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Houston Environmental News Update March 16, 2022
March 17, 2022

Houston Environmental News Update March 16, 2022

Women’s Month, For the Love of the Earth, The Future of Food, Kite Flying on the Prairie, Green Jobs and more

Dear Friends,

As you may know, the U.S. celebrates Women’s Month every March, and the world celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8. Both events honor the many roles and contributions made by women in culture and society.

Of course, women have been in the forefront of the environmental movement, both in the U.S. and globally, beginning with Rachel Carson’s seminal book Silent Spring, which many credit with leading directly to the U.S. environmental laws of the 1960s and 1970s. Women were also instrumental in the creation of the first Earth Day in 1970.

We’d like to tell you about some important CEC-related events coming up.

From April 2 through May 5, 2002, our friends at Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy Street in the Montrose area will hold the exhibition “For the Love of the Earth.” This group exhibition of Archway artists “challenges the viewer to consider the fragility of our planet and all living things on it and to take actions which will bring beneficial change.” Archway Gallery has chosen to partner with Citizens’ Environmental Coalition. Twenty-five percent of the sales of the works featured in “For the Love of the Earth” will be donated to CEC. CEC Board President Steve Stelzer said “partnerships like this one with Archway Gallery help further the CEC mission. We love to see our community on Earth Day contemplating actions to restore something in the environment and we applaud these artists for using their creative platform to further the cause.”

An opening reception will be held April 2 from 5-8 p.m., with many of the artists present. An Artists’ Talk will be held at 6:30 p.m. CEC and Archway Gallery are also developing a sereis of subject matter talks throughout the exhibitions’ run. Details will be coming soon.

CEC has collaborated with Artist Boat and the Galveston Bay Foundation to deliver environmental education to four schools in Pasadena. We are proud to report the success of our program since it started in August. Lessons have included a variety of topics, from what’s in our watershed to biodiversity and ocean acidification. These activities are building to a project that will be planned and executed by the students themselves. Learn more about the program here.

Finally, CEC is still welcoming exhibitors and presenters for Earth Day Houston, which will be held April 10 at Discovery Green. The exhibitor deadline is March 31. Find full details in “CEC Notes” below.

CEC NOTES

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Join fellow environmental educators every other Friday morning for a quick check-in to collaborate. The next meeting is March 11, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Bring your coffee (or tea) and ideas for things that are working in your programs (or questions about things that are not). The Zoom call is hosted by regional board members from the Texas Association for Environmental Education. Email Alicia at amein@hcp4.net for Zoom link and any questions.

Virtually Wild! Texas Student Learning Programs

Region 4 Education Service Center partners with the Virtually Wild! Texas team to provide students with engaging and interactive TEKS-aligned virtual environmental education field trips that highlight careers in conservation. These free 45-minute programs are live, and teachers and students are encouraged to engage with natural resources professionals by asking questions. Topics vary by program and have included endangered species, animal adaptations, habitat exploration, wildlife crime investigations, and more! Public, private, homeschool, hospitals, and education sites are welcome to view. See program listings and register at esc4.net.

Call for Artists: Houston Inspira public health storytelling campaign

Citizen’s Environmental Coalition is proud to be an Environmental Partner with the City of Houston in the just-launched the Houston Inspira project.  Houston Inspira, an EPA-funded project, seeks artists, musicians, playwrights, dancers, writers, and all creatives to engage with communities to educate, inform and activate via storytelling in all forms/disciplines. The project, headed by Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, will occur in five Complete Communities – Acres Homes, Alief/Westwood, Kashmere Gardens, Near Northside, and Second Ward. This project will focus on risks communities face from elevated levels of environmental pollutants, primarily PM2.5 (strongly associated with concrete batch plants) and benzene both of which can increase and exacerbate the health risks associated with COVID-19. The selected storyteller will work with the City of Houston, environmental and community stakeholders over a six-month period in a selected community. The deadline for artists’ submissions is March 31, 2022. Houston artists/creatives can learn more about the project and apply at moca.submittable.com.

Earth Day Houston: April 10, 2022 from 12-5 p.m.

Presented in partnership with the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Discovery Green’s citywide Earth Day celebration is designed to educate, inspire and encourage action. Learn more about attending, exhibiting, and volunteering at Earthdayhouston.org.

Exhibitor spaces are available starting at $150 for nonprofit organizations, government entities, and small, local businesses. Register here. Early bird fees end and fees increase after March 10! Exhibitor Deadline: 3/31/22

Call for Presenters: Are you an educator with a 20-minute presentation that you would like to share with the Earth Day Houston crowd? Sign up to join us on the “infotainment” stage at Green Mountain Energy Earth Day Houston Festival 2022. For more information, email earthday@cechouston.org.

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Advancing Considerations of Traditional Knowledge into Federal Decision Making

The federal government is seeking ways to advance the consideration of Traditional Knowledge (TK) in federal decision-making processes, in coordination and collaboration with federally recognized tribes and indigenous peoples. On March 23, 2022, beginning at 1:30 p.m. CT, the U.S. EPA will hold a webinar about the importance of considering TK, including ethics, values, etc., in decision-making, and recent developments and actions of the federal government to further consider TK, including plans to develop guidance for federal agencies, for which the government is seeking input. For more information and to register, visit zoom.us.

Texas Trustee Implementation Group Releases Second Restoration Plan For Public Comment

The Texas Trustee Implementation Group has released its Draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #2. This plan includes restoration projects to partially compensate for the injury to natural resources caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Public comments are being accepted on the plan through March 28, 2022. Information translated into Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) and Spanish (Español) is also available. The total estimated cost for the 13 proposed projects is approximately $39 million. Read the plan and learn more about how to submit public comments or attend the March 9 webinar at gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov.

Learn about additional public comment opportunities at cechouston.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).

Houston Arboretum to conduct prescribed fire in the meadow area of the nature sanctuary

In partnership with the Houston Fire Department and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will conduct another prescribed fire, this time on approximately three acres of the meadow area in the western portion of the nature sanctuary. This one-day burn will occur between March 21 – April 21, and it is weather dependent. The Arboretum executed a successful prescribed fire in March 2021 on seven acres of the savanna area and plans to continue using this important tool in the future. Prescribed fires are precisely planned endeavors which safely mimic the essential natural fire cycle and are a common land management technique for improving resiliency and diversity of native habitat. Periodic burns also mitigate the risk of destructive wildfires by reducing the “fuel load” in the designated area – dead trees, leaf litter, and other flammable vegetation.

Evolve Houston releases Regional Infrastructure Strategy for Electrification (RISE Houston) report

In the first of a series of RISE Houston reports on the greater Houston region’s charging infrastructure, EVOLVE Houston studied two main questions: Does the Houston area’s current distribution of vehicle charging stations meet near-term needs, and how much will it cost to support the growing anticipated demand? RISE Houston aims to understand where Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) deployment and investment is today and serve as a solution that helps achieve the following three goals: 1) educate the Houston region; 2) guide EVSE investment; 3) investigate grid resilience. To download the free report, visit evolvehouston.org.

Bay Area Sierra Club Meeting: Spring Gardening

On March 16, 2022, from 7-8:30 p.m., the Bay Area chapter of the Sierra Club will hold a virtual meeting featuring a presentation by Doug Tallamy, a noted entomologist and professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware.The program will emphasize choosing plants not only for beauty but for what pollinators and other insects have evolved to need, that is, native plants. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Texas Business Sustainability Challenge

The Texas Business Sustainability Challenge is directed towards organizations, and provides employee engagement during Earth Month. Any size organization can participate, and organizations (teams) will compete against other teams across the state. The challenge enables employees to track points for different sustainable actions, as well as help the company track metrics for carbon footprint, water conservation, and diverted waste. Join to play against companies like Reliant Energy, BAE Systems, Canva, Tokio Marine HCC and others. Registration has been extended through March 17, 2022 and costs $500. Organizations can learn more and register at earthshare-texas.org.

The Right to a Healthy Environment

On March 17, 2022, from 9-10 a.m., the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Center at the University of Houston Law Center will present a webinar featuring Daniel Magraw, law professor at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, in a talk titled “The Right to a Healthy Environment.” To register, visit zoom.us.

Responding To Rising Waters – Dealing With Sea Level Rise in Miami-Dade County

On March 17, 2022, from 11 a.m.-noon, the Texas General Land Office and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment will present a webinar featuring Katherine Hagemann, resilience program manager for adaption at Miami-Dade County. She will describe how Florida’s Miami-Dade County has dealt with sea level rise and sea water inundation. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Air Alliance Houston’s Work in Our Region

On March 17, 2022, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals will have a luncheon meeting featuring a presentation by Leticia Gutierrez, Government Relations Director/Community Outreach, Air Alliance Houston. This in-person event will be held at the Cadillac Bar, 1802 Shepherd Drive. For more information and to register, visit taep.memberclicks.net.

Fix-a-Leak Week Workshops

Houston Public Works, Dallas Water Utilities, Fort Worth Water, Round Rock Water Utilities and Tarrant Regional Water District are bringing together a virtual class line-up featuring leaders in the leak repair industry, providing comprehensive information about repairing simple water leaks inside and outside the home. Part 2, Outdoor Irrigation Leak Repair, will be held March 17, from 6-7:30 p.m. Click on the link to register.

The Future of Food at SXSW 2022 

Through March 18, 2022, SXSW, Huston-Tillotson University, Food Tank, The James Beard Foundation, Little Herds, The Cook’s Nook and others are offering a series of activations, discussion and interactive experiences all curated around building more sustainable food systems. All events are free and open to the public with registration, both in-person in Austin and virtually through livestream. Find the full listing at eventbrite.com.

Unplugged Adventure: Kite Flying on the Prairie

On March 18, 2022, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Katy Prairie Conservancy invites the public to celebrate spring on the prairie. You can bring your own kite to enjoy the unmatched prairie breezes or get creative at the docent-led Kite Making Station. Bring a picnic to enjoy the wide open spaces. Additional activities will include: Insect and Pond Netting, Birding 101, and Prairie Bingo. No reservation required. For more information, visit katyprairie.org.

Bird Banding at GCBO

On March 19, 2022, from 8 a.m.-noon, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will host its monthly bird banding demonstration. Birds are captured for banding in very fine nylon nets and then weighed and measured and their species, sex, and age are recorded. Each is fitted with an aluminum leg band with a unique number and released unharmed. If the bird is captured again, the band provides the link to retrieve this history, which then provides important information on the routes used by migrating birds, their longevity, and general physical condition. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Native Landscapes for Birds – Houston Area

On March 19, 2022, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., the Native Plant Society of Texas will offer a virtual class on he benefits of native plants, desirable plants for the Houston area, and design considerations for your landscape. The class will address, among other topics, the importance of birds and Texas’ role in bird migration; threats to birds and steps to reduce them; the relationship between birds and native plants; and how to create and maintain bird-friendly native plant landscapes. For more information and to register, visit nativeplantsocietyoftexas.app.neoncrm.com.

San Jacinto River Coalition Community Meeting

On March 22, 2022, beginning at 6 p.m., the Texas Health and Environmental Alliance wil hold a San Jacinto River Coalition Community Meeting at the San Jacinto Community Center in Highlands and virtually. The agenda includes the EPA’s recently released new information on the Northern Waste Pit; and updates on construction/physical removal of waste at the Southern Waste Pit. For more information and to register, visit txhea.org.

The Energy Transition: Leveraging Houston’s Energy Leadership

On March 23, 2022, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Houston Economics Club will host a presentation by Jane Stricker, executive director of the Houston Energy Transition Initiative and senior vice president of energy transition at the Greater Houston Partnership. She will discuss efforts of the Houston Energy Transition Initiative and the Greater Houston Partnership to leverage Houston’s energy leadership strengths to accelerate global solutions for a low-carbon future. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Webinar: Green Jobs

On March 23, 2022, from noon-1 p.m., the Green Building Resource Center will host a webinar by GBRC Program Director Steve Stelzer, who will describe the various green and not-so-green interpretations of what “green jobs” are in the job market. In addition, he will offer some suggestions for “greening up” one’s conventional job. For more information and to register, visit usgbctexas.org.

Kinder Institute Forum: Shin-pei Tsay

On March 23, 2022, from 12:15-1:30 p.m., Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research will hold a virtual forum featuring Shin-pei Tsay, global head of cities and transportation policy at Uber. Her experience converges at the intersection of design, policy and governance to transform the built environment, with a focus on sustainable and inclusive transportation. For more information and to register, visit kinder.rice.edu.

Katy Prairie Conservancy and their Prairies

On March 23, 2022, beginning at 7 p.m., the Houston chapter of Native Prairies Association of Texas will hold a virtual meeting featuring a presentation by Mary Anne Piacentini, resident and CEO, and Wesley Newman, Conservation Director of the Katy Prairie Conservancy. They will discuss KPC’s ongoing projects and prairies. To participate, visit zoom.us.

Texas Stream Team Training

The Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Bayou Preservation Association are hosting our next Texas Stream Team Core Water Quality Citizen Scientist training on March 24, 2022. Trainees will have the opportunity to monitor a bayou, collect vital field data, and share findings with local and state agencies after completing the program. Please visit the link below for more information or share with a future Texas Stream Team Core Water Quality Citizen Scientist. For more information on how to participate, visit bayoupreservation.org and h-gac.com.

Best Boards 2022

On March 24, 2022, the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University will hold its annual Best Boards conference in-person with on-demand elements. The conference is designed to help nonprofit board members and staff work together more effectively. The concept of “Innovative Leadership” is one that has permeated the nonprofit sector over the last two years. Innovative leaders have already navigated incredible shifts taking place in technology, policy and community, and they must continue to adapt as challenging times persist. In particular, boards and executive teams have innovated in all areas of operations, finance and programming and have learned a great deal about how to do that successfully. For more information and to register, visit glasscock.rice.edu.

Bird Friendly Communities

On March 24, 2022, from 7-8 p.m., The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N will hold a virtual “Going Green” lecture by Lisa Gonzales, vice president and executive director of Audubon Texas, She will provide an overview of National Audubon Society initiatives that connect conservation activities to communities across the state. Audubon’s work in Texas includes coastal restoration projects, landowner engagement efforts on rural landscapes, community science programs, and campaigns to expand urban habitats and create a safer built environment for our feathered friends. For more information and to register, visit thewoodlandsgreen.org.

Ocean Filibuster

From March 25-27, the University of Houston’s Mitchell Center and School of Theatre & Dance is presenting Ocean Filibuster. This new music-theater experience from Pulitzer Prize finalist Lisa D’Amour and Katie Pearl draws from myth, performance art, and climate science to imagine a showdown between Senate leader Mr. Majority and the Ocean itself. Commissioned by Harvard/A.R.T. through a collaboration with the Harvard University Center for the Environment, School of Theatre & Dance will host the first leg of a national tour, with University of Houston students playing the chorus. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit kgmcaboxofficetheatredance.universitytickets.com.

River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash

On March 26, 2022, the 28th annual River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash®, Texas’s largest single-day waterway cleanup, will welcome back volunteers. Since its inception, more than 114,000 volunteers have collected over 2,300 tons of trash, 20 tons of recyclable materials, and 11,629 tires. Find out how to volunteer and promote a healthy Galveston Bay watershed at one of their many cleanup locations on March 26. Most sites begin at 8 a.m. and activities wrap up by 1 p.m. but start time, registration and end time vary from location to location. For more information and to register, visit trashbash.org.

Awesome Amphibians

On March 26, 2022, beginning at 10 a.m., the Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center will host a lecture designed for ages 10 and up. Frogs have been around since before the dinosaurs and are currently a key indicator in determining the health of an environment. This program will utilize both live specimens and slides to focus on frog and toad species in Jones Park. For more information, including a link to register, see the Facebook event.

Earth Hour 2022

On March 26, 2022, beginning at 8:30 p.m. local time, World Wildlife Foundation asks people all around the world to participate in Earth Hour 2022 by turning off all unnecessary electric lights. Earth Hour is one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment. Earth Hour engages supporters in more than 190 countries and territories, all taking action to ensure a brighter future for people and planet. To learn more about how to participate, visit earthhour.org.

Rain Barrel and Compost Bin 2022 Sale

Through May 1, 2022, the City of Houston’s Green Building Resource Center is selling 50-gallon Ivy rain barrels and compost bins at a discounted price while supplies last. Pickup will be May 14 at the Green Building Resource Center, 1002 Washington Avenue. For more information, visit rainwatersolutions.com.

Lights Out, Texas!

Lights Out, Texas!, a campaign of education, awareness, and action that focuses on turning out lights at night during the spring and fall migrations to help protect the billions of migratory birds that fly over Texas, is under way. The full Spring Migration period runs through June 15, and the critical Spring Peak Migration period runs April 22 – May 12. Texan by Nature and Audubon Texas lead Lights Out, Texas! efforts across the state. For more information on how to participate, visit texanbynature.org.

Destination: High Island

Through May 22, 2022, Houston Audubon invites the public to High Island and Bolivar Peninsula for the unrivaled spectacle of bird migration on the Upper Texas Coast. Among the vantage points, visitors can use the new Kathrine G. McGovern Canopy Walkway. High Island sanctuaries are open every day from dawn to dusk. Free admission for children, students, and High Island residents. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Reclaiming Space and Place in Nature

In the latest Houston & Nature podcast, Nivien Saleh speaks with Kristi Rangel, an educator, public health official, and artist whose passion is exploring African-American connections to the land in Houston. She tells her own story and shares her thoughts on property ownership, the conflicted history that connects black Americans to the land, and the need to find healing in nature. To hear the podcast, visit houstonnature.com.

CONTESTS

Environmental Justice Video Challenge for Students

EPA and partners have launched the Environmental Justice (EJ) Video Challenge for Students to enhance communities’ capacity to address environmental and public health inequities. The goals of the challenge are to 1) inspire students at accredited colleges and universities in the United States and its territories to work directly with communities in the identification and characterization of EJ challenges using data and publicly available tools, and 2) help communities (including residents and other stakeholders) address EJ challenges and/or vulnerabilities to environmental and public health hazards using data and publicly available tools. Submissions are due April 1, 2022. Learn more about the challenge and how to participate at epa.gov.

Houston Teens Care About Clean Air Video Contest

Environmental Defense Fund and Environmental Youth Council are hosting the 5th annual Houston Teens Care About Clean Air student video contest. High school students in Houston and the surrounding areas are challenged to create a 1-2 minute video about air pollution, climate change, or environmental justice. First prize is a $2,500 Visa gift card. Teachers also have the opportunity to earn their own Visa gift card. For more information, visit enviroyouthcouncil.org. Teachers can find information and sign up your school to participate by completing the form HERE on the contest website or email Shannon Thomas at sthomas@edf.org. Submissions are due April 22, 2022.

Ocean Awareness Contest

The 11th annual Ocean Awareness Contest is a platform for young people to learn about environmental issues through art-making and creative communication, explore their relationship to a changing world, and become advocates for positive change. Students ages 11-18 from around the world are invited to participate. The 2022 Ocean Awareness Contest—THE FUNNY THING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE—challenges students to learn about climate change and its impact on the ocean, and to explore new ways to communicate the urgency of the climate crisis.The deadline for submissions is June 13, 2022. For more information, visit bowseat.org. (Image: Student artist Luyi Song)

Reminders About Ongoing Opportunities

  • The Face of God film discussion. Through April 7, 2022, Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church is holding a weekly online Lenten discussion on faith and climate change leveraging The Face of God, a film about God and nature, faith and climate change, and the experience of communities around the world facing and experiencing changes in their lives now. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
  • Energy Transitions in Underserved Communities Request for Applications. U.S. EPA, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing community-engaged research that will address the drivers and environmental impacts of energy transitions in underserved communities. The application period closes April 28, 2022. Learn more at epa.gov.
  • Living the Change. On Tuesdays through May 17, 2022, the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston hosts an online course developed in response to the Walk on Earth Gently multifaith statement presented at the COP23 UN Climate Change Conference. This program focuses on making personal lifestyle changes in three areas: transportation, energy, and food. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife

Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3 p.m. each Saturday and on municipal access cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Houston, Texas City, Galveston, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Sugar Land, and on HCC TV. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). For a preview, visit TPWD’s YouTube Page.

  • On the edge of El Paso is a desert destination people have been visiting for thousands of years. The beauty of this West Texas oasis is on full display at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, where stories are told through hundreds of Native American pictographs
  • Making the outdoors more accessible for everyone is Sandy Heath’s mission. As the first Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator for Texas Parks and Wildlife, she has cleared the path for people with disabilities to get out and enjoy the outdoors
  • Texas leads the country in wind energy production, and with this new energy source there are new questions. How will wind farms affect the birds that live and migrate through our state? Head to the coast to see how wind farms use radar technology to spot migrating birds coming their way
  • On a ranch in South Texas, biologists are tapping the latest technology, and fitting turkey with tiny backpacks, to learn where the turkey lurk. With this data, scientists are gaining a better understanding of the habitat needs of Rio Grande turkey populations. See how these findings may benefit turkey and all who enjoy them

Additional Upcoming Events

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