H-GAC’s Solid Waste Program is reimagining its past roundtable-style meetings into a new Solid Waste Workshop Series. This format will offer a more in-depth look at select solid waste topics, resulting in greater value for attendees.

Dates for the 2019 Solid Waste Workshop Series:

• Feb. 21, 2019 – Environmental Enforcement
• May 16, 2019 – Recycling
• Aug. 15, 2019 – Food Waste
• Nov. 21, 2019 – Special Waste

The Memorial Park Conservancy has generously offered Katy Prairie Conservancy use of their greenhouse while the Native Seed Nursery at KPC’s field office in Waller is being renovated. Volunteers will help grow plants that will be used for various Katy Prairie Conservancy spring projects and for the Great Grow Out. The Memorial Park Conservancy Greenhouse is located in Memorial Park on the south side of Memorial Drive. All are welcome, no experience necessary.

Workdays are scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Topic: Disaster Debris Management

This half-day workshop at H-GAC (also available via webinar) will be guided by a multimedia presentation focusing on on the following topics:

• Findings about the impacts of hurricane debris on Landfills 
• Findings and recommendations regarding debris management from the Report of the Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas
• Lessons learned and trends in disaster debris management
• Recent changes in regulations, guidance, and legislation

The workshop will provide participants an opportunity to discuss concerns and share best practices and lessons learned from past debris management response and recovery efforts.

For more information or assistance, e-mail Becki Begley or call 713-993-2410.

Conserve water! Protect our Bay! Sign up for a Rain Barrel Workshop!

Did you know lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer? Capturing rainwater will help protect your lawn and garden during periods of drought, and it will also help you save money! One rain barrel can conserve approximately 1,050 gallons per year!

Galveston Bay Foundation’s Rain Barrel Program works to conserve water and reduce storm water runoff, pollution, and bacteria entering Galveston Bay. Each workshop is a unique and personal experience hosted by Galveston Bay Foundation in partnership with local organizations and cities.

Workshops consist of information about rain barrel use and maintenance, and tools to begin construction of your rain barrel. Registration is $35, which includes one 35-gallon barrel + one connector kit, and admission to the workshop for yourself and one guest. Workshop participants can purchase a maximum of 2 barrels + 2 kits. These interactive workshops allow participants to ask questions and utilize resources to keep our waters clean!

The H-GAC Clean Waters Initiative Workshop Series returns on Feb. 26, 2019. The tentative topic will be funding sources for water and wastewater-related infrastructure.

Dates for the rest of the year are May 22, 2019; Wednesday, August 21, 2019; and Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

Clean Waters Initiative offers workshops that help local governments, landowners, and residents develop effective strategies to reduce pollution in our area waterways.

Workshop Topics:

• Why Food Donation is a Good Idea
• Rules and Regulations 
• Challenges to Donating Food
• Starting a Food Donation Program

Workshop Presenters:

• Stephen Sturdivant, Environmental Protection Agency
• Stephania Alvarez, Harris County 
• Neha Alex, University of Houston Food Recovery Network
• Bryan Green, Houston Food Bank
• Barbara Bronstein, Second Servings
• Lydia Oxley, Imperfect Produce

H-GAC has redesigned its solid waste workshops (Regional Recycling Roundtable, Local Environmental Enforcement Roundtable, Organics Recovery Roundtable) into one comprehensive Solid Waste Workshop Series to allow more in-depth studies of topics each quarter, while offering increased value for busy schedules. 

For more information about the Solid Waste Workshop Series, visit H-GAC’s website. The November 21, 2019 workshop will focus on special wastes.

For more information or assistance, e-mail Becki Begley or call 713-993-2410.

Volunteers meet the second and fourth Thursday of every month to propagate plants from locally collected native seed. A typical workday may include seeding pots, bumping up trays into 1-gallon containers, separating seedlings, and weeding pots. They will also have special seed collecting trips, invasive species removal workdays, and planting events in restored prairies.

If you’re interested in volunteering for the Natural Resource Management Program, email kelli.ondracek@houstontx.gov or visit houstontx.gov/parks/naturalresources.html.

This free, monthly workshop addresses the basics on how to install and operate a solar system.  It covers topics such as solar array types, costs of equipment and labor, permitting, energy savings, and reliability. The instructor, Bill Swann, is an expert in solar energy and has built many of his own solar systems. This workshop is ideal for all people; Bill can answer the simplest and most technical of questions. If you want to learn more about solar, this is the workshop for you. For more information, contact Bill Swann at william.swann2@gmail.com.

Street parking available. This workshop occurs on the last friday of every month, except December.