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Houston Environmental News Update August 24, 2022
August 24, 2022

Houston Environmental News Update August 24, 2022

World Water Week, Houston Inspira Storytellers, Climate Reality Training, 5 Years after Landfall, Ecological Gardening, Green Jobs, and more

Dear Friends,

This week marks World Water Week, which runs August 23 through September 1, culminating in a four-day conference in Stokholm, Sweden. With the theme “Seeing the Unseen: The Value of Water,” the conference is described as “the place to explore new ways of managing water and tackle humanity’s greatest challenges: from food security and health to agriculture, technology, biodiversity, and climate.”

Maybe it’s just a coincidence that World Water Week is occurring just as the greater Houston area is receiving the most amount of rain that we’ve seen in weeks. Whatever, we’ll take it. Here in Texas, water can be a blessing and a curse, as we continue to mark the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Harvey.

Several CEC member organizations are deeply involved with water issues, of course. The Houston-Galveston Area Council, our regional council of governments, administers the Texas Stream Team in partnership with The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. The Stream Team is “a network of trained volunteers and supportive partners working together to monitor and promote stewardship of Texas waterways, and ensure the information is available to all Texans. Volunteers are trained to collect quality-assured information that can be used to make environmentally sound decisions.”

H-GAC is offering a Standard Core Water Quality Citizen Scientist Training for new volunteers on Friday, September 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park, 5310 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands. If interested, learn more and register at here.

On October 9, the Bayou Preservation Association is offering a similar training at its headquarters at the Sunset Coffee Building at Allen’s Landing in downtown Houston. Learn more and register here.

The Galveston Bay Foundation works to promote water quality in the region through water monitoring, rain barrel workshops, and the Galveston Bay Action Network, a way for citizens to report water pollution. Learn more about their efforts at galvbay.org.

Other CEC member organizations that work on water issues include: Healthy Gulf, Save Buffalo Bayou, Texans for Clean Water, Artist Boat, Bayou City Waterkeeper. For more, check out the searchable, web-based version of our Environmental Resource Guide.

Top image: Galveston Bay Foundation

CEC NOTES

Summer of Action 2022

Please join Citizens’ Environmental Coalition and Houston Climate Movement for the first annual Houston Community Climate Summit!

  • When: September 10th, 9am – 4pm, with a networking hour 4pm – 5pm
  • Where: Anderson-Clarke Center, Rice University Glasscock School for Continuing Studies
  • What: A gathering of frontline community members, community leaders, organizers, activists, and environmental advocacy professionals to share resources, learn about neighborhood-specific issues, collaboratively strategize, and support each other’s existing initiatives toward intersectional climate justice in the Greater Houston Area.

Lunch will be provided, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options available. Transportation subsidies and hourly stipends are also available for community members in need (within limited funding).

RSVP and find more information at https://tinyurl.com/HoustonClimateSummit

City Of Houston selects five Storytellers for the Houston Inspires/Houston Inspira public health campaign

The City of Houston recently selected five Storytellers for the “Houston Inspires/Houston Inspira“ public health campaign funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. The campaign’s goal is to engage environmental organizations, artists, and storytellers to inspire awareness and action to improve health and safety outcomes in Houston neighborhoods. After a peer review panel, the following artists and environmental partners were selected for Houston Inspires/Houston Inspira:

  • Acres Homes: Storyteller Fair Housing Defenders + Healthy Outdoor Communities/NEO
  • Alief/Westwood: Storyteller Alief Art House + Houston Wilderness
  • Kashmere Gardens: Storyteller Dria Thornton + Environmental Defense Fund
  • Near Northside: Storyteller Walter Hull + Air Alliance Houston
  • Second Ward: Storyteller Kam Franklin + Citizens’ Environmental Coalition.

Read the full press release. Learn more about the Houston Inspira project at houstontx.gov/inspira.

Member Organization Spotlight: Children’s Museum Houston EcoStation

This week, our featured member organization is the Children’s Museum Ecostation, which allows visitors to explore the environment and conduct ecological studies. The EcoStation is recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Learn more about the EcoStation at cmhouston.org.

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 26, 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.

Houston Chronicle: Texas needs more land dedicated to state parks to keep up with public demand, report shows

“Texas state park visitors increased 37% from 2020 to 2021, a new study states, and advocates say more land should be secured for recreation,” writes Clare Fonstein for the Houston Chronicle. “Texas’ state parks are not adequately meeting public demand, according to a report from Environment Texas Research and Policy Center. About 2.4% of Texas land is protected as parks, forests and other recreation spaces. The report states Texas ranks 35th in the nation for state park acreage per capita. Texas has 8 million more people than Florida, but 86,000 fewer acres of state parkland.” Read the full story at houstonchronicle.com. (Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle)

Texas Tribune: Texas is facing its worst drought since 2011. Here’s what you need to know.

“Texans across the state are facing water restrictions as the state experiences its worst drought since 2011. Almost the entire state of Texas is experiencing a severe level of drought, and only a few corners of the state, such as El Paso, are not “abnormally dry” amid this year’s particularly hot summer.” reports María Méndez for The Texas Tribune. “And while the state is seeing some pockets of rain in late August, the drought likely will extend into winter because of current climate patterns that could lead to hotter and drier weather.” Read the full story at texastribune.org. (Image: Texas Drought Monitor)

Rice U’s Cohan: The climate bill’s big incentives for clean energy aren’t enough

“The new Inflation Reduction Act is stuffed with subsidies for everything from electric vehicles to heat pumps, and incentives for just about every form of clean energy. But pouring money into technology is just one step toward solving the climate change problem,” Rice University environmental engineering associate professor Dan Cohan writes in an analysis for The Conservation, as reprinted in Texas Climate News. “Two outcomes matter: how deeply U.S. actions slash emissions domestically, and how effectively they cut the costs of clean technologies so that other countries can slash their emissions too.” Read the full opinion piece at texasclimatenews.org. (Photo: Daxis, CC BY-ND 2.0, via flickr)

Power-Up: A Climate Reality Training on Advocacy in Action

From October 27-28, the Climate Reality Project and former Vice President Al Gore will host the first Power-Up: A Climate Reality Training on Advocacy in Action for climate activists across the US Gulf Coast in Houston. This free two-day training provides those ready to make a difference with the tools, knowledge, and networks to mobilize their communities and drive real action for climate justice solutions. The training gives attendees an opportunity to learn about the current state of the climate crisis in the Gulf South, to hear directly from organizations leading on the frontlines of a just and equitable transition, and to build local power to advance climate solutions. The training will also highlight the work of inspiring local leaders from regional civil rights and environmental justice groups who are mobilizing their communities to fight against polluting industries and racial injustice. Application are being accepted through September 12 at 11:59 PM (ET). For more information and to apply, visit climaterealityproject.org.

Clear Lake chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas offers students grants for attending Texas Coastal Prairie Conference

The Texas Coastal Prairie Conference: Preserving Lands and Legacies will be held at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in October. The conference will include a full day of workshops and presentations on Friday, October 28, followed by field trips to remnant and restored prairies as well as working ranches and farms on Saturday, October 29. The Clear Lake Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas is offering conference registration fee grants to currently enrolled graduate and undergraduate students to enhance their understanding of native prairies and connections with like-minded conservationists. To apply visit this form. The deadline for applications is September 30. Questions about this opportunity may be sent to clear-lake-chapter@npsot.org.

The Big Four – Major Global Environmental Issues

Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church is hosting 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. 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 1-3 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.

Mercer Botanic Gardens Volunteer Orientation

On August 25, from 6-7 p.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will hold an orientation for prospective volunteers. The orientation will detail the various volunteer opportunities, from helping maintain our gardens, to plant propagation and sales, to educational programs and the Mercer Ambassadors. This orientation will be off site at the Timber Lane Community Center, 1904 Naplechase Crest Drive in Spring. Participants must be 16 or older or 12-15 if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Limited space is available, and registration is required. For more information and to register, visit pct3.com/mbg.

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.

Ecological Gardening: Fruit and Veggies for Summer to Fall

On August 28, from 6-7 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church will present a webinar featuring Carol Burton, director of garden education for Urban Harvest, who will explore the seasons from Summer gardening strategies to Fall transitions for a bumper cool season crop and the top five fruit trees to get started. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

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.

Chocolate Bay Stakeholder Meeting

On August 30, from 4-6 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits within the watersheds that make up Chocolate Bay—Chocolate Bayou, Mustang Bayou, and Halls Bayou—to attend a stakeholder meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss water quality issues affecting communities in the Chocolate Bay watershed, including Algoa, Arcola, Alvin, Fresno, Hillcrest, Iowa Colony, Liverpool, Manvel, Missouri City, Pearland, and Santa Fe. Pollutants, specifically fecal bacteria, in these waterways may impact public health, local economies, and the natural environment. For more information on the project, visit h-gac.com. To register for the meeting, visit zoom.us.

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.

An Immense World book discussion group for the Season of Creation

On Thursdays from 5-6 p.m. from September 1 through October 6, Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church will mark the Season of Creation by hosting a virtual discussion group of the book An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms, by science writer Ed Young. In the book, Young pulls together recent research on other animals’ ways of perceiving and making sense of the world to provide a scientifically based glimpse into how animals experience the world. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Native Nurseries Open House

On September 3, from 8-11 a.m., Houston Audubon will host a fall open house at the Houston Audubon Natives Nursery at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Visitors will be able to pick the brains of expert nursery volunteers about their specific needs and go home with the perfect plants for their space. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

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.

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.

Purple Martin Migration Watch Party

On September 4, 18, and 24, Houston Audubon is hosting Purple Martin Migration Watch Parties. 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. Learn more at houstonaudubon.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.

Houston Pubic Works Imagine a Day Without Water TikTok Contest

As part of the national education campaign “Imagine a Day Without Water”, Houston Public Works is hosting a TikTok contest all about water with a $1000 prize. Show your love for WATER! Sing a song, read a poem, play your instrument, create a dance, act out a skit, or show your best water conservation tip. The judges are looking for creative entries. Let the value of water inspire you! To enter the contest post a TikTok video inspired by water and hashtag #ValueWaterHouston. Submissions are being accepted through October 3. For full information and submission guidelines, visit givewaterabreak.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.
  • Blackwood Skyfarm tours. 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. 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. Learn more and schedule tours at blackwoodland.org.
  • 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.

  • Tim Roberts wrote the book on Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, literally. He spent two years writing a detailed account of the resources at Hueco Tanks, which led to its designation as a National Historic Landmark
  • Eisenhower State Park is all about the water. Campsites sit high on bluffs overlooking Lake Texoma. Boaters flock to the park’s marina and ramps. Swimmers enjoy lake access by land and by boat. Even hikers eventually end up taking a cool dip in the refreshing waters that make this park special
  • When paddlefish were stocked in Caddo Lake in 2014, it was truly an experiment. No one could be certain the fish would survive or stay put, but years later it seems they have done both. A new hope for the progress of a very old fish
  • Take a flight over Espiritu Santo Bay, a short boat ride from Port O’Connor

Additional Upcoming Events

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

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