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Houston Environmental News Update August 17, 2022
August 17, 2022

Houston Environmental News Update August 17, 2022

Hurricane Harvey anniversary, Future of State Parks, Sandcastle Competition, Bee Movie, Bullies on the Bayou, Green Jobs, and more

Dear Friends,

Five years. Five years since Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas and dumped an unprecedented amount of rainfall on the greater Houston region and causing almost incalculable damage before finally moving eastward.

In many ways, it seems like it was just yesterday. In others, considering all that’s happened since, it feels more like a decade. But one thing is certain – the storm and its impact is something that those of us who lived through it will never forget.

Since then, officials at the federal, state, county and municipal levels, nonprofit organizations, and advocacy groups have taken steps to reduce the impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes, particularly flooding. There have been many proposals, often controversial, including the construction of huge stormwater tunnels, restrictions on development in floodplains, and the immense so-called “Ike Dike.”

There have been smaller-scale efforts as well, such as CEC member organization Exploration Green Conservancy’s expansion of the combined park/detention area in the Clear Lake area, profiled recently by Houston Pubic Media environmental reporter Katie Watkins as part of the station’s “Below the Waterlines” podcast series.

Other CEC member organizations that work on these issues include: AIA Houston, Armand Bayou Nature Center, Bayou Land Conservancy, Coastal Prairie Conservancy, Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), Houston Climate Movement, Native Prairies Association of Texas, Willow Waterhole Greenway Conservancy and many more. For more, check out the searchable, web-based version of our Environmental Resource Guide.

Top image: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team

CEC NOTES

Summer of Action 2022

Our Summer of Action continues! If you missed any of our June community listening sessions and July skill-building meetings, surf over to Houston Climate Movement’s YouTube page to check out the event recordings.

Please register at Eventbrite for new Summer of Action events, including the Houston Community Climate Summit at Rice University on September 10.

Member Organization Spotlight: Brays Bayou Association

This week, we spotlight CEC member organization the Brays Bayou Association. For decades, the Association Association pushed for Project Brays with the foresight to know that the bayou would need additional work to maintain it’s integrity with the growth of the area. Learn more about them and their current activities at their Facebook page.

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Join fellow environmental educators every other Friday morning for a quick check-in to collaborate. The next meeting is August 12, 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.Mein@pct3.hctx.net or cwilems@galvbay.org 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.

Other opportunities:

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Harris County flood risk reduction funds surveys

The Harris County Community Services Department is collecting feedback from communities on how to prioritize the $750 million in promised CDBG-MIT funds. The Committees recently submitted this letter to request that the Method of Distribution strongly prioritize flood risk reduction projects. You can find out more at HarrisRecovery.org, and the surveys, in English and Spanish, are open throughout the summer.

Public Comment on Harris County Storm Conveyance Tunnels proposal

The Harris County Flood Control District is seeking public comment on the recently released Feasibility Study on the Countywide Large Diameter Tunnels for Stormwater Conveyance, a $30 billion, 133-mile system of 8 large underground tunnels to drain stormwater out of the county’s bayous and streams. Public comment will be accepted through September 30. The next phase of the project will include community meetings. Find more information, including the presentation slides and video of a public meeting held in June, at hcfcd.org.

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.

Texas Tribune: EPA launches investigation into Texas environment agency’s permitting process for concrete batch plants

“The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is the subject of an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency following complaints that the state agency violated civil rights laws in its permitting of concrete batch plants,” reports William Melhado for The Texas Tribune. “The Harris County Attorney and Lone Star Legal Aid, a nonprofit law group, alleged that the state environmental agency discriminated against racial and ethnic minorities and those with limited English proficiency through a revised permitting process to build new concrete batch plants.” Read the full story at texastribune.org. (Photo: Miguel Gutierrez Jr., The Texas Tribune)

Houston Chronicle: Contaminated Fifth Ward rail yard linked to highly dangerous toxic waste mixed with creosote

“Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens residents have been fighting for years to get hazardous creosote chemicals cleaned up from the ground and groundwater around their homes. But creosote might not have been the only harmful substance that workers used at the rail yard in the neighborhood, and it might not have been the most dangerous,” writes Emily Foxhall for The Houston Chronicle. “Workers mixed hazardous waste with the creosote as part of the process for treating wood at the Union Pacific property, according to a newly obtained report shared with the Houston Chronicle. This waste came from four different locations — three of which became Superfund sites, meaning federal officials considered them among the country’s worst cases of contamination.” Read the full story at houstonchronicle.com. (Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle)

Houston Chronicle: Metro nabs $21.6M for electric buses from federal grant program

“Metro’s plan to gradually get rid of diesel-powered buses took a step forward this week, when federal officials awarded the transit agency nearly $21.6 million to replace 20 of those buses with electric ones and for the equipment needed to keep them charged.” reports Dug Begly for The Houston Chronicle. “Metropolitan Transit Authority officials applied for the money in May, citing the grant as part of overall efforts to replace its diesel fleet. Federal officials, as part of a transportation bill passed last year, increased funding for zero emission buses from about $182 million to $1.1 billion, allowing transit agencies to compete for the funds with a greater likelihood of winning them.” Read the full story at houstonchronicle.com. (Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle)

Native Pollinator Habitat Grant Program

The Clear Lake Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas awards grants to nature centers, schools, educational groups and others to help fund development and maintenance of pollinator habitats using native plants, shrubs or trees on public sites in Brazoria, Galveston or Harris Counties of Texas. Priority is given to projects located in Brazoria County., Galveston County, and the southeast quadrant of Harris County. The application deadline is September 1. For more information, visit npsot.org.

Bay Area Sierra Club: Why Greenspace is Important to All of Us

On August 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Bay Area Sierra Club will hold a virtual meeting featuring a presentation by Tim Pylate, executive director of the Armand Bayou Nature Center. He will discuss the importance of preserving greenspace, the ABNC in particular, and the three rapidly disappearing ecosystems that are representative of the Texas Gulf Coast. For more information and to register, visit sierraclub.org.

The Future of Texas State Parks

On August 18, from 10-11 a.m., Environment Texas will host a webinar to review a new report from Environment Texas Research and Policy Center examining the state of our state parks. Attendees will learn what residents can do to preserve the state’s special places for future generations to enjoy and how they can protect critical wildlife habitat. To learn more and register, visit environmenttexas.webaction.org.

Native Plants on the Frontlines of Change

On August 18, beginning at 7 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold a meeting featuring a presentation by Jaime González, Healthy Communities Director at The Nature Conservancy of Texas. He will provide a tour of projects and policies that illustrate how native plants are being used to make Houston more climate ready and healthier (physically, mentally, culturally, and spiritually) for all residents – human and wild. The meeting will be held at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. For more information, visit npsot.org.

Memorial Park Conservancy seeks Volunteers

Memorial Park Conservancy

Memorial Park Conservancy is seeking Volunteers through the Fall. Most of the volunteering will be geared towards native plant species conservation, with a focus on invasive species removal during the summer. There are weekly opportunities to volunteer in the native plant nursery, which grows a large portion of the plants that go into the ground in the park every year. Volunteers work alongside our knowledgeable conservation team towards the goal of environmental restoration. Any experience level is welcome, and tools and training are provided. In August, there is availability on the 18th, 24th, and 25th. Shifts run from 8-10 a.m. during heat advisory days and 8-11 a.m. during the rest of the year. There will be additional dates in August, September and October. All dates can be seen on the signup site at memorialparkconservancy.volunteerhub.com. For any questions, please send an email to volunteer@memorialparkconservancy.org.

The Big Four – Major Global Environmental Issues

Through August 30, Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church will host a series of webinars focused on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Environmental Outlook to 2050: The Consequences of Inaction, published in 2012, which identified four major global environmental issues requiring immediate action: climate change, biodiversity, freshwater and health impacts of pollution. In this series, five eminent speakers will discuss the causes of, effects of and solutions to: air pollution, biodiversity loss, climate change, freshwater scarcity, and plastic pollution. The remaining schedule: Aug. 18: “Plastic Pollution”, Hyun-Min Hwang; Aug. 23: “Air Pollution: Past, Present & Future”, Gunnar Schade; Aug. 25: “Climate Change: Simple, Serious, Solvable”, Sylvia Dee; Aug. 30: “Biodiversity Loss”, Kerri Crawford. Each webinar runs from 6-7 p.m. Learn more and register at eventbrite.com.

Evolve Houston Relaunch Event

On August 18, from 8-11:30 a.m., Evolve Houston invites the public to celebrate its relaunch and to charge into the future of clean transportation with fresh energy. The event, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, is an opportunity to hear first-hand about Evolve’s and Houston’s latest initiatives from Mayor Turner, Evolve’s founding members: the City of Houston, CenterPoint Energy, NRG Energy, Shell, and the University of Houston, and other major stakeholders taking part in this effort. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Bird Banding at GCBO

On August 20, 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, visit gcbo.org.

35th Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition

On August 20, AIA Houston will host the 35th Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition at East Beach Galveston. In this fundraiser for  AIA Houston and ArCH Foundation, teams compete the prestigious Gold Bucket Award, having begun months in advance generating ideas, developing designs, and assigning duties. On the day of the event, the teams – stretched along the beach front – meticulously sculpt their piles of sand and work non-stop for five hours. Public viewing will began at 9 a.m. The awards ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. Parking at East Beach Galveston is $15 (cash only) collected by the Galveston Parks Board. For more information, visit aiahouston.org.

Backyard Naturalists

On August 20, from 10-11 a.m., the John Paul Landing Environmental Education Center, 9950 Katy Hockley Rd., Cypress, will host a program will help you learn more about the natural world around your home and how you can provide for it. This series is best suited for adults and children ages 10 and up. For more information, email johnpaullanding@hcp4.net or call 713-274-3131, or visit apps.hcp4.net.

Blue Beacon Series: Save Spectacular with Marine Sanctuaries & Gulf Restoration

On August 20, beginning at 2 p.m., the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will host a Blue Beacon Series discussion at Moody Gardens about marine sanctuaries and Gulf restoration. The Gulf of Mexico is home to an abundance of wildlife and spectacular wonders, including Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Marine protected areas, like our national marine sanctuaries, play a critical role in protecting biodiversity, wildlife, and habitats. This event is part of Dive Into The Gulf: An Exposition at Moody Gardens, which provides an opportunity for the SCUBA (science, conservation, art and education) community to come together for one weekend. Learn more and purchase tickets at moodygardens.com.

Market and Screening of Bee Movie

On August 20, beginning at 6 p.m., the Buffalo Bayou Partnership will host a special event celebrating National Honeybee Day at Buffalo Bayou Park featuring a screening of the family film Bee Movie at 8 p.m.. The event will include free festivities with bee-friendly crafts for kids, a live JD, an observatory beehive to watch bees in action and a pop-up bee-inspired market. For more information, visit fareharbor.com.

Purple Martin Migration Watch Party

On August 21, beginning at 7:45 p.m., Houston Audubon will host its first Purple Martin Migration Watch Party of the summer. Purple Martins migrate from South America beginning in late January to nest across North America. Before heading back south for the winter, Purple Martins gather in larger numbers and feed on flying insects to fuel up for their long journey. At dusk, groups of up to 500,000 come together to roost. Grab your friends and family, bring a lawn chair, and enjoy a unique experience. This Watch Party will be held at the Willowbrook Plaza parking lot, 17395 Tomball Parkway. Learn more at houstonaudubon.org.

Cotton Bayou Watershed TMDL Meeting

On August 23, from 2-4 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will hold a virtual public meeting where staff will provide updates to the Technical Support Document and Total Maximum Daily Load calculations for bacteria in Cotton Bayou. H-GAC will also discuss preliminary analyses of sources impacting water quality in the watershed and how to address them with a stakeholder-led Implementation Plan. For more information and to register, visit h-gac.com.

Hempcrete: Pathway to Production

On August 24, beginning at noon, the Green Building Resource Center will present a webinar about hemp, a rapidly renewable agricultural source of fiber for the building and fabric industries that is drought and pest resistant, giving it an excellent carbon footprint.  Sondra Huddleston of Green Growers of Texas will provide background on hemp and its multiple uses; Ray Kaderli of the Hemp Build Network will talk about his hemp structure in San Antonio; and Adrian Zelski of The C Standard will discuss standards and certification processes for hemp developed with Peterson Control Union to ultimately allow for jurisdictional building code approval. For more information, visit codegreenhouston.org.

Caney Creek Stakeholder Meeting

On August 24, from 4-6 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will nvites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits within the Caney Creek Watershed to attend a virtual stakeholder meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the addendum to the Water Quality Management Plan for assessment unit 1304_02 and the status of the Caney Creek bacteria reduction Implementation Plan (I-Plan). Register for the meeting at zoom.us. Learn more about the project at h-gac.com.

Garden and Nature Series: Bullies on the Bayou

On August 24, from 6-7 p.m., Hermann Park Conservancy will host a presentation by Scott Clark, a graduate researcher in the Crawford Plant Community Ecology Lab at the University of Houston, who will lead a discussion of the origin and spread of invasive plants in the state, their impact on native communities and prospects for native restoration. He will have some plant samples on hand for you to investigate.The talk will be held in the Family Garden. For more information and to register, visit hermannpark.org.

The Nature Conservancy Texas: Texas City, Nash and Mowotony Prairie Preserves

On August 24, beginning at 7 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will hold a virtual meeting featuring a presentation by Aaron Tjelmeland, restorations project director for The Nature Conservancy Texas. He will discuss restoration efforts at three area prairies. To register for the meeting, visit zoom.us.

Discovery Days: An Avian Adventure

On August 25, from 10-11 a.m., the Kleb Woods Nature Center in Tomball will host a presentation by members of Houston Audubon education team to meet some of the birds that reside at the Raptor Education Center and help visitors learn about bird conservation. Explore what makes a bird a bird, why birds matter, and how we can help them. The program is designed especially for school-aged children. For more information, visit apps.hcp4.net.

Nature Discussion Group: Ivory-billed Woodpecker

On August 25, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., the John Paul Landing Environmental Education Center in Cypress will host a discussion group in which Fred Collins will discuss the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. These programs are intended to foster discussion, and attendees are encouraged to comment and participate. Nature Discussion Groups are best suited for adults and older students with a keen interest in nature. For more information, visit apps.hcp4.net.

Oyster Creek Stakeholder Meeting

On August 25, from 4-6 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits within the Oyster Creek Watershed in Brazoria and Fort Bend counties to attend a virtual stakeholder meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss water quality issues affecting communities in the Oyster Creek watershed south of Sugar Land, including Angleton, Arcola, Bailey’s Prairie, Bonney, Clute, Holiday Lakes, Iowa Colony, Juliff, Lake Jackson, Missouri City (Sienna Plantation), Richwood, Rosharon, and Sandy Point. Pollutants, specifically fecal bacteria, in this waterway may impact public health, local economies, and the natural environment. To register, visit zoom.us. Learn more about the project at h-gac.com.

Senior Birding Bus Trip – Shorebirds & Moody Gardens

On August 25, from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Harris County Precinct 4’s Kleb Woods Nature Preserve will host a bus tour for individuals over 50 in search for shorebirds on Galveston. After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour head to the Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid.  To sign up, email klebwoods@hcp4.net or call 281-357-5324. For more information, visit apps.hcp4.net.

The Architecture of Bees closes August 26

Architecture Center Houston’s exhibition The Architecture of Bees in the gallery of its headquarters at 902 Commerce St. will close on August 26. 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. For more information, visit aiahouston.org.

Beyond Bees!

On August 26, from 8:30-8:30 a.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will host a presentation about  local bees as staff and volunteers guide participants through Mercer’s gardens. Learn about resident colonies of carpenter bees and honeybees, their critical role in the environment, and Mercer’s conservation efforts through holistic gardening practices. For more information and to register, see the Facebook event.

Women in Coastal Science

On August 26, from 9-10 a.m., Visit Galveston will host the latest in its “Women in Coastal Science” speaker series at East Beach. From rescuing marine mammals and sea turtles to understanding the impacts of extreme conditions on our Gulf shores, these women in science will share their journeys in their fields of expertise. Light refreshments provided. Breakfast cocktails and small bites available for purchase. For more information, visit visitgalveston.com.

5 Years After Landfall

On August 26, from 6-8:30 p.m. Air Alliance Houston, the Houston Climate Justice Museum and One Breath will host a event for members of the public to come together to reaffirm community and reflect on the ways Hurricane Harvey changed Houston forever. The event will start inside the Fire Station #2 at 317 Sampson Street and end outside at the Climate Justice Museum at 3308 Garrow Street. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Scholarships available for 2022 Trees for Texas conference

Texas A&M Forest Service is offering scholarships for municipalities and non-profit partners to attend the 2022 Texas Tree Conference, which will be held September 27-29 in Waco. The theme of the conference is “The Changing Seasons of Aboriculture and Urban Forestry.” There will be tracks for Commercial, Municipal and Utility Arborists with plenty of time to socialize and visit the exhibitors at the expanded Trade Show. To learn more about the conference and apply for the scholarship, visit isatexas.com. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on August 29.

Vote for The Woodlands’ George Mitchell Nature Preserve in the 2022 Niagara Perk Your Park Contest

The Woodlands Township has an opportunity to receive financial support in constructing a dual-purpose bird blind (a structure that allows for viewing birds without being noticed by the birds) through the Perk Your Park Contest by Niagara Water. Residents interested in helping with this effort are encouraged to vote daily online, as the three winning parks will receive $75,000 toward the upgrade. If awarded funding, the new structure will be located at the Creekside West Trailhead of George Mitchell Nature Preserve in The Woodlands. This blind has been selected as one of 10 projects in the 2022 Niagara Perk Your Park Contest from Niagara Bottling through its charitable program, Niagara Cares, and in partnership with National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) as an initiative that focuses on park and community space revitalization across the country. Residents can vote for the new project once per day until the polls close September 12. Learn more at thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

2023 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards applications open until September 23 

Each year, the Governor’s Office and commissioners from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality honor the state’s most outstanding environmental projects through the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Winners from across the state exemplify how Texans set the standard for ensuring clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste. The application period for the 2023 awards is now open. To see winners from 2013 to 2022, visit the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards webpage. Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 23.

Blackwood Skyfarm Educational Tours

With a good number of crops in the ground and lessons learned from the first season at the Blackwood Skyfarm, the rooftop farm at POST Houston is now available for educational tours to groups, schools, businesses, and more each week by appointment at least two weeks in advance. During this introductory tour, visitors will walk the current crops and learn how Skyfarm blends both ancestral, regenerative food production practices and 21st century technologies to produce organic food with less food miles and a lower carbon footprint. Each visitor will leave with an understanding the benefits of locally grown, nutrient-dense foods and plant medicine. Tours are held: Thursdays 8 a.m.-noon, Fridays noon-2 p.m., and Saturdays 2-4 p.m. Learn more and schedule tours at blackwoodland.org.

FALL BIRD MIGRATION

Lights Out, Texas!

Audubon Texas encourages all Texans to join us in participating in Lights Out Texas to protect migrating birds by turning off non-essential lights at night from 11 p.m. – 6 a.m. during the fall migration period through November 30. Where conflicts apply, prioritize lights out during the critical peak fall migration period from September 5 – October 29. Each night and each light turned out helps save migrating birds. As an added bonus, turning off non-essential lights also saves money and conserves energy for cities, local businesses, and homeowners. The Lights Out Texas initiative is supported by a coalition that includes conservation non-profits, local Audubon chapters, universities, museums, governmental organizations, businesses, and individual Texans dedicated to the conservation of birds. We Learn more about how you can help migrating birds along their migration journey by visiting tx.audubon.org.

Smith Point Hawk Watch

One of the great spectacles in nature is a sky full of swirling raptors soaring their way to central and South America for winter. Smith Point on the eastern shore of Galveston Bay, a natural concentration point for southwardly moving raptors in fall migration. The Smith Point Hawk Watch, a project of the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory in partnership with Hawk Watch International and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, is an annual census of the raptors migrating through Smith Point each fall. Through November 30, the Hawk Watch is held daily at the Candy Abshier Wildlife Management Area where GCBO has a 30-foot observation tower. The hawk watch is staffed daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You are invited to come out any day during the season. Learn more at gcbo.org.

CONTESTS

Sustainable Solutions Film Fest

Artist statements are due by August 25 for submissions to the 2nd Annual Sustainable Stories Film Fest, which will be held Nov. 9–11 at the University of Houston – Clear Lake. The festival exposes the audience to ideas, concepts and stories of sustainability. This year’s focus is on “Sustainable Use of Water and Environmental Activism”. All participating pieces have to be about an aspect of sustainability. This does not only include environmental sustainability, such as sustainable water usage, sustainable energy usage, sustainable city planning, sustainable agriculture & gardening, resilience, etc., but also social sustainability and social justice, economic sustainability and educational sustainability. Films about sustainable outdoor fun and recreation and sustainability-themed music videos are also invited to participate. Highlights from this festival will be shown at CEC’s Wild About Houston environmental movie night in Summer 2023. For full information and submission guidelines, visit sustainable-stories.org.

Flock Together Photo Contest

In conjunction with Houston Bird Week 2022, Houston Audubon’s Flock Together Photo Contest is back for its second year. Entries will be judged based on Relevance to Theme, Creativity, Uniqueness/Impact/Originality, Composition, Lighting, Color, and Technical Quality. All entries are eligible for the People’s Choice Award. Winners will be announced September 19, and the Awards Celebration will be held September 24. Submissions are being accepted through August 26. For more information, including the list of categories and submission guidelines, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Youth Innovation Challenge 2022

The Youth Innovation Challenge, hosted by the Global Environmental Education Partnership, gives young people (aged 15–30) around the world a chance to come up with innovative solutions to the pressing environmental issue of marine debris, using EE as a key strategy. They are looking for solutions that are innovative, feasible, and informed by research. Winning solutions will receive global recognition and a $1,000 prize. Proposals must be submitted before September 1 at 11:59 PM U.S. Eastern Time. For more information and to register, visit thegeep.org.

Marine Debris Art Contest

Registration is open through September 1 for Artist Boat’s Marine Debris Art Contest. Artists and ocean-lovers of all ages can submit pieces to display at the art gallery. Art pieces are comprised primarily of marine debris and demonstrate the effects aquatic trash can have on our oceans and the life that depends on them. Art pieces must be brought to Artist Boat (13330 Settegast Road, Galveston) by September 23. The judging and viewing of the art pieces will be held October 8 at the Galveston Art League. For full rules and submission guidelines, visit artistboat.org.

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.

Take Care of Texas Video Contest

The Take Care of Texas Video Contest is a fun way for young people in grades 6–12 to learn about protecting the environment and come up with creative ways to share this knowledge with others! Students create a 30-second video that shows positive ways to Take Care of Texas. Contest sponsor Waste Management of Texas, Inc. will award prizes to the creators of the best videos. The contest starts September 12 and ends December 2. For full information and submission guidelines, visit takecareoftexas.org.

2022 Wild “InSight” Photo Contest

TWRC Wildlife Center is holding its 4th Wild “InSight” Photo Contest, which raises funds for the Wildlife Center operations and Animal Care Program. Submissions will be accepted through September 26. TWRC Wildlife Center is also seeking sponsors for its 2023 WildInSight Calendar. Contact Anna Saxton for more information. For more information, visit twrcwildlifecenter.org.

Reminders About Ongoing Opportunities

  • Texas Master Naturalistâ„¢ chapter seeking fall volunteers. The Coastal Prairie chapter of the Texas Master Naturalistâ„¢ program – a corps of well-informed volunteers who provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities – is seeking volunteers for the fall 2022 training season. The deadline to apply is September 6. Learn more at txmn.tamu.edu.
  • H-GAC seeks volunteers for Plogging, Plalking, and Pladdling Pilot Group, The Houston-Galveston Area Council is seeking volunteers to help pilot and provide feedback on newly created resources designed to engage residents and recreationists in the activities of plogging, plalking, pliking and pladdling. The project team is looking for local governments, Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates, and recreation groups willing to pilot all or specific portions of the resources and provide their feedback upon completion. The pilot period is open through September with feedback collected via a survey. If you are interested in participating, contact Crysta Guzman or Kendall Guidroz at any time during the pilot period.
  • Volunteer Houston offers opportunities. Volunteer Houston, an initiative of Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, connects individuals, groups, and companies with nonprofit agencies to transform the Greater Houston community for good through volunteerism. For opportunities to volunteer on environmental projects, visit VolunteerHouston and sort the opportunities by “environmental”.

TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife

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

  • A duck hunter supports waterfowl through prairie wetland habitat, with the help of Ducks Unlimited and other partners. Though coastal prairie wetlands are threatened by land use changes, these seasonal habitats help more than birds, offering other benefits such as rice production and stormwater retention
  • The beauty of a natural place takes on fresh dimension and draws some different crowds when arts activities like sculpture, painting and photography, are paired with parks
  • Hurricane Harvey wiped out one of the best birding boardwalks on the coast. It’s now back in business. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of this birding hot spot
  • Join a group of mountain bikers having some fun on the Coyote Run Trail at Cooper Lake State Park

Additional Upcoming Events

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