Houston Environmental News Update October 10, 2018
- Earth Science Celebration at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on Saturday, October 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Energy Day Festival at downtown’s Sam Houston Park, October 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (see details below)
- Earth Science Field Trip at HMNS’s Weiss Energy Hall, October 21, noon-3 p.m.
CEC NOTES
Wild About Houston: A Green Film Festival
Please join CEC, the Houston Green Film Series, Rice Media Center, and additional partners on Oct. 17, 2018, for “Wild About Houston: A Green Film Festival,” to showcase local short films telling environmental stories.
Repair Café Houston
Please consider joining CEC and our partners Transition Houston, the City of Houston Green Building Resource Center, the Houston Peace & Justice Center, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Houston Complete Communities, and TX/RX Labs for the fall Repair Café Houston on October 27, 2018! A Repair Café celebrates fixing through a fun, collaborative, hands-on community event. People bring their broken items for assessment, disassembly and repair. Bring your toolkit and join us to have fun and learn while helping others troubleshoot and fix their broken stuff! Volunteers assess, take apart, and hopefully – REPAIR. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
Save the Date: EEE on Nov. 7
The next quarterly meeting of the Environmental Educators Exchange will be on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at 4:30 PM at Houston Arboretum. More details coming soon. Sign up for EEE-mails at constantcontact.com.
We have tried to confirm the events listed below, but not all organizations have updated their websites. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.
- HIGHLIGHTING HARVEY
With so many local organizations holding events and discussions relating to the effects and lessons learned from Hurricane Harvey, we are consolidating them into this special section. Please click on the links for detailed information.- 10/11/18: Congregation Emanu El hosts Harris County: One Year After Harvey
- 10/13/18: Houston Sierra Club presents the Coalition for Environment, Equity & Resilience (CEER)
- 10/16/18: Texas Impact hosts Talanoa Dialogue on Hurricane Harvey Recovery
- 10/18/18: Bayou Preservation Association Symposium: Staying Awake After the Harvey Wake-up Call
- 10/24/18: H-GAC Clean Water Initiative: Resiliency After Harvey
- 11/14/18: Asia Society presents Houston Reimagined: Building a Resilient City and Best Practices from Asia
- “Like There is No Tomorrow ” art installation through Oct. 31
Main Street Projects is presenting an immersive new art exhibition, “Like There Is No Tomorrow” — an interactive installation and complimentary exhibition byLina Dibin collaboration with Taylor Knapps. The installation is a large-scale interactive video installation that examines species decline in the Anthropocene. Footage of the Gulf of Mexico’s Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is brought to the surface on Houston’s Main Street. - 2018 Prairies & Pollinators: A Regional Celebration
Through early November, the Coastal Prairie Partnership is sponsoring “2018 Prairies & Pollinators: A Regional Celebration,” a set of events allowing attendees to learn about and help plant pollinating plants in prairies across the region. For a full listing of planned events, visit prairiepartner.org. Some upcoming events include:- 10/13/18: Second Saturday Bird Walk at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
- 10/16/18: Seed Collecting Trip to Nash Prairie Preserve with Katy Prairie Conservancy
- 10/19/18: Prairie Restoration Roundup at Texas City Prairie Preserve
- 10/20/18: Prairie Pandemonium at Armand Bayou Nature Center
- 10/20/18: Clinton Park Prairie Planting
- Texas Energy Summit
On Oct. 11, 2018, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., the Texas Gulf Coast chapter of the U.S. Green Building Conference will host the Texas Energy Summit at the Norris Conference Center at City Centre. The summit is focused on energy reduction and smarter technology solutions for buildings. For more information and to register, visit usgbctexas.org. - “Restoration Not Incarcerationâ„¢” panel discussion at TSU
On Oct. 11, 2018, from 6:30-8 p.m.,Texas Southern University’s Department of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy will host a panel discussion on how the intersectional program “Restoration Not Incarcerationâ„¢” can be offered
for replication through innovative planning and public policy to Houston and other municipalities. The event will be held at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. For more information, visit constantcontact.com. - Houston Zoo Wildlife Conservation Gala
On Oct. 11, 2018, from 6-11 p.m., Houston Zoo will hold the 11th Annual Wildlife Conservation Gala, shining a spotlight on the species and habitats of the Lone Star State. Guest speaker Carter Smith, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, will share stories from his years as a leader in Texas conservation, followed by a special performance by country artist Dan Green. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit houstonzoo.org. - White Oak Parkway Habitat Restoration
On Oct. 13, 2018, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston Parks & Recreation Department’s Natural Resources Management Program will hold a volunteer event to help restore urban prairie habitat at White Oak Parkway. Meet at 700 White Oak Drive. Shovels will be provided. Be sure to bring plenty of water, along with shoes and clothes that can get muddy. To RSVP, please call 832-395-7090 or email Naturalresources@houstontx.gov. - Greens Bayou Regatta
On Oct. 13, 2018, beginning at 9 a.m., the Greens Bayou Coalition will host the 3rd Annual Greens Bayou Regatta, a 7.5-mile kayak race, supporting the development of the proposed 27.5-mile Greens Bayou Paddle Trail. Volunteers for the event are still being sought. For more information, visit greensbayouregatta.com. - 2018 KBR Kids Day
On Oct. 13, 2018, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership will host the 2018 KBR Kids Day at Guadalupe Park Plaza, 2311 Runnels Street. Activity stations will include numerous hands-on activities from over 20 Houston partners, local entertainment and performers, Dia de los Muertos face painters, balloon artists, a rock climbing wall, a birds of prey show and a Halloween Costume Parade. For more information, visit buffalobayou.org. - Houston Audubon Birding Class: Nature at Night
On Oct. 13, 2018, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Glenn Olson will teach Nature at Night at the Houston Audubon’s Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Adults and accompanied youth (age 10+) can discover the joys of urban wildlife — mammals, rodents, birds, frogs, and crawling creatures. Bring your flashlight to help search for the animals and insects whose eyes sparkle like diamonds in the night. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org. - Gulf Spill Restoration Texas Trustee Implementation Group meeting
On Oct. 15, 2018, from 6:30-9 p.m., the Deepwater Horizon NRDA Texas Trustee Implementation Group will hold the 2018 annual public meeting at Texas A&M University, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston. The meeting will provide an update work accomplished since the historic settlement with BP and highlight ongoing restoration projects and plans for future efforts. There will be a pre-meeting Open House beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, visit gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov. - Recycle Bowl begins Oct. 15
Keep America Beautiful presents Recycle Bowl, a national K-12 competition between schools to invigorate student participation in recycling efforts. The competition runs from October 15 to November 15. The Recycle-Bowl competition has three division categories (School, Community, and District Divisions) allowing schools to compete where they fit best. The Recycle-Bowl also features a non-competitive, “Open Division†that is less formal and accommodates schools that register late. For more information, visit kab.org. - Our Great Region Awards applications open Oct. 15
The Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Our Great Region Awards recognize outstanding projects in the region that advance the goals and strategies identified in the Our Great Region 2040 plan. The application periods opens Oct, 15 and closes Nov. 16, 2018. Any plans, programs, projects or policies that have implemented a strategy of the Our Great Region 2040 plan within the 13-county region in the past four years are eligible. For more information, visit ograwards.org. - “USGS Annual Groundwater Table Data: How Are We Doing?â€
On Oct. 18, 2018, beginning at 7 p.m., The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. will present  a Going Green Sustainability Lecture titled “USGS Annual Groundwater Table Data: How Are We Doing?†by Christopher Braun of the U.S. Geological Survey. The event will be held at the at the offices of the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), 8801 Gosling Road, The Woodlands. Registration is not requird. For more information, visit thewoodlandsgreen.org. - Harris County Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee Meeting
On Oct. 18, 2018, from 10 a.m.-noon, the Harris County Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee, which is working to update the Harris County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, will hold a meeting at the Houston TranStar building, 6922 Katy Road. The Steering Committee meetings are open to the public, and residents, community groups and stakeholders are invited to participate and make comments. For more information, visit readyharris.org. - Bay Area Sierra Club presents Climate Change Awareness Round Trip
On Oct. 17, 2018, from 6:30-9 p.m., the Bay Area Sierra Club will present the “Climate Change Awareness Road Trip,” featuring Sharir Masri, Ph.D., an air pollution scientist at University of California at Irving and author of “Beyond Debate: Answers to 50 Misconceptions on Climate Change.” The event will be held at the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park, 5002 NASA Parkway. - Houston Audubon 2018 Gala: Birds, Bugs & Blooms
On Oct. 18, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Houston Audubon will hold its 2018 Gala, themed “Bird, Bugs & Blooms,” at The Briar Club, 2603 Timmons. The gala will benefit Houston Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Communities program, which aims to transform the greater Houston area into a thriving community that supports birds, butterflies and other pollinators while providing more accessible opportunities for people to experience the wonder and joy of birds. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit houstonaudubon.org. - 15th Annual Plant Thyme Fall Luncheon
On Oct. 19, 2018, from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Keep Pearland Beautiful will host the 15th Annual Plant Thyme Fall Luncheon and plant sale, benefiting KPB environmental programs and the Stella Roberts Recycling Center, at Pearland First United Church. The keynote speaker is Randy Lemmon, host of KTRH-AM’s “GardenLine” program. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit keeppearlandbeautiful.org. - Picnic for the Park
On Oct. 19, 2018, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital will present “Picnic for the Park,” benefiting Cullinan Park Conservancy, at the River Pointe Church auditorium, 5000 Ransom Road, Richmond. Guinness Book Atlantic Ocean rowboat record-holder will share stories of his adventures, and Ann Hamilton will be honored with the Nina Cullinan Award. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit cullinanparkconservancy.org. - Energy Day Festival
On Oct. 20, 2018, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the 8th annual Energy Day Festival will be held at downtown’s Sam Houston Park. Energy Day is a free family festival showcasing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Energy Day includes nearly 70 interactive demonstrations and exhibits that teach students and their families about various forms of energy through STEM fields, along with efficiency, conservation, and other STEM-related industries. For more information, visit energydayfestival.org. - Pumpkin Patch Festival at Nature Discovery Center
On Oct. 20-21, 2018, the Nature Discovery Center will hold its annual Pumpkin Patch Festival in Bellaire’s Russ Pitttman Park.  Proceeds from the festival support the Center‘s science and nature based programs for schools, children, adults and families. Admission to the festival is free. Tickets sold from ticket tents located at both ends of the park are required for food, games and activities. Pumpkins will be sold for cash or tickets. For more information, visit naturediscoverycenter.org. - “Canoe, Creek and Commissioner” at Spring Creek Greenway
On Oct. 20, 2018, from 4 p.m.-sunset, the Bayou Land Conservancy and Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle will host the annual “Canoe, Creek and Commissioner” paddle event down the Spring Creek Greenway. Canoes and tandem kayaks are available to rent. Meeting point at Jesse Jones Nature Center. Pre-registration will close on Oct. 20 at noon. Walk-up registrations will be accepted if spots are available.For more information, visit bayoulandconservancy.secure.force.com. - 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.- All in a day’s work for K-9 commissioned Texas game wardens
- A photographer documents Texas parks with his “trailer camera”
- Enjoying the sunset at Rita Blanca National Grasslands
- Additional Upcoming Events
- 10/22/18: First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance
- 10/22/18: Houston Green Roof & Wall Symposium
- 10/23/18: Clean Cities Technology Conference
- 10/23/18 BIG Fall Meeting
- 10/23/18Â BIG Fall Meeting
- 10/24/18: Clean Waters Initiative Workshop
- 10/25/18: LSGCD Water Efficiency Network Meeting
- 10/26/18: Future-Proofing Design Game Workshop
- 10/27/18: Cabin Tours and meet “Edith L. Moore”
- 10/27/18:Â BikeHouston Moonlight Ramble
- 10/28-31/18: Texas Recycling Summit 2018 (Galveston)
- 10/30/18: State of Texas Alliance for Recycling Annual Meeting (Galveston)
- 10/30/18: Texas Plastic Pollution Symposium (Corpus Christi)
- 10/30/18: “Building the Business Case for Energy Efficiency” workshop
- 10/30-11/2/18: 2018 National Coastal Conference
- 11/1/18:Â Caney Creek TMDL Stakeholder Meeting
- 11/1/18: Armand Bayou Nature Center Award Luncheon
- 11/1-3/18:Â Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (Fort Worth)
- 11/2/18: Change Happens! Fall Luncheon
- 11/3/18: The Women of Memorial Park: A Guided Stroll
- 11/3/18: Blackwood Harvest Hoedown
- 11/5/18: Houston Women in the Environment: Inspiring Future Leaders
- 11/8/18: Buffalo Bayou Partnership Gala: Color Outside the Lines
- 11/8/18: Transition to Renewables
- 11/8/18: Fantastic Cranes and Where to Find Them
- 11/9/18: Guardian of the Bay Awards Celebration
- 11/15/18: Herman Park Conservancy’s 15th Annual Run in the Park
- 11/10/18: Bayou Land Conservancy’s Land Lover Annual Gala
- 11/13/18: Mayor’s Proud Partners Awards
- 11/13/18: Brews for Bend Bend
- 11/13-15: Clean Gulf Conference (New Orleans)
- 11/14/18: Bayou Preservation Association 2018 Gala
- 11/15/18 America Recycles Day
- 11/15/18: H-GACÂ Regional Recycling Roundtable
- 11/17/18: Rice Design Alliance Gala Honoring Judge Ed Emmett
- 11/27/18: Giving Tuesday & Big Give Houston
- 11/29/18:Â Rothko Chapel presents Elizabeth Yeampierre
- 12/8/18: AIA Houston’s Gingerbread Build Off
- 12/14/18 (Deadline): Take Care of Texas Video Contest