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Houston Environmental News Update May 26, 2021
May 27, 2021

Houston Environmental News Update May 26, 2021

Summer Camps, Engage with our Interns, Bike Month events, Cultures of Energy, State of Mobility, Wildlife on the Bayous, Nature Trails of The Woodlands, Green Jobs and more

Beginnings of a fort at Blackwood Educational Land Institute’s summer camp

Parents are either feeling tremendously optimistic or somewhat desperate, because environmentally themed summer camps have been filling up. More summer camps are being offered this year than last, but often with limited availability.

The CDC has released its Guidance for Operating Youth and Summer Camps during COVID-19, detailing prevention strategies that help camps open safely for in-person activities; protect children, families, and staff; and slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Similarly, the Texas Department of State Health Services has also released guidance for camps.

With this information in mind, here is a list of green camps that might be of interest (including some on this list for the first time). Spots are going fast for many of them:

CEC NOTES

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Engage your students with lessons outdoors. Over 30 workshops are in the regional summer professional development calendar to connect you with local resources. Sign up today at hereinhouston.org.

Engage with Environmental Interns

CEC invites members of the environmental community to speak with our summer interns about career paths, advice, policy, DEI, leadership, and environmental topics. If you are willing to share your story with our interns, please reach out to rachel@cechouston.org. If you have environmental interns this summer, we invite your interns to participate in these opportunities as well as socially-distanced, outdoor field trips; email rachel@cechouston.org for more info. CEC has a limited number of openings for summer interns. Learn more at cechouston.org.

Please scroll down to read about public engagement opportunities and notes from our member organizations and the community.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Meeting

The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, a federal advisory committee to EPA which provides advice and recommendations about broad, cross-cutting issues related to environmental justice will hold a virtual public meeting on June 17, 2021, beginning at 11:30 a.m. CT. Learn more and register at epa.gov.

Deepwater Horizon NRDA Annual Public Meeting

The Deepwater Horizon NRDA Trustee Council will hold its sixth annual public meeting and open house on June 17, 2021, with the open house from 5:30-6 p.m. CT and the public meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. During this meeting, the Trustees will present updates on the progress made by the Trustee Council and in each of the seven Restoration Areas. They will also provide an opportunity for public comments after the updates are presented. Learn more and register at gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov.

TCEQ Public Hearing on Union Pacific’s Houston Wood Preserving Works

Union Pacific Railroad Company, owner of the Houston Wood Preserving Works located at 4910 Liberty Road, Houston has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for a renewal and major amendment of Hazardous Waste Permit/Compliance Plan No. 50343.  TCEQ will hold a public meeting on June 21, 2021 at 6 p.m. for this Permit/Compliance Plan. Members of the public who would like to ask questions or provide comments during the meeting may access the meeting via webcast by visiting gotomeeting.com and entering Webinar ID 671-777-035. Members of the public who wish to only listen to the meeting may call, toll free, (415) 930-5321 and enter access code 358-549-912.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have endeavored to confirm the opportunities listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts, particularly in light of concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Bike Month

Bike Houston, in partnership with with LINK Houston and Houston BCycle, presents the Houston Bike Summit in May. Check out the full details at houstonbikesummit.org. Also visit the League of American Bicyclists website and the Houston-Galveston Area Council compilation of Bike Month events, in addition to the Houston Bike Summit:

Cultures of Energy iX: New Directions in Energy Humanities

From May 27-28, 2021, Rice University’s Center for Environmental Studies will host the 9th Cultures of Energy symposium, marking a decade of conversations about energy from the point of view of humanists, artists, and social scientists. All events will take place virtually via Zoom. See the full lineup and register for the individual sessions at culturesofenergy.rice.edu.

Mercer Botanic Gardens Bird Survey

On May 27, 2021, from 8-10 a.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will host a birdwatching survey on the riparian forest trails along the Cypress Creek flyway. Led by longtime birder Paul Gregg and Mercer staff member Christy Jones, this monthly bird survey is suited for birders of all levels and experience. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Participants must be 12 or older. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more information and to register, visit the Facebook event.

Mayor Turner’s State of Mobility 2021

On May 27, 2021, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Transportation Advocacy Group – Houston Region will host Mayor Sylvester Turner’s State of Mobility 2021 event. Turner will lay out his work and vision for mobility for the City of Houston, the core of the region. This a limited in-person event for member sponsors only. There is a livestream option for members and non-members. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

Wildlife on the Bayous

On May 27, 2021, from noon-1 p.m., the Houston Parks Board’s Rising Leaders will host a virtual lunch program on the diverse range of wildlife that rely on the Bayou Greenways. April and May are great months to see migratory birds in Houston, and it’s also the earliest we get to see local bat colonies dramatically emerge at dusk. Learn more about the wildlife you might expect to see on the Bayou Greenways this summer from HPB Board Member and bat expert, Cullen Geiselman. For more information and to register, visit houstonparksboard.org.

Lone Star Land Steward Video Sneak Peek

On May 27, 2021, beginning at 6 p.m., Texas Parks & Wildlife invites you to watch the live stream of the Lone Star Land Steward Awards, featuring seven previously unseen videos produced by its TV series team. The Lone Star Land Steward Awards honors landowners for accomplishments in habitat management and wildlife conservation, and each video will explore one winner’s journey. These videos will not be broadcast on PBS or cable affiliates until the 2021-22 television season. For more information, visit tpwd.texas.gov.

Photographic Journey through the Nature Trails of The Woodlands Area

On May 27, 2021, beginning at 7 p.m., The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. will host Bayou Land Conservancy board member and photographer Bill Bass. He will present a slide show and talk emphasizing the importance of preserving our natural spaces, and images of the Spring Creek Nature Trail, a 14-mile, multi-use path along Spring Creek offering stunning views and a chance to see nature “up close”. For more information, visit thewoodlandsgreen.org.

San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group voting member opening

The Texas Water Development Board’s San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group has an opening for the Environmental Interest voting-membership position. Applications will be accepted by mail and email until May 28, 2021. Send applications by mail to Texas Water Development Board, 10555 Northwest Fwy, Suite 120, Houston, Texas, 77092, ATTN: SJRFPG –Fatima Berrios. Email applications to SanJacFldPG@eng.hctx.net.

Calls for submissions for CAST 2021

The Science Teachers Association of Texas will host the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching, or CAST 2021, in November. The format options still range from a fully in-person conference to a fully virtual conference and everything in between. STAT invites educators to turn their innovative teaching strategies and lesson plans into proposals for sessions that could benefit students across Texas and beyond. STAT is seeking proposals for sessions designed for all grade levels and science subject areas. A team of STAT members will review and score all proposals and make recommendations for which sessions to feature at CAST 2021. The Call for Presentations is open until May 30. Learn more at statweb.org.

Marine Debris Art Contest registration open through May 30

Artist Boat invites artists and ocean-lovers of all ages to submit pieces to display at the upcoming World Oceans Day festival. Art pieces are comprised primarily of marine debris and demonstrate the effects aquatic trash can have on our oceans and the life that depends on them. During the festival, Artist Boat judges will view all submissions, and you can get in on the action too. Registration is open until May 30, 2021. Art pieces must be brought to Artist Boat (13330 Settegast Road, Galveston) by June 9. The judging and viewing of the art pieces will be held on June 12 at Galveston’s Stewart Beach during the festival. For more information and to register, visit artistboat.org.

Agents of Discovery Missions

On May 30, 2021, the Houston Parks Board invites you to visit three Agents of Discovery missions and discover nature nearby. They currently have missions live at Confluence, the newest Bayou Greenways mural created by Ink Dwell studios, and at Memorial Park Vince Bayou Greenway in Pasadena. Download the FREE app onto your smart device, select a mission near you on the app, and walk along the mission’s trail to unlock and complete challenges along the way. For more information, visit houstonparksboard.org.

Houston Heights Compostable Dropoff

Thanks to high school student and Girl Scout Monica Orozco and Zero Waste Houston, on Wednesdays through June 2, neighbors will be able to drop their food waste and compostables off at the Historic Heights Fire Station (107 W 12th St.) for FREE!This 8-week pilot program, which will serve as Monica’s Girl Scouts Gold Award Project, will run on Wednesdays from 5-8 PM through June 2. Learn more on Facebook.

Semi-Annual Basin Steering Committee Meeting

On June 2, 2021, from 2-4 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s will hold its semi-annual Clean Rivers Program Basin Steering Committee meeting virtually. Presentations include the 2021 Basin Summary Report, the FY 2022 Coordinated Monitoring Schedule, the results of the Monitoring Efficiency Study, the results of the Targeted Monitoring Project, and updates on the Bacteria Implementation Group, and various TMDL and Watershed Protection Plan projects. For more information, visit h-gac.com. Registration is required.

Street Safety Summit 2.0

On June 3, 2020, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., LINK Houston will virtually host its Street Safety Summit 2.0, focusing on safety and accessibility for people walking, biking, or rolling on Houston’s streets. LINK Houston will present updated crash data analysis, moderate an expert panel discussion focusing on funding mechanisms for safety projects, and invite community members to share their experiences walking, rolling, and biking in Houston. For more information and to register, visit linkhouston.org.

Spring Creek Watershed Protection Plan Public Meeting

On June 3, 2021, beginning at 2 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Spring Creek Watershed Partnership will hold a virtual public meeting to discuss the incorporation of community-driven strategies for water quality into the first draft of a Watershed Protection Plan. To register, visit zoom.us.

AWE-some – What Adults can Learn from Children in Nature

On June 3, 2020, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Texas Children in Nature will present a webinar on how the curiosity and awe that is inspired by nature provides mental and physical well-being to both childsren and adults. This session will explain the science of awe and nature as well as provide practical tools that you can use to inspire children of all ages to be healthier and happier. For more information and to register, visit texaschildreninnature.org.

Texas Children in Nature Network Virtual Meet-Up

On June 3, 2021, from 5-6 p.m., Texas Children in Nature will host a Virtual Meet-Up for environmental educators to learn what its partners across the state have been up to. This is a great chance for everyone to share and ask questions of the partners. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

NOAA Planet Stewards Grants

Through federal funding opportunities of up to $5,000, NOAA Planet Stewards supports educators working in formal and informal educational settings to carry out hands-on action-based stewardship projects with elementary through college age students, as well as the general public. Stewardship projects must make a substantive, measurable impact on an environmental issue related to the educator’s community. Projects should focus on the conservation, restoration, and/or protection of human communities and/or natural resources from environmental issues. The deadline to apply is June 5, 2021. For more information and application instructions, visit oceanservice.noaa.gov.

Green Building Bike Ride – EaDo and Second Ward

On June 5, 2021, from 9-11 a.m., the Texas Gulf Coast chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council and CoHousing will host a Green Building Bike Ride in EaDo (East Downtown) and the Second Ward. Participants explore some existing and future sustainability projects in EaDo and Second Ward with a brief local coffee shop break in the middle. For more information and to register, visit usgbctexas.org.

Sampling the City: Sunnyside

On June 5, 2021, beginning at 9 a.m., join Air Alliance Houston and the Sunnyside Community to sample the air. AAH is providing 15 Flow 2 air monitors that will be used. These monitors can detect Volatile Organic Compounds, a variety of gaseous chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Once the data is gathered, AAH will provide graphs and maps of localized air quality snapshots. For more information and to register, visit secure.airalliancehouston.org.

National Trails Day: Creek Bash

On June 5, 2021, from 9 a.m.-noon, Jesse H. Jones & Nature Center will celebrate National Trails Day by hosting a volunteer event to remove litter along the park’s waterways to restore wildlife habitat and nature’s beauty. The event is open to all, but children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information and to register, see the Facebook event.

Flying WILD Training Program for Educators

On June 5, 2021, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., through a partnership with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Houston Audubon will offer a Flying WILD program training workshop for educators. Through activities involving language arts, social science and math experiences, coupled with community outreach and service learning applications, Flying WILD offers a whole-school approach to environmental education using birds as the focus. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary seeks Advisory Council members

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for four seats on its advisory council, a community-based group of individuals that provide advice for sanctuary management. The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following council seats:  Commercial Fishing (1 seat), Dive Operations (2 seats), and Recreational Diving (1 seat). Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve 3-year terms. Applications are due by June 7, 2021. Learn more and find application materials at flowergarden.noaa.gov.

2021 AIA Sandcastle Competition team registration now open

The 34th Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition will take place Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, live and in person on East Beach in Galveston. The competition is a fundraising event for AIA Houston and ArCH Foundation. Competing teams have their eyes and shovels set on winning the prestigious Gold Bucket Award. Firms begin months in advance generating ideas, developing designs, and assigning duties. On the day of the event, the teams – stretched along the beach front – meticulously sculpt their piles of sand and work non-stop for five hours. Learn how to register your team at aiahouston.org.

SFA joins ISSP partnership for undergraduate and graduate online degrees

Stephen F. Austin State University recently enrolled in the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) partnership program. Students who enroll in a sustainability program automatically become members of ISSP and, through their SFA courses, interact with material that prepares them to test for Sustainability Excellence Associate status. SFA is currently the only school in Texas in this partnership. Online degree programs include an undergraduate major, minor, undergraduate and graduate four-course certificates, and a sustainability management concentration within the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies. SUST 3330 (undergraduate) and 5300 (graduate), both titled Fundamentals of Sustainability, are available online in Fall 2021. For more information, visit sfasu.edu or email Bill Forbes, associate professor, at forbesw@sfasu.edu.

Reminders About Ongoing Opportunities

  • Texas Nature Challenge, a collaboration between the Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Children in Nature and Texan by Nature, is an opportunity to reach out to families, classrooms, and other types of groups across Texas to engage them with your programs. For more information, visit texaschildreninnature.org.
  • TWRC Wildlife Center’s 2021 “Wild InSight” Photo Contest. All wildlife photo snappers, both amateur and professional, are welcome to submit their best wildlife photos. The deadline for entry is June 21, 2021. For more information on prizes and how to submit photos, visit twrcwildlifecenter.org.

Recurring Events with Changing Content

Virtually WILD! field trips

Virtually WILD! offers the community a chance to interact with conservationists and wildlife. Visit our virtual field trip videos on the CEC YouTube channel; new videos posted weekly. Corresponding educational activities are found at hereinhouston.org.

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.

  • Some owls in El Paso have a fancy new home, complete with a surveillance system, which gives biologists a bird’s-eye view of owl life. Meet Lois Balin, the urban wildlife biologist who’s helping keep an eye on the owls
  • Pronghorn antelope populations in west Texas have wavered in recent years. Using satellite tracking data, biologists are finding new information and solutions to help the Pronghorns
  • We follow along with some biologists that are worried about a tiny fish that is on the edge of extinction. We’ll also take a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo to see how breeding these fish in captivity serves as a safety measure for the Pecos Pupfish
  • Bison babies start out ‘small’ before they get big. See some little ones as they roam on the Roam Ranch near Fredericksburg

Additional Upcoming Events

Check out the latest Green Jobs at cechouston.org/green-jobs/.