Bird Banding at Gulf Coast Bird Observatory

On July 17, 2021, from 8 a.m.-noon, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will resume its in-person viewing of bird banding at its headquarters at 299 Hwy 332 West, Lake Jackson, where licensed banders Robert and Kay Lookingbill will demonstrate banding birds. Learn more at gcbo.org.

Virtual Plumeria Plant Sale

On July 17, 2021, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will host its Virtual Plumeria Plant Sale featuring plumerias, gingers, and more. Mercer Grown plants are cultivated at Mercer’s Horticultural Propagation Center greenhouses. All plumerias for sale are propagated from The Mercer Society’s mother plant collection. Plant pickup is off site at The Mercer Society’s Horticultural Propagation Center, approximately one mile from Mercer at 3602 Hirschfield Road in Spring. For more information on how to purchase plants, see the Facebook event.

Invasives Beware

On July 17, 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 the Facebook event.

Moth Night at Exploration Green

On July 17, 2021, from 8-10 p.m., Exploration Green will host celebrating National Moth Week. Participants will discover what species of moths and other night-flying insects are out and about in Exploration Green with the help of Texas Master Naturalists. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Moth Night at Deer Park Prairie

On July 17, 2021, beginning at 8 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will host a Moth Night at the Lawther-Deer Park Prairie, 1222 E. Purdue Lane, with amateur moth enthusiasts Katy Emde and John Schneider. For more information and to register, visit houstonprairie.org.

World Listening Day

World Listening Day (themed “The Unquiet Earth”), observed on July 18, 2021, is our chance to appreciate the noises our world has to offer and what we can learn from acoustic ecology. Thanks to Jaime Gonzalez with The Nature Conservancy, you can listen to soundscapes from East Texas Pineywoods, an urban dawn chorus, the Nash Prairie, and the Clive Runnels Mad Island Marsh Preserve. Cornell Lab of Ornithology offers Merlin and eBird apps, which can help you identify bird songs and calls. Let Merlin’s bird ID feature “listen” to bird calls and it will suggest possible identification–a new feature that’s only been available for a few weeks. eBird provides sound quizzes specific to your location and time of year. Many sound recordings are in Cornell’s MaCaulay Library. Texas Parks & Wildlife offers audio clips of the sounds from a variety of frogs and toads of Texas, as well as a citizen science opportunity. Texas Nature Conservancy has a Houston Health Cities SoundCloud account  Houston Arboretum & Nature Center offers “Frog Song.” 

Purple Martin Migration Watch Party

On July 18, 2021, Houston Audubon will host watch parties at The Fountains (in Stafford) and WIllowbrook Mall to watch the annual migration of the Purple Martin. From July to September, Houston’s Purple Martins spend most of the day feeding on flying insects to build energy for their long journey across the Gulf of Mexico. At dusk, they form large flocks and roost together in preparation for migration. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Hurricane and Flood Safety

On July 18, 2021, from 6-7 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church will host a webinar featuring Jeff Lindner of the Harris County Flood Control District, who will discuss how to stay safe in a natural disaster. Linder’s presentation will cover the various hazards that impact a region during a hurricane landfall, including wind, rainfall and storm surge flooding. He will also address how to prepare for these hazards so that you and yours can stay safe. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Plastic Pickup Challenge

From July 19-25, Houston Audubon and Partners in Litter Prevention Plastic Pickup Challenge. Organizations across our region will be hosting cleanups that you can attend, or go out and clean up your community on your own. On July 24, Houston Audubon is hosting a cleanup at its Edith L. Moore Sanctuary! Registration is required: For more information, visit the Facebook event.

Bay Area Sierra Club meeting: Introduction to SPLASh

On July 21, 2021, from 7-8:30 p.m.,, the Bay Area chapter of the Sierra Club will hold a virtual meeting featuring a presentation by Amanda Hackney of Black Cat GIS and Biological Services, who will explain the goals and activities of SPLASh (Stopping Plastics and Litter Along Shorelines) In 2020, American Bird Conservancy, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory and Black Cat GIS formed SPLASh, or Stopping Plastics and Litter Along Shorelines, in order to address the overlapping issues of trash pollution and wildlife conservation. SPLASh holds monthly cleanups open to the public as well as organizing events for schools, businesses, and various groups. For more information, visit meetup.com.

Virtual Lunch and Learn: Waterways

On July 22, 2021, from noon-1 p.m., the Houston Parks Board will host a virtual luncheon presentation featuring river researcher and advocate, Tom Douglas, who will discuss Houston’s best paddling trails and trips, water safety, fishing on the bayous, and upcoming paddling events. He’ll also be joined by Danny Zirilli, HPB Construction Manager, to discuss construction, access points and recreational safety along the Bayou Greenways. For more information and to register, visit houstonparksboard.org.

Fleet Electrification in Texas: How Houston is Accelerating Fleet EV Adoption

On July 22, 2021, from 1-2 p.m., UH Energy will present a webinar featuring  Chris George and Yann Kulp of EVolve Houston, a coalition of sustainability-minded civic, business, and academic leaders who seek to accelerate clean transportation through electrification. They will discuss EVolve Houston’s mandate, the City of Houston’s fleet conversion goals, and highlight what both have accomplished to date in the region. They will also discuss the fleet EV assessment process and key results of EV feasibility from studies with the City of Houston. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Moth Night Out Event at Trinity River Refuge

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge will host its Annual Moth Night Out Event on Friday, July 23 as part of National Moth Week events occurring across the country.  Interested folks will meet at the Refuge Headquarters building at 9 p.m. to see and photograph some of the over 950 species of moths documented around the building’s security lights.  Black lights and mercury vapor lights will also be used. At 9 pm., Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge Biologist Laurie Lomas Gonzales will give a talk titled “The Moths at night, need less light.”  She will discuss the plight of moths, light pollution, and simple steps you can do at home to help moths at home. Stuart Marcus will lead moth identification outside starting around 9:30 p.m. The Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters building is located at 601 FM 1011. Liberty, directly across the street from the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, wearing a mask is required: in federal buildings and outdoors on federal land when social distancing cannot be maintained. Call the Refuge office at 936/336-9786 for more information. All ages are invited.

Celebrate Architecture Gala

On July 24, 2021, American Institute of Architects- Houston and the Architecture Center Houston (ArCH) will return to in-person events with the Celebrate Architecture Gala, t the Lone Star Flight Museum. At this time, they believe masks will be optional, but will update COVID information as the event gets closer. New this year will be tours of two vintage, mid-century aircraft. For tables and sponsorship opportunities, visit aiahouston.org.

Summer Institute for Climate Change Education

EcoRise is leading a cohort of Houston-area educators to the Summer Institute for Climate Change Education, hosted by Climate Generation in partnership with NOAA’s Climate Program, and The Wild Center’s Youth Climate Program. From July 28–30, 2021, participating educators will gain the skills, tools, and resources to teach climate change concepts and empower students in all subject areas, and receive ongoing support throughout the year. BIPOC teachers are highly encouraged to register to help increase representation in conversations about climate change. Find the full course description here, and register to join the Houston cohort here.

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Photo Safari

The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is holding a Photo Safari Scavenger Hunt through July 26, 2021. No, you don’t have to go knocking door to door to find odd objects. Instead, they invite you to explore the sanctuary website for photos that match the clue list we’ll provide. They will post two clues a week for five weeks. Your mission is to find photos from our website that best represent those clues. At the end of the five weeks, they’ll also offer a bonus clue. That’s a total of 11 opportunities to win a tour of R/V MANTA, the sanctuary research vessel, Clues will be posted on the website, as well as on the Facebook and Twitter pages each week and you’ll have until July 26 to submit your photos for any or all of the clues.

World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council

Youth ages 16-24 are invited to apply to become a member of the World Ocean Day Advisory Council, which helps develop World Ocean Day into a unique opportunity to connect and unite youth and others around our blue planet, with the focus on action for a healthier ocean and more sustainable society. Currently the Council includes 25 youth from 22 countries. The Council is looking to fill 10 positions for 2021-2022. Applications are due by July 31, 2021. For more information, visit worldoceanday.org.

“Get Into Your Sanctuary” photo contest

In celebration of national Get Into Your Sanctuary activities from Aug. 2-8, 2021, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is hosting its annual photo contest. Through Labor Day, ONMS is accepting the public’s best photos of the National Marine Sanctuary System to help celebrate the beauty and importance of these special places, including Texas’s own Flower Garden Banks NMS. The categories are: Sanctuary Views, Sanctuary Life, Sanctuary Recreation, and Sanctuaries at Home. Winning photos will be featured in next year’s Earth Is Blue Magazine and on the Earth Is Blue social media campaign. For more information, including how to submit photos, visit sanctuaries.noaa.gov.

Houston Audubon seeks partners for Bird Week cleanups

Does your organization want to participate in Houston Bird Week 2021. Bird Week was started in 2019 by Houston Audubon’s Young Professionals Advisory Council to celebrate Houston’s important role in the journey of billions of migratory and resident birds. From September 18 – 25, Houston Audubon and local conservation partners will host a week of virtual and in-person events centered around our region’s birds and wildlife – from bird walks and watch parties to educational talks, trivia, and more. If your organization is interested in joining Houston Bird Week and engaging and educating the public about conservation, send an email to birdweek@houstonaudubon.org. Find all the latest on Bird Week at houstonaudubon.org/birdweek.

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/.