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September 21, 2017

Houston Environmental News Update September 20, 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.

Are you interested in preserving and improving the condition of our state’s unique coastal regions? If so, be sure to join your fellow environmentalists for the Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup, to be held this Saturday, September 23, 2017, along the Gulf Coast from Beaumont to the Rio Grande Valley. Organized by the Texas General Land Office, this fall’s cleanup unfortunately will have fewer participating sites than originally planned due to a sneaky villain named Harvey.

Held each year since 1986, The Adopt-A-Beach program helps keep Texas beaches clean; educates Texans about harmful debris in our coastal waters; and enlists support for state, national, and international action to combat coastal pollution. Among those who launched this popular program more than 30 years ago was none other than the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition.

Coordinating the Bolivar Peninsula segment of the inaugural cleanup event, in September 1986, was Ginger Hobart of the CEC and Mary Ann Young. These team leaders directed the efforts of 400 dedicated volunteers, who collected 20,000 pounds of trash. (Check out the newsletter from 1986!) The statewide cleanup–which became the International Coastal Cleanup–was sponsored by what is now the Ocean Conservancy.

Today, the Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup is held twice a year, in the fall and spring. To participate in this weekend’s event, you can register at texasadoptabeach.org. Thanks for supporting clean Texas beaches!

Current sites include

  • Morgan’s Point in Harris County, coordinated by the Galveston Bay Foundation
  • The Nature Conservancy’s Texas City Prairie Preserve
  • Galveston Island, Galveston Island Park Board
  • Sea Rim State Park.

According to the GLO, if you have already signed up for the cleanup online, you will receive notification of whether your site will be participating. If your site has been canceled, you will receive instructions on how to re-register.

Additional clean-up events are listed below.

We have tried to confirm the events listed below, but not all organizations have updated their websites. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.

CEC NOTES

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.

Support the environment through workplace giving! EarthShare of Texas
Does your employer offer workplace giving? Many companies and businesses that offer workplace giving have charitable campaigns underway. CEC–and several of its member organizations–participate in workplace giving through EarthShare of Texas. Contributions made through these campaigns make a huge difference to the CEC. THANK YOU if you already give!

Check the ESTX website to see if your employer participates. If you would like a speaker to come share information with your workplace or if your employer doesn’t participate, please contact Elizabeth Howley, Business Development Director, EarthShare of Texas: 713-533-8988 or elizabeth@earthshare-texas.org.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Image result for green building resource center logoMaster Composter Program
    Houston-Area composting enthusiasts who want to enhance their skills and spread the sustainable practice can become a Master Composter through a training hosted by the City of Houston Green Building Resource Center, Thursday, September 21 through Sunday, September 24, 2017. The Yard Wise Master Composter Certificate Program, administered by the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling, offers an in-depth course featuring a team of experienced Houston professionals. At the end of the training, Master Composters will be able to make a worm bed, create “compost recipes” for specific plants, and help others embrace the environmental benefits of composting. For more on this workshop, please view their Master Composter Program News Release 2017.
  2. NPSOT: A Tour of Southeastern Texas’ Native Plant Communities
    Join the Native Plant Society of Texas for their convivial monthly membership meeting on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at the Houston Arboretum. This talk by Andy Sipocz of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department explains the geology of SE Texas and how it shapes the plant communities found in the region. It also discusses how settlement and development of the region has greatly reduced the extent of native plant communities and a few of the things being done to maintain and even restore them with an emphasis on work being conducted in State Parks. Refreshments and free to attend. Social begins at 6:45 PM; presentation at 7:15 PM. Learn more at npsot.org.
  3. The Parks and Natural Areas Award – EXTENDED
    The Parks and Natural Areas Subcommittee seeks projects that expand parks and natural areas for improved quality of life, habitat, and water quality. Winning projects, which exhibit efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation, serve as models to be replicated throughout the region. All applications must be completed online and be received by 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at H-GAC.com.
  4. No automatic alt text available.Take the Train Thursday
    Join Pier & Beam as they bring back their Metro Train tour around Houston’s historic downtown. This time around, take the METRO Rail’s Red Line from Midtown to Downtown and join in preserving Houston, supporting local businesses, and celebrating what makes Houston great. This event is free and open to guests: come when you want, leave when you are ready, and pick up your own tab. There will also be a raffle for 2 free tickets to Pier & Beam’s Fall Party/Harvey FUNdraiser. Check out their Facebook for their destination schedule and come ride the Metro with Pier & Beam tomorrow night, September 21, 2017.
  5. Post-Harvey Clean-ups on Sept. 23, 2017
  6. Artist BoatBeautify the Bucket
    The Beautify the Bucket Competition at allows participants to take an active role in beautifying Galveston beaches and improving stewardship behaviors. Participants in the competition paint a blue trash barrel destined for Galveston beaches based on a theme: ocean organisms, marine debris, coastal and marine ecosystems, or Galveston recreational activities. After the competition the barrels will be added to Galveston’s beaches where they will be enjoyed by visitors and encourage proper disposal of trash to reduce aquatic trash. Although the submissions deadline has passed, you are all invited to view and appreciate these works of art on September 23, 2017, at Menard Park during the Fall Adopt-A-Beach event in Galveston, TX at 12:00 PM.
  7. HImage result for Houston renewable energy group logoREG Student Solar Experiment Class 
    HREG is hosting “Hands On Solar 101” using solar kits to teach folks and kids how solar works from a technological perspective. One of the HREG engineers will show you how to put together a small solar panel, use a multimeter to test voltage and current, charge a battery with solar and run small gadgets off of an actual solar panel. After the solar class, there will be a special treat to teach the kids how liquid nitrogen can make ice cream. Register here to save your spot in this workshop on Saturday, September 23, 2017, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at TXRX Labs.
  8. Sustainable Living Through Permaculture
    Permaculture is an ecological, holistic and sustainable design system and philosophy for human living spaces. It is a viable method for finding sustainable solutions to modern problems. Urban Harvest offers a 5-part series of permaculture classes and hands-on training in the field, totaling approximately 100 hours, based on the curriculum of the International Permaculture Institute. Graduates of the Designers Certificate Course are invited to join the Permaculture Guild of Houston. Module one, which takes place Sunday, September 24, 2017, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, includes two classes that are prerequisites required before going on to take Modules 2 – 5. Take advantage of this great learning experience and obtain your Permaculture Certificate by registering today.
  9. houston christ the king lutheran logoConnections between People & Nature: Biodiversity 
    Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston invites you to attend Sunday Evening Conversations on Creation, a free environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2017 is Connections between People and Nature. This month on Sunday, September 24, 2017, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, explore and discuss the threats to to biodiversity and why we should care, including how biodiversity influences natural systems and provides ecosystem services that we rely on. Register here and learn more about the guest speaker.
  10. H-GAC PNA Meeting 
    The Parks & Natural Areas subcommittee facilitates information exchange and planning efforts between various stakeholders and collaborators to protect and preserve parks and natural areas across the region, and thus invites you to their monthly meeting on Monday, September 25, 2017, from 1:30 to 3:30 PM at H-GAC. To join the mailing list to find out updates about meetings and activities, email Andrea Tantillo or visit their website at www.h-gac.com/community.
  11. What the Health Film Screening – Ticket Sale Deadline 
    What the Health is the follow-up film from the creators of the award-winning documentary Cowspiracy. The film exposes the collusion and corruption in government and bigbusiness that is costing us trillions of healthcare dollars, and keeping us sick. Please join Greenpeace Houston and Food and Water Watch in exploring how our food choices impact our health and also learn about the sponsorship links between lobbying firms and our own government agencies. Purchase your tickets and consider ordering a few extra to help sponsor someone who can’t afford their own. The deadline for this event by reaching the sale goal is Monday, September 25, 2017, online. The viewing will take place the following week, October 2, 2017, at 6:30 PM (Landmark River Oaks). 
  12. Special 125th Anniversary CelebrationSierra Club’s 125th Anniversary Benefit 
    Join the Sierra Club for a special 125th Anniversary celebration to benefit the Club’s Houston Group and Lone Star Chapter on Monday, September 25, 2017, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Houston Arboretum. Gather with like-minded folks, enjoy good company, great appetizers, and desserts. Get a look at what they have planned for the evening and purchase your tickets to help benefit the club for more events and their conservation efforts.
  13. EEco-Ology Radio Program on KPFT @ 90.1 FM KPFTco-Ology Radio Program on KPFT @ 90.1 FM 
    Every Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM, KPFT’s program is dedicated to local hero’s at the forefront of environmental action, ecology in and for our community, social justice, health, and spirit. Eco-Ology welcomes ecologists, economists, environmentalists, religious and spiritual leaders, peace givers, progressives, conservatives, liberals – everyone who is deeply entrenched in living now and believes a future is possible. With a wide range of topics, you’re bound to listen to and learn something you’re interested in or something you never knew. Make sure to tune in to 90.1 FM this Tuesday. 
  14. 2017 High Performance Schools Summit
    The day has finally come for the US Green Building Council Texas Chapter’s morning of presentations and dialogue at their 2017 High Performance Schools Summit at the Houston Zoo to explore the intersection of high performance schools and enhanced learning environments. If you missed their early bird special, you can still come bright and early to register at 7:30 AM on the day of their Summit Thursday, September 28, 2017, or skip the line and register at usgbc.org. For the full event schedule and list of guest speakers, visit usgbc.org.
  15. Instant Impact Workshop
    Join H-GAC on Friday, September 29, 2017, for the Instant Impact Workshop to learn about lighter, quicker, less expensive ways to create more vibrant streets. Registration will be at 8:30 AM and the workshop will begin 9:00 AM. Local and national experts will share Instant Impact strategies for temporary and cost-effective ways to enhance a plan and gain quick wins for your community. Following presentations, they invite you to explore Instant Impact displays to learn how they can be used for your next plan.
  16. Image result for national education environmental foundationNational Public Lands Day 
    Ready to participate in the National Environmental Education Foundation’s annual National Public Lands Day next Saturday, September 30, 2017? To encourage people to join in and visit their public lands, NPLD is a fee-free day for all federal public lands and many state parks. Whether you volunteer on NPLD, enjoy some boating, hiking, fishing, or camping, or simply learn more about your public lands and the plants and wildlife that live there, NEEF invites you to take this day to enjoy the great outdoors and celebrate the lands that give us so much. Enter your zip code or address to find an NPLD event near you.

  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.
    • Kickapoo Cavern State Park: Bats, birds and caverns are what you’ll find at this secluded state park.  Located north of Del Rio, you can experience the flight of the Mexican free-tailed bat, have a guided cavern tour to see the largest column formation in Texas, and possibly see the endangered golden-cheeked warbler while exploring the park.
    • Lone Star Land Steward: Parks Ranch
    • Parks & Wildlife People: Darlene Lewis
  18. Additional Upcoming Events

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