And, of course, if you live in Harris County, you have the opportunity to vote in a $2.5 Billion flood control bond election on August 25, 2018, or vote early between now and August 21, 2018. Find out more at Harrisvotes.com. More info below.

If you know of any we’ve missed, please send us a note at news@cechouston.org.

Today’s banner image courtesy Glassock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University.

CEC NOTES

Houston Green Film Series

On September 19, we will be showing Dirt Rich, another excellent film, this time about the connection between regenerative agriculture and climate change.

In October, we’ll host “Wild About Houston, A Green Film Festival,” to showcase local short films telling environmental stories. Let us know if you have a film to submit!

Mark your calendar for January 30 & 31, 2019, when we’ll be hosting the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour.

CEC Seeks Board & Committee Members
The CEC is currently recruiting volunteers to serve on our 2019 Board of Directors and on board committees (programs, publications, membership, governance, finance, and development). Our Governance Committee will be hosting informational open houses for potential board members September 24 and October 22, 2018. If you are interested, please send an email with your résumé to rachel@cechouston.org.

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

1.  Galveston Bay gets an overall “C” in 2018 Galveston Bay Report Card
   On Wednesday, August 15, 2018, the Galveston Bay Foundation, in conjunction with the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), released the 2018 Galveston Bay Report Card. The report gave a “C” for “Overall Health of the Bay,” noting the challenges of habitat acreage declines, pollution, and impacts of climate change. Other categories and their grades:  Human Health Risks (C); Water Quality (A); Wildlife (D); Habitat (D); Coastal Change (C); and Pollution Events and Sources (C). Find the full report at galvbaygrade.org.
2. Early voting in Harris County Flood Control District Bond Program election continues through Aug. 21
   Harris County is holding a bond election for the Harris County Flood Control District. Registered voters will be asked to vote on August 25, 2018 (with early voting continuing through August 21) on up to $2.5 billion in bonds for flood risk reduction projects throughout the county. Find detailed information about proposed projects for each of the county’s watersheds, including an interactive map, at hcfcd.org.
3. Waller County Transportation Plan Public Meeting
   On August 16, 2018, from 5-7 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host the final public meeting on proposed recommendations for an update to the Waller County Transportation Plan. There are some proposals for new roads that would run through environmentally sensitive Katy Prairie Conservancy preserve lands. The meeting will be held at the Waller County Community Center, 21212 FM 1098 Loop, Prairie View. If you are unable to attend, public comments may be emailed to PublicComments@h-gac.com.
4. “Gardening with Local Native Plants” presentation
   On August 16, 2018, beginning at 6:45 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold its monthly meeting featuring a presentation by Katy Emde called “Gardening with Local Native Plants and How Houstonians Are Doing It.” The event will be held at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. For more information, visit npsot.org.
5. UCS presents “The Risks of Rising Seas on our Coasts”
   On August 16, 2018, from 7-8 p.m., representatives of the Union of Concerned Scientists will host a presentation focusing on their recently released report, “Underwater,” examining the impact of tidal flooding and sea level rise on coastal real estate. There will also be a discussion of ways to use science-based resources to convince federal elected officials to take action on climate change. The event will be held at Emerson Unitarian-Universalist Church, 1900 Bering Drive. For more information, see the Facebook event.
6. Climate Change Town Hall
   On August 18, 2018, from 1:30-4 p.m., Houston Climate Movement and the Union of Concerned Scientists will co-host a “Climate Change Town Hall” at Talento Bilingue de Houston, 333 Jensen Drive. During the event, HCM representatives will discuss how climate change affects Houstonians, and UCS will discuss their recent “Underwater” report (see above) on the relationship between climate change and chronic flooding. For more details and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
7. McGovern Centennial Gardens Volunteer Orientations
   On August 18, 2018, from 9:30-11 a.m, Hermann Park Conservancy will host a orientations for prospective volunteers at the McGovern Centennial Gardens. Participants will learn about the Conservancy’s background, details of volunteer opportunities, and get a tour of McGovern Centennial Gardens, and hands-on demonstration. For more information and to register, visit hermannpark.org.
8. A Day of Maritime Issues Front and Center
   On August 22, 2018, from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., the North American Marine Environment Protection Association, the West Gulf Maritime Association, the Nautical Institute Gulf Branch, and the Samunder Club will co-host a special WGMA Membership Meeting featuring keynote speaker RADM Michael “Mike” Rodriguez, superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy Galveston, followed by an “Emission Strategies for 2020 and Beyond” seminar and reception. For more information to register, visit namepa.net.
9. Building Forward: Sustainable Growth Forum
   On August 22, 2018, from 7:30-9 a.m., the West Houston Association will present “Building Forward: Sustainable Growth Forum,” a panel discussion on sustainability, resilience, and the future of growth in the Greater West Houston region. The event will be held at the Embassy Suites-Energy Corridor, 11730 Katy Freeway. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit westhouston.org.
10. Coastal Communities Outreach Open House
    On August 22, from 2-4 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Coastal Communities program will host an Open House at the Brazoria County Library-Alvin Branch, 105 S. Gordon Branch, Alvin. Learn how to talk about water pollution with your community, organization, HOA, civic group, business, or apartment complex. Staff from several nonprofit and government water quality organizations will discuss outreach activities and materials available to help spread the message to change behavior to reduce water pollution. RSVP to becki.begley@h-gac.com by Friday, August 17. For more information, visit coastalcommunities.com.
11. Texas Solar Activity in 2018
    On August 22, 2018, from 6-8 p.m., the Houston Green Building Resource Center and the Houston chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council will co-host a panel discussion on different aspects of solar energy deployment in Houston and Texas. The event will take place at the GBRC offices in the City of Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington Ave. For more information and to RSVP, visit codegreenhouston.org.
12. Whooping Crane Conservation talk
    On August 23, 2018, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will hold their monthly meeting, featuring a talk by Dr. Wade Harrell, the U.S. Whooping Crane Coordinator at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Harrell’s talk will begin at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the American Red Cross building, 2700 Southwest Freeway.
13. Docent Training Open House
    On August 23, 2018, from 10 a.m.-noon, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will host an Open House for people interested in becoming a Docent Naturalist. Attendees will meet Arboretum staff and volunteers, go on a brief tour of the  trails, and participate in several hands-on activities. For more information, visit houstonarboretum.org.
14. Regional Recycling Roundtable: Tire Recycling
    On August 23, 2018, from 10 a.m.-noon, the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host a Regional Recycling Roundtable on the topic of “Tire Recycling,” with presenters Anthony Showen, CEO of Treadwright Tires, and Henrik Olesen, CEO of Genan Inc. The event will be held in Conference Room A of the H-GAC offices, 3555 Timmons Lane. For more information and to RSVP, visit h-gac.com.
15. AIA Houston SandCastle Competition
    On August 25, 2018, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. the Houston chapter of the American Institute for Architects will present the 32nd Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition at East Beach on Galveston Island. More than 60 teams will compete for the prestigious Gold Bucket Award. The teams will meticulously sculpt their piles of sand and work non-stop for five hours. For more information, visit aiahouston.org.
16. “Sustainability at Rice” webinar
    On August 26, 2018, from 6-7 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church will present its monthly Stewardship web meeting featuring Richard Johnson, sustainability director for Rice University, who will discuss Rice’s broad range of campus sustainability initiatives over the past 14 years. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
17. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
    Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3 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.
    • A family plants pine trees to feed birds and bugs
    • Texas’s four quail species find their habitats endangered
    • Paddling in the heart of the Metroplex

http://cechouston.org/category/green-jobs/