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July 26, 2017

Houston Environmental News Update July 26, 2017

Scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community, or view the emailed version of the newsletter, which includes a green job listing.

Early registration for the Greater Houston Environmental Summit ends on Friday, so sign up now!

We’ll have welcomes from Vince Ryan, Harris County Attorney; and Tina Paez, Director of Administration and Regulatory Affairs, City of Houston, on behalf of Mayor Turner. We’ll have a panel on the hot topic of climate change. Elizabeth Love of the Houston Endowment will discuss strategic initiatives. We’ll have over a dozen facilitated table talks (a cross between a breakout session and speed dating). We will have lunch provided by Pat Greer’s Kitchen. And a few surprises!

We hope you will join us.

CEC NOTES

Registration is now open! Greater Houston Environmental Summit & Environmental Education Expo

Eventbrite - 2017 Greater Houston Environmental Summit & Environmental Education Expo
Annually, CEC hosts a networking and learning event for the extraordinary people who work at or are interested in the work of environmental organizations in the greater Houston region. In 2017, CEC will be hosting the Greater Houston Environmental Summit on Friday, August 4, 2017, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Community Resource Center at the United Way of Greater Houston. In addition to excellent keynote presentations and panels, we will again offer small-format table talks. We will feature a panel–on the hot topic of Climate Change–in conjunction with EarthShare of Texas, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. We are partnering with a variety of environmental education collaboratives to offer an Environmental Education Expo for teachers and informal educators. Learn more and register at cechouston.org.

CEC’s Film Selection Viewing Party 
You are invited to attend CEC’s Film Selection Viewing Parties for the January 2018 Wild and Scenic Film Festival On Tour. Help us select from almost 60 films this year. Drop by the CEC office to watch 4-5 short films and share your thoughts with us on Friday, July 28, 2017, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in our offices at 751 Silver St. #111 (use the door on Silver St rather than the front door). You can choose to attend one or all viewing parties. If you can’t make it to the viewing party this week, you can save the date and join us on August 6 and 18, 2017. Contact rachel@cechouston.org to RSVP, with any questions, or to be added to the email list.

Speaking of Films…

CEC is part of an informal Meetup group planning to go see an Inconvenient Sequel at 4:30 pm on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at the Edwards Houston Marq*e 23. (We’re hoping to screen the film this fall as part of the Houston Green Film Series.)

The August screening of the Houston Green Film Series won’t be the same bat time or the same bat place. Instead, it will be on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion in Hermann Park, and will feature local wildlife & conservation short films.

Please consider submitting a short film (under 7 minutes) for possible inclusion in CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Film Contest in November 2017. Winning entries will be shown at CEC’s showing of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour on January 24 & 25, 2018.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Image result for green building resource center logoMobility and Green Buildings Education Seminar
    Tonight on July 26, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, join the Green Building Resource Center for their Mobility and Green Buildings Education Seminar and meet an architect who knows green buildings and the changing demand for parking garages, a district manager who deals with mobility issues on a daily basis, and a representative for our regional transit authority, who will share the current and emerging opportunities for moving around the area: Filo Castore, Clark Martinson, and Danny Silva. Please RSVP and save your seat if you haven’t already for this Mobility and Green Buildings meeting by emailing Steve.stelzer@houstontx.gov. Check out the flyer for this event here.
  2. Bees for Beginners: A Hands-Off Class
    Hermann Park Conservancy’s free garden class series in the McGovern Centennial Gardens continues with a session on all things bees. Bees play an integral part of our food and ecological systems by providing necessary pollination to keep crops flourishing. But bees are becoming more and more at risk for extinction, also putting fruits, veggies, nuts and flowering plants that depend on the bees at risk. Join Hermann Park Conservancy today, July 26, 2017, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM as area “Bee Lady”, Shelley Rice, shares the basics of beekeeping. Shelley has been professionally into bees since the 2007 and is area chef’s “Go To Gal” for bee installation and care. Shelley also takes care of their beloved McGovern Centennial Garden’s hive and they know that she loves her bees. This class is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is required, so please follow their registration page.
  3. Image result for galveston bay foundationSensational Bay! Family Nature Programs
    The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) is hosting an immersive, outdoor educational experience for families on Friday and Saturday, July 28-29, 2017 from 9:00 to 10:30 AM each day. Participants will be introduced to the Galveston Bay estuary and watershed by exploring the natural features of the area. All will have the opportunity to express their creative side and practice investigative skills using scientific tools. Sensational Bay! activities will stimulate each of the Five Senses, and include a plant scavenger hunt, soil exploration, wildlife identification, salinity measurements, and creative arts. To learn more about the event and register for these programs, check out their registration link. For more on GBF and their work, visit their website at www.galvbay.org.
  4. World Tiger Day with the Houston Zoo
    In honor of World Tiger Day, join the Houston Zoo for a Tiger Spotlight on Species event on Saturday, July 29, 2017, from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. See their two resident Malayan Tigers, Satu and Berani, celebrate World Tiger Day with some special enrichment items in their habitat. Attend fun-filled Keeper Talks and learn all about tigers as well as palm oil, a key ingredient affecting Malayan tigers in the wild due to its effect on deforestation and habitat loss in Southeast Asia. Stop by the Tiger Boardwalk for educational games and crafts, learn more about these amazing endangered species and see what you can do to help. This event is included with your paid Zoo admission and is FREE for Zoo members. Members enjoy free admission year-round and many other benefits; find out more on their Membership page.
  5. No automatic alt text available.Human and Green Environment Interaction: Why You and Your Children Should Spend Time Outdoors
    Come join the fun as the Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center invites you to celebrate snakes on Saturday, July 29, 2017. The day will be divided into two identical sessions: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Both sessions will feature the same content and activities so you only need to sign up for one to have all the fun. These wonderful creatures are often misunderstood and sometimes have a hard time coexisting with humans. Learn about the important role they play in the ecosystem and how they impact humans in positive ways. There will be games, guided hikes and other activities as well as a live demonstration of snake behavior. To register, call 281-364-4225 or email nature.center@mctx.org with “RSVP [Event Name]” in the subject line. For more on activities and Spring Creek, check out their Facebook event.
  6. Image result for project wildProject WILD Workshops
    Project WILD invites you to explore and share the fascinating world of wildlife and ecosystems using fun, hands-on educational activities. You will experience engaging TEKS-aligned activities while networking with other educators. Workshop participants receive: 1) 6 hours TEA-approved CPE and TEEAC Credit, 2) Project WILD K-12 guide, and 3) Texas-specific resources Anyone who works with children, including teachers, homeschoolers, informal educators, and scout leaders is welcome. This workshop will be held at Helms Elementary School, 503 W 21st Street from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Monday, July 31, 2017. To register or learn more about their WILD workshops, visit Project WILD’s event page.
  7. Image result for texas agrilife TWONWater Well Screening
    We often take the water we drink for granted, but knowing what’s in our well water is crucial to protect the health of our families. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Texas Well Owner Network (TWON) is coming to your area and getting your residential water well tested is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Stop by your local AgriLife Extension office to pick up a sample kit ($10 per sample), drop off your samples, and get your results within two days. Samples are due for drop off on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, between 8:30 and 10:00 AM and you’ll be able to pick them back up Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at their 6:00 PM results meeting. All location and meeting information can be found on their website.
  8. Basin 13 Bacteria Reduction Project Meeting
    Will you be free after getting your well water tested? H-GAC is looking for stakeholders to help share their knowledge of local waterways to develop a plan to reduce bacteria levels in the Brazos-Colorado Coastal Basin, also known as Basin 13, and you can take part on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Using basin characterization report data and other input, local stakeholders will work to create a plan to identify and address bacteria impairments across the basin, including watershed management tools and options available to residents, businesses, and governments to reduce the impairments. This meeting will provide updates of the Basin 13 project. Registration is not required, so come join and provide your input for this important project. For more on the Basin Bacteria Reduction Meeting, visit their website at www.h-gac.com.
  9. Image result for transition houstonTransition Houston: Solar to the People
    Are your Tuesdays still not busy enough? Join Transition Houston at their upcoming meeting on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM as they present generating your own power from solar energy and discuss the value of low impact design. Generating your own power from solar energy is one way to reduce your demand on fossil fuels and build a more resilient community. Bill Swann, Independent Solar Designer, speaker and teacher will present an introductory talk about residential solar energy systems, the future of solar energy, Home Energy Audits, designing a solar power system, reducing your energy demand, and what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. He will be joined by Kathleen English, owner/principle of English Architects who will focus on Low Impact Design (LID) and share details on green and high-performance design solutions. For more on their special guests and the meeting details, visit their event page.
  10. IIA EHSAC South Central Regional Meeting
    We hope you saved the date because it’s just a week away- on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, the Institute of Internal Auditor’s (IIA) South Central Regional Environmental, Health & Safety Audit Center (formerly the Auditing Roundtable) will be hosting their Summer South Central Regional Meeting in Austin, TX. Connect with regulators and colleagues in industry, consulting, and the legal community as we examine environmental and safety regulatory updates; a “fireside chat” covering topics and programs on the horizon, contemporary issues in EPA Region 6, and a peek into the Texas State Bar Association Environmental Section’s Environmental Superconference presentations. Meeting cost $60 for members and $75 for non-members. Meeting cost includes lunch. A full itinerary, contacts list, and registration link can be found on their event page. For more on IIA EHSAC and what they do, check out their website at www.theiia.org.
  11. Mercer Botanic Gardens’ Student Research & Education Symposium
    Mercer Botanic Gardens partners with colleges, universities, and high schools to find motivated students who wish to conduct botanic research and explore natural mosquito abatement methods at our facilities. On Wednesday, August 2, 2017, Mercer is proud to showcase the work of student partners acquired through Harris County Precinct 4’s Intern Program, the Lone Star College Kingwood Biology Honors Program, and the Shell Nonprofit Internship Grant Program. Students and interns will present projects featuring education and interpretation of Mercer’s globally diverse botanical collections; research and documentation of the Spring Branch Science Center Herbarium collection of more than 50,000 plant specimens and over 2,300 botanical illustrations; propagation work for Mercer’s rare native plant conservation program and greenhouse collections; restoration of the Harris County Precinct 4 Prairie Dawn Preserve; and mosquito abatement research. Download the flyer. (The symposium will also be presented during Mercer’s Lunch Bunch program on Wednesday, August 9, from noon to 2 p.m. Please bring a lunch to enjoy during this presentation.)
  12. Medicinal Wild Plants with the Houston Arboretum
    Before modern medicine, humans relied on plants for healing. Many of our current drugs and medical treatments originally came from plants or are still made from them. Join the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center for an introduction to common medicinal wild plants in Texas and learn about what healing plants may be growing in your backyard on Saturday, August 5, 2017, from 10:00 AM to noon. Be sure to wear walking shoes and dress for the weather. This event is $20 for members or $35 for non-members, so get your tickets by registering here. Instructor Beau Harger is a compounding pharmacist by day and an outdoorsman in his spare time. He has a deep interest in medicinal wild plants, and uses his pharmacy background to help inform his study of useful plants.
  13. APC_194x116Van Tours at Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge
    The first Saturday of each month, a guided van tour of the refuge will take visitors on a two-hour trip through the prairie. Join refuge volunteers and staff to learn about native coastal prairie, the history of the refuge, the biology of the Attwater’s prairie-chicken, and what’s being done to save it from extinction on Saturday, August 5, 2017. Space is limited and reservations are required. Contact the refuge staff to reserve your spot on this interesting tour or for more information on the Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge.
  14. Image result for texas audubon2018 Terry Hershey Texas Women in Conservation Award Nominations (Aug. 15 deadline)
    Audubon’s Texas Women in Conservation Program debuted in 2015 to honor the role that women play in the conservation field in the Lone Star State. A key highlight of the new program is the Terry Hershey Award which recognizes outstanding women leaders. In addition to the award, the new program supports opportunities in Texas for girls and women to become more involved in conservation and environmental sciences and engages women on important issues related to conservation in Texas. Audubon is looking for Texas women who embody the spirit and passion for conservation of the famed Terry Hershey, who has been called “a force of nature for nature”. Audubon Texas will host the fourth annual Texas Women in Conservation Luncheon in Houston on March 29, 2018, and present an esteemed group of women leaders in today’s conservation movement throughout the Lone Star State with the Terry Hershey Texas Women in Conservation Award. Nominations are accepted from individuals and organizations who complete and submit the nomination application by Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 5:00 PM. You can view and download the full application here (PDF).
  15. Blueprint Houston Meeting 
    Blueprint Houston embarked on a six-month strategic planning initiative this year that culminated in the adoption of a new mission. The board also established new goals and is developing strategies for achieving those goals. Getting Plan Houston adopted was a huge milestone, but there is much more to do. The implementation of the plan is as critical as the creation of the plan and essential as the basis for planning the city’s future. The three Blueprint Houston committees – Mission and Vision, City Engagement and Public Engagement continue developing strategies to achieve their goals. The board will review and approve these strategies at the August meeting. To learn more about Blueprint Houston and their vision for our city, visit www.blueprinthouston.org/.
  16. EarthShare of Texas 25th Anniversary Round Table Discussion Series
    Happy Anniversary to EarthShare of Texas!
    To celebrate 25 years, EST is hosting a Round-Table Discussion Series to introduce the public to all of the great work its members have accomplished.  From air quality to zebra populations, they have it covered. Learn more at earthshare-texas.org/events. Buying a ticket to the entire series will gain you entry into the following events:

    • Bats, Birds, and Barbecue- A dinner discussion of wildlife and habitat conservation with a viewing of  the awesome bat emergence at Bracken Bat Cave. July 29, 2017 – Bracken Cave, San Antonio.
    • On the Ground Floor of Ground Water: A breakfast discussion divining the future of our most precious resource.   July date tbd Redbud Center.
    • The Hot Topic of Climate Change- Greater Houston Environmental Summit Aug 4, 2017 – United Way of Greater Houston–In conjunction with the CEC!
    • This Land is your Land: Exploring the terrain of land conservation; Red Bud Center, October 17, 2017.
    • And the grand finale picnic with food, games music and more!  The whole family is welcome!
  17. 2017 Gulf Star RFP
    The 2017 Gulf Star RFP and Application Form are now posted on the GOMA website here:  www. gulfofmexicoalliance.org. Deadline for submissions is September 1, 2017.
  18. Image result for rice design allianceSave the Date: 2017 RDA Gala
    The Rice Design Alliance marks its 45th anniversary this year as a premier program within Rice Architecture that gives, students, faculty, design professionals and community advocates a launching pad to make a real difference in Houston. The RDA Board of Directors will proudly honor retiring Executive Director, Linda Sylvan and celebrate her three decades shaping Cite, the RDA, and influencing Houston. LAUNCH, RDA’s 31st gala, will take place Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the Hilton Americas Houston. Gala proceeds provide operating support for RDA’s programs and publications.
  19. Biocycling and Volunteer Work in Memorial Park
    Did you know Memorial Park Conservancy has a biocycling operation? The trees that were taken down in the aftermath of the drought were mulched in the Park. Since then, those same trees have been decomposing and transforming into more than an acre of fertile soil. With a little time and TLC from our Conservation staff and volunteers, the soil will be used in Master Plan projects across the Park. Volunteers were busy last month transplanting healthy pine trees to the future site of Eastern Glades before work on the biocycle begins. Volunteer with MPC.
  20. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
    Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 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.

    • Hatching Fish: The Dundee Fish Hatchery is back in business after shutting down due to drought.
    • Seeking Squirrel: Join a father and his daughter as they hunt squirrels in east Texas.
    • River Reclamation: Some central Texas citizens help restore damaged habitat along the Colorado River.
  21. Additional Upcoming Events

http://cechouston.org/category/green-jobs/ 

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