Calendar

Feb
2
Tue
STAR Reuse Council General Meeting @ Zoom
Feb 2 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join the STAR Reuse Council for their bi-monthly general meeting, held regularly on the first Tuesday of every other month, from 2–3 pm. Non-members are invited to attend.

Members will receive an email invite with the call-in information and Zoom link to join via video conference.

Non-members of STAR, please contact State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) at info@recyclingstar.org for information about how to join the call.

City of Austin [RE]verse Pitch—Material Supplier Pitch Event @ Virtual Opening Pitch
Feb 2 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

What do fabric scraps, distillers grain slurry, and markers all have in common? They can all be turned into a business! [RE]verse Pitch is an innovative social entrepreneurship competition designed to help start the next big venture.

Join virtually on Feb. 2nd to learn more about this year’s materials, meet the material suppliers, and network with fellow entrepreneurs.

During the opening pitch event, you will hear from businesses and institutions consistently generating or collecting by-product, surplus or otherwise underutilized materials streams in Austin, Texas, that could be put to higher and better use in new social enterprises.

Join State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) for a virtual presentation to meet the material suppliers, learn more about these materials, network with other [RE]verse Pitch participants, and new this year – learn how you can source your own material.

This event is free and open to the public, but your RSVP is requested. Attendance is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to compete for an Innovation Fellows Prize.

Feb
4
Thu
Living the Change Weekly Discussion Group @ Online Event
Feb 4 @ 6:00 pm – Apr 29 @ 7:00 pm

In fall 2017, at the COP23 UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, spiritual leaders presented the Walk on Earth Gently multifaith statement to world leaders.  Now Houston Peace and Justice Center is asking Texans of faith to join them in accepting the Walk on Earth Gently invitation and committing to a sustainable lifestyle. Walk on Earth Gently invites people of faith into a journey of Living the Change that the world needs.  The journey is inspired by religious teachings to turn away from consumerism & to seek balanced relationships with all people and the planet we share as our common home.

 This 12-week program focuses on making personal lifestyle changes in three areas:  transportation; energy; and food.  The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites you to join Houston Peace and Justice Center on this journey, via a weekly online discussion group.  Can’t make it every week?  Join Houston Peace and Justice Center as you are able.  A detailed schedule is given below. All participants will receive a copy of Living the Change materials customized for the Houston area. Are you ready to commit to a more sustainable lifestyle?  Then join Houston Peace and Justice Center on this journey to Living the Change.

Please register for this event on www.eventbrite.com.

Feb. 4:  Introduction & Transport, week 1

Feb. 11, Feb. 18 & Feb. 25: Transport, weeks 2, 3 & 4

Mar. 4, Mar. 11, Mar. 18 & Mar. 25: Energy, weeks 1, 2, 3, & 4

Apr. 8, Apr. 15 & Apr. 22: Food, weeks 1, 2 & 3

Apr. 29: Food, week 4 & closing

Note:  no discussion group meeting on Apr. 1

Feb
13
Sat
Feb 13 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Join Exploration Green Conservancy, Galveston Bay Foundation, and Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) at Exploration Green on Saturday, February 13 from 10am – 2pm for Wetland Walkabout!
This FREE educational event will be held in Phase One of Exploration Green and will feature:
• Wetland wildlife watching with Galveston Bay Foundation
• Self-guided wetland tours
• Meet George, EGC Land Steward!
• iNaturalist training
• Food from Ritter’s Food Truck
Wetland Walkabout is a family-friendly event! Well behaved, leashed dogs are also welcome.
Please wear a mask and practice social distancing to keep our friends and neighbors safe.
You can learn more at the Exploration Green website: https://www.explorationgreen.org/ or on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/421712175538295

Apr
14
Wed
2021 Texas Land Conservation Conference @ Virtual
Apr 14 – Apr 16 all-day

The 2021 Texas Land Conservation Conference will be held as a virtual event April 14-16 and will offer a variety of program content and learning experiences related to land and water conservation in the Lone Star State. This year’s event will also feature regional (outdoor, safe, and socially distanced!) in-person networking events on Thursday evening. As 2021 will be our 25th-anniversary conference, we will be raising a glass to celebrate this milestone!

With nearly 300 attendees and growing, the conference is the preeminent statewide meeting for anyone working in the field of land and water conservation, private landowners interested in conserving their land, government, business, and NGO agency partners, and any person interested in learning more about these important issues in Texas. This year’s event will be our first-ever virtual event and it will be jam-packed with fantastic sessions on a diversity of important land and water conservation topics. Please make plans to join Texas Land Conservation Conference for what is sure to be another excellent learning and networking opportunity!

Apr
28
Wed
2021 Texas ASLA Conference @ Galveston Island Convention Center
Apr 28 @ 3:00 pm

The 2021 Conference Planning Committee is putting together a conference that will have health and safety measures in place.  American Society of Landscape Architects will have touchless badge registration, chairs in the classrooms will provide safe spacing, and American Society of Landscape Architects are requiring that everyone wear a mask.  Hand sanitizer will be located throughout the convention center and in the exhibit hall.

American Society of Landscape Architects are hopeful that we  will once again be able to come together in Galveston for a few days of education, networking, and advocacy.  In the event that it is determined that it is unsafe to host an in-person conference in April, the chapter leadership and Conference Planning Committee will review alternate dates for 2021 or offer a virtual conference.

Register before March 17, to take advantage of the early bird attendee registration prices.

Sep
27
Mon
Water for Texas 2021 (Austin) @ AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
Sep 27 – Sep 29 all-day

WELCOME!

A clear vision for the future starts with innovative thinking and strategic planning. It requires an understanding of where we’ve come from and a shared line of sight to where we need to be. The Water for Texas 2021 conference will bring together industry experts, visionaries, and innovators from around the state and country. Join us for panels, keynote speakers, networking, and conversations that will help us map our future.

The future of Texas is water.

Topics Will Include:

  • Water science and technology
  • Drought and flood
  • Innovative solutions to water challenges
  • Texas water policy
  • Communications strategies

Who Should Attend?

All those in the water industry, including utilities, engineers, river authorities, bond counsels, financial advisors, scientists, and floodplain administrators, as well as local and regional representatives and elected officials and staff.

The Latest

  • Online registration ends Sept. 24. Register today!
  • Earn continuing education credits at the conference; check out the agenda.
  • For the safety of all attendees, we will conduct temperature checks and add hand sanitizing stations. Masks will be available but not required.
  • The AT&T Hotel and Conference Center will be open to full capacity for the conference and will not enforce social distancing rules. We are glad to be able to host attendees and networking opportunities. If you have any questions, please email waterfortexas@iemshows.com.

Sep
29
Wed
Annual Energy Summit — Electrification and Decarbonization: Pathways to a New Energy Future. @ Online Webinar
Sep 29 @ 9:00 am – Sep 30 @ 1:30 pm
Annual Energy Summit — Electrification and Decarbonization: Pathways to a New Energy Future

Co-hosted for the fifth consecutive year by the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies and Baker Botts L.L.P., the 2021 Annual Energy Summit will explore current issues affecting global energy markets, oil and gas, electricity, renewables and the environment. In particular, this year’s summit will address the energy industry’s continued response to recent events and how new developments are shaping the industry.

The two-day conference will feature a keynote address by former Secretary of State and Baker Institute Honorary Chair James A. Baker, III, as well as discussions with energy experts in industry, government and policy research.

The conference will be held virtually on September 29 and 30. The full agenda for the conference is below.

Follow @CES_Baker_Inst on Twitter and join the conversation online with #BakerEnergy.

REGISTRATION

This conference is free to attend, but registration is required. Please click here to register. If you are unable to attend, recordings will be available on this page after the event.

Webinars and events are powered by the contributions of our donors and members. Please consider supporting our work by making a gift or joining a membership group. Learn more here or text BAKER to 243725 to give today.

Oct
2
Sat
Mercer Botanic Gardens Pollinator Festival @ Mercer Botanic Gardens
Oct 2 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Pollinator migration season is nearly here! Show your love of these beneficial insects by attending the Fourth Annual Pollinator Festival and Plant Sale on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble.

pollinator bee

What to Buy

Shop plants that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden. The Mercer Society’s (TMS) Pollinator Plant Sale features host and nectar plants, including blue mistflower, purple coneflower, cardinal flower, Texas lantana, and scarlet tropical sage. Create a stunning home habitat for monarch butterflies by planting a wide variety of Texas native milkweed, including zizotes milkweed, green milkweed, aquatic milkweed, swamp milkweed, and antelope horns. Bring other local and migrating species to your yard by adding Texas native host plants. False nettle attracts red admirals and queens, spicebush lures spicebush swallowtails, and maypop brings gulf fritillaries.

pollinator caterpillar

Activities

This free, outdoor community event also features a scarecrow contest, lawn games, educational displays, and a book sale hosted by the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library and Friends of the Library. Visit local exhibitors and vendors and participate in pollinator-themed activities, including the Pollinator Partners Promenade, a self-guided garden tour. If you need advice on pollinator plant selection or garden maintenance, visit a Harris County master gardener at the Ask a Master Gardener tent or connect with knowledgeable TMS plant growers.

Live performances will occur throughout the day, including an eclectic mix of Appalachian fiddle tunes and Celtic music by the Dulcimer Doin’s, Native American flute music by the Spring Cypress Flute Circle, and popular songs from the 1920s to today by the Houkulele Strummers. To add to the fun, visitors are invited to dress in bee, butterfly, bat, hummingbird, or flower attire.

pollinator-butterfly

What to Bring

Plant sale attendees are encouraged to bring something to transport their purchases, as wagons are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Proceeds from the Pollinator Plant Sale benefit Mercer Botanic Gardens. The festival is held outdoors at Mercer’s East Side Main Garden. Event parking is at the West Side Arboretum. Parking for those with disabilities is at the East Side Main Garden. Shuttles are available to transport visitors between the garden and arboretum on the east and west sides. A parent or guardian must accompany children younger than 16. Volunteer opportunities are also available. Email jhartwell@hcp4.net for details.

Oct
27
Wed
Water For Texas 2020 @ AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center
Oct 27 – Oct 29 all-day

WELCOME!

A clear vision for the future starts with innovative thinking and strategic planning. It requires an understanding of where we’ve come from and a shared line of sight to where we need to be. The Water for Texas 20/20 conference will bring together industry experts, visionaries, and innovators from around the state and country. Join Water Texas Development for panels, keynote speakers, networking, and conversations that help us map our future.

The future of Texas is water.

Topics Will Include:

  • Water science and technology
  • Drought and flood
  • Innovative solutions to water challenges
  • Texas water policy
  • Communications strategies

Who Should Attend?

All those in the water industry, including utilities, engineers, river authorities, bond counsels, financial advisors, scientists, and floodplain administrators, as well as local and regional representatives and elected officials and staff.