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May 24, 2017

Houston Environmental News Update May 24, 2017

Scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community, or view the emailed version of the newsletter, which includes a green job listing.

On Thursday, most HISD (and many other) students will be celebrating the last day of school. Some parents are thrilled, others are terrified. Just in case you need a little help planning summer activities for the kids, here is a list of some of our groups that offer summer camps. I haven’t sent my kids to all of them, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about these camps:

If you know of another camp about environment or sustainability, please let me know (rachel@cechouston.org). Also, if you are with a camp looking for environment/sustainability resources (field trip opportunities, camp-room visits, education trunks, etc.), I can provide suggestions.

Photo credits: The kids jumping off the triceratops are at a SPARK Park. The kayaking kids are on an Artist Boat eco-art tour.

CEC NOTES

CEC Monthly Social: Environment Matters
Join CEC on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at 6 pm for the next Environment Matters social. In May, David Crossley will be sharing some of his extensive wisdom on sustainability, urbanism, and the environment. Did you know that, in addition to founding and directing Houston Tomorrow, where his focus has been on urban growth issues as they relate to quality of life, he has served on local, state, and national boards and committees, including a stint as the president of CEC’s board of directors? Grab a seat & beverage for an inclusive and interactive get together. Learn from experts, find out about local events, and enjoy the fun! If you are new to the Houston environmental community, this will be a great event to connect. You may bring food and nonalcoholic drinks. Beer is available for purchase. Where: Eureka Brewery 941 W 18th St, Houston, TX 77008, eurekaheights.com. Learn more on facebook.

Greater Houston Environmental Summit & Environmental Education Expo
Annually, CEC hosts a networking and learning event for the extraordinary people who work at or are interested in the work of environmental organizations in the greater Houston region. In 2017, CEC will be hosting the Greater Houston Environmental Summit on Friday, August 4, 2017, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Community Resource Center at the United Way of Greater Houston. In addition to excellent keynote presentations and panels, we will again offer small-format table talks. We will feature a panel in conjunction with EarthShare of Texas, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. We are partnering with a variety of environmental education collaboratives to offer an Environmental Education Expo for teachers and informal educators. If you are interested in exhibiting at the EE Expo, please contact Marina@cechouston.org. We’re taking suggestions & proposals for the table talks, so if you have an issue you’d like to learn about or share with the environmental community, drop us a line at rachel@cechouston.org.

Save the Date: Houston Green Film Series
The next screening by the Houston Green Film Series will be on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at the Rice Media Center. Stay tuned to hear about the film! Learn more on the Houston Green Film Series’ Facebook page.

Earth Day Houston 2018
Thank you to everyone who joined us to discuss Earth Day Houston 2018. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Community Resource Center of the United Way of Greater Houston. Notes will be sent out soon. To learn more or be added to the mailing list, please contact marina@cechouston.org.

COALITION NOTES

  1. Spring Tyke Hike at Baytown Nature Center
    This Friday, May 26, 2017, is the last of the spring season Tyke Hike series. This free pre-school program offers nature adventure for pre-school children and parents; the topic for this Tyke Hike is fishing!
  2. Solar Energy System Workshop
    Houston Renewable Energy Group organizes solar energy system workshops on last Friday of the month.  The workshop addresses all issues related to installation and operation. Ideal for those with a technical background or DIYer in need of guidance or troubleshooting with their solar installation project. For more information about Friday, May 26, 2017 workshop, visit houstonrenewableenergy.org.
  3. TWRC Wildlife Center Volunteer Orientation
    Attending a Center Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, may 27, 2017, is the first step to becoming a center volunteer at TWRC Wildlife Center. This comprehensive one-hour orientation explains everything you need to know about TWRC, what is expected from the volunteers, and what the volunteers can expect from TWRC.  No previous experience with wildlife is required, but the volunteers need to make a commitment to participate at least 12 hours per month in any volunteer opportunity.
    For more information and to register, visit www.twrcwildlifecenter.org.
  4. Fishing 101 at Sheldon Lake State Park
    On Saturday, May 27, 2017, you can learn some of the basic skills you’ll need to be a great angler!  Find out what goes in an angler’s toolbox, how to tie knots, the best way to cast, and more about the fish! Cane poles will be available to borrow. Sheldon Lake State Park does not require any fees or pre-registration for this program.  Please make sure to bring your water, bug spray, binoculars, and closed-toe shoes.
  5. National Trails Day(s)
    Multiple CEC member organizations are hosting events to celebrate National Trails Day, which is on Saturday, June 3, 2017. Here are a few (and let us know if you know of more):

  6. AIA SandCastle Competition
    On June 3, 2017, join the American Institute of Architects for their annual SandCastle Competition. The AIA SandCastle Competition is a fund-raising event for AIA Houston and ArCH Foundation as well as one of the top five revenue generating events for the City of Galveston. This year over 60 teams have their eyes and shovels set on winning the prestigious Golden Bucket Award. Firms begin months in advance generating ideas, developing designs, and assigning duties. On the day of the event the teams, stretched along the beach front, meticulously sculpt their piles of sand and work non-stop for five hours. Read more at aiahouston.org.
  7. EarthShare of Texas 25th Anniversary Round Table Discussion Series: Bracken Cave Bat Tour
    Happy Anniversary to EarthShare of Texas!
    To celebrate 25 years, EST is hosting a Round-Table Discussion Series to introduce the public to all of the great work its members have accomplished.  From air quality to zebra populations, they have it covered. Learn more at earthshare-texas.org/events. Buying a ticket to the entire series will gain you entry into the following events:

    • Toxic Tour- Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale of Air Pollution in Houston.  A three hour (bus) tour.  June 9, 2017 – Air Alliance Houston.
    • RESCHEDULED: Bats, Birds, and Barbecue- A dinner discussion of wildlife and habitat conservation with a viewing of  the awesome bat emergence at Bracken Bat Cave. July 29, 2017 – Bracken Cave, San Antonio.
    • On the Ground Floor of Ground Water: A breakfast discussion divining the future of our most precious resource.   July date tbd Redbud Center.
    • The Hot Topic of Climate Change- Greater Houston Environmental Summit Aug 4, 2017 – United Way of Greater Houston–In conjunction with the CEC!
    • This Land is your Land: Exploring the terrain of land conservation; Red Bud Center, October 17, 2017.
    • And the grand finale picnic with food, games music and more!  The whole family is welcome!
  8. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
    Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 p.m. each Saturday and on municipal access cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Houston, Texas City, Galveston, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Sugar Land, and on HCC TV. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). For a preview, visit TPWD’s YouTube Page.

    • Traveling Turkeys: Follow some turkeys as they are moved from Iowa to east Texas to help restore depleted populations.
    • Wild Teachers: Project WILD takes teachers out of the classroom and into nature.
    • Saving Sharks: Tagging and tracking sharks helps biologists keep tabs on these top predators.
  9. Additional Upcoming Events

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