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Houston Environmental News Update August 25, 2021
August 26, 2021

Houston Environmental News Update August 25, 2021

Visualizing Vortices, Post-Harvey flood planning, Call for Films, EEvengers, Organic Gardening Workshop, Health Effects of Climate Change, Energy & Climate Leadership Webcast, Scenic Mornings, Green Jobs and more

“Allen Parkway Bats” is by TVZ Designs is on Flickr and licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
Credit: NASA

The 4th anniversary of Harvey making landfall has us thinking about vortices. Lucky for you, a handful of other vortical events are whirling our way:

International Bat Night is this Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Bats often emerge from colonies in a swirling vortex.

  • Celebrate with Bat Conservation International by virtually viewing the emergence of bats from Bracken Cave (the world’s largest bat colony–here in Texas!).
  • Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership for a 90-minute, guided boat tour from downtown to Waugh Drive Bridge and back to watch the emergence of the 250,000+ Mexican free-tailed bats that live under the bridge. Multiple dates available and sell out in advance.
  • Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, in partnership with Bat Conservation International, provides more information about viewing bats in Texas, including at the Waugh Street and Watonga Street bridges.

Houston Audubon is hosting Purple Martin Migration Watch Parties on Saturday, Sep. 4 and Sunday, Sep. 19, 2021. 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. Purple Martins are one of many species that are beginning fall migration; read more about how to make migration safer by participating in Houston Audubon’s Lights Out for Birds challenge.

Have we set your mind awhirl?

“Allen Parkway Bats” is by TVZ Designs is on Flickr and licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

CEC NOTES

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

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

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.

Call for submissions: Wild About Houston Green Film Festival

The CEC is proud to host the fourth annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival this fall. CEC hopes to use this festival to tell local environmental stories, highlight the work of CEC’s member organizations, and to inspire our residents and visitors to make a difference in the environment and our quality of life. The festival will be held virtually to protect the health and safety of our community in these times. We invite you to submit a film for consideration. Films should be specific to the environment in the Houston/Gulf Coast Region, should be no more than seven minutes long, and must be of suitable quality to be shown publicly. View the Submission Guidelines, and make submissions using this Google Form.

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

EPA Virtual Community Meeting

On Aug. 26, 2021, from 6-8 p.m., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is holding a second virtual public meeting to provide members of the community, community leaders, public officials, and leaders of community organizations near Shell Technology Center, 3333 Hwy 6 South, Houston, with information about ethylene oxide and its health effects. For more information and to register to ask questions during the meeting, visit epa.gov.

San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group: Existing Flood Risk Public Meeting Aug. 31, 2021

The San Jacinto RFPG invites you to help to develop the first-ever flood plan for the San Jacinto Region. The 2019 Texas Legislature passed legislation to create Texas’ first-ever regional and state flood planning process. The Region 6 San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group (RFPG) was established by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) on October 1, 2020. The RFPG is responsible for developing the first regional flood plan by January 2023, which will culminate in the first-ever state flood plan for Texas. San Jacinto Region includes all or part of 11 counties and extends from Galveston in the south to Huntsville in the north.

Learn more about the flood planning group, provide input, and sign up to attend the August 31, 2021, public input meeting at https://sanjacintofloodplanning.org/.

Waters of the United States Listening Sessions

On June 9, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army announced their intent to revise the definition of “waters of the United States.” This process includes two rulemakings: A foundational rule to restore longstanding protections, and a second rulemaking process that builds on that regulatory foundation. The forthcoming foundational rule will propose to restore the regulations defining “waters of the United States” that were in place for decades until 2015, with updates to be consistent with relevant Supreme Court decisions. The agencies will also pursue a separate, second rulemaking process that further refines and builds upon that regulatory foundation.Written recommendations must be received on or before September 3, 2021. The agencies will hold public meetings on the following dates: August 23, August 25, August 26, and August 31, 2021. Learn more and submit comments at www.regulations.gov/document.

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).

Texas Trustees initiate second restoration plan

The Texas Trustee Implementation Group is beginning the process of drafting their second Deepwater Horizon restoration plan to address the following restoration goals: restore and conserve habitat; restore water quality; and replenish and protect living coastal and marine resources. The plan will consider projects under the following restoration types: wetlands, coastal and nearshore habitats; nutrient reduction; oysters; sea turtles, and birds. The Trustees expect to release a draft restoration plan and environmental assessment in early 2022. The public will be given the opportunity to review and provide comment on the draft plan and proposed projects. After the public comment period ends, they will review, consider, and incorporate public comments, as appropriate, before releasing a final restoration plan. Development of the restoration plan will be consistent with the Trustees’ Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan, the Trustee Council Standard Operating Procedures, the Oil Pollution Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, their implementing regulations, and all applicable Federal and Texas law.

Solid Waste Workshop: Empowering People To Help Reduce Litter in Their Communities

On Aug. 26, 2021, from 9-11:30 a.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will a workshop featuring experts across the region and state who will discuss strategies, resources, and innovative ideas to empower people to help reduce litter in their communities. Register at zoom.us.

Clean Water Workshop: H-GAC’s Effort To Improve the Region’s Water Quality

On Aug. 26, 2021, from 1:30-4 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits within the H-GAC 13-county planning area to attend a virtual workshop about the water quality programs H-GAC is supporting to improve the region’s waters. For more information and to register, visit h-gac.com.

OHBA Organic Gardening Workshop

On Aug. 26, 2021, from 2-6:15 p.m., the Organic Horticulture Benefits Alliance will host an Organic Gardening Workshop on how to have a successful fall planing season. For more information an to register, visit ohba.app.neoncrm.com.

Houston Audubon’s Flock Together Photo Contest

Houston Audubon seeks photos in its Flock Together Photo Contest that best illustrate the following categories: Bird-Friendly Communities, Small-in-Frame, Bird of Houston, Bird Fails and Funnies, Birds in Flight, and Birds of All Feathers. The submission period runs through Aug. 29, 2021. Judging will be based on content, creativity, uniqueness, and overall impression within its submitted category. All entries are eligible for the People’s Choice Award and will automatically be entered.Winners will be announced during Houston Bird Week on Sept. 25. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Health Effects Associated with Climate Change

On Aug. 29, 2021, from 6-7 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church will host a webinar featuring  Dr. Brett Perkison of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for a discussion of the health effects of climate change. Perkison will discuss heat stress and health effects associated with flooding in communities. He will also address approaches individuals, communities, policy makers, and public resources are taking to reduce the extent of these health effects. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Energy & Climate Thought Leadership Webcast: Amy Myers Jaffe

On Aug. 30, 2021, beginning at 5 p.m., the Center for Houston’s Future will present a webinar featuring Amy Myers Jaffe, author of Energy’s Digital Future: Harnessing Innovation for American Resilience and National Security and managing director of the Climate Policy Lab and a research professor at The Fletcher School at Tufts University. Raj Mankad, op-ed editor at the Houston Chronicle, will moderate the discussion.about how the energy industry can and must adapt in the face of the climate crisis and the changing regulatory landscape. They will also discuss the need for a shift in Texas’ reliance on oil and gas as the industry is increasingly outpaced by new technologies. Additionally, Jaffe will focus on the range of issues raised by the country’s increasing sprint to electrify (almost) everything. For more information and to register, visit centerforhoustonsfuture.org.

Water for Texas 2021 early registration ends Aug. 31

Tuesday, Aug. 31, is the last day to register for the Water for Texas 2021 conference in Austin before prices increase on September 1. The conference will feature industry experts on water-related topics such as flood, business, science and technology, and communications. Additionally, continuing education credits are available for several sessions, including for the State Bar of Texas, Texas Floodplain Management Association, and professional engineers. For more information and to register, visit twdb.texas.gov.

Scenic Mornings: A Stroll through Memorial Park

On Aug. 31, 2021, Scenic Houston will present a panel discussion featuring Shellye Arnold, president and CEO of Memorial Park Conservancy, and Thomas Woltz, principal at Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, abut Memorial Park’s Master Plan. Moderated by Sarah Newbery, director of parks and greenspace for the Kinder Foundation, the panelists will discuss the Master Plan’s focus on connectivity and access, protecting and enhancing green infrastructure, preserving natural resources, revealing Houston’s history, and improving recreational assets and amenities for all park visitors. For more information and to register, visit donorperfect.net.

Native Pollinator Habitat Grant Program

The Clear Lake chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas is accepting applications for the second year of the Native Pollinator Habitat Grant Program. This is an opportunity for nature centers, schools, educational groups, student groups, youth organizations and others in Brazoria, Galveston and Harris Counties needing funds for new or existing pollinator habitats in a public space. Priority is given to projects located in Brazoria County, Galveston County, and the southeast quadrant of Harris County. The deadline to apply is Sept. 1, 2021. Watch an overview of last year’s projects on the chapter’s YouTube channel here. Find full details at npsot.org.

Tree-Rific Volunteers

On Sept. 1 and 15, 2021, from 9-10 a.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens invites volunteers to care for nursery trees by giving them some tender love and care. The work is outdoors, so come prepared to get your hands dirty. Bring gloves and a refillable water bottle. Meet at The Mercer Society’s Horticultural Propagation Center, approximately one mile from Mercer at 3602 Hirschfield Road in Spring. Register online at hcp4.net/mercer/events. For more information, call 281-353-8100 or email legacytrees@hcp4.net.

Conservation Connections

On Sept. 1, 2021 (and every Wednesday in September), from 9-11:30 a.m., Jones Park & Nature Center invites volunteers to join staff and assist with a variety of park conservation projects. Wear closed-toe shoes. Bring garden gloves and water bottle. Long pants and hat recommended. For more information, visit Facebook.

2021 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

On Sept. 1, 2021, from 6-7 p.m., Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church will host an ecumenical observance of the 2021 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This evening prayer service offers an opportunity for Houston Christians of all traditions, members of environmental groups and local officials to join hearts and voices at a decisive moment for our natural world. Scientists, activists, the world’s poor and even children from across the globe are beseeching leaders in all areas of civic life to inspire moral action to address the current ecological crisis. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Texas Citizen Planner- Community Planning for Flood Mitigation

On Sept. 2, 2021, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present a free training session featuring practitioners and experts who will discuss local trends in flood management and how to plan, fund, and implement activities including open space preservation, buyouts, building retrofits and elevations, and the Community Rating System. Five Continuing Education Credits for Certified Floodplain Managers and five Certification Maintenance credits for American Institute of Certified Planners professionals are available. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Faithful Resilience: A Study on Climate Resilience for Faith Communities

Beginning Sept. 2, 2021, from 6-7 p.m., Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church will host a six-part study on climate resilience for faith communities. The climate crisis has arrived. Faith communities must not only react, but also prepare. The communities who will be most threatened by climate change also have an opportunity to play a pivotal role in building resilience in their towns and cities. Whether a faith community has a large facility, land, social capital, or something else, those assets can be channeled into building climate resilience in preparation for the coming physical and spiritual storms of the climate crisis. The series continues through October 2. For more information and to regisgter, visit eventbrite.com.

Houston Parks Board’s Agents of Discovery missions

Through September 3, 2021, the Houston Parks Board offers the public the opportunity to tackle two different Agents of Discovery missions in the Houston area. The newest mission launch is in MacGregor Park. You’ll find more sports and play equipment than you could possibly fit into one day, but do you know the history behind this beautiful park? Unlock the history as you complete challenges and answer questions around the park. In addition to MacGregor Park, it’s not too late to play the Upper Greens Summer Challenge! Located in North Houston just off I-45, You’ll start at the Rockstar Energy Bike Park and follow the clues along the bayou greenway to uncover the truth about the plants and animals around you. Download the free Agents of Discovery app to get started.

Purple Martin Migration Watch Party

On Sept. 4, 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.

“Get Into Your Sanctuary” photo contest

In celebration of national Get Into Your Sanctuary activities, 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. For more information, including how to submit photos, visit sanctuaries.noaa.gov.

Call for Abstracts: Houston Audubon’s AviChat

During Houston Audubon’s Bird Week 2021 celebration Sept. 18-25, the organization will launch a new program called AviChat — a series of brief, informal, science talks about bird conservation and research hosted by the Houston Audubon YPAC. Held at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, the presentations will be followed by a networking happy hour with the purpose of starting conversations among people who could collaborate productively to further the mission of bird and wildlife conservation in our region. This is not your normal conference – they are keeping the slots short, with no time for questions until you can chat with the presenter over a drink. Houston Audubon is looking for submissions to present individual or organizational projects related to bird and/or land conservation on the Upper Texas Coast, including planned and completed research. The deadline for abstracts is September 10. For more information and to submit abstracts, visit houstonaudubon.org.

TAEE Conference

Environmental educators may register now for the 44th annual Texas Association for Environmental Education conference, themed Rooted in Environmental Education, to be held Sept. 24-25, 2021. With a mixture of in-person and virtual events, you’re sure to find something to grow your knowledge and network. On September 24, there will be a movie night at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, and a seining field trip and movie night at Galveston Bay Foundation in Kemah. On September 25, join educators on a pocket prairie and school garden tour around Houston; learn from the experts how to start your own. Find full details on the conference website. 

Lights Out, Houston!

Through Nov. 30, 2021, Houston Audubon invites the public to participate in Lights Out, Houston for the fall migration season. Houston Audubon’s Lights Out for Birds Program started in 2017 after a large collision event in Galveston. In 2020, Houston Audubon partnered with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Texan By Nature, and organizations across the state to expand the program into Lights Out Texas! This program encourages individuals, organizations, companies, building managers, and cities to turn their non-essential, exterior lights off from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. throughout spring and fall migrations, with extra emphasis on these lights being out during peak migration, Sept. 5-Oct. 29. Learn more at houstonaudublog.org.

Your Body Your Air exhibit at The Health Museum and Houston Public Library

The Houston Public Library invites you to learn about types and sources of air pollution in Houston and the effect they have on our bodies and our communities in The Health Museum’s new exhibit Your Body Your Air. Created in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, Your Body Your Air can be seen at various Houston Public Library locations through February 2022. For additional information about this topic, visit the bilingual Your Body Your Air website at thehealthmuseum.org. While on the site, you can check out the exhibit’s current location, look up the air quality in your area, learn more about community efforts to improve air quality, and share your thoughts. Learn more about the HPL’s showings of the exhibition at houstonlibrary.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.

  • A father and daughter take a paddling trip on the Devils River and make a movie about it. Well, she makes the movie and he does the paddling, but both have a great time
  • Now more than ever Texans realize the importance of skilled firefighters, as 2011 was one of the worst wildfire years on record. See what it takes to be on the frontlines as part of Parks and Wildlife’s Wildland Fire Team
  • The range of a unique hopping rodent has dwindled to just a few areas near the Red River. Researchers are in a race to learn more about it before it disappears into the night

Additional Upcoming Events

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