McMac Cx Air Champions Social Change Scientists are passionate community influencers, teachers, parents, student innovators, and activists who believe that we have a right to live, learn, work and play in places where we are allowed to know the quality of the air we breathe. Make a 30-90 minute video about healthy air, and enter the Air Champions Global Video Contest for a chance to win a state-of-the-art Flow Personal Air Monitor, the chance to have your film shown at the Wild About Houston Film Festival, AND the chance to receive a $1,000 cash prize. Learn more at McMacCx.com/globalvideocontest.
Galveston Bay Estuary, Kayak Tours, Public Lands, Houston Audubon Bird Week continues, Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza, Party for the Prairie, Wildscape Workshop and Plant Sale, Green Jobs and more
The environmental community in Houston hasn’t had a slow season for many years–more events happen each week (even during a pandemic) than might have happened in a month a decade or so ago. However, the environmental community goes into high gear just as the temperature starts to cool off (hooray!), and this year is no exception. This week, we are highlighting some events that are part of national observances: National Estuaries Week & National Public Lands Day.
National Estuaries Week is a nationwide celebration of our bays and estuaries and the many benefits they provide to local communities. Galveston Bay is our largest local estuary. Local estuary events:
Virtual lunchtime launch of the 2021 Galveston Bay Report Card. In collaboration with researchers from HARC, Galveston Bay Foundation will premiere three short videos about this annual, community-driven report on the health of the Bay and answer your questions. See event page on Facebook for schedule and details. #LoveYourBay#galvbaygrade
Artist Boat is working to save 1,400 acres of precious estuarine ecosystems and has already saved 775 acres as part of the Coastal Heritage Preserve. For National Estuaries Week, Artist Boat has been challenged to raise $20,000 in 14 days–it will be matched by $20,000 in memory of Neil Huddleston. This week every $10 turns into $20! (You can also purchase tickets for Float the Boat 2021–it’s almost sold out.)
In its 22 years, Galveston Bay Foundation’s Marsh Mania has involved over 8,000 community volunteers in the restoration of over 215 acres of vital salt marsh habitat at 99 sites around Galveston Bay. Registration for this year’s event is now closed, but you can sign up for their mailing list for future community volunteering events.
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, this celebration brings out thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country. NPLD is also a “Fee-Free Day”—entrance fees are waived at national parks and other public lands. The nearest participating NPL is Padre Island National Seashore; closer to home, you can participate in National Public Lands Day at Lake Houston Park.
On Sept. 25, 2021, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Bayou Land Conservancy will host the largest nationwide celebration of our public lands. Hosted at Lake Houston Wilderness Park and in partnership with REI, volunteers will spruce up the park and get a guided tour from park naturalists. Wear close-toed shoes and outdoor clothing, including work gloves, a hat, and sunglasses. Bring a water bottle and snack; refills will be provided. For more information and to register, visit bayoulandconservancy.org.
Banner photo courtesy of Gene Fisseler.
This coming Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day. If you have not yet registered to vote, please do so. If you cannot register to vote–because you already have registered or you are ineligible to do so–you can still encourage other people to register to vote. 60% of eligible voters are never asked to register. You don’t have that excuse. Register now! votetexas.gov#voteready
CEC NOTES
Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers
Engage your students with lessons outdoors or virtually. Over 30 workshops are in the regional summer professional development calendar to connect you with local resources. Sign up today at hereinhouston.org.
Call for submissions: Wild About Houston Green Film Festival
The CEC is proud to host the fourth annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival this fall. CEC hopes to use this festival to tell local environmental stories, highlight the work of CEC’s member organizations, and to inspire our residents and visitors to make a difference in the environment and our quality of life. The festival will be held virtually to protect the health and safety of our community in these times. We invite you to submit a film for consideration. Films should be specific to the environment in the Houston/Gulf Coast Region, should be no more than seven minutes long, and must be of suitable quality to be shown publicly. View the Submission Guidelines, and make submissions using this Google Form.
Air Champion Social Change Scientists Global Video Contest
McMac Cx Air Champions Social Change Scientists are passionate community influencers, teachers, parents, student innovators, and activists who believe that we have a right to live, learn, work and play in places where we are allowed to know the quality of the air we breathe. Make a 30-90 minute video about healthy air, and enter the Air Champions Global Video Contest for a chance to win a state-of-the-art Flow Personal Air Monitor, the chance to have your film shown at the Wild About Houston Film Festival, AND the chance to receive a $1,000 cash prize. Learn more at McMacCx.com/globalvideocontest.
Imagine a Day Without Water Video Contest
The City of Houston Public Works department invites Houston residents to participate in Imagine a Day Without Water Video Contest! This contest is designed to engage all Houstonians in the nation-wide event “Imagine a Day Without Water,” hosted by the Value of Water Campaign. The purpose of Imagine a Day Without Water is to bring attention to the neglected water systems in America. Entrants should create a video–not to exceed 1-minute–exploring or depicting various aspects of what daily life might look like/be affected by an entire day without any water. This can showcase a day without water in its relation to infrastructure, the environment, consumption, or conservation. The nature of the video can range from fun and light-hearted to more serious depictions of a day without water. Enter for the chance to win cash prizes AND the opportunity to have your films shown about the 2021 Wild About Houston Green Film Festival! View the flyer and visit houstontx.gov for more information. Submit videos by Sunday, October 17, 2021, to waterconservation@houstontx.gov.
Please scroll down to read about public engagement opportunities and notes from our member organizations and the community.
The CEC is proud to host the fourth annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival this fall. CEC hopes to use this festival to tell local environmental stories, highlight the work of CEC’s member organizations, and to inspire our residents and visitors to make a difference in the environment and our quality of life. The festival will be held virtually to protect the health and safety of our community in these times. We invite you to submit a film for consideration. Films should be specific to the environment in the Houston/Gulf Coast Region, should be no more than seven minutes long, and must be of suitable quality to be shown publicly. View the Submission Guidelines, and make submissions using this Google Form.
