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Houston Environmental News Update September 29, 2021
September 30, 2021

Houston Environmental News Update September 29, 2021

Galveston Bay Report Card, Wildscapes Workshop, Buffalo Bayou Regatta, Pollinator Festival, Katharine Hayhoe, BPA Symposium, Green Jobs and more

“Scattered Thunderstorms, Galveston Bay” by Luis Vest is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Last week, we mentioned that, as part of National Estuaries Week, Galveston Bayou Foundation & HARC were about to release the 2021 Galveston Bay Report Card–it’s sixth annual report. The authors write:

“Galveston Bay is a vibrant, resilient ecosystem, but faces an uncertain future. The Bay’s watershed is home to the fifth largest city in the U.S., Houston. It is also home to three ports, and remains a hub for the manufacturing and refining of chemicals and petroleum products. However, people, industry, and commerce often come with environmental challenges. Galveston Bay’s most significant problems are tied to pollution, declines in habitat acreage, and the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise.

“That Galveston Bay could receive a grade of C for overall health despite facing these monumental issues shows how resilient it is. This offers hope that we can change our negative impact on water quality, wetlands, seagrasses, and wildlife. But a healthier Galveston Bay is in everyone’s interest.”

The Galveston Bay Estuary again received an overall grade of “C.” This year, researchers were able to add a new grade for oyster population, under the Wildlife category as well as an estimated wetland grade based on data from H-GAC. Unfortunately, not enough data were available for Litter and Trash or Oyster Reefs to include them in the overall grade.

Join report card partners on Sat., October 30, 2021, for summaries of the report card as well as local resources that will help YOU protect the Bay. Other events coming up with Galveston Bay Foundation include:

Banner image: “Squall, Eagle Point” taken in Galveston Bay by Luis Vest is licensed under CC BY-NC 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.

Beyond Toxicity: Building a Sustainable Tomorrow For Children

On Oct. 13, 2021, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the CEC, Children At Risk, Texas Family Leadership Council, and Partners in Foresight will present a virtual summit called “Beyond Toxicity: Building a Sustainable Tomorrow for Children”. Join experts to discuss the impact of climate change on today’s children and next generations. This summit, sponsored by Signature Care Emergency Room, will examine environmental racism, ecological determinants of health, and sustainability, and hear from youth advocates working to build a brighter, greener future. This event is free to students, and scholarships are available to the general public. Email bderry@childrenatrisk.org to inquire. To purchase tickets, visit interland3.donorperfect.net.

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.

Air Champion Social Change Scientists Global Video Contest

McMac Cx Air Champions Social Change Scientists are passionate community influencers, teachers, parents, student innovators, and activists who believe that we have a right to live, learn, work and play in places where we are allowed to know the quality of the air we breathe. Make a 30-90 second video about healthy air, and enter the Air Champions Global Video Contest for a chance to win a state-of-the-art Flow Personal Air Monitor, the chance to have your film shown at the Wild About Houston Film Festival, AND the chance to receive a $1,000 cash prize. Learn more at McMacCx.com/globalvideocontest.

Imagine a Day Without Water Video Contest

The City of Houston Public Works department invites Houston residents to participate in Imagine a Day Without Water Video Contest! This contest is designed to engage all Houstonians in the nation-wide event “Imagine a Day Without Water,” hosted by the Value of Water Campaign. The purpose of Imagine a Day Without Water is to bring attention to the neglected water systems in America. Entrants should create a video–not to exceed 1-minute–exploring or depicting various aspects of what daily life might look like/be affected by an entire day without any water. This can showcase a day without water in its relation to infrastructure, the environment, consumption, or conservation. The nature of the video can range from fun and light-hearted to more serious depictions of a day without water. Enter for the chance to win cash prizes AND the opportunity to have your films shown about the 2021 Wild About Houston Green Film Festival! View the flyer and visit houstontx.gov for more information. Submit videos by Sunday, October 17, 2021, to waterconservation@houstontx.gov.

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Input Requested: San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group

The San Jacinto RFPG seeks input from the public regarding the development of a regional flood plan, part of a statewide flood plan. Learn more, submit input, and sign up for updates at sanjacintofloodplanning.org.

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).

Brittani Flowers named new President and CEO of the Bayou Preservation Association

The Bayou Preservation Association has named Brittani Flowers as its new President & CEO. As head of the non-profit, she will lead the organization in realizing its vision of a network of healthy bayous, streams, and watersheds through conservation, preservation, restoration, and responsible watershed management. Additionally, Flowers will work in strategic partnership with the board of directors to further its mission, programs, and projects, and to help develop science-based solutions to watershed issues. Flowers joins Bayou Preservation Association after serving as Regional Director with Environment Texas, a non-profit organization advocating for equity and resiliency. Before entering the non-profit sector, Flowers owned and operated a residential and commercial waste management business. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Central Washington University and a Master of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy from Texas Southern University.

H-GAC celebrates Commute Solutions Month

September is Commute Solutions Month, and the Houston-Galveston Area Council challenges you to attend one of its virtual fairs to learn more about alternate forms of commuting, such as biking, walking, public transportation, carpooling, or vanpooling. These alternate modes of transportation have been proven to reduce stress, improve mental and physical health, reduce overall energy consumption, and save money. Register for the free virtual transportation fair on Sept. 30 (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.), where you can play games, speak one-on-one with experts, watch short videos, and grab additional information about transportation options. Also, check out our website at yourcommutesolution.org for more virtual activities and to learn about alternative commuting options available near you.

Annual Energy Summit —  Electrification and Decarbonization: Pathways to a New Energy Future

Through Sept. 30, 2021, the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University’s Energy Summit continues virtually. The summit explores current issues affecting global energy markets, oil and gas, electricity, renewables and the environment. In particular, this year’s summit addresss the energy industry’s continued response to recent events and how new developments are shaping the industry. For full details and to register, visit bakerinstitute.org.

 

Electric Vehicle Webinar Series: Pilot for Equitable Electric Mobility

On Sept. 30, 2021, from noon-1 p.m., UH Energy will host a webinar featuring Bruce Race, Ph.D., director of the Center for Sustainability and Resilience at the Gerald D. Hines School of Architecture. He will discuss the National Science Foundation-funded “Pilot for Equitable Electric Mobility” project in southwest Houston employing a collaborative process with community and commercial technology partners with an overall aim to leverage early Electric Vehicle adopter regional markets to accelerate equitable development of accessible fast charging infrastructure and EV ownership for low income families. For more information and to register, visit uh.edu/uh-energy.

Wildscapes Workshop and Plant Sale

The Houston chapter of the Native Plant Society of Houston is holding its Wildlife Workshop and Plant Sale virtually. The event continues with online speaker presentations on Sept 30 and Oct. 5 and 7. Plants and books will go on sale October 9 for Wildscapes ticket holders, and October 10 for everyone.  Purchases will be picked up on Saturday, October 16 near downtown. For the full listing of speakers and other details and to purchase tickets, visit npsot.org.

Children & Nature Network Conference Call for Presentations

The Children & Nature Network will hold its 2022 International Conference in May in Atlanta, Georgia. The Children & Nature Network is committed to breaking down systems of inequity that prevent children and families from having regular access to the benefits of nature. now accepting proposals for conference breakout sessions and its poster session. Submit proposals by Sept. 30, 2021. For more information, visit childrenandnature.org.

State of the Park: Return to Our Roots

On Sept. 30, 2021, beginning at noon, the Memorial Park Conservancy will virtually hold the third annual State of the Park. The theme, “Return to our Roots: Planting the Prairie for Future Generations”, will speak to this vital ecosystem and the increasingly important role that parks play in people’s daily lives. Attendees will learn about and celebrate Houston’s largest urban wilderness park and a space for all Houstonians. A special evening reception will be held on Wednesday, September 29 on the Living Bridge in Memorial Park that includes an in-depth look at the Land Bridge and Prairie. Tickets to the evening reception are included with certain table and sponsorship purchases as outlined. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit memorialparkconservancy.org.

Foraging for Food and Knowledge

On Sept. 30, 2021, from 5-7 p.m., the Organic Horticulture Benefits Alliance will present an event at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center featuring Mark Merriwhether Vorderbruggen, Ph.D., who will discuss edible weeds and what they can tell you about the soil. For more information and to register, visit ohba.app.neoncrm.com.

The Story of Plastic film screening and discussion

On Sept. 30, 2021, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Texas Campaign for the Environment will hold a free, virtual screening of the film The Story of Plastic (see the trailer) followed by a by a panel discussion with activists Yvette Arellano of Houston and Destiny Watford. For more information and to register, visit zoom.us.

Spring Creek Greenway Ambassador program orientation

On Sept. 30, 2021, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Bayou Land Conservancy will hold an orientation session for its Spring Creek Greenway Ambassador Program, a free adult environmental education program. The program takes place twice a year with five classes held on weeknights and weekends. Ambassadors learn about the unique features of the local ecology and all the exciting work that BLC does. After completing the program, Ambassadors will have a better understanding of what’s in their backyards, how to protect and preserve the greenway, and how to get involved in the amazing work that BLC does. For more information and to register, visit bayoulandconservancy.org. 

Transition U.S.: Regenerative Communities Summit

Through Oct. 10, 2021, join Transition U.S., along with dozens of partner organizations who are leading the transition to a more just and sustainable society, for inspiring plenary sessions, skill-building workshops, dynamic discussion spaces, and engaging activities, tracing an arc from “What Is” to “What If” to “What’s Next.” Learn to do the work of building a resilient, just, and regenerative future-now. Communities across the globe are recognizing and responding to the call, reimagining and rebuilding our world, forging new paths, and embodying the courage to see the world with new eyes. The Summit is open to everyone on a pay-what-you-can basis. Learn more and register at transitionus.org.

Southeast Texas Ag Summit: State of SE Texas Agriculture

From Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2021, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Harris County Ag & Natural Resources will hold the annual Southeast Texas Agricultural Summit at the Baytown Community Center. Continuing education topics include beef cattle production and management, pasture and range management, conservation of natural resources, and farm safety and management. Five continuing education unit (CEU) credits are pending Texas Department of Agriculture approval. For more information and to register, visit harris.agrilife.org

49th Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta

Oct. 2, 2021, .from 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., the Buffalo Bayou Partnership will host its 49th annual regatta, Texas’ largest canoe and kayak race! Participants, ages 12 and up, are invited to take part in this 15-mile race along scenic Buffalo Bayou. Whether you’re entering competitively or paddling for fun, don’t miss out on this longstanding tradition in support of Houston’s historic waterway. For more information and to register, visit buffalobayou.org.

Exploration Green Planting Day

On Oct. 2,, 2021, from 9 a.m.-noon, USGBC Texas and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Stormwater Wetland Program invite the public to join them at Exploration Green for some fun wetland plantings. For more information and to register, visit usgbctexas.org.

Pollinator Festival and Plant Sale

On Oct. 2, 2021, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will hold its annual Pollinator Festival and Plant Sale. Find great plant choices for a stunning pollinator garden, including plenty of Texas native plants such as zizotes milkweed, fragrant mistflower, maypop, Hercules’ club, and spicebush, that will be available for purchase with proceeds benefitting Mercer Botanic Gardens. Visit welcoming local exhibitors and vendors and engage in pollinator-themed activities and conversation. Challenge family and friends to lawn games, vote for your favorite scarecrow, enjoy live musical entertainment, and visit the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library display and Friends of the Library book sale. For more information, visit Facebook.com.

Walk on the Wild Side

On Oct. 2, 2021, beginning at 10 a.m., the Nature Discovery Center will host a socially distanced walk through the park to see lizards, peer into the trees for looks at birds, discover the latest blooms and their pollinators in our Pocket Prairie, spy on the secret life of animals that hide under logs, and investigate more seasonal nature surprises! Learn some tips to explore nature with your family in your own backyard or on your travels. This event is a family event for kids 4 and up with their parents or adult caregivers. For more information and to register, visit naturediscoverycenter.org.

Smith Point Hawk Watch 25th Anniversary Celebration

On Oct. 2, 2021, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will hold its Smith Point Hawk Watch 25th Anniversary Celebration. The hawk watch, located in Candy Abshier Wildlife Management Area, is situated on a natural concentration point for southwardly moving raptors in fall migration. There will be food, drinks, a raptor presentation, and hopefully some live raptors on display. And, as always, plenty of raptors soaring through the sky. For more information, visit Facebok.

Fall Outings in Nature: Guided Night Hike and Earth Examen

On Oct. 2 and Oct. 9, 2021, beginning at 6 p.m., the Interfaith Environmental Alliance of Houston invites the public to participate in a private two-hour guided night hike at the Armand Bayou Nature Center and practice of a spiritual discipline, the Earth Examen. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of the prairie, forest, and bayou at night as a spiritual experience! Some nocturnal creatures you may see or hear are owls, bats, fireflies, raccoons, spiders, armadillos, deer, frogs, and more! The hike is suitable for kids 6 + . The While the Earth Examen is a Christian spiritual discipline, people of all faiths and spiritual traditions will find it a deeply meaningful way to experience nature. Space for these outings is limited, so if you’d like to participate, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com to sign up. Masks must be worn during the hike. Due to the limited group size, you must sign up in advance to participate.

Native Plant Society of Texas Fall 2021 Symposium

From Oct. 2-10, 2021, The Native Plant Society of Texas will host its annual fall symposium around the theme of “Celebrating Conservation and Community”. The symposium will be a hybrid event with some outdoor, in-person sessions and some virtual sessions conducted over Zoom. For more information and to register, visit npsot.org.

Texas Solar Market 2021

On Oct. 5, 2021, from noon-1 p.m., the Texas chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council will hold a webinar with Charlie Hemmeline, executive director of the Texas Solar Power Association, who will discuss why solar power represents a win-win-win opportunity for Texas. With plans announced to retire coal and gas thermal generators, and the population continuing to grow, Texas is primed for more investment in solar. For more information and to register, visit usgbctexas.org.

People’s Eco-Challenge

From Oct. 6-27, 2021, the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites Houstonians of all faiths to join their team for this year’s People’s Eco-Challenge. This online event offers you the opportunity to care for the earth by taking on a challenge in: justice for the whole community, healing & renewal, waste, food, health, transportation, energy, community, nature, water, or simplicity. You can learn about these topics, take action in your personal life, advocate or create a new environmental justice/stewardship habit over the course of the the challenge. Join the team at peoples.ecochallenge.org. .For questions, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.

Your Brain on Nature: Why Time Spent Outdoors is Good for our Mental Health

On Oct. 6, 2021, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., the Texas Children in Nature Network will present an online workshop that will provide information about research confirms that spending time in green spaces improves how our brains respond to stress. Exploring the outdoors has been linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety.and help participants develop their own plan for getting outdoors regularly. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Energy & Climate Thought Leadership Series: Katharine Hayhoe

On Oct. 6, 2021, beginning at 5:30 p.m., the Center for Houston’s Future will host an Energy & Thought Leadership webinar featuring Katharine Hayhoe, Ph.D., a climate scientist, public law and public law professor at Texas Tech University, and chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy. Her book, Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, will be released in September 2021 and she also hosts the PBS digital series Global Weirding, currently in its fifth season. For more information and to register, visit centerforhoustonsfuture.org.

COVID and Public Transit in the Houston Region

On Oct. 6, 2021, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Air Alliance Houston, LINK Houston and the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University will host a webinar about the COVID pandemic’s effect on Houstonians’ relationship with public transportation (access, utilization, future plans) in order to inform what local, state and federal policy proposals and/or investments should be prioritized moving forward. The organizations will present the findings of the new report “COVID and Public Transit in the Houston Region,” discuss how federal legislation may impact Texas transportation, and share recommendations for the transportation policy agenda. For more information and to register, visit secure.airalliancehouston.org.

Bayou Preservation Association’s 18th Annual Symposium

From Oct. 6-7, 2021, the Bayou Preservation Association will hold its 18th Annual Symposium with the theme “Green, in a Word, is Good.” The virtual symposium will focus on green infrastructure as the path to a sustainable and resilient future. Attendees will hear from local agencies and experts about how implementing nature’s best practices enhances quality of life and the region’s economic future by providing better water quality, improved protection from extreme storm events, and enhanced outdoor recreational opportunities. Eight hours of Continuing Education Units (CEU) are available. For more information and to register, visit bayoupreservation.org.

USGBC Texas Energy Summit

On Oct. 7, 2021, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., the Texas chapters of the U.S. Green Building Council will hold their statewide Texas Energy Summit at the Norris Conference Center at City Centre, Houston. The theme of the conference is “Efficient Buildings That Create Health and Prosperity.” For the full agenda and to purchase tickets, visit usgbctexas.org.

NAAEE 2021: The Power of Connection

From Oct. 7-8, 2021, the North American Association of Environmental Educators will hold a Research Symposium in advance of its 2021 annual conference with the theme “The Power of Connection.” The Annual Conference and Research Symposium will offer inspiring and thoughtful keynotes, a rich variety of workshops, symposia, traditional sessions, research panels, roundtable discussions, bright spots, and posters, along with great opportunities for networking, growth, and change. For more information and to register, visit conference.naaee.org.

18th Annual Run in the Park

On Oct. 9, 2021, the Hermann Park Conservancy will hold its 18th Annual Run in the Park. Runners can choose to attend the in-person race, or run from the comfort of their homes virtually. With 5K and 10K routes, as well as a 1K kids’ route for the in-person event, exercise enthusiasts of all ages and abilities can come to explore the Park and enjoy the shaded trails. The event starts and ends at the Molly Ann Smith Plaza, near the Jones Reflection Pool, and includes a post-run party with food, drinks, music, and more. All proceedsgo towards the crucial work needed to maintain Hermann Park, which is an essential outdoor space for the community. For more information and to register, visit runsignup.com.

Big Thicket Day

On Oct. 9, 2021, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the Big Thicket Association will hold the free, annual celebration of the 1964 establishment of the organization and the 1974 establishment of the Big Thicket National Preserve. The BTA’s annual membership meeting will be held at at 9 a.m. The keynote speaker at 9:30 a.m. will be photographer and ecologist Matt Buckingham of Lufkin. Buckingham has spent 20 years exploring the Piney Woods and studying and photographing the region’s incredible biodiversity. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m., there will be educational booths, kids activities, free boat rides on the Ivory Bill boat on the Neches River, musical entertainment by Long Sunday Drive, and a hotdog lunch. The event will be held at Collier’s Ferry Recreation Park, 5390 Pine St., Beaumont. For more information, visit Facebook.

CCL Monthly Meeting with Adrian Garcia and Climate Reconciliation Overview

On Oct. 9, 2021, from 10:30 a.m.-noon, the Houston chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby will hold a virtual meeting featuring CCL state Coordinator Robert Hendricks, who will give an overview of the climate measures in the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package; and Harris County Commisioner Adrian Garcia. Commisioner Garcia, who will discuss the steps that Harris County has taken so far to lower greenhouse gas emissions as well as the steps the county could take in the future. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Indigenous People’s Day- Life Between Land and Water

On Oct. 9, 2021, from 1-4 p.m., the Armand Bayou Nature Center will host a celebration of the people who once called the gulf coast prairies, forests, and bayous home. The Akokisa people once thrived here, and utilized the rich resources of the Texas coastal environment between land and water to successfully su, rvive in a challenging world. The event will include demonstrations, replica items, and a replica shelter where visitors can learn about how the local people used the environment to create and provide everything they needed for survival. For more information, visit abnc.org.

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, part of Lights Out Texas. Turn your non-essential, exterior lights off from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. throughout spring and fall migrations, especially during peak migration, which continues through October 29. Learn more at houstonaudublog.org.

Take Care of Texas Video Contest

The Take Care of Texas Video Contest is back for 2021! Texas students in grades 6 – 12 are invited to create a 30-second video about how they take care of the environment, using data from our website. The sky is the creative limit, so the most original, entertaining, and thought-provoking young filmmakers will receive prizes and scholarships. Participating students must upload their entry on or before 4 p.m. CST Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 CST, with the required documents. For some inspiration, see previous winning entries here. Find the full contest rules and other important information at takecareoftexas.org.

  • Wild Hope Book Discussion Group. Through Oct. 8, 2021, the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston is holding a weekly virtual discussion of the book Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing by Gayle Boss. Learn more and register at eventbrite.com.
  • Living the Change Discussion Group. Through Dec. 14, 2021, the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston is hosting a weekly virtual discussion group in which participants can consider how they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to energy, transportation and food, based on the Walk on Earth Gently principles. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
  • Your Body Your Air. 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 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. Learn more 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.

  • On the Lake Mineral Wells Trail, where trains once traveled, hikers and bikers now reign, on a protected pathway connecting Weatherford and Mineral Wells
  • Texas Rivers and streams are under attack. The invasive Giant Reed threatens pretty much every river system in the state, but biologists are fighting back. We focus on the pristine Pedernales River and see what it takes to knock back this towering cane invader
  • Postcard from Texas: Surfs up at the Packery Channel near Corpus Christi

Additional Upcoming Events

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