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Houston Environmental News Update February 19, 2020
February 19, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update February 19, 2020

Vote! Picnic for the Park, The Messenger at Discovery Green, Environmental Career Forum, Houston Youth Climate Forum, Green Jobs, and more

Unless you live under a rock–which is especially difficult in the gumbo ‘soil’ in much of our region–you know that early voting has started in advance of the Super Tuesday primary elections on March 3, 2020. In addition to national races (president, senator, representatives), we have the opportunity to vote on many statewide and local candidates. 

Not sure whether you are registered or how to register? You can visit votetexas.gov or contact the voter registrar for your county (listed below).

As always, we encourage you to visit the League of Women Voters of Houston to learn more about candidates. The League, which is celebrating 100 years of service, is nonpartisan organization that believes in the power of every person to create a more perfect democracy–and they have a great voters guide.

Speaking of voting, CEC had the opportunity to hear from former Vice President Al Gore, as he launched the Climate Reality Action Fund’s nonpartisan Vote Your Future: Vote Climate at Texas Southern University with Dr. Robert Bullard earlier today. This campaign is building a national movement of climate voters, mobilizing young people, parents, and professionals across America to vote for their future and vote for real climate solutions. Start by registering to vote, then voting, and encouraging other people to vote (which you can do even if you are unable to vote). It was inspiring! 

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.

CEC NOTES

Earth Day Houston

Earth Day Houston, part of the 50th worldwide observance, will be held at Discovery Green on Sunday, April 19, 2020.

Conservation, Ecology, and Environmental Science Career Forum

On Feb. 22, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston Community College’s Southeast Campus will host the 4th Annual Conservation, Ecology, and Environmental Science Career Forum. Local experts will share their career pathway experiences, and offer tips and advice to help students navigate the transition to the working world. For more information and to register, visit constantcontact.com.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have endeavored to confirm the opportunities listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.

Houston designated Bird City by Texas Parks and Wildlife and Audubon Texas

Houston is one of four Texas cities honored with the Bird City designation from Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s inaugural Bird City Texas certification program. This new, community-focused certification program has been created to help people protect birds and their habitats. 
“This certification recognizes the significant bird conservation efforts by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Houston Audubon, and many other organizations throughout the greater Houston area,” said Kelli Ondracek, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Natural Resources Manager. “We will continue to work collaboratively with our partners to advance habitat restoration and education efforts to benefit birds and other wildlife.” To read the full press release, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Houston Public Media: Houston Partners With Global Cities On “Living With Water” Flooding Report

Houston is one of many cities across the world studying flood risk as part of an international group called 100 Resilient Cities. Houston joined the collaboration in August 2018, one year after Hurricane Harvey. With six federally-declared flooding disasters in the past five years, Houston is working on a global approach to preparing for the next storm. Some of the city’s goals are outlined in a new report, “Living With Water.”  See the full story from Houston Public Media.

Houston Public Media: Houston’s New Resiliency Plan A Good ‘First Step,’ Expert Says

Houston recently released a strategic plan with new goals to reduce flooding and prepare for climate change, a move one climate expert called a good “first step” toward a larger push to make Houston and Texas safer from the threats posed by climate change. The plan calls for removing all habitable structures from the floodway by 2030, transitioning the City to 100% renewable energy in all municipal operations by 2025, and planting 4.6 million new native trees. See the full story from Houston Public Media.

L.A.N.D.S. Outreach Teacher Workshops registration now open

Learning Across New Dimensions in Science (L.A.N.D.S.) Outreach Workshops are six (6) hour hands-on 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. Workshops will be held throughout the greater Houston area June 1-July 22, 2020. For more information and to register, visit texas-wildlife.org.

Picnic for the Park

On Feb. 20, 2020, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Memorial Park Conservancy will hold its annual “Picnic for the Park” fundraiser gala at the Omni Hotel Houston. The Picnic for the Park raises critical funds for the day-to-day care of Memorial Park including its vast urban trail network that provides enjoyment, well-being, and connectivity for the millions of people who love Memorial Park. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit memorialparkconservancy.org.

What Do Mushrooms Do All Day?

On Feb. 20, 2020, beginning at 6:45 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold its monthly meeting featuring a presentation by Teri MacArthur on how mushrooms work – their niche in ecosystems and especially in forested environments. Attendees will gain a better understanding of why we need decomposers and networking microbes for the health of our forests. The event will be held at the American Red Cross building. For more information, visit npsot.org.

The Messenger at Discovery Green

On Feb. 21, 2020, from 6-9 p.m., Houston Audubon and Discovery Green will present a screening of The Messenger, a documentary about people’s connection to songbirds, as part of the program series supporting “Paloma”, a public art installation of 200 colorful aluminum “origami” birds which are illuminated after dusk and accompanied by choreographed sounds. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Tree Planting at Exploration Green

On Feb. 22, 2020, from 8 a.m.-noon, Exploration Green will hold a volunteer tree-planting event its Phase 2 between Reseda Dr. and El Dorado Blvd. For more information, see the Facebook event.

#ParksByYou Day

On Feb. 22, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston Parks Board will host #ParksByYou Day at two sites on two different bayous — Watonga Parkway Park and Coolgreen Corridor — in which volunteers will plant and scatter seeds that will establish healthy, native prairie and forest habitat in areas of need. For more information and to sign up, visit houstonparksboard.org.

Tree Planting at Willow Waterhole Conservancy

On Feb. 22, 2020, from 9-11 a.m., Trees for Houston will host a volunteer tree-planting event at the Willow Waterhole Conservancy. Trees For Houston will provide all planting materials (gloves and shovels). Minors are welcome as long as they have a chaperone with them at all times. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Houston Youth Climate Summit

On Feb. 22, 2020, from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., several environmental organizations will co-host the Houston Youth Climate Summit, open to young adults (15-25 years old). Environmental policy experts and community leaders will share how Houston can be at the forefront of climate justice. The event will be held at Texas Southern University. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

The Wonders of Soil

On Feb. 23, 2020, from 6-7 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church will host a webinar featuring John Ferguson, soil scientist and owner of Nature’s Way Resource, who will discuss the wonders of soil. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Managing Prairies with Diversity in Mind

On Feb. 26, 2020, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will hold its monthly meeting featuring a presentation by Tim Siegmund, Teas Parks and Wildlife Private Lands Program Leader, titled “Managing Prairies with Diversity in Mind.” The meeting will be held at the American Red Cross building. For more information, visit houstonprairie.org.

Invasive Plant? Just Pull It!

On Feb. 26 and 27, 2020, beginning at 9 a.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens, to mark National Invasive Species Week, will hold invasive plant species removal events at the West Side Arboretum. While you work, learn to identify invasive species and why invasive, non-native plant species pose a threat to the local ecosystem. For more information, see the Facebook event.

The Great Plant Switch! From Invasive to Inviting

On Feb. 26, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon, Mercer Botanic Gardens will celebrate National Invasive Species Awareness Week by discussing invasive plant species in the Texas Gulf Coast region and how they affect the local environment. Local experts will discuss the effects of invasive plant species in our public lands and our own backyards. Learn which Texas native plants can be selected to replace invasive species in your garden. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Houston Incentives for Green Development

On Feb. 26, 2020, from 6-8 p.m., the City of Houston’s Green Building Development Center will host a seminar on incentives for green development in the city, led by Laura Patino, Recovery Chief of Staff in the Mayor’s Office; Michael Bloom, P.E., of RG Miller Engineers; and Anna Farrell-Sherman of Environment Texas. For more information and to RSVP, visit codegreenhouston.org.

Surfside Chats 2020: ROVing the Gulf

On Feb. 26, 2020, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration will present its final “Surfside Chat” at the NOAA Galveston Lab. The title of the chat is “What’s New in the Blue?” The event is also available as a free webinars. For more information and to register, visit flowergarden.noaa.gov.

Birdathon 2020 registration opens Feb. 27

Houston Audubon will present Birdathon 2020, the birder’s equivalent to a walkathon from March 20-May 11, 2020. Teams of two or more compete to count as many bird species as possible in a consecutive 24-hour period. Birdathon is primarily a fundraiser, so teams also compete to raise the most money for the best cause: bird conservation. Registration will begin on Feb. 27, and a Kick-Off Workshop will be held on March 8. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Regional Air Quality Planning Advisory Committee meeting

On Feb. 27, 2020, beginning at 2 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Regional Air Quality Planning Advisory Committee will hold a meeting at the H-GAC offices, 3555 Timmons Lane. On the agenda is “An Introduction to Air Quality in the Houston-Galveston Bay Region” by Graciela Lubertino, H-GAC Principal Planner. RAQPAC meetings are open to the public. For more information, visit h-gac.com.

Macroplastics and River Pollution Seminar

On Feb. 27, 2020, from 3:30-5 p.m., Texas A&M Galveston will host a seminar on microplastics and river pollution with Dr. Tim van Emmerik of the Ocean Cleanup and The Netherlands’ Wageningen University. He will discuss the danger of macroplastics in river systems, cleanup efforts, and how we can help keep our rivers healthy. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Climate Reality Leadership Corps training in San Antonio

Former U.S. Vice President and Climate Reality Project Chairman Al Gore will be in San Antonio from April 14-16, 2020 to train several hundred local activists to raise awareness of the climate crisis and organize their communities for action. The training will include sessions on using digital advocacy tools to move public opinion, and communicating about the urgency of the climate crisis and the abundant solutions in our hands today with diverse audiences throughout their communities. The deadline to register is Feb. 28. To learn more and register, visit climaterealityproject.org.

Understanding Houston Data Party: Nonprofit Partners

On Feb. 28, 2020, from 9-11 a.m., Understanding Houston, a collaboration between the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, will host a presentation about an interactive session, specifically designed for nonprofits, to learn how to use the Understanding Houston database website and apply learnings to their work. visit understandinghouston.org.

2020 Wildlife Beach Cleanup

On Feb. 29, 2020, from 8:30 a.m.-noon, multiple conservation nonprofits will host the first-ever Wildlife Beach Cleanup at Bolivar Peninsula. Volunteers will clean the beaches of plastics and other materials that threaten nesting birds and other wildlife. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Wetland Walkabout

On Feb. 29, 2020, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Galveston Bay Foundation and the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) will host a “Wetland Walkabout” at Exploration Green’s Phase One. The free event will feature wildlife watching, wetland tours, iNaturalist training, and more. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Gulf Research Program’s Science Policy Fellowship applications due March 4

The National Academies Gulf Research Program’s Science Policy Fellows gain first-hand professional experience as they spend one year alongside decision-makers at agencies across Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. With ideas, passion, and depth of knowledge in science and research, Fellows share their backgrounds to better inform decision-making. Fellows will build professional skills with the guidance of a mentor and network with colleagues, current and past fellows, and experts at the National Academies. The application deadline is March 4, 2020, at 4 p.m. CT. For more information, visit nationalacademies.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.

  • “Lions of West Texas” chronicles the mountain lion research conducted in the Davis Mountains of west Texas by the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University
  • Green sea turtles have been showing up on south Texas beaches in larger numbers than ever. Dr. Donna Shaver, her team, and a great network of people have been busier than usual rescuing stuck or stranded turtles that need a little help getting to safety
  • Postcard from Texas: Leafy trees sway in the faintest breeze around the quiet waters of Fort Boggy State Park

Additional Upcoming Events

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