Calendar
On June 24, 2021, from 9-10 a.m., the NASEM Gulf Research Program will present a webinar with members of the newly appointed White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council — including Texas Southern University professor Dr. Robert D. Bullard — to discuss equity and resilience. They will discuss critical steps that are being taken or that need to occur to advance climate and environmental justice for all those who call the Gulf of Mexico region home. Audience members will gain insight into complex issues and learn about opportunities to equitably improve conditions in the Gulf of Mexico region, particularly within Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
Christ the King Lutheran Church hosts a webinar featuring Dr. Bruce Race, FAIA, FAICP, Professor of Architecture at the University of Houston, as he considers how Houston could transition to a low carbon future. Texas is the historic global epicenter for the carbon economy. Oil and gas represent over one third of the state economy. Texas’ $1.9 trillion GDP, if a country, would make us the 9th largest in the world. We have over 50 Fortune 500 companies, including ExxonMobil (2nd) and ConocoPhillips (4th). Is Houston the next Detroit, or can we diversify our way to continued prosperity in a low-carbon economy? Dr. Bruce Race, FAIA, FAICP from the University of Houston will share his research on how energy conservation and shift to renewables will reshape Houston’s economy, development patterns, and mobility systems. Time will be provided for discussion with the audience after his talk. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
Join Jeff Lindner, Director of Hydrologic Operations, Harris County Flood Control District, as he discusses how to stay safe in a natural disaster. Jeff’s presentation will cover the various hazards that impact a region during a hurricane landfall, including wind, rainfall and storm surge flooding. Jeff will then go on to address how to prepare for these hazards so that you and yours can stay safe. Time will be provided for discussion with the audience after his talk. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
5:30 PM -Â 7:00 PMÂ CTÂ on Zoom
After years of steady growth, Houston METRO’s bus and rail ridership has experienced a sharp drop since the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic in Harris County in March of 2020.
They listened to transit-reliant Houston communities hit hard by Covid-19 to better understand the pandemic’s effect on Houstonians’ relationship with public transportation (access, utilization, future plans) in order to inform what local, state and federal policy proposals and/or investments should be prioritized moving forward.
Please join Air Alliance Houston on Wednesday, October 6th at 5:30 PM CT via Zoom as they release the findings of our new report “COVID and Public Transit in the Houston Region,†discuss how federal legislation may impact Texas transportation, and share recommendations for the transportation policy agenda.
Current speaker lineup:
- David Robinson, Chair of Houston City Council Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure (TTI) Committee and Vice Chair of H-GAC Transportation Policy Council
- Dr. Letitia Plummer, Houston City Council At-Large Position 4, Vocal equitable transportation advocate
- Community research team members
Moderator: Dr. Denae King, Interim Associate Director of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, TSU
This event will be held in English. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Join Center for Houston’s Future on October 6 at 5:30 p.m. CDT for a conversation with Katharine Hayhoe, a globally renowned climate scientist and professor of political science at Texas Tech University, where she is director of the Climate Science Center. She is also Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy and author of Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World.
Read about Hayhoe in The New Yorker: “How to Talk about Climate Change Across the Political Divide“

Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist whose research focuses on understanding what climate change means for people and the places where we live. She is the Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy and a Horn Distinguished Professor and Endowed Professor of Public Policy and Public Law in the Dept. of Political Science at Texas Tech University. Her book, Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, will be released in September 2021 and she also hosts the PBS digital series Global Weirding, currently in its fifth season. Katharine has been named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, the United Nations Champion of the Environment, and the World Evangelical Alliance’s Climate Ambassador.
Bike Around the Bay 2021
Ride Dates: October 23 & 24, 2021
Ride Start: Plantgistix – 5623 AmeriPort Parkway, Baytown, TX 77523
Ride Distance: Two-Day Route – 175+ miles. Day 1: 97 miles (century loop option). Day 2: 85 miles (one day options available!)
DAY 2 ROUTE CHANGE: Due to safety issues to construction on Business 146 and 99 after the Fred Hartman Bridge, TXDOT has asked them to find an alternate route from Sylvan Beach to our finish at Plantgistix. Their new route will take them under Hwy 146/Fred Hartman Bridge and then we will head towards the San Jacinto Monument. A new breakpoint will be added at Juan Seguin Park (across from the Monument Inn) and then they’ll take the Lynchburg Ferry across the Houston Ship Channel. When you exit the ferry, you’ll have another 13.5 miles before you reach the finish at Plantgistix. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW ROUTE MAP.
Fundraising Requirement: $175 for One-Day Cyclists, $250 for Two-Day Cyclists. All funds raised from your ride will support the work of the Galveston Bay Foundation, a local environmental non-profit (all rider donations are tax deductible)
COVID-19: They will continue to monitor the situation. If they do have to cancel Bike Around the Bay 2021 due to COVID-19, they will offer refunds for all registration fees. However, any donations made towards your ride will be non-refundable. Please stay safe and healthy!
Bike Around the Island (a Galveston Island Ride)
Ride Date: Saturday, October 23 (Note: This is a separate ride from the Bike Around the Bay one- and two-day routes)
Ride Start/End: Moody Gardens – One Hope Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77554
Start Time: 8:00 AM
Route Closes: 1:00 PM
Ride Distance: 20 miles (1 rest stop) OR 43 miles (3 rest stops). Both are out and back routes.
Registration Fee: $40
Fundraising Requirement: $100
Questions? Please email info@bikearoundthebay.org

Saturday, November 6, 9am-11:30amJoin Architecture Center Houston and the Buffalo Bayou Partnership for a bike ride and tour exploring Houston’s past and future at Buffalo Bayou East.
In Houston’s earliest days, Buffalo Bayou was key to Houston’s future as a major trading and transportation center. Today, the eastern section of the bayou is dotted with abandoned industrial relics, but Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s Master Plan East re-envisions the area as a network of trails, parks, and multi-modal connections that create a continuous link between destinations and surrounding communities.
Learn about the plan and get insights into the future development of the historic bayou with José SolÃs, Buffalo Bayou Partnership Project Manager; and Natalye Appel, FAIA, and Donna Kacmar, FAIA, from Natalye Appel + Associates Architects.
Tour will meet at Tony Marron Park. (808 N York St, Houston, TX 77003). Space is limited and registration is required.
Attendees must bring their own bicycles. They encourage everyone to wear a helmet and bring water. Bicycles may be rented at the Bcycle station at Guadalupe Plaza Park (2311 Runnels). Head east on Navigation, turn right on North York, and Tony Marron Park is on your left-hand side.
Ticket Prices: $10 BBP and AIAH Members, $15 non-members
7TH ANNUAL PARK TO PORT BIKE RIDE
Saturday, November 13, 2021
7:30 am
Bill Coats Bridge
Blueprint Film Co
Get a bike’s-eye view of the Bayou City with the Park to Port bike ride, happening on Saturday, November 13!
The 20-mile round-trip bike ride takes cyclists from Hermann Park’s Bayou Parkland along the Bayou Greenway trail all the way to the Port of Houston. Enjoy a turn-around party at Mason Park, but be sure to save some energy for a well-deserved post-ride party under the Bill Coats Bridge!
Park to Port is open to riders of all skill levels and is not a race. Whether you are well experienced or are riding just for fun, you can go at your own pace on this scenic city journey.
Register today at RunSignUp.com
Texas Trustees Holding Annual Public Meeting December 1
The Texas Trustee Implementation Group will hold its annual public meeting via a webinar on December 1, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. CT. During the meeting, They will present an update on Texas Restoration Area plans, projects, and activities. They will provide opportunities for attendees to submit questions as part of the webinar registration process, and during the Webinar via chat. The webinar is open to everyone, and they encourage your attendance and participation.