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Houston Environmental News Update June 8, 2022
June 8, 2022

Houston Environmental News Update June 8, 2022

TCEQ Sunset Review, Oystercatchers, Infrastructure and Texas’ Environment, Stories from the Gulf of Mexico, Green Jobs, and more

Dear Friends,

As reported by Houston Public Media, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is undergoing its once-every-12-year Sunset Review at the Texas Legislature. In the Sunset Review process, the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission reviews the performance of state agencies and makes recommendations to the Legislature on how those agencies can improve. State lawmakers are holding a single public hearing on the TCEQ in Austin on June 22. (See the associated documents, including the Executive Summary and Staff Report, here.)

A Virtual People’s Hearing will be held Wednesday, June 8, from 5-8 p.m., to offer members of the public the opportunity to share their vision for how the TCEQ can best work for the citizens of Texas. Comments will be recorded and submitted into the official record of the Sunset Advisory Commission. Register for the Virtual Pubic Hearing at zoom.us. Find documents related to the Sunset Review and provide input at sunset.texas.gov. Learn more at fourourcommunities.org.

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 June 17, 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 Alicia.Mein@pct3.hctx.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.

Texas Wildlife Foundation Summer 2022 Teacher Workshops

The Texas Wildlife Foundation is offering Teacher Workshops, both virtual and in-person through July 28. Teacher Workshops are six-hour trainings that introduce attendees to the Texas Wildlife Association, in-class and outdoor lessons and activities, and how to incorporate natural resources into classrooms or programming. Lessons focus on teaching land stewardship, native wildlife, and water conservation and are Science TEKS-aligned for Grades K-8. Learn more and register at texas-wildlife.org.

Other opportunities:

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Deepwater Horizon Trustees Annual Public Meeting Webinar

The Trustee Council will hold its seventh annual public meeting and open house via webinar on June 16, from 6-7 p.m. CT. During this meeting, Trustees will present updates on the progress made by the Trustee Council and in each of the seven Restoration Areas. This meeting will also serve as the annual public meeting for the Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group. There will provide an opportunity for public comments after the presentations. There will also be an open house Q&A session following the conclusion of the public meeting presentations and public comment period.  Register at gotowebinar.com.

Virtual Community Engagement Meeting – Stormwater Conveyance Tunnels

On June, 16, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., the Harris County Flood Control District will hold a Virtual Community Engagement Meeting regarding Phase 2 results for the Feasibility Study of Stormwater Conveyance Tunnels. The purpose of Phase 2 was to identify unmet flood mitigation needs in Harris County’s watersheds and – if possible – develop distinct tunnel concept(s) that would meet those needs, while providing sufficient benefit to justify their construction. During Phase 2, it was determined that a tunnel system, rather than one or more individual tunnel alignments, should be the focus of further study. This additional study would be needed before a final decision is made on whether to move forward with adding tunnels to Harris County’s stormwater management system. For more information and a link to join the meeting, visit hcfcd.org.

National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Call

EPA invites Environmental Justice advocates to participate in the next National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Call on June 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Central Time). The purpose of these calls is to inform communities about EPA’s environmental justice work and enhance opportunities to maintain an open dialogue with environmental justice advocates. The agenda includes EPA EJ Leadership Updates, and discussion of BIL Water Infrastructure Investments and Community Technical Assistance. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.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.

Blackburn and Combs: How Texas farmers can profit while pumping carbon into the soil

“Farmers and ranchers in Texas today are facing one of the largest transformations in their industry since barbed wire and tractors. The agricultural industry is uniquely positioned to become a key player in solving our climate crisis, and we all need to help them make this transition,” Jim Blackburn and Susan Combs argue in a Houston Chronicle op-ed. “(N)ature-based infrastructure is about building, supporting and maintaining the organizational structure that will foster a market that pays farmers and ranchers for removing carbon even as they continue to raise cattle and crops. The current agricultural market system does not sufficiently recognize the value that landowners could offer in addressing our global climate challenge. They should receive fair payment for this essential service, and that will encourage more landowners to help build a greener future.” Read the full op-ed at houstonchronicle.com. (Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle)

Gulf of Mexico Youth Climate Summit

The Gulf Reach Institute is organizing a Gulf of Mexico Youth Climate Summit, which will bring together young environmental stewards from around the Gulf of Mexico and U.S to understand and take action on the critical issues facing the Gulf. They’re seeking applications from anyone living in those areas age 15-25 to be a part of the Youth Advisory Congress, a leadership team for the summit. Applications are due June 20. Learn more and apply with this form.

Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Award nominations

Each year, the Bayou Preservation Association awards the prestigious Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Award to community members who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to aiding in the conservation, preservation, restoration and/or advocacy of Houston’s waterways. Nominees can be from the non-profit, public, or private sectors. The recipients will be honored at Bayou Preservation Association’s 2022 Luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Junior League of Houston. Nominees can be from the non-profit, public, or private sectors. Nominations are now open until July 15. To make a nomination, go to this form.

H-GAC provides assistance on conservation projects

The Houston-Galveston Area Council will assist organizations with preparing grant applications, convening stakeholders, and otherwise supporting implementation of select conservation projects across the 13-county H-GAC region. To guide its efforts, H-GAC is collecting information about planned conservation projects from local government and non-governmental organizations and categorizing the projects in a priority list. There is no funding associated with this priority project list but selected projects will be eligible to receive H-GAC staff assistance. See the current priority project list and learn more about H-GAC’s work here. The list will be updated quarterly. Submit your project here.

Deep in the Heart in Texas theaters

Deep in the Heart, a visually stunning celebration of what makes Texas unique — its diverse landscapes and remarkable wildlife behavior that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, is now in theaters. Narrated by Matthew McConaughey and featuring state-of-the-art cinematography, this family-friendly film journeys from the highest peaks in West Texas, through our aquifers, rivers, and bays, and deep into the Gulf of Mexico. See the trailer. Learn more about the film at deepintheheartwildlife.com. Find a theater near you and purchase tickets here.

Houston Area Urban Forestry Council Annual Meeting

On June 8, from 6-8 p.m., the Houston Area Urban Forestry Council will hold its Annual Meeting at Axelrad Beer Garden, 1517 Alabama St. The $25 ticket includes food, a raffle ticket, two drink tickets, and an annual HAUFC membership renewal. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit haufc.org.

Caney Creek Stakeholder Meeting

The Houston-Galveston Area Council invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits within the Caney Creek Watershed to attend a stakeholder meeting on June 9 from 5:30-7 p.m., at Caney Creek MUD, 405 CR 288, Sargent. The purpose of the meeting s to discuss water quality issues affecting Caney Creek. H-GAC will review a new impaired section of Caney Creek and the status of the Caney Creek implementation plan. Additionally, ongoing implementation in the area will be presented. For more information and to register, visit h-gac.com.

Sierra Club meeting: The Secret Lives of Oystercatchers

On June 9, from 7:30-9 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Sierra Club will hold a virtual meeting featuring a presentation by Susan Heath, Ph.D., director of conservation research at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, who will discuss GCBO’s American Oystercatcher Stewardship program and reveal the secrets of the lives of oystercatchers from her 12 years of monitoring them during the breeding season on the upper Texas Coast. For more information and to register, visit meetup.com.

Grant opportunity: National Wildlife Federation’s Student Climate Resilience Ambassadors Program

Using the fundamentals of Project-Based Learning, the National Wildlife Federation’s Student Climate Resilience Ambassadors Program will engage students in Houston ISD in climate resilience education. Through the implementation of NWF’s Eco-Schools USA watershed audit, students will apply critical thinking skills to investigate storm resilience problems facing Houston. They will determine the impact of those issues on water quality and create practical solutions that can help mitigate flooding on their campus and in their community. Students will conduct a vulnerability assessment of their school’s neighborhood and a site assessment of their campus. They will participate in two field experiences, and they will design and implement a green infrastructure project such as a rain garden, bioswale, or pocket prairie to help mitigate flooding on their campus. For more information and the application form, send an email to either Kate Unger at UngerK@nwf.org or Marya Fowler at fowler@nwf.org. The deadline for schools to apply for grants is June 10.

San Luis Pass Coastal Cleanup

On June 11, from 8-11 a.m., SPLASh and the Plastic Pollution Prevention Partnership invite the public to volunteer for a coastal cleanup at San Luis Pass. Spend the morning cleaning up important bird nesting, resting, and hunting habitat in Galveston. For more information and to register, visit the Facebook event.

Unplugged Adventure: Ranger Treks on the Prairie

On June 11, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Coastal Prairie Conservancy will hold a guided nature hike with the theme “Summer Singers – All About Frogs, Insects, and Birds” at the Indiangrass Preserve, 31975 Hebert Rd., Waller. All ages are welcome. We’ll start with a brief overview and safety talk. Please wear outdoor clothing including sun/insect protection and close-toed shoes (high socks/boots preferred). Please also bring a water bottle. Binoculars and cameras are welcome. No registration required. For more information, visit coastalprairieconservancy.org.

Pollinator Road Trip 2: A Habitat Grant Update

On June 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Clear Lake chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold a virtual meeting, which will feature a virtual road trip to visit pollinator habitats funded by the chapter’s Native Pollinator Habitat Grant Program. Grantees will highlight their successes, obstacles, and lessons learned at each of the stops. For more information and to register, visit npsot.org.

Infrastructure and Texas’ Environment

The Sierra Club and partner organizations are hosting a webinar series featuring state agency experts on available opportunities for state and local investments in energy, transportation, water and environmental cleanup with at least $35 billion in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. On June 14, the topic will be “Environmental Cleanup – Wells & Superfund Sites”. On June 21, the topic will be “Transportation”. On June 28, the topic will be “Water Infrastructure”. Each webinar will begin at noon. For more information and to register, visit meetup.com.

In Times of Crisis – Stories from the Gulf of Mexico

On June 14, from noon-2 p.m. CST, the Gulf Research Program’s Board on Gulf Education and Engagement and The Policy and Global Affairs Division’s Board on Higher Education and Workforce will present a film premiere and webinar for In Times of Crisis: Stories from the Gulf of Mexico. This event will feature three short films demonstrating how colleges and universities are working with communities in the Gulf of Mexico region to prepare for and recover from various crises. The webinar will feature a discussion with the scholars whose work inspired the films and with experts in science and climate communications, disaster studies, and community resilience. For more information and to register, visit nationalacademies.org.

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. Texan by Nature and Audubon Texas lead Lights Out, Texas! efforts across the state. For more information on how to participate, visit texanbynature.org.

Conservation Connections: Volunteer Work Day

On June 15, from 8:30-11:45 a.m., Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center will host a volunteer event in which volunteers are invited to join staff and assist with a variety of park conservation projects. Projects include, but are not limited to, habitat restoration/yaupon removal, planting in the greenhouse, trash pick up, chores in the Redbud Hill Homestead, and weeding in planting beds. For more information, visit the Facebook event.

Risk in the Power Sector: A Discussion on the Resilience of the Texas Power System

On June 15, beginning at 11 a.m., the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) will present a webinar in which Gavin Dillingham, Ph.D, Vice President, Research, and Maya Velis, Research Associate, Water-Energy-Climate Nexus, will discuss their recent white paper, Texas Power Sector: Pivoting to Climate Resilience. In it, HARC calls on stakeholders to act on climate risks in the Texas power sector. This webinar will dive into the details of this report and how boosting climate resilience will provide unprecedented opportunities to transform business as usual. For more information and to register, visit harcresearch.org.

Biophilic Design

On June 15, beginning at noon, AIA Houston, in conjunction with exhibition The Architecture of Bees, will present a webinar led by architect Lida Lewis on biophilic design, a concept that aims to increase connectivity to the natural environment. Used at both the building and city-scale, biophilic design can reduce stress, enhance creativity and clarity of thought, improve our well-being and expedite healing. As cities worldwide continue to grow, these qualities have become increasingly more important, and theorists, research scientists, and design practitioners are working to define the aspects of nature that most impact our satisfaction with the built environment. For more information and to register, visit aiahouston.org.

Roadmap for ESG (Environment, Social and Governance)

On June 16, from noon-1 p.m, the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals will hold a luncheon meeting at the Cadillac Bar, 1802 Shepherd Dr., featuring a presentation by Ginny Philps, executive advisor, and Anika Muslawski, senior scientist, GHD. For more information and to register, visit taep.memberclicks.net.

Clean Waters Initiative Workshop: Outreach, Education, and Volunteer Coordination

On June 16, from 2-4 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will hold a Clean Waters Initiative Workshop that will examine some of the education, outreach, and volunteer activities that H-GAC and our area partners are coordinating to raise awareness for water resource protection and stimulate community engagement throughout the region. This meeting will be in person and on Zoom. For more information and to register, visit h-gac.com.

Bird Banding at GCBO

On June 18, 2022, from 8 a.m.-noon, the Gulf Coast Birding Observatory will host a free bird-banding event at its headquarters in Lake Jackson. Come see birds in the hand and learn about the science of bird banding. The earlier you arrive the more birds you’ll see. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Unplugged Adventure: Camping 101 & Outdoor Ethics

On June 18, from 10-11:30 a.m., REI and the Coastal Prairie Conservancy will hold a class on what you need to take your first (or second or third) camping trip. The class will cover the basics, including: how to be warm, dry and comfortable camping, gear and equipment necessities, ideas for fun activities, and more. No experience is necessary. For more information and to register, visit coastalprairieconservancy.org.

Innovative Energy Fest

On June 19, from 3-5 p.m., Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church, 1900 Bering Drive, will host the Innovative Energy Fest. a family-friendly outing where participants can team up to build and race solar-powered model cars and play fun, educational games about our new energy future. The event features a “passport” book to get stamped from each activity station allowing the attendees to win a prize. Co-sponsors include Houston Renewable Energy Group, Sierra Club Houston, Houston Electric Auto Associations, Citizen’s Climate Lobby Houston Chapter, Solar United Neighbors, and Emerson’s Ministry for Earth. For more information and to register, visit emersonhouston.org.

CONTESTS

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. For more information, visit bowseat.org. (Image: Student artist Luyi Song)

2022 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest

The National Marine Sanctuaries 2022 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest is underway through September 5. All photographers, regardless of skill level or experience, are invited to participate. Each photographer may submit up to 10 photos (minimum of 1200 pixels wide) that tell the stories of the National Marine Sanctuaries, including Texas’s own Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Winning photographs will be announced in October 2022 as the Sanctuaries celebrate their 50th anniversary. For full contest rules and submission information, visit sanctuaries.noaa.gov.

Reminders About Ongoing Opportunities

  • Feral Atlas Summer Intensive Program at Rice University. The Houston Climate Justice Museum will host a week-long summer study intensive on the campus of Rice University from July 18-22, based on the digital humanities project Feral Atlas and led by Rice students and museum staff. Participating students will have the opportunity to be involved in workshops led by local artists and conservationists, travel to nearby museums and collections to meet with museum professionals, and get hands-on experience with disaster recovery. Interested students should fill out this form.
  • Buffalo Bayou Partnership 2022 Summer Species: Bees. Buffalo Bayou Partnership has announced its second annual Summer Species – BEES. Through August, BBP will take the Houston community on a deep dive into these busy little insects. At various locations, experts will lead workshops, walks, talks, and experiential activities for participants of all ages. For the full listing of events, visit buffalobayou.org.
  • The Architecture of Bees. Through August 26, Architecture Center Houston offers the exhibition The Architecture of Bees in the gallery of its headquarters at 902 Commerce St. Curated by architect and beekeeper Wendy Heger, AIA, The Architecture of Bees is an immersive educational visual arts exhibition that brings together designers, architects, naturalists, and beekeepers to illustrate the importance and influence of bees on human design and construction. The exhibit is accompanied by several public programs including bee-keeping courses and pollinator walks in collaboration with Buffalo Bayou Partnership; a Biophilia and Bees lecture; and a beehive-inspired architectural workshop for kids. For more information, visit aiahouston.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.

  • The Texas Water Safari is billed as the World’s Toughest Canoe Race, and 2015 was no exception. Historic flooding threatened to cancel the race, logjams made the San Marcos River extremely dangerous, but the race went on. We follow two teams to see if they can complete the 260 mile race from San Marcos to Seadrift
  • The loggerhead shrike is a songbird with a raptor’s habits. They skewer their meals on barbed wire or thorns for easy eating. You may not expect that in the suburbs, but some shrikes have found a nice nesting place in a busy Round Rock park
  • Bright blooms carpet Texas roadsides with color and liven up long drives

Additional Upcoming Events

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

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