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Houston Environmental News Update December 8, 2021
December 9, 2021

Houston Environmental News Update December 8, 2021

4th Annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival, Christmas Bird Counts, Gingerbread Build-Off, Holiday with the Cranes, Green Jobs and more

CEC’s Wild About Houston Green Film Festival returns in 2021 with an exciting lineup of short films about Greater Houston’s environment.

Join CEC for the 4th Annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival, showcasing more than a dozen short films from the Greater Houston Area that tell the story of local environmental issues, their champions, and how you can make a difference.

The in-person event will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021 at MECA (1900 Kane St. 77007) following an informal open house as part of CEC’s 50th Anniversary. We will also be celebrating CEC’s environmental education program and its partnership with the Texas Association of Environmental Educators and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary.

  • 5:30pm – Open House (food, beer, really good water, and, best of all, great company)
  • 7pm – Film Festival (laugh, cry, and be inspired)

Reserve your spot at the
Wild About Houston
Green Film Festival

Event attendees will have a chance to vote to determine which films will be shown at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour, hosted by CEC in January 2022. For COVID safety, face masks will be required while inside the building and temperatures will be checked upon arrival.

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

And our venue (and CEC’s office location) :

CEC NOTES

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Engage your students with lessons outdoors or virtually. Sign up today at hereinhouston.org.

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Call with EPA Acting Regional Administrator David Gray

On Dec. 9, 2021, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., EPA Region 6 Acting Administrator David Gray will hold a call with regional Environmental Justice stakeholders. Region 6 serves Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, and 66 Tribal Nations. Connect to the call at usepa.zoomgov.com.

Public Hearing on Intercontinental Terminals Company LLC’s Proposed Renewal of Federal Operating Permit

On Dec. 9, 2021, beginning at 7 p.m., the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will hold a virtual public hearing on Intercontinental Terminals Company LLC’s Proposed Renewal of Federal Operating Permit to authorize operation of the ITC Pasadena Terminal located at 1030 Ethyl Road in Pasadena. Find the hearing agenda and ways to participate at tceq.texas.gov.

Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force meeting

The next meeting of the Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force will be held on Dec. 16, 2021, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This meeting will take place via Zoom and membes of the public can attend by registering on Eventbrite at this link. The agenda is posted on the CFRTF website at cfrtf.harriscountytx.gov. Members of the public are allowed to observe the meetings and each meeting will have a short public comment period at the end. 

Sunset Survey on the Texas Water Development Board

The Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) mission, operations, and performance are undergoing Sunset review as directed by the Texas Legislature in the Texas Sunset Act. The Sunset Advisory Commission is evaluating TWDB’s operations and will make recommendations to the Legislature on how to improve the agency’s effectiveness, efficiency, fairness, and accountability. The Sunset Commission’s staff is seeking stakeholders’ input to identify problems and propose workable solutions for agencies under Sunset review. Please complete the Sunset survey on TWDB by Monday, December 20 at 5 p.m. Completing the survey should take about 15 minutes. Join the email list at the end of the survey for updates on the Sunset staff report and public hearings on TWDB. Visit the Sunset website, www.sunset.texas.gov, to learn more about the Sunset review process. If you have specific questions about the Sunset review on TWDB, please contact Darren McDivitt at (512) 463‐1992 or Darren.McDivitt@sunset.texas.gov.

San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group

The San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group is seeking a new Small Business voting member representative. If you know anyone who may be interested in this position, please feel free to forward the notice. They will be accepting applications by mail to ATTN: SJRFPG –Fatima Berrios, 10555 Northwest Fwy, Suite 120, Houston, TX 77092; and email to SanJacFldPG@eng.hctx.net until January 3, 2022. 

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have endeavored to confirm the opportunities listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts, particularly in light of concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Texas Environmental News: A fork in the road for Texas officials on climate-altering methane pollution

“Texas is at a turning point with regard to climate-disrupting, health-damaging methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.” writes Bill Dawson in Texas Climate News. “Related developments in Washington and Glasgow, Scotland, last month could mark the beginning of the end of the long controversy over Texas state officials’ opposition to aggressive government action to reduce methane releases. On the other hand, the paired announcements on both sides of the Atlantic may start just another chapter in the state’s persistent efforts to block federal action to combat climate change.” Read the full story at texasclimatenews.org.

Report: Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste

The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine recently released a report on the contributions of the United States to global ocean plastic waste. This report, “Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste,” funded by the NOAA Marine Debris Program, evaluates the prevalence of marine debris and mismanaged plastic waste, examines the import and export of plastic waste to and from the United States, and assesses the potential value of a national marine debris monitoring system. Find the full report and download a free PDF at nap.edu.

Port Houston publishes Environmental, Social, Safety, and Governance report

In 2021, Port Houston’s Commissioners set a corporate goal for 2021 to establish an action plan for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). In the case of Port Houston, the acronym became ES2G as “Safety” criteria were added. Port Houston conducted a series of workshops known as the Sustainability Action Team (SAT) Workshops. These events engaged Port Houston’s stakeholders on the important question: “What more can Port Houston do to promote sustainability?” From there, a Sustainability Action Plan was developed. Find the Port’s Sustainability Action Plan and the ES2G report at porthouston.com.

EPA Healthy Environmental Living Program Grant opportunity

The U.S. EPA recently announced the availability of funds and solicits applications that work directly with communities to reduce environmental risk to protect and improve human health and the quality of life. The Healthy Environmental Living Program (HELP) will achieve this through identifying and funding projects that: assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risk; increase collaboration through community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems; build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems; achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits; reduce pollution at the source; and advance emergency preparedness and resilience. The closing date for applications is Jan 28, 2022. For more information and to apply, visit grants.gov.

Christmas Bird Counts

The 122nd annual Christmas Bird Count is December 14, 2021, through January 5, 2022. Organized by the National Audubon Society, this all-volunteer effort takes a snapshot of bird populations to monitor their status and distribution across the Western Hemisphere. The results are compiled into a database that is shared with federal, state, and private authorities. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels. Discover new areas to bird which may not be normally accessible and take advantage of this great opportunity to bird with some of our foremost birding experts. There is no fee to participate in Christmas Bird Counts. Learn more about the counts–including a few dozen within a two-hour drive of downtown Houston–at HoustonAudubon.org. 

Houston Sierra Club meeting: Galveston Bay Report Card 2021 and GBF Updates

On Dec. 9, 2021, from 7:30-9 p.m., the Houston Sierra Club chapter will hold a virtual meeting featuring a presentation by staff members of the Galveston Bay Foundation on the findings of the 2021 Galveston Bay Report Card and other GBF news. The annual Galveston Bay Report Card is a citizen-driven, scientific analysis of the health of Galveston Bay. Supported by grants, and implemented by the Galveston Bay Foundation and the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), the report card’s goal is to engage community members in meaningful discussion about Bay health topics. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest and Calendar

The NOAA Marine Debris Program holds an annual art contest to reach K-8 students and help raise awareness about marine debris. The resulting calendar, featuring the winning artwork, provides a daily reminder of how important it is for us to be responsible stewards of the ocean. Students are highly encouraged to check out resources on this website for information about marine debris. All students in kindergarten through eighth grade from all U.S. states and territories in recognized public, private, and home schools are eligible to participate. Entries are due by Dec. 10, 2021. For full rules and entry information, visit marinedebris.noaa.gov.

Walk on the Wild Side

On Dec. 11, 2021, from 10-11 a.m., the Nature Discovery Center will host a socially distanced walk through the park to see lizards, peer into the trees for looks at birds, discover the latest blooms and their pollinators in our Pocket Prairie, spy on the secret life of animals that hide under logs, and investigate more seasonal nature surprises! Learn some tips to explore nature with your family in your own backyard or on your travels. This event is a family event for kids 4 and up with their parents or adult caregivers. For more information and to register, visit naturediscoverycenter.org.

Gingerbread Build-Off

On Dec. 11, 2021, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Architecture Center Houston will host the 12th Annual Gingerbread Build-Off at Levy Park in Bellaire. Competing teams will create their masterpieces using 100% edible materials. More than 4,000 spectators are expected to attend and cheer on the teams, play in the kids’ construction zone, and see Santa. All of that entertainment is free and open to the public. For more information, visit aiahouston.org

OHBA Masquerade Yule Ball

On Dec. 11, 2021, from 6-8 p.m., the Organic Horticulture Benefits Alliance will hold its Annual Masquerade Yule Ball at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. This end of the year celebration will include delicious food and drinks, live music and magical entertainment, and much more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ohba.app.neoncrm.com.

Holiday with the Cranes

From Dec. 11-12, 2021, the Galveston Nature Tourism Council will hold its annual “Holiday with the Cranes” celebration. This is a unique holiday experience, in which participants spend a the weekend in Galveston celebrating the return of the Island’s Sandhill Cranes. The weekend includes indoor and outdoor nature activities combined with the ambience and hospitality of historic Galveston Island. For more information and to register, visit galvestonnaturetourism.org. (Many events are sold out or wait-list only.)

GCBO Experience Auction

Consider bidding on one or more items in the Gulf Coast Birds Observatory’s online Bird Experience Auction through Dec. 12, 2021. Over 40 bird-related auction items include local, state, and national experiences.

Texas Watershed Coordinator Roundtable

On Dec. 13, 2021, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Texas Water Resources Institute will host a virtual roundtable for water and natural resource professionals. The meeting will include two panels: an agency panel for program updates and a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension panel discussing continued engagement with stakeholders in response to COVID-19. A breakout room session and a group discussion focusing on programming responses to stakeholder engagement will occur after the panels. For more information and to register, visit twri.tamu.edu.

9 Natives Showcase Garden Volunteer Day

On Dec. 13, 2021, from 9:30 a.m.-noon, Katy Prairie Conservancy will host a volunteer event at the 9 Natives Showcase Garden outside the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Volunteers will maintain the garden by cutting back seedheads, arranging new growth areas for specific plants, and conducting regular weeding. Volunteers of all ages and experience are welcome to join this come-and-go event. For more details, contact Lan Shen at lshen@katyprairie.org.

Houston Climate Movement meeting: Urban Heat and Nature-Based Solutions

On Dec. 14, 2021, beginning at 7 p.m., the Houston Climate Movement will hold its December Monthly Meeting featuring a presentation by Jaime González of the Nature Conservancy, who will discussing Urban Heat and Nature-Based Solutions. González works with communities in Greater Houston to co-create a healthier, more climate resilient, equitable, better-connected, and more biologically rich region using nature-based solutions. The presentation will be followed by a discussion of what residents can do to strengthen building codes and a general meeting. Register at zoom.us.

Tree-Rific Volunteers

On Dec. 15, 2021, from 9-10 a.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens invites volunteers to care for nursery trees by giving them some tender love and care. The work is outdoors, so come prepared to get your hands dirty. Bring gloves and a refillable water bottle. Meet at The Mercer Society’s Horticultural Propagation Center, approximately one mile from Mercer at 3602 Hirschfield Road in Spring. Register online at hcp4.net/mercer/events. For more information, call 281-353-8100 or email legacytrees@hcp4.net.

Energy Transition in Texas and Globally

On Dec. 15, 2021, beginning at 7 p.m., the City of Bellaire’s Environmental Sustainability Board will hold an online learning academy. This fourth webinar in a series will highlight the energy transition in Texas and around the globe with an interactive presentation from Dr. Dan Cohan of the Rice University Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, moderated by ESB Chair Rajiv Pandya. Register at zoom.us.

Mercer Botanic Gardens Volunteer Orientation

On Dec. 16, 2021, 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 hcp4.net.

Bird Banding at Gulf Coast Bird Observatory

On Dec. 18, 2021, from 8 a.m.-noon, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will hold a free, in-person bird banding event at its headquarters at 299 Hwy 332 West, Lake Jackson, where licensed banders Robert and Kay Lookingbill will demonstrate banding birds. 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.

MacGregor Park Volunteer Event

On Dec. 18, 2021, from 9 a.m.-noon, join Friends of MacGregor Park and Houston Parks Board for a park volunteer event, including tree planting along Braes Bayou and park clean-up in needed. Please park north at the community center/covered basketball court, 5225 Calhoun Rd. All tools and gloves will be provided. For more information and to sign up, visit houstonparksboard.volunteerhub.com.

Agents of Discovery: Sims Bayou at S. Post Oak Road

Through Feb. 4, 2022, the Houston Parks Board is hosting an Agents of Discovery mission where players will investigate a new prairie and bioswale area along Sims Bayou. Players will discover the purpose behind a bioswale and why native plants are important to our bats and birds! They will also get a chance to see the newest mural on Sims Bayou, a project of UP Art Studio made possible by Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum of District K, 5 Corners District, and TIRZ 9. For more information, visit houstonparksboard.org.

H-GAC offers assistance with conservation projects

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

How Texas Parks and Wildlife Protects At-Risk Species Across the State

In the latest Houston & Nature podcast, Nivien Salah speaks with Ted Hollingsworth, director of the Land Conservation Program of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He explains how the Department uses the best science to conserve habitat, while acknowledging that with more and more species pushed towards extinction, they have to make hard choices. Listen to the episode at houstonnature.com.

Environmental Justice Video Challenge for Students

EPA and partners have launched the Environmental Justice (EJ) Video Challenge for Students to enhance communities’ capacity to address environmental and public health inequities. The goals of the challenge are to 1) inspire students at accredited colleges and universities in the United States and its territories to work directly with communities in the identification and characterization of EJ challenges using data and publicly available tools, and 2) help communities (including residents and other stakeholders) address EJ challenges and/or vulnerabilities to environmental and public health hazards using data and publicly available tools. Learn more about the challenge and how to participate at epa.gov. Due April 22, 2022.

Reminders About Ongoing Opportunities

  • Living the Change Discussion Group. Through Dec. 14, 2021, the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston is hosting a weekly virtual discussion group in which participants can consider how they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to energy, transportation and food, based on the Walk on Earth Gently principles. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
  • All Creation Waits Discussion Group. Through Dec. 22, 2021, Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church is hosting a weekly virtual discussion of the book All Creation Waits by Gayle Boss. The book features intimate portraits of wild animals and their adaptations to the cold and dark of winter. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
  • Your Body Your Air. The Houston Public Library invites you to learn about types and sources of air pollution in Houston and the effect they have on our bodies in The Health Museum’s new exhibit Your Body Your Air. Created in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, Your Body Your Air can be seen at various Houston Public Library locations through February 2022. Learn more at houstonlibrary.org.

TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife

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

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

Additional Upcoming Events

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