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Houston Environmental News Update June 3, 2014
June 3, 2014

Houston Environmental News Update June 3, 2014

COALITION NOTES

  1. Transition Houston Meeting: Keeping the Heat Where You Want It. Transition Houston will have their meeting on June 3, 2014, from 7-9pm, at Christ the King Lutheran Church. The meeting topic will be “Keeping the Heat Where You Want It.” What is the best way to insulate your home? Where should you insulate: floors, walls, attic floor, attic roof? What is the best type: fiberglass, cellulose, spray foam? Should you be worried about off-gassing or condensation issues? Come learn about energy preservation for the Houston summer months! Check out the facebook event page for more details.
  2. Teaching Prairies to City Slickers. Native Prairies Association of Texas needs trained storytellers to serve as ambassadors between the diverse, urban population and our misunderstood local prairies. These storytellers will serve as volunteer ambassador Meadowlarks. Are you interested in becoming a Meadowlark and making a huge difference? All you need to do is attend a special two-part training which consists of an evening teaching theory class (taught indoors at 3015 Richmond Ave., Houston TX) and an outside field trip to an urban prairie site that enables students to practice what they have learned. The next training will be held on June 4, 2014, from 6-8pm (teaching theory), and June 7, 2014, from 9-11am (field trip and practice) at Willow Waterhole Prairie. This event is free, but registration is required! Learn more and register at http://prairiepartner.org.
  3. Summer Salon I: Business in the Arts. The Center for Houston’s Future is hosting Summer Salon Series, which is a series of casual breakfast conversations, bringing big-picture thinkers and regional experts together with broader audiences, for an extended deep-dive discussion of our Indicators research, with a focus on the next steps for creating a sustainable and competitive Houston. Summer Salon I: Business in the Arts will cover how art and commerce intersect. Panelists include: Bobby Tudor, Chairman and CEO of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.; Ric Campo, CEO of Camden Property Trust and Board Chair of Houston First; and Dave Thompson, Principal of ttweak, the consultancy behind the “Houston It’s Worth It” campaign. This first breakfast will be held on June 4, 2014, from 7:30-9:30, at the Junior League of Houston. The cost is $20 and includes a full breakfast buffet. For more information, visit www.futurehouston.com.
  4. Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership Meeting. The Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership is a group of local stakeholders from the communities surrounding Cedar Bayou, whose purpose is to seek voluntary ways to restore and protect the local waterway. There is an upcoming Cedar Bayou  Watershed Partnership Meeting on June 5, 2014, from 5:30-7:30pm at the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center. Attendees of this meeting will be hearing an update on project progress and modeling results; reviewing new elements of the Watershed Protection Plan; discussing upcoming partner activities; and listening to your ideas, concerns, and feedback. Never been to a meeting before? It’s not too 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. Stop by the meeting to make your voice heard! Learn more at www.cedarbayouwatershed.com.
  5. Collaborat​ive Grant Organizing Roundtable – Executive Directors and Developmen​t Staff. Houston Wilderness is in the process of implementing a collaborative grant organizing program. This program provides assistance to network partners, and related stakeholders, in developing and packaging large funding requests with a concentration on protecting and preserving areas of the Sam Houston Greenbelt Network, and/or facilitating ecosystem services studies in the greenbelt network and 24 county coverage area. As part of the program planning process, Houston Wilderness feels it is important to involve interested Executive Directors and development staff from other organizations to help identify ways the program can work in conjunction with existing development models. Please consider attending a roundtable discussion on the collaborative grant organizing program on June 6, 2014, 9-10:30am at the Houston Wilderness Conference Room. Email holly@houstonwilderness.org with any questions.
  6. National Trails Day Creek Bash. Join volunteers and staff to clean up the paddle trail along Spring Creek at Jones Park on June 7, 2014, at 9am. All ages are welcome to assist with the clean-up effort, and those ages 16 and older may canoe the creek to remove debris. Be prepared to get dirty and wet! Wear close-toed shoes, no sandals or flip-flops. Reservations are required and may be made beginning Wednesday, May 28. Learn more at www.hcp4.net. To make reservations, call 281-446-8588.
  7. Funk & Soul at the Waterhole! Willow Waterhole will be hosting another musical event featuring three funk and soul acts that will provide a “funky blast of super-coolness!” There will be performances by Jazz R’ Boyz, Collective Hallucination Featuring Ant Boogie, and The Breakdown (a Prince tribute band). Come out for a great afternoon! Bring blankets and chairs. There will be refreshments for purchase. This is a free event that will be held on June 7, 2014, from 3-6pm at the Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve. Learn more at www.facebook.com.
  8. 2014 Clean Fleet Technologies Conference (CFTC). The 2014 Clean Fleet Technologies Conference (CFTC) will take place June 10, 2014, from 8am-4pm at Sugar Land’s Constellation Field. CFTC is a day-long conference highlighting alternative fuels, clean vehicle technologies, and vehicle efficiency improvements. Speakers, exhibitors, and vehicle displays will highlight the latest technologies and funding for cleaner on- and off-road fleets. The keynote speaker will be John Nau, President & CEO of Silver Eagle Distributors. Register at www.mysolutionis.com.
  9. Houston Sierra Club Meeting: Harris County Flood Control Presentation. Join the Houston Sierra Club on June 12, 2014, at 7:30pm at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, for a presentation by Carolyn White and Stephen Benigno of the Harris County Flood Control District. The topic will be “Navigating the Potholes to Restore an Urban Prairie at Willow Waterhole.” Come learn about the work of the Environmental Services Division of the Harris County Flood Control District in restoring a degraded prairie in the Willow Waterhole Stormwater Detention Basin. Carolyn White is a Project Manager for HCFCD’s Environmental Services Division, and she manages projects under the water quality and revegetation programs. Stephen Benigno is the Revegetation and Site Stabilization Coordinator for HCFCD’s Environmental Services Division, and he supports and manages projects under the water quality and revegetation programs.  This presentation is free and open to the public. Learn more at www.houston.sierraclub.org.
  10. Hawk Walk and Tree ID at the Houston Arboretum. Join the Houston Arboretum for their Hawk Walk on June 14, 2014. Kevin Gains will lead a tour on the Houston Arboretum trails to look out for hawks, falcons, and other wild birds. There will be photo opportunities and a question and answer session after the walk. The cost is $30 for members, $45 for non-members, and $15 for children 6-12. Check the www.houstonarboretum.org for more information. The Arboretum will also be hosting a tree identification learning session June 15, 2014, 2-5pm. Attendees will learn how to identity the numerous native trees of the Houston area in a guided tour of the trails. The cost is $40 for members and $65 for non-members. Register online.
  11. USGBC and LEED Building Grant Awards. USGBC, together with the Bank of American Charitable Foundation, will open a grant for Affordable Green Neighborhoods Programme. The grant will provide financial and educational resources for developers in North American who aim to construct sustainable communities. Visit www.usgbc.org for application rules and instructions.
  12. Downtown’s Evolving Skyline Architecture Walk. Preservation Houston has changed the date for their June architecture tour. It will take place June 15, 2014. The focus of this walk will be the downtown skyline and history of landmark skyscrapers. Come learn about the low-rise examples near Market Square, supertall buildings like Chase Tower, and more! The tour is $10 for the general public, $7 for Preservation Houston members and students. Please visit www.preservationhouston.org for more information on how to register as a member and how to purchase tickets.
  13. Galveston Bay Wetland Permit and Mitigation Assessment. Lisa Gonzales, Vice President of HARC, is leading a team to research the federal wetland permitting and mitigation process. HARC, partnered with Texas General Land Office and Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, is using the project to research and examine the implementation of the permitting process in Texas, and its effectiveness in preserving the rapidly diminishing freshwater wetlands in the Houston-Galveston region. The permitting and mitigation process is critical in maintaining wetland function and ecosystem services. Learn more at www.harcresearch.org.
  14. Artist Boat Programs. Artist Boat received two $150,000 grants from the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) Center and the Texas General Land Office through the U.S Department of the Interior, Coastal Impact Assistance Program to serve oil and gas corporations. Through these grants, Artist Boat is offering Watershed Education Training (WET) — a unique program that includes an on-site Eco-Art Workshop and an Eco-Art Kayak Adventure. The second grant offers Stewardship Training in the Coastal Zone for Petrochemical Industry workers. This program includes a training workshop, a training experience at the NRG Energy EcoCenter nursery, and a marsh restoration adventure Artist Boat is excited to be able to offer this program to a new audience in our area. These fun-filled, hands-on, teambuilding experiences will promote meaningful dialogue among oil and gas workers about their specific relationship to the environment through non-consumptive use of the ecosystem and provide a springboard for future partnerships or initiatives to engage corporations in improving environmental quality. If you would like more information about Artist Boat’s Eco-Art Adventures for petrochemical workers or to schedule a program for your company, contact Anna Deichmann at asdeichmann@artistboat.org or (409)770-0722. Read more at www.facebook.com.
  15. Additional Upcoming Events

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Free Family Fishing Day Event at Trinity River Refuge. Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge and Friends of Trinity River Refuge will be hosting the annual “Free Family Fishing Day” on June 7, 2014 from 9:00–11:00am at the Champion Lake Public Use Area. This is the only day in Texas for people to fish or crab without a license! Fishing poles and bait will be available for those who need it. There will also be experienced fishermen who can help children bait hooks and learn casting techniques. This should be a great day! Read more about the event at www.yourhoustonnews.com.
  2. 2014 Coors Light Líderes Grant Program. Coors Light is now accepting nominations for their 2014 Líderes Program, which recognizes the brightest and most-deserving leaders. Since 2006, this program has honored emerging Latino leaders for their achievements. This year, twelve nominees will be selected and highlighted on the Líderes website, in print and online ads, and the Líderes Facebook page. One winner will be selected by a public online vote and will receive a $25,000 grant for his/her nonprofit to implement a leadership project. View the nomination criteria and submit your information at www.coorslightlideres.com. Submissions are due by July 10, 2014.
  3. Gulf Coast Green Symposium. The Gulf Coast Green Symposium is returning this year on June 19-20, 2014, at Houston Community College (1300 Holman St) and the Monarch School. The focus this year is “Teaching Buildings – Best in Class Green.” This symposium is the leading green building conference in the Gulf Coast region. The two day conference will feature compelling keynote speakers David Orr and Dr. Richard Jackson, ground-breaking education sessions, an invitation only Green Product Showcase of innovative local products, and a tour of the only Living Building Challenge project in Texas. CEUs available! Register at https://aiahouston.org.
  4. Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale. Thinking about purchasing a rain barrel or compost ben? Now is a great time! Purchase an item at  http://upcycle-products.com, and 5% of sales will be donated to the Green Building Resource Center. The products will be available for pickup at the GBRC on June 14, 2014, between 10am and 2pm. Learn more at www.codegreenhouston.org.
  5. The Reuse Warehouse – Building Materials. The City of Houston Reuse Warehouse is officially 5 years old. The Reuse Warehouse diverts building materials by partnering non-profit organizations who need materials with agencies that have materials. Each month, an average of 60 non-profits visit the Warehouse and reuse 45 tons of material. This year, the Reuse Warehouse is collaborating with KPRC Local2 and Free Press Houston at Free Press Summer Fest to increase sustainability. At the end of the festival, the outdoor carpet will be carefully rolled and stored for reuse over the next few years, keeping the carpet out of the landfill while saving money and energy. To learn more, visit the Reuse Warehouse Facebook Page or read their most recent newsletter.
  6. World Oceans Day Photo Contest. Share the beauty and importance of the ocean, through your photographs! The inaugural World Oceans Day Photo Contest allows people from around the world to contribute their favorite photos under five themes: underwater seascapes; underwater life; above water seascapes; humans’ positive interaction/experience with the ocean; and youth images. Winning images will be recognized at the United Nations on Monday, 9 June 2014 during the United Nations event marking World Oceans Day 2014. Learn more at http://worldoceansday.org.
  7. Additional Dates of Note
  8. 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).
    • Fitting In, Standing Out
    • Wild Things: Venomous Snakes
    • The Burden of Bounty
    • Outdoor Info: Safe Firearm Transportation
  9. 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 3, 2014: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • June 4, 2014: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” levels on the north and northwest side of the Houston area, with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.
    • June 5, 2014: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” in the Houston area, with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.

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