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January 13, 2015

Houston Environmental News Update January 13, 2015

THANK YOU everyone who responded to our year end appeals for support. Your generosity is critical to the support of our programs, including this newsletter. With your help, we pay for the email service, the staff time and interns, the rent, computers, and internet service–and a whole lot more.

If you are still looking for a way to support the CEC, consider buying tickets to the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on January 29. Read on for more info.

CEC NOTES

  1.  Wild & Scenic Film Festival January 29, 2015Join the CEC on January 29, 2015, at the River Oaks Theatre as it hosts the first Texas screening of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour! Wild & Scenic On Tour partners with environmental groups, college and university groups, nature centers, and museums across the country to host the festival as a way to outreach into their communities and bring together an audience of diverse affiliations. On Tour hosts bring the issues featured in these films to the local level to show how global issues affect everyone.The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is the largest film festival of its kind in the United States and serves as a national platform for local environmental advocacy.Great gift idea!!! Order tickets via Eventbrite:
    http://wild-scenic-cechouston.eventbrite.com/?aff=efbevent
  2. Save the Dates. In addition to the film festival, the CEC has some great events planned for next year, and we hope you can join us. More details are coming soon, but for now, please save the dates!
    • March 3, 2015: CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Summit
    • April 1, 2015: Environmental Poetry and Puns

COALITION NOTES

  1. Eco-Ology Radio Program on KPFT. Don’t forget to tune in to 90.1 FM KPFT on Tuesdays at 3pm for the Eco-Ology Radio Program! The program is dedicated to local hero’s at the forefront of environmental action, ecology in and for our community, social justice, health, and spirit. Produced by Patricia Greer, HC Clark and Cath Conlon. Technical support provided by Laura Slavin. Find out more at http://eco-ology.org.
  2. 15th Annual Fruit Tree Sale. The annual Fruit Tree Sale is an Urban Harvest fundraiser, to support to the work Urban Harvest does in to sustain a healthier Houston community. Come out and support Urban Harvest by purchasing a fruit tree! The sale will be held on January 17, 2015, 9am-1pm at Greenbriar Lot. The sale will continue until 1pm, or until trees sell out. Learn more at http://urbanharvest.org.
  3. GCBO’s Raptor Rodeo. Help GCBO document the status of wintering raptors and support the Smith Point Hawk Watch at the same time! The Smith Point Hawk Watch is one of only four Gulf coast hawk watches and one of only two that capture the bulk of the Mississippi and Swallow – tailed Kite migration, yet there are no funds to support a paid counter. Your $50 Raptor Rodeo entrance fee will help GCBO meet their funding goal for the watch and provide you with a day of fun searching for raptors anywhere you’d like! Choose any day between January 15, 2015 and February 28, 2015. This is a contest to see who can spot the highest number of raptors in a 24-hour period. Read the full list of rules at www.gcbo.org.
  4. Pizza with a Purpose benefiting Air Alliance Houston. Visit California Pizza Kitchen in River Oaks on January 15, 2015, 11am-10pm, and donate 20% of your check to Air Alliance Houston! Purchases include dine in, take out, catering, and all beverages. Don’t forget to bring the flyer!
  5. Grand Opening of the Johnny Steele Dog Park. Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership on January 17, 2015, 1-4pm, at the new Johnny Steele Dog Park (Allen Parkway and Montrose Boulevard). You’ll be amazed by all of the new amenities including large and small dog ponds, washing stations, and special seating areas! Come participate in the Dog & Dog Owner Look-Alike Contest and get picture-perfect (or silly) in a photobooth hosted by Photobomb Photobooths. Learn more at http://buffalobayou.org.
  6. 2014 Parks and Natural Areas Award Awards Reception. The 2014 Parks and Natural Areas Award Awards Reception will be held on January 20, 2015, at 10:45am after the regular meeting of the H-GAC Board of Directors. H-GAC is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 Parks and Natural Areas Award competition. These projects serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region.
    1. Go Native, a project by the City of Missouri City, is the winner in the Policy Tools category. The Go Native policy was established with the help of Missouri City Green volunteers to transform a few of the city’s high maintenance landscapes with more adaptable native landscapes.
    2. Brazos River Recreation Master Plan, a project by Fort Bend Green, is the winner in the Planning Process category. The plan identified recreation and conservation opportunities for Fort Bend County, and clarified projects and partners to work across jurisdictional boundaries to meet a regional goal. Planning Process Honorable Mention project is Creation of Evelyn’s Park, a project by Evelyn’s Park Conservancy.
    3. Ghirardi Family WaterSmart Park, a project by the City of League City, is the winner in the Projects Over $500K category. The park was created to educate the public on best water management practices, while providing an open space for recreation and research.
    4. Baytown Nature Center 11-acre Wetlands Construction Project, a project by the City of Baytown, is the winner in the Projects Under $500K category. Constructed in May 2014, this project transformed over 11 acres of degraded land into high-quality tidal wetlands at the Baytown Nature Center. Projects Under $500K Honorable Mention project is Irene Stern Butterfly Garden, a project by the City of Fulshear.
  7. Environment Enforcement Roundtable: Environmental Enforcement and Small Business Assistance. Do you ever investigate small businesses such as surface coating facilities and auto salvage yards that want to do the right thing, but just don’t know how? Have you ever wondered what kind of help is available for small businesses or who you can refer them to? If you’d like to learn more about this topic then join us for the upcoming roundtable to hear from Jennifer Amelang, with the TCEQ Local Government and Small Business Assistance Program, and from David Spellmeyer, with OSHA’s Consultation Program. The roundtable will be held on January 22, 2015, 10am-noon at the H-GAC office. This is a free event. Please RSVP for the Roundtable by January 21, 2015. For more information or to RSVP please contact Erin Livingston at 832-681-2525 or erin.livingston@h-gac.com.
  8. Keep Hermann Park Green: Plant a Tree. Join Hermann Park Conservancy on January 24 or January 31, 2015, from 9am-noon, for a great volunteer opportunity in honor of Arbor Day. Come dig in and plant some trees! Individuals and families are welcome and no tree planting experience is necessary. Tools will be provided but you can bring your own. The trees have been donated by CenterPoint Energy and the Apache Corporation. For more information, e-mail volunteer@hermannpark.org.
  9. CWI Workshop: Water Quality Case Studies. Please join H-GAC for its first CWI workshop of 2015 on January 28, 2015 from 1:30-4pm at H-GAC. The topic is Water Quality Case Studies. Speakers will discuss case studies regarding WWTF bacteria sampling, OSSF tracking, and use of cameras to assist in environmental investigations. Speakers include Heather Maloney of TCEQ, Andrew Isbell of Walker County, Stephen Dicker of the Houston Police Department, and Erin Livingston of H-GAC. Register at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com.
  10. Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership Meeting. The Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership is a group of local stakeholders from the communities surrounding Cedar Bayou with the purpose is to seek voluntary ways to restore and protect our local waterway. The next meeting will be on January 29, 2015, 5:30-7:30pm, at the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center. Never been to a meeting? It’s not to late to get involved! This meeting is open to anyone who has an interest in the public health, economy, and environment of the Cedar Bayou watershed, and shaping decisions affecting the water quality in the community. Learn more at www.cedarbayouwatershed.com.
  11. Resetting the Meter: Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Parking. Commuters aren’t the only ones suffering as Texas roadways reach unprecedented levels of congestion. Population growth also means that valuable, undeveloped land will need to be converted into parking lots, which can affect everything from plant and animal life to climate. Traditionally-designed parking areas contribute greatly to storm water runoff, water and soil pollution, excess heat, and aesthetic blight. In response, some builders are turning to new economically and ecologically viable practices and solutions to create parking spaces for a more sustainable, livable urban and suburban landscape. Anyone interested in learning how to create and maintain parking spaces using low-impact practices is invited to attend a one-day conference on January 30, 2015, 8am-3:30pm at the Big Stone Lodge at Dennis Johnston Park in Spring. Expert presenters will share e–Mercer Societyffective methods and strategies to create environmentally-harmonious parking schemes that also have potential to enhance their surroundings. For more information call The Mercer Society at 281-443-8731.
  12. State of the Air 2015. Air Alliance Houston is hosting the State of the Air 2015, on February 3, from 11am-1pm at Season’s 52. Come for food, networking, fundraising, and updates about Houston’s air quality. The featured speaker this year is Dr. Robert Bullard. Robert D. Bullard is often described as the father of environmental justice. Professor Bullard received his Ph.D. degree from Iowa State University. He is the author of eighteen books that address sustainable development, environmental racism, urban land use, industrial facility siting, community reinvestment, housing, transportation, climate justice, emergency response, smart growth, and regional equity. Tickets are $35. Register at http://ezregister.com.
  13. New Geology Program – The Woods Project. The Woods Project is thrilled to be announcing its first new summer program in seven years! This summer, in addition to their other programs, TWP be taking a group of 18 Houston high school students to explore the unique landscape and geology of Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area. The program will combine hands-on lessons at a college-level geology field camp, activities led by the rangers at Yellowstone National Park, and a 4 night backpack trip in some of the most remote and breathtaking landscapes that this country has to offer. This program will be open to ALL Houston area current 10th and 11th graders, with an 80% scholarship given to students that qualify for free and reduced lunch. Applications are due on February 4, 2015. For more details and to access the Geology Student Application, please visit www.thewoodsproject.org.
  14. Houston Zoo and Teton Science School Summer Family Adventure. The Houston Zoo is partnering with Teton Science Schools for a one-of-a-kind family adventure program in one of the world’s most beautiful and wildlife abundant hotspots: The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone! Enjoy the dramatic landscape and the abundant wildlife viewing opportunities with your family. Participate in citizen science projects that contribute to saving animals in North America! The trip will be from July 8-13, 2015. The cost for the first family member is $1,995, and $1,249 for each subsequent family member sharing the same room at the Jackson Campus. Learn more at www.houstonzoo.org.
  15. Additional Upcoming Events
    • 1/19/2015-1/21/2015: International Low Impact Development Conference. CEC is pleased to be a Cooperating Organization
    • 1/29/2015 (save the date): Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour, hosted by the CEC. First time ever in Texas!
    • 1/31/2015 (deadline): Air Alliance Houston Earth Day Art Contest
    • 3/3/2015 (save the date): CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Summit

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. TPWD Local Park Grants. Recreation Grants is now accepting applications for the Urban Outdoor, Non-urban Outdoor, and Small Community Local Park Grant Programs. Applications are being accepted through the online portal at https://tpwd-recgrants.fluidreview.com. If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, contact rec.grants@tpwd.texas.gov or 512-389-8224. The deadline is March 31, 2015.
  2. U.S. Climate Action in an Era of Congressional Hostility presented by Michael Gerrard. On January 13, 2015, Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, will explore policy-making at the intersection of urgent environmental concerns and long-term energy demands. He will address the makeup of the Congress and the likelihood of effective climate change action in Washington this year. The presentation will be held at 4pm at the University of Houston, Cemo Hall, Room 101. RSVP to sacoates@uh.edu or 713-743-6530. More at www.uh.edu.
  3. EPA’s Gulf Guardian Awards. It’s time to recognize all those great programs that benefit the Gulf through EPA’s Gulf Guardian Awards. This is an exciting competition that rewards good Gulf stewards for their efforts with an award and recognition from their State and the EPA. The deadline is January 15, 2015. The categories for nomination are: Business/Industry, Environmental Justice/Cultural Diversity, Civic and Nonprofit Organizations, Youth Environmental Education, Individual, Partnerships and Bi-national. Learn more at www.epa.gov. Applications are due by January 15, 2015.
  4. An Evening with Kristin Ohlson. OHBA will be hosting ‘An Evening with Kristin Ohlson’ on January 29, 2015, 4-8pm at the United Way Building. Kristin Ohlson is the author of the soil will save us, “How Scientists, Farmers and Foodies are Healing the Soil to Save the Planet,” which is a critically acclaimed book that is changing how we look at and value soil. Kristin Ohlson is an independent journalist and New York Times bestselling author who will talk about the Ancient Partnership between Plants and Soil Organisms. Tickets are $55 for OHBA members and $75 for non-members. Order tickets at www.eventbrite.com.
  5. Children: Food and Environment Conference. The Children: Food and Environment Conference will be held February 4-6, 2015, in Austin. The conference will explore interactions between food and environmental factors and how these interactions affect children’s health. It will also highlight cutting edge science in these areas of study and engage participants in an event that will explore: how the interaction between food and environmental factors affect children’s health; and policy, regulatory, and further research implications. Register at www.greenmoonsolutions.com.
  6. Additional Community Announcements 
  7. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on municipal access cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Houston, 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.
    • Fishing for Cats
    • Martin Creek Lake State Park
    • Lone Star Land Steward: Laborcitas Ranch
    • Chester’s Island
  8. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
      • January 13, 2015:
      • January 14, 2015:
      • January 15, 2015:
      • January 16, 2015:

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