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August 10, 2017

Houston Environmental News Update August 9, 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.

We had a record crowd last week at the Greater Houston Environmental Summit. Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a success! Photos, videos of the panel and speakers, and additional information will be available soon at cechouston.org. Mark your calendar for August 10, 2018, for next year’s Summit.

CEC NOTES

Kroger Community Rewards Annual Renewal
Do you shop at Kroger? If so, did you know that your can link your Community Rewards card to the CEC? If you do, CEC will receive a portion of your purchase, with no direct cost to you!

At KrogerCommunityRewards.com, you can link or re-link your card to the CEC using organization # 91091. You must re-enroll annually (starting August 1) to continue giving back to the community starting September 1. Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 800-576-4377 and select option 4 to get your Plus Card number. If you do not have a Kroger plus Card, they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger. Register online at www.KrogerCommunityRewards.com. Take a look at the bottom of your receipt; if you see CEC listed, then THANK YOU for supporting CEC.

CEC’s Film Selection Viewing Party 
You are invited to attend CEC’s Film Selection Viewing Parties for the January 2018 Wild and Scenic Film Festival On Tour. Help us select from almost 60 films this year. Drop by the CEC office to watch 5-6 short films and share your thoughts with us the afternoon of Friday, August 18, 2017, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in our offices at 751 Silver St. #111 (use the door on Silver St rather than the front door). Contact rachel@cechouston.org to RSVP, with any questions, or to be added to the email list.

Houston Green Film Series August Screening
The August screening of the Houston Green Film Series won’t be the same bat time or the same bat place. Instead, it will be on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion in Hermann Park, and will feature local wildlife & conservation short films.

CEC soliciting film submissions
Please consider submitting a short film (under 7 minutes) for possible inclusion in CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Film Contest on November 15, 2017. Winning entries will be shown at CEC’s showing of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour on January 24 & 25, 2018.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. H-GAC’s Basin 11 Bacteria Reduction Project Meeting
    The streams addressed in the Basin 11 Bacteria Reduction Project are located within the San Jacinto-Brazos Coastal Basin, referred to as Basin 11. The Basin covers a large geographic area, and includes all or a portion of 50 cities, villages, and census-designated places and four counties: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston and Harris. The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is looking for stakeholders to help share their knowledge of local waterways to develop a plan to reduce bacteria levels in the San Jacinto-Brazos Coastal Basin, also known as Basin 11. Using basin characterization report data and other input, local stakeholders will work to create a plan to identify and address bacteria impairments across the basin, including watershed management tools and options available to residents, businesses, and governments to reduce the impairments. Registration is not required to attend this meeting on Thursday, August 10, 2017, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Brazoria County Public Library. For more on the project or H-GAC, visit www.h-gac.com.
  2. ABCShoreline Clean Up at San Luis Pass
    There will be a shore line trash removal effort Friday, August 11, 2017, from 7:30 to 10:30 AM with the American Bird Conservancy, and the wildlife and waters of the San Luis Pass area of Galveston Island need your help. Help improve this birding habitat and reduce the amount of trash entering the waters. Lend a helping hand and register for the clean up here. All other questions can be emailed to TERN@audubon.org.
  3. Image result for the nature conservancyTexas City Prairie Preserve Volunteer Workday 
    Looking for a way to get back to nature and get your hands dirty? Volunteer for The Nature Conservancy on Friday, August 11, 2017, from 8:30 to 11:30 AM. They are hosting volunteer workdays the second Friday of every month at the Texas City Prairie Preserve, a 2,300-acre hidden gem south of Houston, in Texas City. Volunteers of every background and ability level are eagerly welcome. Workdays will include a variety of activities, from removing invasive species and harvesting native seeds to planting marsh grasses and tending the butterfly garden. It’s all fun and all a big help for the organization and the environment. To become a volunteer, visit www.nature.org.
  4. Image result for christ the king lutheran churchCreation Care Fest – Environmental Extravaganza
    Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran church invites you to the 2017 Creation Care Fest – Environmental Extravaganza on Saturday, August 12, 2017, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This year’s theme is Stewardship. Their free environmental educational offering has activities for all ages: adults can attend interactive lectures addressing the theme by a variety of experts, considering everything from air to water to plants and animals, and kids (or kids with accompanying adults) can enjoy fun and educational environmental activities. Exhibits by local environmental nonprofits will offer more opportunities to learn and engage. For the full schedule, list of activities, and registration, please visit their event page.
  5. Back the Bay 
    Join the Houston Zoo and many great local wildlife conservation partners to Back the Bay at the Houston Zoo on Saturday, August 12, 2017, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Learn how trash and plastic pollution impacts our region’s wildlife, water quality, health and then see how you can help prevent trash and litter from ending up in Galveston Bay. For more on the Houston Zoo and their summer events, visit houstonzoo.org.
  6. Dog Days of Summer with Houston Arboretum
    Enjoy a nature hike with man’s best friend and bring your pooch for a guided walk along the Arboretum trails followed by a canine social mixer. At the mixer, everyone can relax with drinks and snacks: water and treats for the dogs, beer (21+) and light bites for the humans. On Saturday, August 12, 2017, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, there will be about one hour of walking and one hour of relaxed social time, so come out, bring your best friend, and enjoy an evening outdoors. Register here and look for more events with Houston Arboretum.
  7. Image result for armand bayou nature centerChildren’s Nature Classes
    Looking for a place to get your children outdoors? ABNC’s EcoClasses will allow your child to explore, discover and observe through STEM activities. There are different activities each week for different age groups Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Bring your kids for some great nature experiences and check out their website at abnc.org for details or call 713-274-2668 to reserve your spot.
  8. 2017 Environmental Leadership Awards Deadline
    State of Texas Alliance for Recycling is now accepting nominations for their 2017 Environmental Leadership Awards. The Texas Environmental Leadership Awards recognize true stewards of environmental change in Texas – individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses developing and maintaining programs involving recycling, composting, sustainable materials management, public education and outreach, special event recycling – and so much more. Click here to view the awards nomination packet with the specific awards and criteria to submit a nomination. Applications are due Monday, August 14, 2017, by 5:00 PM CT.
  9. Image result for texas audubon2018 Terry Hershey Texas Women in Conservation Award 
    Audubon’s Texas Women in Conservation Program debuted in 2015 to honor the role that women play in the conservation field in the Lone Star State. Audubon Texas will host the fourth annual Texas Women in Conservation Luncheon in Houston on March 29, 2018, and present an esteemed group of women leaders in today’s conservation movement throughout the Lone Star State with the Terry Hershey Texas Women in Conservation Award. Nominations are accepted from individuals and organizations who complete and submit the nomination application by Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at 5:00 PM. You can view and download the full application at  tx.audubon.org (PDF).
  10. Blanket Bingo 
    This popular event is back at Market Square Park- join Buffalo Bayou Partnership and the Downtown District for the first Blanket Bingo event of the year. Bring your blanket, lawn chairs or snag one of the tables at the park for a night of fun, music and great prizes. $10 admission includes one bingo packet (approx. 9 games). Additional games and daubers can be purchased for $1 each. Proceeds benefit BBP and Historic Market Square Park. Get there early as cards sell out quickly on Thursday, August 17, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
  11. Bayou Land Conservancy Wild & Scenic Film Festival 
    Join Bayou Land Conservancy as they host the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour, an evening of beautiful and inspirational films that highlight our natural environment on Thursday, August 17, 2017, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. The selected films will cover a variety of environmental topics and offer spectacular scenery, breathtaking journeys, and stories of human connections. To get your tickets for this screening and get a preview of some of the films you’ll enjoy, visit www.bayoulandconservancy.org/wild-scenic-film-festival.
  12. Image result for Federal Railroad AdministrationDallas to Houston HSR Environmental Impact Statement 
    The U.S. Department of Transportation via the Federal Railroad Administration prepared an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposal Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail Project. The Project consist of the construction and operation of a 240 mile, high-speed passenger rail connecting Dallas and Houston, Texas. The proposed bullet train vehicle will have an achievable speeds exceeding 200 mph in a fully sealed corridor with travel time of approximate 90-minutes between the two cities. To stay up to date on the environmental impact of this grand project, visit www.fra.dot.gov.
  13. Hit Me with Your SunShot: Deadline 
    The Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative is looking for the best solar energy technology photos from across the United States. The Hit Me with Your SunShot photo contest will award solar photographers with $2,500 in cash prizes, including a $500 grand prize, and the winning photographs will be featured on the Department of Energy’s webpage and in promotional materials. The deadline for all submissions is Thursday, August 17, 2017. For photo requirements and how to enter, visit their call for entry.
  14. Public Hearing of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
    The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) would like to extend an invitation for you to attend the Annual Public Hearing of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The Commission holds this meeting each year to receive input from their partners, stakeholders, and constituents concerning any issues relating to TPWD policies, goals, programs, and responsibilities. The meeting will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, in Austin, TX.
  15. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Public Comment: Deadline 
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is holding public scoping meetings in preparation for developing a draft National Environmental Policy Act analysis regarding Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation’s proposal to draft a Habitat Conservation Plan. The request for public input on what the Service should consider in this plan ends Wednesday, August 30, 2017. For more information and list of dates for public meetings, visit LCRA.
  16. 2017 Gulf Star RFP
    The 2017 Gulf Star RFP and Application Form are now posted on the GOMA website here:  www. gulfofmexicoalliance.org. Deadline for submissions is September 1, 2017.
  17. 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.

    • 75 Years in Print: The outdoor magazine of Texas has seen some changes over the last three-quarters of a century. Meet the people who craft it each month and see what it takes to deliver the state’s great outdoors to mailboxes and newsstands everywhere.
    • Russell Graves Photo Tips: Freelance photographer, and regular contributor to the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, Russell Graves shares some of his thoughts on what it takes to create quality outdoor photos.
    • Postcard From Texas: Between them, photographers Earl Nottingham and Chase Fountain have been shooting photos for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for 31 years. Take a look at some of their favorite wildlife photographs.
  18. Additional Upcoming Events

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