Houston Environmental News Update June 25, 2013
Houston Environmental News Update June 25, 2013
- Submit your information
- Houston City Council to vote on Parks By You
- Livable Houston Initiative: Jay Blazek Crossley will propose Neighborhood Greenways for Houston
- Gator Tale
- USGBC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter Dine-Around
- BTA Neches River Adventures
- Innovative Energy- and Water-Efficient Renovation Tour
- Jones Park: Texas Bound
- Attwater Prairie Chicken Van Tours
- Champion of Change
- 2013 Reuse Contest Building Competition
- OHBA Summer Plant Series
- Houston Green Chamber Mixer
- BikeTexas Survey
- The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Public Comment Period
- Patagonia Environmental Grants Program
- Support for Energy Efficiency Initiatives in Texas – First Choice Power: Reduce Your Use Grants
- Pest Management in Schools Supported
- Funding Available to Protect Endangered Species – Fish and Wildlife Service
- TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
- Air Quality Forecast
- Hamilton: Destruction of parks hurts all of Houston (Ann Hamilton, Opinion – Houston Chronicle, 6/22/2013)
- Record Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ may hurt billion-dollar fishing industry (Greg Barr – Houston Business Journal, 6/20/2013)
- Historic Houston tree cut down for development will be made into furniture (Cody Duty – Houston Chronicle, 6/17/2013)
- NEW! Uptown Houston seeks Project Manager for Memorial Park
- Memorial Park Conservancy seeks Conservation Director
- Air Alliance Houston seeks Part-Time Administrative Assistant
- Public Citizen (Austin) seeks Project Media Coordinator
- Sierra Club seeks Community Organizer
- Matagorda County seeks Extension Agent – Coastal and Marine Resources
- H-GAC seeks Senior Air Quality Planner
- The City of Houston seeks Administration Manager (Environmental)
- HARC seeks Intern for Website Content Development and Social Media Integration
- Buffalo Bayou Partnership seeks Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator
- Hermann Park Conservancy is currently seeking a full-time office manager/bookkeeper
SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS
- Submit your information. Do you know of something great going on? News? Events? Accomplishments? Jobs? Let us know! Send submittals to news@cechouston.org. If possible, send information by Friday for inclusion the following Tuesday. We especially like short paragraphs, catchy titles, third person, and links to more information, but we will work with whatever you send us. Calendar items can be submitted up to two years in advance.
- Houston City Council to vote on Parks By You. Last November, the citizens of Houston overwhelmingly endorsed a grand urban park system that would finally unite the major bayous throughout our city with parks and trails. On Wednesday, June 26, Houston’s City Council can put that vote from last fall into reality. The Houston Parks Board invites you to come help put this into action by watching this historic first vote to begin the process of implementation. RSVP here and arrive at 9:00 a.m.
- Livable Houston Initiative: Jay Blazek Crossley will propose Neighborhood Greenways for Houston. Houston is leading the nation in development of an ambitious regional off-road hike and bike network, the Bayou Greenways. At this Livable Houston Initiative meeting, Crossley will argue that now is the time to implement a complimentary Complete Streets approach to ensure that children in neighborhoods across Houston can safely access this investment via a proposed Neighborhood Greenways project. The Livable Houston Initiative meeting will take place on June 26, 2013 from noon-1:30pm at the H-GAC Building 2nd Floor and are free and open to the public. Bring your own lunch. http://cechouston.org/
- Gator Tales. Come to the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education Center on Wednesdays, June 12 through August 28, 10-11am for Gator Tales! Gator Tales is a free pre-school activity hour for children and their parents. Call 281-420-7128 or visit www.baytown.org for more information. The next Gator Tales will be on June 26, 2013.
- USGBC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter Dine-Around. Take this opportunity to meet up with other professionals in Houston who care about the green building movement and to develop a strong community and network. Discuss what you want out of the USGBC chapter, your career goals, job and project opportunities, visions, victories, and challenges. An on-site host from the chapter will help stir up the conversation and will be your point of contact with any dietary restrictions or site questions. $30 registration includes food; drinks are handled individually. The Dine-Around will happen on June 26, 2013, from 6:30-9pm. More at http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/.
- BTA Neches River Adventures. Enjoy a leisurely trip on the ecologically diverse Neches River and into the Big Thicket National Preserve. The public nature tours are scheduled for each Saturday morning, April through November, and disembarks at Riverfront Park in Beaumont. The tours include a Coast Guard certified captain, one first mate, and one BTA or National Parks facilitator. The tour boat is a 45 foot Coast Guard approved pontoon boat and its amenities include a covered open air deck, comfortable perimeter seating for 48 people, on-board restroom, and public address system. Private Charters also available. The next public tour is June 29, 2013, 10am-12pm at Riverfront Park (801 Main Street). Reservations are required. Call 409-651-5326. More at http://www.nechesriveradventures.org/.
- Innovative Energy- and Water-Efficient Renovation Tour. The Energy Action Group of Transition Houston has arranged for a special tour of the Stelzer-English residence! This home features many energy and water-saving features, including geoexchange (often called geothermal) heating and cooling, advanced insulation, underground water storage, and much more. Better yet, an existing home has been renovated, so that the embodied energy of the original construction has not been lost. The Energy group visited the home about a year and a half ago, as the home was nearing completion. This tour will give participants an opportunity to see the completed renovation and talk with the owners about their experience with comfort and savings in the home. The tour is on June 30, 2013 from 3-5pm. Registration is required, and attendance is limited to the first 15 registrants. More at http://www.transitionhouston.org/.
- Jones Park: Texas Bound! The Redbud Hill Homestead comes to life during this fun-filled, one-day camp for kids ages seven to 12. Using props, games and hands-on activities, day campers join together in “families†for a journey to Texas. Kids learn to survive the hardships of settler life, barter for goods and services, and quickly discover what they must do to make a successful new homestead and earn a settler’s land grant. Reservations are required and may be made beginning Wednesday, June l9. Texas Bound will take place on July 2, 2013 from 9am-2pm at the Redbud Hill Homestead of Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center.
- Attwater Prairie Chicken Van Tours. Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest remnants of coastal prairie habitat remaining in southeast Texas. It is home to one of the last populations of the critically endangered Attwater’s prairie-chicken, a ground-dwelling grouse of the coastal prairie ecosystem. The first Saturday of each month, a guided van tour of the refuge will take visitors on a free 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. The next tour will be on July 6, 2013 from 8-10am. Space is limited and reservations are required. Contact the refuge staff to reserve your spot on this interesting tour at (979) 234-3021, ext. 221 or 223.
- Champion of Change. Children’s Museum of Houston Education Director Cheryl McCallum was recognized by the White House as a Museum and Library “Champion of Change.†The White House’s Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity to feature groups of Americans—individuals, businesses, and organizations—who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities. McCallum was among a select group of 12-honorees saluted for providing powerful learning experiences and making a difference for their neighborhoods and for our nation. McCallum recently directed the development of the Family Literacy Involvement Program (FLIP), which made 2,280 activity kits available for loan to families through 34-library branches in Houston. The program has been replicated in many other cities around the U.S.
- 2013 Reuse Contest Building Competition. The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWD) Reuse Warehouse is coordinating Houston’s participation in the 2013 National Reuse Contest, sponsored by The Reuse People (TRP). Projects built primarily of used building materials and completed within the last year are eligible for submission. TRP will award gift certificates of $1,000, $500 and $250 to the first, second and third place winners of the National Contest, redeemable at a local reuse store to be determined, and will display annotated photos of the winning entries at various green building shows and expositions throughout the year. Houston entries, received by the August 31, 2013 deadline, will be judged by Mayor Annise Parker, businessman and philanthropist Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale and Dan Phillips of the Phoenix Commotion. The three winners, announced September 30, 2013, will automatically be entered in the national contest. TRP will select the national first, second and third place winners on October 30, 2013. Individuals in the greater Houston area interested in competing are requested to email a photo of their project to Reuse Warehouse Manager Keith Koski at reuse.warehouse@houstontx.gov. For a complete list of rules and participating stores and to see photos of previous contest winners, visit www.TheReUsePeople.org/reusecontest.
- OHBA Summer Plant Series. Don’t miss out on this fantastic event of delicious food, organic beer & wine, great education, the coolest people in Houston and exciting vendors. This event will take place on June 25, 2013, 4-7 pm, at 50 Waugh Drive. The cost is $15 for OHBA members and $25 for non-members. Speakers include Chris Wiesinger, President and Owner of The Southern Bulb Co. and Mike Alexander, Danny Yarbrough & Casey Sherwood of New Nurseries. More at http://cechouston.org/.
- Houston Green Chamber Mixer. Join the Houston Green Chamber of Commerce Mixer after business hours drink. Engage in real-time collaboration and pay-it-forward networking with Houston sustainable business leaders. Gain key insights on how you can help in creating a vibrant green local economy committed to personal, social and environmental conscious responsibility. June 27, 2013, Benihana,9707 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX. More info at http://houstongreenchamber.org/.
- BikeTexas Survey. BikeTexas works to improve and grow cycling across Texas. Between now and September 2013, BikeTexas is creating a strategic plan that will guide the organization for the next three to five years. Please take 15-20 minutes to take a survey provide BikeTexas with your feedback. Your input will help BikeTexas continue to grow cycling across “the Lone Star stateâ€. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the survey in greater detail, please contact our Executive Director, Robin Stallings, at Robin@BikeTexas.org.
- The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Public Comment Period. The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council has extended the period for formal public comment on the Draft Initial Comprehensive Plan: Restoring the Gulf Coast’s Ecosystem and Economy and accompanying Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment to July 8, 2013. The Draft Initial Comprehensive Plan provides a framework to implement a coordinated region-wide restoration effort in a way that restores, protects, and revitalizes the Gulf Coast region following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Learn more at http://www.restorethegulf.gov/.
- Patagonia Environmental Grants Program. The Patagonia Environmental Grants Program provides support to small, grassroots organizations with provocative direct-action agendas that are working on multi-pronged campaigns to protect the environment. Patagonia funds activist groups that are dedicated to protecting local habitats in the United States and Canada, as well as in targeted countries around the world. The company is most interested in supporting organizations that work on the root causes of problems and that approach issues with a commitment to long-term change. Most grants are in the range of $3,000 to $12,000. Proposals are accepted through the Patagonia website during the months of April and August each year, and must be submitted by April 30 or August 31. (Applications are accepted year-round at local retail Patagonia stores.) Visit this website to take the eligibility quiz and review the program’s application guidelines.
- Support for Energy Efficiency Initiatives in Texas – First Choice Power: Reduce Your Use Grants. Reduce Your Use Grants, an initiative of First Choice Power, help nonprofit organizations across Texas to reduce their energy costs. The program provides grants of up to $2,500 for organizations to purchase energy-efficiency products and services, which helps provide ongoing savings with future energy consumption. Applying organizations must be located in communities served by the ERCOT electric grid. The application deadline is August 31, 2013. Visit the First Choice Power website to learn more about the grant program.
- Pest Management in Schools Supported. EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) announces the availability of approximately $700,000 for assistance agreements to further, through research, development, monitoring, public education, training, demonstrations, or studies, the adoption of verifiable integrated pest management (IPM) by the nation’s kindergarten to 12th grade public and tribal schools. The application deadline is July 29, 2013. More at http://www07.grants.gov/.
- Funding Available to Protect Endangered Species – Fish and Wildlife Service. The Endangered Species Program provides support to secure information about endangered, threatened, or candidate species; to aid in the recovery of these species; to avert listing of species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act; and to help conserve the ecosystems upon which these species depend. Funding is currently available through the Candidate Conservation Action Funds and the Recovery Implementation Fund. Applications are accepted through July 31, 2013.
- TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Seabrook, and on HCC. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area).
- Young Guns
- Wild Game Cooking: Duck Yakitori
- Parks & Wildlife People: Irma Sanchez
- The Butterfly Palace
- Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
- June 25: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. African dust should should help to keep daily PM2.5 AQI levels near the low end of the “Moderate” range over most of the state.
- June 26: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
- June 27: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” levels on the north and northeast side of the Houston area.
ECONOTES Featured News Articles–For dozens of additional headlines, visit the CEC website. (You can let us know about articles, too. E-mail news@cechouston.org).
- Hamilton: Destruction of parks hurts all of Houston
(Ann Hamilton, Opinion – Houston Chronicle, 6/22/2013)
Together, we have advocated, acquired, developed and protected parks from encroachment by private, voracious developers and institutions that often view parks as “free land.” The recent news of Memorial Park being annexed into the Uptown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) led me and others to question how and why this decision was made seemingly without public participation.
www.chron.com - Record Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ may hurt billion-dollar fishing industry (Greg Barr – Houston Business Journal, 6/20/2013)
Researchers say one of the Gulf of Mexico’s largest “dead zones†on record is shaping up this summer — which could affect the billion-dollar fishing industry and help drive up seafood prices. The Gulf dead zone forms each spring and summer off the Louisiana and Texas coasts when oxygen levels drop too low to support most life in bottom and near-bottom waters. Farmland runoff containing fertilizers and livestock waste is the main source of the nitrogen and phosphorus that fuel the growth of algae blooms, which, in turn, create the dead zone.
http://www.bizjournals.com/ - Historic Houston tree cut down for development will be made into furniture (Cody Duty – Houston Chronicle, 6/17/2013)
A century-old American Sycamore tree in the Heights was chopped down recently by developers to make way for new construction, even as locals were crying foul. A petition was created on the change.org site in an effort to stop Period Construction and Edward Goerig from cutting down the historic tree, which also happened to be listed in the 2011 Harris County Tree Registry. Goerig says that the old sycamore was unsafe, and was more than likely damaged by the recent drought.
http://www.chron.com/
GREEN JOBS Tell them you heard about it from us! Job listings can be found at CEC’s Green Jobs page.New
- NEW! Uptown Houston seeks Project Manager for Memorial Park. Uptown Houston, through its tax reinvestment zone (TIRZ), recently incorporated Memorial Park into its service area. Memorial Park is among the largest urban parks in the U.S., and is Houston’s largest inner city park covering almost 1,500 acres. The Memorial Park Project – a twenty-year, $100 million park improvement program – is just now being launched as part of Houston Parks And Recreation Department’s, Memorial Park Conservancy’s and Uptown Houston’s partnership to make vital improvements in Memorial Park. Specifics of the Project will be determined by the proposed master plan for Memorial Park, which will be developed in 2013 – 2014. Responsibilities of the Project Manager for Memorial Park include: to serve as the Project Manager for the master plan and park improvement projects; to manage the execution of the master plan in accordance with its phased construction; To manage day-to-day operational aspects of the planning and construction stages; to manage the procurement of consultants and advisers throughout the planning and construction stages; to identify resources needed and assign responsibilities; and more. To apply, send responses to 1980 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1580, Houston, Texas 77056; Attention: Betsy Kirkgard bkirkgard@uptown-houston.com. Include your resume, cover letter, and minimum of 2 references.
- Memorial Park Conservancy seeks Conservation Director. The Conservation Director of Memorial Park Conservancy (MPC) is primarily responsible for restoration and enhancement of Memorial Park’s natural environment through the use of trees and plants that are native to the area. Duties and responsibilities include: developing and maintaining inventory of park forest that identifies trees by species, area of the park and estimated age; planning and implementing plantings and irrigation within the maintained areas of the Park; planning and implementing reforestation where appropriate; working with Houston Parks and Recreation (HPARD), technical experts and consultants to study Memorial Park’s ecology and identify today’s and future requirements and constraints to restore the park’s natural ecology within the context of the long-range Master Planning process; implementing ecosystem management regimes contained in the approved Master Plan; and more. If interested, email cover letter, resume, references and compensation requirements to: Shellye Arnold, Executive Director, Memorial Park Conservancy at sarnold@memorialparkconservancy.org.
- Air Alliance Houston seeks Part-Time Administrative Assistant. Air Alliance Houston is seeking a motivated individual to assist with administrative duties. This is a part-time position with approximately 20 hours per week expected. Air Alliance has a small staff that demands work sharing and flexibility. The administrative assistant will perform a variety of administrative functions including bookkeeping, bill payment, scheduling, updating office procedures and manual, and filing and document retention. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Interested applicants should send complete resume and cover letter to hiring@airalliancehouston.org. More at http://airalliancehouston.org/.
- Public Citizen (Austin) seeks Project Media Coordinator. Public Citizen (Austin, TX) is seeking a Project Media Coordinator to be a part of the Clean Coastal Commerce Coalition, committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a reduction of coal exports. The coalition seeks to get our message out in print, radio, television and online. We are looking for an applicant who is adept at using a multi-media and communications strategy that will provide information to local and national reporters, and maintain a significant presence and following online using new media to advocate for public health and safety, government accountability, and clean and safe energy. This is an opportunity to make a difference. For more information on this job posting go to http://www.citizen.org/Page.aspx?pid=5960.
- Sierra Club seeks Community Organizer. Sierra Club is looking to hire an experienced community organizer based in Austin, TX to help increase its grassroots power in the region. As a part of the history-making Beyond Coal campaign, s/he will help broaden the coalition to promote renewable energy and move beyond dirty, coal-fired power. This is an outstanding opportunity for an individual looking to enhanced his/her organizing skills and join a powerful, national team. For full details and to apply, please visit: https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH15/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SIERRACLUB&cws=1&rid=277
- Matagorda County seeks Extension Agent – Coastal and Marine Resources. The Matagorda County Extension Agent-CMR (CEA-CMR) will work with communities in Matagorda County, Texas, to help them chart a sustainable and resilient path to the future. Matagorda County is subject to damaging tropical storms, including hurricanes. Coastal communities have suffered economically as shrimp and fishing outfits have reduced their fleets in response to lower prices and higher costs. Recreational fishing is a vibrant area, and an excellent natural resource base provides for outstanding hunting and farming. Community vitality and character are major concerns in this county. Matagorda County is not in the immediate growth path of Houston, but future growth, or the lack of it, is a major community concern. The CEA-CMR will be expected to work with communities in Matagorda County by engaging a wide range of university resources in their behalf. The Matagorda CEA-CMR provides leadership for an effective educational program that supports coastal communities, local natural resources, and coastal and marine industries. Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating an effective outcome-based program that supports identified issues in Matagorda County; responsible for effectively reporting, marketing, and interpreting results of programming efforts. Develops and works with stakeholder-based committees that provide direction for Extension programs. Works with industry and community based organizations to effectively link Extension and coastal marine resources to the community. Understands job responsibilities associated with the position. Send resume and cover letter to John Jacob, jjacob@tamu.edu.
- H-GAC seeks Senior Air Quality Planner. The Senior Planner will serve as a primary staff for Transportation Air Quality Implementation Programs which may include Clean Air Action, Clean Vehicle and/or Commute Solutions activities. Coordinates and supports the efforts of local, state and federal agencies in complying with the various federal and state alternative fuel mandates and trading regulations. This position will support regional efforts to meet attainment of federal air quality standards by assisting in creatively analyzing and promoting transportation-related air quality programs and investigating other potential measures to help reduce ground level ozone. Supervised by Air Quality Coordinator. Reports to Air Quality Program Manager. Read more at www.h-gac.com/careers/.
- The City of Houston seeks Administration Manager (Environmental). Duties: Manage the daily operations of the City’s Municipal Setting Designation (MSD) and Brownfield Redevelopment programs. Review and modify as necessary application forms and internal procedures to process applications. Coordinate the scheduling and attend the required public meetings and public hearing for MSD applications. Update and maintain the City of Houston’s Public Works and Engineering Geographical Information Systems MSD and Brownfield data layer and status sheet. Apply for and manage grants awarded to the City of Houston related to Brownfield Redevelopment,. Actively solicit participants in the grants, manage consultants selected to perform work and process invoices from consultants and coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency and Texas commission on Environmental Quality, Support Utility Analysis and special projects and other duties as assigned. For more details and how to apply, visit http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/.
- HARC seeks Intern for Website Content Development and Social Media Integration. HARC is looking for a tech savvy and creative student pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with experience using Drupal, WordPress or similar online content management system. Advanced CSS and HTML knowledge, basic Photoshop skills, PHP, MySQL, Drupal module development experience is a plus but not a requirement of the position. We are looking for a candidate with strong communications skills and an ability to perform in a team environment. Duties will include, but not be limited to: organizing and publishing content to a Drupal website; maintaining a consistent look and feel throughout all web components as defined by graphic designer; copying, editing and proofreading all web content; and assisting in the creation of a custom Drupal theme. For more information about the position and to upload a resume, please visit http://mitchell.harc.edu/About/Jobs/Job?jobID=125. HARC is a non-profit research hub located in The Woodlands, TX that provides independent analysis on energy, air, and water issues to people seeking scientific answers.
- Buffalo Bayou Partnership seeks Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator. Responsibilities include coordinating volunteer conservation programs and events (Adopt-a-Spot, Green Team, Trash Bash, Eagle Scouts, etc.) and leading activities on-site; coordinating volunteers for BBP special events (Regatta, Kids Day, etc.) and supervising on-site; developing and implementing new and innovative initiatives to expand the volunteer base with an emphasis on corporate volunteers (team building program, communication, recognition, etc.); developing and implementing initiatives to increase awareness of Buffalo Bayou Partnership (includes but not limited to scheduling presentations, representing Buffalo Bayou Partnership at city-wide events such as Earth Day at Discovery Green Park, outreach to residents living along the bayou, speakers’ bureau, etc.); and more. If interested, please send resume and cover letter to Ann Olsen, President, Buffalo Bayou Partnership/ 1113 Vine St, Suite 200/ Houston, TX 77002, or info@buffalobayou.org (No phone calls please).
- Hermann Park Conservancy is currently seeking a full-time office manager/bookkeeper. The office manager/bookkeeper is responsible for overseeing the financial management of the organization and for maintaining all financial records, from day-to-day data input to monthly closing journal entries to preparing financial statements. This position is also responsible for the day-to-day office management, including ordering and maintaining office supplies, office equipment, and payroll. This position reports to the executive director. To learn more about this opportunity, visit www.hermannpark.org.
CEC is sharing information during the session about what bills our member groups and readers are tracking. More information is available at cechouston.org/category/texas-legislature/. The last day of the regular session was Monday, May 27, 2013, followed by a special session for redistricting. On June 12, 2013, the Governor called for additional legislation to be considered during the special session. Learn more at www.legis.state.tx.us.
CEC will provide additional updates from our member groups soon. Websites with updates on environmental legislation:
- ACT Texas Clean Air: www.acttexas.org.
- Texas Bottle Bill www.texasbottlebill.com.
- H-GAC’s Natural Resources Advisory Council: Justin Bower, senior environmental planner, is providing briefings on proposed legislation related to air, water, land use, governance of natural resources, parks and natural areas, and energy issues. The briefings are updated on a weekly basis. Please note, these documents are intended as a summary of legislation and potential impacts, and are not intended to imply a stance or position on any bill. For all questions, contact Justin Bower at 713-499-6653. Briefing Document for All Natural Resources Legislation. (By category: Air Pollution and Climate, Energy, Governance, Land Use, Miscellaneous, Parks and Natural Areas,  Solid Waste, Water and Sewer Utilities, Water Conservation, Water Quality, Water Supply, Wildlife Management.)
- Public Citizen Texas VOX: http://texasvox.org/82nd-legislative-session/
- The Texas Observer is providing non-stop coverage of the 83rd Texas Legislature. Make sure to visit texasobserver.org/texas-legislature each day for its Capitol reporting.
UPCOMING EVENTS If you attend one of these events, please let them know you heard about it here! Visit the new calendar at cechouston.org.
- all-day GOMA 2013 All Hand Meeting & Gulf Guardian Awards @ Tampa Bay, Florida
- 8:00 am Prairie Restoration @ Sheldon Lake Sate Park & Environmental Learning Center
- 10:00 am The Conservation Fund’s Houston-Galveston Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services Assessment @ United Way of Greater Houston
- 3:30 pm Rice University Farmers Market @ Rice University South Stadium Lot
- 4:00 pm OHBA Summer Plant Series
- 6:00 pm Baytown Fit Kids @ Baytown Community Center
- 6:00 pm Chimney Swift Counts @ Pershing Middle School
- 6:00 pm Summer Science Nights 2013: Wild Water! @ Indiangrass Preserve
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
- 8:30 am North Reach Committee Mtg – – Wednesday, June 26th, 2013 – 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
- 8:30 am Weekly Bird Walk @ Kleb Woods Nature Center
- 9:00 am Wetland Restoration @ Sheldon Lake State Park
- 10:00 am Gator Tales @ Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education Center
- 10:30 am Aquarium Fish Feeding @ Sea Center Texas
- 11:00 am Urban Harvest Farmers Market @ City Hall
- 12:00 pm Livable Houston Initiative: Jay Blazek Crossley will propose Neighborhood Greenways for Houston @ H-GAC Building 2nd Floor, Room C
- 1:30 pm Floodplain Awareness Success in Texas Meeting @ H-GAC offices, conference room A
- 4:00 pm Nature Story Time @ Nature Discovery Center
- 6:30 pm Houston Chapter-Native Prairies Association of Texas @ Bayland Community Center
- 6:30 pm USGBC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter Dine-Around
Thursday, June 27, 2013
- 7:30 am Sierra Walkers @ Nassau Bay Post Office
- 8:00 am Grogan’s Mill Farmer’s Market
- 8:00 am Guided Nature Tour and Free Family Fishing @ Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center
- 8:00 am Pontoon Boat Cruises @ Armand Bayou Nature Center
- 8:00 am Urban Harvest Farmers Market @ Eastside
- 9:00 am Katy Farmers Market @ La Centerra
- 9:00 am Sugar Land Farmers Market @ Imperial Sugar Land
- 10:00 am BTA Neches River Adventures @ Riverfront Park
- 10:00 am Guided Trail Hike @ Armand Bayou Nature Center
- 3:00 pm Texas Parks and Wildlife on PBS
Sunday, June 30, 2013
- 8:00 am Prairie Restoration @ Sheldon Lake Sate Park & Environmental Learning Center
- 9:00 am Jones Park: Texas Bound! @ Jones Park
- 3:30 pm Rice University Farmers Market @ Rice University South Stadium Lot
- 6:00 pm Baytown Fit Kids @ Baytown Community Center
- 6:00 pm Chimney Swift Counts @ Pershing Middle School
- 6:00 pm TCEQ Public Hearings for Proposed Rules: Surface Coating Application System Requirements @ Houston-Galveston Area Council, Conference Room A
- 7:00 pm Monthly Transition Houston Meeting
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
- 9:30 am Greens Bayou South Reach Committee Mtg
- 8:30 am Weekly Bird Walk @ Kleb Woods Nature Center
- 9:00 am Wetland Restoration @ Sheldon Lake State Park
- 10:00 am Gator Tales @ Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education Center
- 10:30 am Aquarium Fish Feeding @ Sea Center Texas
- 11:00 am Urban Harvest Farmers Market @ City Hall
- 4:00 pm Nature Story Time @ Nature Discovery Center
- 6:00 pm Heartwood Master Naturalist chapter meeting @ W.G. Jones State Forest Education Building
ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION This weekly update is brought to you by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, established as a 501(c)3 in 1971. CEC is a coalition of over 100 environmental organizations dedicated to fostering dialogue, education, and collaboration on environmental issues in the Houston / Gulf Coast region. Visit the CEC on line at cechouston.org. Do you know of something great going on? News? Events? Accomplishments? Jobs? Let us know! Send submittals to news@cechouston.org. If possible, send information by Friday for inclusion the following Tuesday. We especially like short paragraphs, catchy titles, third person, and links to more information, but we will work with whatever you send us. Calendar items can be submitted up to two years in advance. We are always looking for volunteers to help keep our calendar up to date.
CEC and other leading environmental organizations participate in payroll contribution plans at many Texas workplaces through Earth Share of Texas. Find out how you can support CEC at 800-GREENTX or www.earthshare-texas.org.
CEC agencies receive donations when you choose Green Bank. Visit www.greenbank.com for more information about the program.
Rachel Powers, Executive Director
Page Slocum, Newsletter Editor
Rachel Tardiff, Calendar Editor
(713) 524-4232
news@cechouston.org