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Houston Environmental News Update March 23, 2022
March 23, 2022

Houston Environmental News Update March 23, 2022

World Water Day, Texas Stream Team, Booming on the Prairie, Ocean Filibuster Climate Activist Night, River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash, A Celebration of Conservation, Green Jobs and more

Dear Friends,

On Tuesday, the international community marked World Water Day, a recognition of the necessity of clean water for all of the world’s people. This year, the theme is “Groundwater. As the official website notes, “almost all of the liquid freshwater in the world is groundwater, supporting drinking water supplies, sanitation systems, farming, industry and ecosystems. In many places, human activities over-use and pollute groundwater. In other places, we simply do not know how much water is down there. Groundwater will play a critical role in adapting to climate change. We need to work together to sustainably manage this precious resource.” To learn more about the issues involved, visit worldwaterday.org.

Speaking of water, we note that Becky Smith, who for the past few years has served as our Earth Day Houston Coordinator, recently accepted a position with Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund as State Director here in Texas. Clean Water Action works to protect our environment, health, economic well-being and community quality of life by organizing strong grassroots groups and coalitions, and campaigns to elect environmental candidates and to solve environmental and community problems. Among her first actions as Director for the 50-year-old organization will be joining CEC as a member group and continuing to advocate and organize for a safe, healthy environment for humans and the planet. 

“I found a home in my work, with my people, and for my green heart at CEC upon my return to Houston for which I will remain ever grateful; thank you,” Becky said.

Becky will continue to work on this year’s Earth Day Houston, which will be held April 10 at Discovery Green (find more information in “CEC Notes” below), before transitioning full-time into her new role. All of us CEC are sad to bid Becky farewell, but are thrilled about her new opportunity and the important work she’ll be doing.

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 25, 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.

#MyEarthMyTexas

From April 1-22, 2022, EarthShare of Texas invites the public to participate in #MyEarthMyTexas, a a social media challenge encouraging individuals to share their sustainability achievements, green tips and tricks, and showcase community organizations doing great environmental work across the state. Registrants will have the opportunity to win green prizes. Learn more and register at earthshare-texas.org.

“For the Love of Earth” exhibition at Archway Gallery

From April 2 through May 5, 2002, Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy Street in the Montrose area will hold the exhibition “For the Love of 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 Earth” will be donated to CEC.

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. Following the opening, there will be a speaker series, which features two of our board members:

April 7: â€œAt-Home Solutions for Marine Debris and Pollution”, Charlotte Cisneros, Community Programs Manager at Galveston Bay Foundation

April 21: â€œCircular Economy”, Steve Stelzer, Program Director at the City of Houston Green Building Resource Center

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

Green Mountain Energy Earth Day Houston 2022, hosted by Citizens’ Environmental Coalition and Discovery Green, will be a full-scale, outdoor festival with educational exhibits for both adults and kids. Just a small preview includes: live rescued animal demonstrations (think splashing wood duck and perched owls and hawks!), earth-friendly crafts, electric vehicles on display, a local foodie farmers’ market, live jazz and dance performances by Houston Aztec Dance and Drum Group among others. Register to exhibit your organization by March 31. Sign up to volunteer at cechouston.org.

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

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.

Regional Goods Movement Plan public meeting

After an extensive study of the current infrastructure and processes in place to move freight and goods across the Gulf Coast region, the Houston-Galveston Area Council invites the public to attend a virtual public meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 31. H-GAC staff will discuss findings and recommendations that aim to meet regional economic goals, address mobility challenges, mitigate impacts on the environment, and contribute to community livability and quality of life. For more information and to register for the public meeting, visit h-gac.com.

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 on Thursday

In partnership with the Houston Fire Department and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will conduct a prescribed fire on Thursday, May 24, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on approximately three acres of the meadow area in the western portion of the nature sanctuary, which is located near IH 610 West Loop and Woodway Drive. HFD team members have undergone extensive training and meet national wildland firefighting and incident management standards and will oversee public safety. 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.

Resilience and Recovery Tracker

A new Resilience and Recovery Tracker developed by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research with support from Chevron offers a road map for people, organizations and governments in the Houston area who need help after disaster strikes. The dashboard provides information on resources available for recovery efforts after a wide variety of disasters, such as floods, public health crises and chemical spills. It also outlines progress toward the city’s resilience strategy and climate action plan developed in 2020. See the Resilience and Recovery Tracker at resilience.rice.edu.

Texas Stream Team Training

The Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Bayou Preservation Association are hosting the 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.

Booming on the Prairie

On March 25, 2022, from 7-8 p.m, the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge will host a  livestreamed virtual event on Facebook featuring live footage of prairie-chickens dancing on the prairie. Staff members will be on hand to answer any questions you may have in the comment section during the event. See the event live at the Facebook event.

Ocean Filibuster (including Climate Activist Night)

From March 25-27, the University of Houston’s Mitchell Center and School of Theatre & Dance and PearlDamour are 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 an epic 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. The Friday March 25 performance is Climate Activist Night. Organizers are offering a $5 discount on tickets, and holding a reception with drinks and snacks for local climate justice activists, where activists can converse about the show and their work (scan the code on the image at right or visit the link below, create an account, and use the discount code “ENVIRONMENT”). 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.

Hermann Park Conservancy Kite Festival

On May 27, 2022, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the Hermann Park Conservancy brings back its annual community Kite Festival. The event will bring thousands of kite flyers to Hermann Park to enjoy a day of friendly kite-flying, featuring activities, entertainment, food, games, and more. For more information, visit hermannpark.org.

Eight Crucial Years for Our Civilization

On March 27, 2022, from 6-7 p.m., Christ the King Evangelical Church will present a webinar featuring Phoebe Barnard, CEO of Stable Planet Alliance and lead author of the global climate action blueprint, “World Scientists’ Warnings Into Action: Local to Global,” with 15 top global scientists, economists and governance specialists. She will outline the actions that humanity needs to take to avert complex planetary crises by 2026, 2030 and 2050 at six scales, from the household and community levels to cities, states, nations and the UN. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

The Woods Project Annual Luncheon

On March 29, 2022, The Woods Project will hold its Annual Luncheon at The Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane. The fundraising event allows attendees the opportunity to meet The Woods Project alumni, hear their inspiring stories of transformation, and learn more about how TWP is changing the trajectory of Houston’s most underserved youth. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Laura Murillo, president and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit secure.qgiv.com.  

Virtual Town Hall

On March 29, 2022, beginning at 6 p.m., the Texas Health and Environmental Alliance will hold a Virtual Town Hall. For more information and to register, visit txhea.org.

A Celebration of Conservation: H-GAC’s Regional Conservation Initiative

On March 30, 2022, from 2-4 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host an in-person celebration of conservation in the Houston-Galveston region. H-GAC’s Justin Bower will share a successful model of partnership for tree plantings.Jed Aplaca of the City of Pasadena will discuss the Vince Bayou Greenway. Claudia Sandoval and George “Pudge” Willcox of the Chambers-Liberty Counties Navigation District will tell the story of the Turtle Bayou Nature Preserve. Local government representatives and non-governmental partners working to preserve, restore, and enhance natural areas are invited to attend. For more information and to register, visit constantcontact.com.

Houston 2022

From March 31-April 2, 2022, the Science Teachers Association of Texas and the National Science Teaching Association will host the annual National Conference on Science Education at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. With the adoption of new curriculum standards in Texas, NSTA and STAT have joined forces to provide high-quality professional learning to educators to help support the implementation of the standards—the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)—in the science classroom. For more information, including the full list of sessions, visit nsta.org.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Spring Plant Sale

From April 1-2, 2022, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will host its annual Spring Plant Sale. A variety of Texas natives will be featured, including perennial and annual wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees. Attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators to your yard or garden while helping to conserve water, reduce mowing, protect the soil, and save money on fertilizer and pesticides. For the plant list and other information, visit houstonarboretum.org.

Earth Month EcoChallenge

The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites you to celebrate Earth Day/Month in April by joining its team for the online Earth Month EcoChallenge. This EcoChallenge focuses on the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, with categories of: basic needs; security, health & equity, education; livelihood, economy; communities and climate; and ecosystems. Participants pick your challenges to complete during the month – to build a new sustainable habit, learn about an environmental issue, advocate for eco-justice, volunteer or spend more time in nature (among the many, many choices). Join the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston team; we’ll support each other along the journey. To sign up or to learn more, visit earthmonth.ecochallenge.org. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for any questions.

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.

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.
  • 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. For more information, visit rainwatersolutions.com.
  • 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.
  • 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. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.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.

  • Greg Lasley was a lieutenant in the Austin Police Department. But Greg would also joke that he led a secret life, travelling the world, photographing nature and all its creatures. When Greg died after a long illness, the Internet lit up with tributes. He gave so that the rest of us could see his world
  • Since first opening in the 1990s, Cooper Lake State Park has become an outdoor recreation hotspot in Northeast Texas. Fishing, hiking, swimming and camping are just a few things to do in and around the 20,000 acre lake
  • Landowners, conservationists, and visitors alike have a love affair with the Devils River. This remote river valley is about as wild as Texas gets. But there are threats to this natural place, and that has the river’s passionate admirers concerned

Additional Upcoming Events

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

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