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July 16, 2013

Houston Environmental News Update July 16, 2013

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Houston Environmental News Update July 16, 2013

CEC NOTES

  1. Like us on facebook!

COALITION NOTES

  1. The Original Classroom Series: Night Flight
    1. Owl Prowl
    2. Bat City
    3. Sounds of Summer
  2. Houston Green Film Series – Growthbusters: Hooked on Growth
  3. Call of Wild Speaker Series: The Story of the Asia’s Elephants with Dr. Raman Sukumar
  4. A Walking Tour of White Oak Bayou Construction
  5. Project Wild Educator Workshop
  6. CWI Workshop: MS4 MCM Industrial Stormwater Permit
  7. Prairie Restoration Roundup
  8. Summer Color Conference and Plant Sale at Mercer
  9. RDA 2013 Design Charrette: “RE-CRAFT: A New Palette for HCCC”
  10. The Woods Project
  11. I Want To Be Recycled
  12. Apply for Mayor’s Proud partners Award
  13. Save the Date: BPA Gala October 9, 2013

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Vision for the City of Houston
  2. Bat Presentations
  3. Moth Night Out
  4. Shell Deer Park Settlement
  5. Project Ideas Request for Sea Grant’s Restoration Projects Inventory
  6. Nominations for Potential Rule Revisions on Uses of PCB
  7. Lords of Nature Screening @ HMNS, coupon for CEC members
  8. Solicitation: DOE Loan Guarantee for Advanced Fossil Fuel Projects
  9. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
  10. Air Quality Forecast

NEWS HEADLINES

  1. Huffman: Nature’s canopy is vital to Houston region (Laura Huffman – Houston Chronicle, 7/13/2013)
    http://www.chron.com/
  2. Houston, a Green Leader (Mayor Annise Parker – The Friendswood Journal, 7/12/2013)
    http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/
  3. Galveston’s $140,000 Seaweed Project Could Protect Against Storm Damage (Miranda Wilcox – Hair Balls, 7/12/2013)
  4. Young professionals sink and swim — in the Bayou no less — for a crazy floating competition (Joel Luks – CultureMap Houston, 6/25/13)

GREEN JOBS

  1. NEW! City of Mansfield, Texas, seeks Nature Education Specialist
  2. Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE) seeks Houston Area Program Director
  3. The Energy Corridor District seeks Intern
  4. Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center seeks Horticultural Coordinator
  5. H-GAC seeks Air Quality Coordinator
  6. Uptown Houston seeks Project Manager for Memorial Park
  7. Memorial Park Conservancy seeks Conservation Director
  8. Public Citizen (Austin) seeks Project Media Coordinator
  9. Sierra Club seeks Community Organizer

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS

CEC NOTES

  1. Like Us on Facebook! Don’t know if you noticed the little facebook icon in the upper right corner of your screen (right above the “Donate Now” emblem). It’s there so you can–you guessed it–share this newsletter on facebook. Which we’d really like. We’d also like it if you were to like us on facebook. We post our newsletter on our page, as well as environmental job announcements and news about CEC member groups. Don’t keep us to yourself! https://www.facebook.com/cecHouston.

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COALITION NOTES

  1. The Original Classroom Series: Night Flight. This summer Environmental Educators Exchange and Get Outdoors Houston! are pleased to offer classes for educators (formal, informal, volunteers, homeschool, etc.) in the best classroom of all – the Great Outdoors! Each of the field experiences are designed to help educators connect with local ecosystems and their cultural, economic, and agricultural stories – all within a context of an adventurous field trip. Three classes will be offered in July about Houston’s really wild night life. Learn about some of our nocturnal neighbors and how they survive in an urban environment. All educators {formal, informal, homeschool, etc.} are welcome. Continuing education credits available. Register for one class ($25) or all three ($60) at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/.
    1. Owl Prowl: July 16, 2013, 7-9pm. Join bird expert Mary Anne Weber on an adventurous stroll through the Sims Bayou Urban Nature Sanctuary in search of elusive owls.
    2. Bat City: July 18, 2013, 7:45-9pm. Join Urban Wildlife Biologist Diana Foss as she reveals the mystery and the marvel of the 300,000 strong Brazilian Free-tail bat colony near downtown Houston and its relationship to the Bayou City.
    3. Sounds of Summer: July 20, 2013, 7:30-9:30pm. Join native animal expert Jaime González on an auditory adventure as you learn the night sounds of summer in the beautiful Houston Arboretum and Nature Center.
  2. Houston Green Film Series – Growthbusters: Hooked on Growth. The Houston Film Series will continue on July 17, 2013 at 6:30pm at the Rice Media Center. This documentary flips our world upside down to see what makes it tick, as it explores the most critical question of our time: How do we become a sustainable civilization?
    Water shortages, hunger, peak oil, species extinction, and even increasing depression are all symptoms of a deeper problem – addiction to unending growth in a world that has limits.. At this event, there will be a light dinner kindly donated by Dr. Pat Speck and Dry Bones Cafe. A $5 donation is suggested and greatly appreciated. More at http://cechouston.org/. This program is brought to you by the grassroots collaboration of the USGBC Emerging Professionals Houston, Transition Houston, Houston Tomorrow and the Rice University Environmental Club.
  3. Call of Wild Speaker Series: The Story of the Asia’s Elephants with Dr. Raman Sukumar. Join The Houston Zoo and the Asia Society Texas Center as Dr. Sukumar discusses the history of the Asian Elephant and his new book: The Story of Asia’s Elephants. The relationship between elephants and people in Asia over thousands of years is a unique one. The story of the Asian elephant begins with a brief account of the ancient origins of the creature and its possible relationship with early humans. The event will take place on July 18, 2013 at 7pm at the Asia Society Texas Center Museum Center. The cost is $10 for Asia Society and Houston Zoo members and $12 for non-members. http://cechouston.org/
  4. A Walking Tour of White Oak Bayou Construction. White Oak Bayou has multiple sections of trail being designed and built this year. Bayou expert and former White Oak Bayou Preservation president Kevin Shanley will provide a short walking tour of one key stretch of construction on July 20, 2013 from 9-10:30am. Tour participants will discuss how the recent TIGER funding from the city will complete a small section past W. 11th along the bayou corridor and also connect along the roadway to the MKT rails to trails project near 7th Street. If interested, RSVP here.
  5. Project Wild Educator Workshop. Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center will host a Project Wild Educator Workshop on July 20, 2013 from 9am-3pm. Educators will receive a TEKS-aligned curriculum and activity guide to teaching young people of all ages about ecology and wildlife using an entertaining, proactive approach. Participants should bring a lunch, and wear comfortable clothing with closed-toed shoes. This course is TEEAC and SBEC accredited, and professional as well as non-formal educators are welcome to attend. A materials fee is $30. Reservations are required and may be made beginning Thursday, June 20. More at http://cechouston.org/. To register email Rose Belzung Holmes at RBelzung@hcp4.net or call Jones Park at 281-446-8588. Fees must be paid prior to workshop date. Make checks payable to JJPV and mail to Jesse Jones Park, 20634 Kenswick Dr, Humble Tx 77338. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
  6. CWI Workshop: MS4 MCM Industrial Stormwater Permits. Please join H-GAC for the next CWI Workshop: Industrial Stormwater Permits. This workshop will be part of the MS4 Minimum Control Measure Series, and will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 from 1:30-4:30pm at the Houston-Galveston Area Council offices. Speakers for this workshop inlcude World Environmental, City of Houston and Harris County Polution Control Services. Register at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/.
  7. Prairie Restoration Roundup. It is time to register for the Prairie Restoration Roundup! Join the best restorationists in southeast Texas for a day of hands-on demonstrations and insightful discussions about restoring prairie to farms, ranches, private residences, parks, and more! Prairie plants are drought resistant, don’t need large inputs of fertilizer, and can be a boon to both cattle and wildlife. The roundup is on July 26, 2013, 9am-3pm at the Texas City Prairie Preserve. Cost is $35 for general public and professionals and $25 for students and Texas Master Naturalists. Registration is required. Register at http://prairiepartner.org/.
  8. Summer Color Conference and Plant Sale at Mercer. Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens is once again teaming up with The Mercer Society (TMS), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, to present the Summer Color Conference and Plant Sale on Saturday, July 27, 2013 from 8am-3pm. The one-day workshop focuses on ideal plant varieties that offer outstanding summer color in Houston’s challenging heat and humidity. Expert horticulturists and designers will share advice on plant selection and garden design to make gardens pop with color all summer long. The fee for the symposium is $70 for TMS members and $80 for nonmembers, which includes informative handouts, lunch, and entrance to the plant sale before it is open to the public. For more information and to register, please call 281-443-8731. http://cechouston.org/
  9. RDA 2013 Design Charrette: “RE-CRAFT: A New Palette for HCCC.” Rice Design Alliance’s 2013 design charrette, “RE-CRAFT: A New Palette for HCCC,” will focus on the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. HCCC is a nonprofit arts organization located in the Museum District on Main Street. Charrette participants will be challenged to brainstorm general solutions for integrating the campus. HCCC is hoping to implement a design, so participating in the competition could result in a very real impact on this world-class destination.The charrette will be held Saturday, August 3, 2013 from 8 am to 4 pm. RDA also invites you to a site visit on Saturday, July 27, 2013 from 9:00 am to 10 am at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, located at 4848 Main Street, to learn more about the charrette. A reception where the winning entries will be announced will be held on August 5 from 6 pm to 8 pm. Learn more on the RDA website.
  10. The Woods Project. More than 140 high school students departed this weekend for Montana and California, where they will spend two weeks learning skills that may not be measured on any standardized test but are invaluable for success in college and beyond. The Woods Project is a Houston nonprofit that takes low-income students on wilderness adventures to build leadership skills. It has grown 20 percent each of the last seven years, reaching 600 students and a $750,000 annual budget this year. Read more about the difference that The Woods Project is making by visiting http://www.houstonchronicle.com/.
  11. I Want To Be Recycled. In partnership with the Ad Council, Keep America Beautiful (KAB) today unveiled a multimedia campaign titled, “I Want To Be Recycled,” that will restart the conversation about recycling. In a society where each American produces 4.4 pounds of trash each day, this campaign will raise awareness and ultimately provide the motivation to change the behaviors of occasional recyclers to everyday recyclers. More at http://iwanttoberecycled.org/.
  12. Apply for Mayor’s Proud partners Award. Keep Houston Beautiful is now accepting applications for the 29th Annual Mayor’s Proud Partner Awards. If you know of a friend, family member, group or organization that deserves recognition for a beautification or clean-up event, an environmental project or program, or a community improvement initiative, please nominate them today (or at least by August 19, 2013) at www.houstonbeautiful.org.
  13. Save the Date: BPA Gala October 9, 2013. Join BPA at the bayou-side home of Ginni and Richard Mithoff, Wednesday, October 9 for the 14th Annual BPA Gala. This year’s gala theme, Born on the Bayou, will have guests reminiscing the swamp music era.

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Vision for the City of Houston. AIA Houston’s Urban Design Committee invites you to a Vision for the City of Houston through the eyes of Houston’s Council Members Gonzalez and Costello, two of Houston’s most ardent proponents for smart growth, urban revitalization, public parks and transportation. This event is free and open to the public. AIA Houston members will receive 1CEU for attending. The event will occur on July 17, 2013 at 5:30pm. Register at http://aiahouston.us2.list-manage2.com/.
  2. Bat Presentations. The Waugh Street Bridge is home to over 300,000 Mexican Free-Tailed Bats, and every night at dusk you can see them head out from their daytime perches for their nightly excursions. On the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Friday of the month from March thru November, staff from The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department give informational talks twenty minutes before sunset and are available to answer all your bat questions. The next presentation will take place on July 19, 2013, 5-5:30pm, at the Waugh Street Bridge. More at http://cechouston.org/.
  3. Moth Night Out. Anyone interested in seeing a beautiful wood-nymph or a wooly bear should plan on visiting the headquarters of the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday evening, July 20, 2013 at 9pm. As a part of National Moth Week, the refuge will host a Moth Night Out Event. Those attending will have have a chance “to see and photograph some of the over 300 species of moths documented around the building’s security lights,” said Stuart Marcus, manager of the refuge. Call the Refuge office at 936-336-9786 for more information. All ages are invited. http://cechouston.org/
  4. Shell Deer Park Settlement. The Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Shell Oil and affiliated partnerships (Shell) have agreed to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at a large refinery and chemical plant in Deer Park, Texas by spending at least $115 million to control harmful air pollution from industrial flares and other processes, and by paying a $2.6 million civil penalty. Shell has agreed to spend $1 million on a state-of-the-art system to monitor benzene levels at the fenceline of the refinery and chemical plant near a residential neighborhood and school and to make the data available to the public through a website. More at http://www.epa.gov/.
  5. Project Ideas Request for Sea Grant’s Restoration Projects Inventory. The Gulf State Sea Grant College Programs and the NOAA Restoration Center have partnered up to collect information about restoration projects that accomplish ALL of the following:
    1. Remove or modify anthropogenic barriers
    2. Restore historic tidal estuarine and freshwater exchange
    3. Benefit coastal and marine fisheries habitat
      Projects can cost up to $5 million. For more information or to share a project idea in your area, please contact: Karen Bishop from Texas Sea Grant at karen.bishop@tamu.edu or (210)557-6795. http://masgc.org/gulfhydrorestoration/index.htm
  6. Nominations for Potential Rule Revisions on Uses of PCB. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking nominations from individuals who represent small businesses, small governments, and small not-for-profit organizations to provide input to a federal panel that will explore changes to existing uses of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This panel will focus on the agency’s development of a proposed rule to revise or end the existing authorized uses of PCBs as appropriate if the conditions under which they were authorized more than 30 years ago have changed. This rulemaking may address existing liquid-filled PCB use authorizations, PCBs in fluorescent light ballasts, PCBs in natural gas pipelines, and regulatory language clarifications. Self-nominations may be submitted through the link below and must be received by July 29, 2013. More at http://yosemite.epa.gov/.
  7. Lords of Nature Screening @ HMNS, coupon for CEC members. Could the survival of birds, butterflies, beaver, antelope, wildflowers and trees possibly be connected to top predators like the wolf and cougar? Lords of Nature explores the role that top predators play in their ecosystems. In areas where wolves and mountain lions were wiped out, see the remarkably restored biodiversity achieved with the reintroduction of these predators. Join ecology and predation researcher Volker H. W. Rudolf, Ph. D., of the Rice University Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology for the Houston premiere the film of Lords of Nature, Life in a Land of Great Predators. This is a one-time-only film screening.  Tuesday, July 30, 2013, 6:00pm at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at 713-639-4629. Citizens Environmental Coalition Members receive $5 off regular ticket price to Lords of Nature with coupon code NCM$5 (Coupon accepted at box office and 713.639.4629, not accepted online).
  8. Solicitation: DOE Loan Guarantee for Advanced Fossil Fuel Projects. As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the U.S. Department of Energy has announced a draft loan guarantee solicitation for innovative and advanced fossil energy projects and facilities that substantially reduce greenhouse gas and other air pollution. The Advanced Fossil Energy Projects solicitation, authorized by Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 through Section 1703 of the Loan Guarantee Program, does just that. The draft solicitation will be open for comments from industry, stakeholders, and the public until early September. Read the DoE press release.
  9. 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).
    • Saving the Southern Plains Bison
    • Parks & Wildlife People: Shawn Gray
    • Franklin Mountains Bike Trails
    • Gateway to the Desert
  10. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • July 16, 2013: Green–Good. Moderate winds, heavy cloud cover with widespread precipitation, and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • July 17, 2013: Green–Good. Moderate winds, heavy cloud cover with widespread precipitation, and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • July 18, 2013: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.

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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).

  1. Huffman: Nature’s canopy is vital to Houston region (Laura Huffman – Houston Chronicle, 7/13/2013)
    Laura Huffman, state director of The Nature Conservancy in Texas, shares information about the tree canopy in the Houston region. In the past several years, Houstonians have watched as millions of trees across the city, including more than 50 percent of the trees in Memorial Park, were devastated by record drought. Recently, trees removed during development projects at Woodland Park have raised important questions about the value of trees. Are they just nice to have, or do trees provide other quantifiable value?
    http://www.chron.com/
  2. Houston, a Green Leader (Mayor Annise Parker – The Friendswood Journal, 7/12/2013)
    The City of Houston continues to set the standard for other cities when it comes to being “green.” Houston is already known as the energy capital of the world, but we are committed to becoming the alternative energy capital of the world as well. We recently signed an agreement with Reliant Energy, an NRG Energy company, to purchase over 140 MW of renewable power for the next two years. During this time period, the City’s purchase of green power will account for half of its annual electricity demand. We will be using almost 623,000 mWh of green power per year. This purchase makes Houston the largest municipal purchaser of renewable power in the nation, and places us in the top 10 overall in the nation.
    http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/
  3. Galveston’s $140,000 Seaweed Project Could Protect Against Storm Damage (Miranda Wilcox – Hair Balls, 7/12/2013)
    Galveston beachgoers are familiar with the smelly, unsightly seaweed plaguing many of the coast’s shorelines and interrupting a pleasant day at the beach. Rather than get rid of this product of Mother Nature, Galveston Park Board officials plan to put the seaweed to work inside sand dunes along Galveston’s East Beach to protect against damage from storm surges and even hurricanes. According to Galveston Park Board Executive Director Kelly de Schaun, the dense, heavy material that is characteristic of seaweed would reinforce a dune and protect it from erosion.
    http://blogs.houstonpress.com/
  4. Young professionals sink and swim — in the Bayou no less — for a crazy floating competition (Joel Luks – CultureMap Houston, 6/25/13)
    The third annual “Anything That Floats” event, hosted by the Rice Design Alliance young professionals, the rdAGENTS, had to be rescheduled after bad weather rained on the buoyant parade that was originally slated for May to coincide with the Kentucky Derby. Seven teams competed at Sesquicentennial Park, many with members who donned kooky hats for the occasion. In three hours, their mission was to transform another-man’s-trash stuff into contraptions that would travel on water for the longest period of time. Audubon Engineering earned the Triple Crown Award for Best Overall Time.
    http://houston.culturemap.com/
  5. Scoop.it Page. The CEC is now maintaining a page on Scoop.it. Check it out! http://www.scoop.it/t/citizens-environmental-coalition-houston

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GREEN JOBS Tell them you heard about it from us! Job listings can be found at CEC’s Green Jobs page.New

  1. NEW! City of Mansfield, Texas, seeks Nature Education Specialist. The Nature Education Specialist is responsible for the programming and scheduling of outdoor science and education programs and events throughout the City of Mansfield’s park system. The goal of this position is to encourage awareness and appreciation of the environment, broaden the knowledge of natural science concepts and foster commitment to the protection of the natural environment. Full job description posted on CEC website. Mansfield is near Fort Worth.
  2. Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE) seeks Houston Area Program Director. Experienced strategically-minded activist wanted for position available with Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE) and TCE Fund, the state’s leading canvass-based environmental group. This person will work with the Executive Director and other program staffers to develop organizational corporate and legislative strategies, including evaluating and researching specific issues TCE works on at the local, state and federal levels and translating goals into winnable campaigns that motivate canvassers and the public. Experience in planning and executing creative direct actions is important. Currently, the top priority for Houston-area organizing is to stop a plan to do away with curbside recycling and have residents throw recyclables, organics and trash in one bin to be mechanically sorted at a “dirty Municipal Recycling Facility.” TCE needs a good strategic thinker who learns quickly and can work well with diverse stakeholders. This person will lead efforts to translate the success of the canvass operations into effective campaigns that get results by convincing government and corporate decision-makers to take the actions TCE advances. A qualified candidate must be able to identify, recruit and work with a broad spectrum of allies that share TCE’s interests, including community activists and organizations, businesspeople, elected officials and their staff members, and other government officials. This will require engagement outside of normal work hours and beyond the confines of the office. Flexibility and a strong work ethic are a must. If interested, email cover letter, resume, and contact information of two references to robin@texasenvironment.org. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2013.
  3. The Energy Corridor District seeks Intern. The Energy Corridor District is seeking a paid part time Intern to help with administration and marketing of the Federal Grant Programs. Responsibilities include: assisting District Staff in developing plans; organizing materials and implementing programs to promote the Energy Corridor District community and provide administrative support for the ECD office; promoting JARC Grant bus route to provide route information and seek promotional ridership; and assisting in implementing Energy Corridor CMAQ Grant CarShare Project by planning outreach activity, promoting Car Share Project at business work sites, developing web content, and responding to inquiries. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to jnunez@energycorridor.org or Energy Corridor District / Attn: John Nunez / 14701 St Mary’s Lane Suite 290 / Houston, TX 77079.
  4. Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center seeks Horticultural Coordinator. Under the direct supervision of the park superintendent, the horticultural coordinator plans, implements and maintains aspects of Jones Park’s native landscaping, heirloom garden and fruit trees, botanical identification, herbarium and seed collection, and greenhouse growing. This position requires a self-motivated, friendly and patient individual with a can do attitude, willing to work indoors or outdoors in all weather conditions, not afraid to get their hands dirty, and capable of conducting a variety of tasks in the course of a normal day. Responsibilities include growing and maintaining native plants, developing and maintaining the park’s landscape, presenting natural history programs, developing interpretive signage, using communication skills with the general public and volunteers. A four-year B.S. degree in horticulture, natural or environmental science, or comparable experience desired. Work varying shifts including weekends and evenings. The starting salary is commensurate with experience.  Contact Darlene Conley Hostetler at 281-446-8588 or DConley@hcp4.net for a full job description and Harris County Precinct 4 employment application. For more information about Jones Park check the website at www.hcp4.net/jones.
  5. H-GAC seeks Air Quality Coordinator.  Provides day-to-day oversight of the Clean Vehicles grant program and support to related programs including the region’s Clean Cities Coalition and H-GAC’s Drayage Loan Program. Supervises both technical and administrative aspects of the program, coordinates program staff, and tracks/analyzes metrics to ensure overall objectives are achieved.  Reports to the Air Quality Program Manager, Transportation Department. More at www.h-gac.com/careers.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Texas Capitol StarCEC 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:

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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.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Sunday, July 21, 2013

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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.

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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.

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Rachel Powers, Executive Director
Page Slocum, Newsletter Editor
(713) 524-4232
news@cechouston.org
cechouston.org
www.facebook.com/cecHouston

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