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November 1, 2017

Houston Environmental News Update November 1, 2017

We’ve been a little busier than usual the past week: this is prime time for outdoor and environmental events and…. Well, do we even have to mention the other focus of our attention? Yahoo!

The photo above is from the Spring Creek Greenway. Did you know you can bike or hike along the trail from I-45 to Highway 59? On the trip, you can see the work of Harris County Pct. 4’s Jesse Jones Park and the Bayou Land Conservancy, among many other partners.

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.

CEC NOTES

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.
Greater Houston Green Film Screening

When you attend this month’s Houston GREEN Film Series, you will help select two local films for the Wild & Scenic Festival On Tour screening.

Before November 15, you can vote for the films if you visit the CEC YouTube channel www.youtube.com/houstonenvironment. Two films that get most YouTube likes and the loudest applause during the viewing on November 15 at Rice Cinema will be selected for January 2018 festival.

For the fourth year, on January 24 & 25, 2018, CEC will host the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour at the River Oaks Theatre. CEC is using this festival to tell local environmental stories, highlight the work of CEC’s member organizations, and inspire our residents and visitors to make a difference in the environment and quality of life.

The films presented by the Houston GREEN Film Series are free to public and funded by volunteer efforts, in-kind contributions, and donations from the public.

The schedule to all the screenings is as follows:

6:30pm meet and greet
7:00pm featured film followed by discussion

Rice Media Center, 2030 University Blvd, near Stockton and University.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

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. Buffalo Bayou Partnership Gala
    You are invited to this year’s Buffalo Bayou Partnership Gala, Sunset on the Bayou. Guests will dine al fresco on the beautiful lawn at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park while honoring Susan Keeton and celebrating renovation of the historic Sunset Coffee Building. The Gala will take place on Thursday, November 2, 2017, with cocktails starting at 6:30 PM and a seated dinner at 8:00 pm. Click here to view the invitation. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please contact Trudi Smith at 713-752-0314 ext. 103.
  2. Greens Bayou Regatta
    The Greens Bayou Regatta will combine recreation, stewardship, and education on one of Houston’s most beautiful and secluded waterways, Greens Bayou. Come join in on the fun November 4, 2017, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at Brock Park. A portion of this year’s proceeds will be contributed to the recovery and relief of Harvey, especially those areas heavily affected along Greens Bayou. The Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition appreciate your continued support and participation in making this event grand and can’t wait to see you out on the water!
  3. Seed Fling Wingding Festival
    On Saturday, November 4, 2017, join the Baytown Nature Center in this family-friendly interactive event, Seed Fling Wingding Festival at BNC to learn more about butterflies and bees in a fun, interactive way. With games, a butterfly costume parade, inflatables, seedbomb making tables, entertainment, interactive games and exhibits, guided butterfly walks to throw milkweed seed bombs and so much more! Register for the 1K and much more at https://www.active.com.
  4. Kids Grow
    Image result for mandell parkChildren from surrounding neighborhoods and beyond were able to enjoy a wide variety of special events in the garden on Saturday mornings in the spring, early summer and fall when Houston temperatures are ideal for outdoor activities. Come out for their last Kids Grow event of the year on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at 10:00 am in Mandell Park. Enjoyable and entertaining, the programs are geared toward educating our young people about our natural habitat and the rewards of planting a garden and watching it thrive. For more on Kids Grow and other upcoming park festivities, visit www.friendsofmandellpark.org.
  5. Conservation Crew at Memorial ParkAgency Logo
    Are you interested in learning about the ecology of the country’s largest municipally managed forest? Join Memorial Park Conservancy’s Conservation Crew workday on Monday, November 6, 2017, from 8:00 am to noon to get a first hand look at what it takes to manage for a healthy forest. Volunteers will be in the woods treating Chinese Tallow and other invasive trees. If you can’t make it this Monday, there will be another Conservation Crew workday on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 so if you are interested please email Anthony Todd or sign up at www.volunteerhou.org. You’re also encouraged to check out their many other volunteer opportunities in the month of November.
  6. Progressive Forum: ACLU’s Anthony Romero
    After a three-year hiatus, The Progressive Forum is back! Join the resistance at this important event on Monday, November 6, 2017 at 7:30 pm located at Congregation Emanuel El. Anthony Romero is the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the nation’s premier defender of civil liberties. Romero has served as executive director for 16 years, and is the first Latino and openly gay person in this position. Time magazine named him among the 25 most influential Hispanics in America. He is co-author of In Defense of Our America: The Fight for Civil Liberties in the Age of Terror (2007). He will sign books and greet fans at the end of the evening. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://tix.extremetix.com/.
  7. Help KPC Put Down Roots!
    Sign up for KPC’s largest volunteer workday of the year. Volunteers will work together to transplant native prairie plants in order to restore 55 acres of newly reconstructed prairie habitat. Participants should dress for the prairie – wear pants, close-toed shoes, and clothing that can get muddy. It can be chilly and windy on the prairie so a hat and layers are also recommended. Lunch, snacks, and door prizes will be provided.
    When: Saturday, November 11th, 2017, 9 am – 1 pm
    Where: Indiangrass Preserve
    Cost: Free
  8. SPARK’s Fall 2017 Dedications
    Ten new SPARK Parks in five school districts are being dedicated this fall.  Please join SPARK School Park Program for one or more of the celebrations:

    • 11/13: Outley Elementary School in Alief ISD
    • 11/13: Wedgewood Elementary School in Clear Creek ISD
    • 11/15: Franz Elementary in Katy ISD
    • 11/15: Hancock Elementary in Pasadena ISD
    • 11/16: Clifton Middle School in Houston ISD
    • 11/16: Jessup Elementary in Pasadena ISD
    • 11/17: Mark Twain Elementary in Houston ISD
    • 11/17: Hartsfield Elementary
  9. Exploration Green Tree Planting
    Exploration Green Conservancy and partner organizations invite volunteers Saturday, November 18, 2017, 8 am-12 pm (or until all trees are planted) to plant native trees on the new habitat island situated in the middle of the first lake at Exploration Green in Clear Lake City, creating a refuge for migratory birds and waterbirds. Access to the island itself will be by boat, and will be limited to 50 people. However, there will be volunteer activities on shore as well. Children with a parent present are welcome to do work onshore. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet and muddy. Tools will be provided. Parking will be along the street near the entrance to the park at 1800 Reseda Rd, Houston TX 77062. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date will be November 25, 2017. For more information, contact Jerry Hamby atjhamby4@comcast.net.
  10. The Role of Public and Private Stakeholders in “solving” Houston’s Flooding ProblemRice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy has released a new report by Jim Blackburn. The paper addresses the role of both the private sector and the public sector in altering Houston’s current situation relative to flooding. Read the report at bakerinstitute.org.
  11. 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.

    • Grubh’s Bugs: Meet a biologist that studies aquatic invertebrates. He’s Dr. Archis Grubh, and he loves bugs. Check out some of the two-thousand different types of aquatic invertebrates living in the rivers, streams, and creeks of Texas.
    • Manchaca Monarchs: Monarch butterflies roost each year among the trees in Manchaca, Texas, just south of Austin.
    • Postcard from Texas: Turkeys go about their morning activities on the Wild Wings Ranch.
  12. Additional Upcoming Events

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