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Houston Environmental News Update August 16, 2017
August 16, 2017

Houston Environmental News Update August 16, 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’d like to call your attention to two great viewing opportunities coming up in the next week.

First, the obvious: the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017. I’d like to highlight two related events hosted by CEC member groups:

  • The Children’s Museum of Houston is hosting solar eclipse workshops on Saturday, August 19, 2017. The workshop includes an opportunity for kids to build their very own solar eclipse pin-hole viewer.
  • Levy Park, in partnership with the Lunar and Planetary Institute, will be hosting the Eclipse Over Houston viewing party from noon to 2:00 pm on August 21. Join scientists and educators from the LPI, and your community, to witness this historical event you are sure to talk about for many years to come! Safe, solar viewing glasses will be available. **NEVER look directly at the sun without proper viewing equipment.**

Not surprisingly, NASA provides extensive information about the eclipse, including event locations, citizen science opportunities, safety tips, and, at an event hosted at Space Center Houston, speakers from NASA Johnson Space Center.

The second great viewing opportunity is the Wild About Houston Short Film Screening on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Cherrie Flores Garden Pavilion in Hermann Park. The screening will feature 11 short films and a panel of filmmakers and conservationists. RSVP for this free event before seats sell out. CEC is pleased to be a presenting partner of this event, organized by the Coastal Prairie Partnership along with Katy Prairie Conservancy, Native Prairies Association of Texas, and the Houston Green Film Series team.

CEC NOTES

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 marina@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. Maybe even some bats.

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.

Interested in Joining CEC’s Board of Directors?
CEC is soliciting applications for its 2018 Board of Directors. We are looking for people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and help with our newsletter and website, events like the Film Festival and the Greater Houston Environmental Summit, fundraising, administration, and connecting our environmental community. It is arguably one of the best ways to learn about the amazing environmental work happening in the Houston region. To apply and learn more, please fill out our Volunteer Application online or send an email to rachel@cechouston.org, and we will follow up with you soon.

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.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. NPSOT Houston Chapter Meeting: Gardening Tips for Growing Native Plants
    Thomas Adams, Botanist for Texas Midcoast National Refuge Wildlife, will present a program on how to care for some of the local native plants in your yard, based on his experience in his own garden, as well as his years of seeing these plants in the field. As is Native Plant Society of Texas Houston’s custom in August, Thomas will cover many of the plants available in the Sept. 9, 2017, Wildscape Workshop plant sale. (Register now, as the workshop WILL sell out.) Thomas is also bringing demonstration plants that include 11 or more milkweeds from the Texas Midcoast National Wildlife Refuge Complex and that include some Texas endemics. Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, starting at 6:45 pm at the Houston Arboretum. Learn more at npsot.org.
  2. Image result for Association of State Wetland ManagersInvasive Species in Coastal Wetlands
    Don’t feel like going out in the Texas heat? The Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) invites you to stay in and join in for their new mini webinar series focused on best management practices for invasive species in coastal wetlands. There will be a total of 6 webinars on this topic, starting with the first, “Invasive Species in Coastal Wetlands: Current and Future Challenges & Management Implications” on Thursday, August 17, 2017, at 2:00 PM. In this webinar you will hear from two experts in this field: Thomas Hall, a Wildlife Biologist with the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services Program; and Anne Garwood, the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Ecologist for the Water Resources Division in the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
  3. 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, 2017, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Related imageRelated imageMilby Park Needs Your Help
    Volunteer to help the Houston Parks and Rec Department and the Student Conservation Association keep the Milby Park restoration trash-free. The restored riparian system is well on its way, but they need continuing community efforts to help maintain the park. They will be hosting a volunteer trash cleanup day on Friday, August 18, 2017, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, at Milby Park, 2001 Central St, Houston, TX 77017. Please email Kelli Ondracek at Kelli.Ondracek@houstontx.gov to sign up.
  7. HREG - Transitioning into the Renewable Energy Job Force 
    Houston Renewable Energy Group is inviting all to their panel meeting. Hear what a panel of renewable energy experts have to say about this new, growing industry. Gain critical insight into careers that move us toward energy independence while improving our Houston community and environment. Network and socialize with like-minded people on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at United Way of Greater Houston. 
  8. Image result for h-gac logoLocal Environmental Enforcement Classes
    The Houston-Galveston Area Council is hosting a pair of trainings on environmental enforcement. The first, on Tuesday, Aug., 22, 2017, will cover Environmental Enforcement after the 85th Texas Legislature. The second, Ethics of Local Enforcement, is designed to provide an opportunity to reflect on the ethical issues that come up during the process of local environmental enforcement, and will be on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Six (6) hours code enforcement/RS continuing education credits will be awarded for successful completion. For more information, contact Erin Livingston at     832-681-2525.
  9. Image result for hermann park logoOrientation for New Gardens Volunteers
    Hermann Park Conservancy is always looking for new volunteers to help keep the McGovern Centennial Gardens growing. They invite anyone interested in becoming a Garden volunteer to attend an orientation. There you will learn about all the opportunities available with the Conservancy and a little bit more about what HPC does to keep Hermann Park looking good. Come out and get to know Hermann Park and its work on Saturday, August 23, 2017, at 9:30 AM. Learn more at  hermannpark.org. Following the orientation will be a tour of the gardens.
  10. 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.
  11. Image result for h-gac logoH-GAC Regional Recycling Roundtable 
    The Houston-Galveston Area Council will also be hosting the Regional Recycling Roundtable on Thursday, August 24, 2017, from 10 AM to noon at the Houston-Galveston Area Council building. The discussion will focus on Recycling Construction & Demolition Debris and will feature a variety of perspectives on this recyclable commodity and continue our look at the role of recycling in the circular economy. Please register to save your spot here or if you can’t make it in person, you can register for the webinar (Webinar ID: 897-865-875) or call in by registering as “in person” and then call at 800-240-3895 (passcode is 1015754#).
  12. 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.org.
  13. Play Everywhere Challenge Grant
    Do you have a great idea for how to turn everyday places – like sidewalks, bus stops, plazas, and laundromats – into play spaces for kids across Houston? The Play Everywhere Challenge, powered by Target and KaBOOM!, will award a total of $720,000 in grants across Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Miami to turn these ideas into reality! Help put Houston on the map by making it a more playful and family-friendly city! Learn more about the Challenge here and be sure to submit your application your application by Friday, September 1, 2017. If you have any questions, please reach out to: Jonathan Grajeda (jgrajeda@kaboom.org), your Houston area outreach specialist.
  14. 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.
  15. New book by Jim Blackburn: A Texan Plan for the Texas Coast
    Jim Blackburn, environmental attorney and former CEC board member, is pleased to announce that his new book, A Texas Plan for the Texas Coast, has been published by Texas A&M University Press. The e-book is currently available and a print version will be available in time for the holidays. Jim write, “This book sets out what I believe to be a workable pathway to protecting the Texas coast. Given our Texas mindset, this plan does not depend upon regulation but rather on economics and understanding and force of will.” E-books are available on smile.amazon.com, and a portion of the purchase price will be donated to CEC or the charity of your choice.
  16. Newest Bayou City Birding Zine: #14 Migratory Warbler Sample
    The newest Bayou City Birding Zine, #14 Migratory Warbler Sample, is now available on whiteoakbayou.org. The author, Wendy Wright, writes, “The fab photos were provided by Ben Hulsey of Houston Audubon, who I met while on a bird survey at Hermann Park.” The Hermann Park surveys are hosted by Houston Audubon on the second Monday of each month, should you wish to join in.
  17. Image result for EPA logoEPA Trash Free Waters newsletter: Flow
    The EPA recently published the 7th edition of its Trash Free Waters newsletter. It includes information about its partnership with the EPA’s Urban Waters and National Estuary programs, including a partnership with the Trash Free Trinity in Texas and a variety of funding opportunities. The Trash Free Waters website contains great information, but does not include the most recent newsletter.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.

    • Parks & Wildlife People: Michael Homer’s job title says Natural Resource Specialist. While he helps make fishing easy and fun for kids and adults, Michael also finds a deeper meaning to fishing, it makes him feel alive.
    • Fishing for Cats: Catfish are the largest freshwater sport fish in Texas and are second only to bass in popularity among anglers. They are also quite popular on the dinner table, but for many, the fun is in getting them there.
  20. Additional Upcoming Events

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