Understanding Livable Center's Principles Toolbox  

H-GAC developed a series of graphics to help partner agencies and communities better understand the core elements of the Livable Centers program. These elements—traffic calming measures, multimodal transportation options, and placemaking features—are essential to creating vibrant, accessible Livable Centers and are consistently recommended across studies.

Local member governments looking for quick wins and best practices are encouraged to use these graphics as part of their own initiatives.

For more information or to request high-resolution copies of the graphics, contact Livable Centers staff.

Greens Bayou Watershed Partnership Meeting – December 12 (Hybrid) 

H-GAC, in partnership with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), is hosting the first meeting of the Greens Bayou Watershed Partnership from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, December 12. This hybrid meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the North Houston District office at 16945 Northchase Drive, Houston.  

Participation will allow stakeholders to be directly involved in the development of a watershed protection plan outlining locally supported, voluntary strategies to improve water quality by reducing sources of pollution in Greens Bayou and its tributaries.  

More information, including meeting registration links, is available at www.greensbayoupartnership.weebly.com or by contacting Rachel Windham and Cornell Evans, Jr. 

Tree Giveaway and Planting – December 14 (In Person)  

The Texas A&M Forest Service, H-GAC, and other partners invite area residents to a tree giveaway and tree planting from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, December 14, in the Alief Super Neighborhood, 13555 Beechnut St., Houston (closest physical address). Registration is required.

Volunteers will plant 300 trees along Beechnut Street, and area residents can participate in a free tree giveaway on a first come, first served basis. Trees improve air circulation, act as natural windbreaks, and provide a community-wide cooling effect. This project is part of the ongoing Green Futures corporate sustainability partnership.

Download a flyer for more information. 

Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable – January 28, 2025 (In Person)  

Save the date for the next Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

The time, location, and topic will be announced.

The Bringing Back Main Street initiative offers local communities a place to share best practices and engage in a regional dialogue about revitalizing and supporting vibrant downtown spaces. Each quarter, community leaders gather for a roundtable on topics ranging

from small business support to sidewalk infrastructure.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

Parks and Natural Areas Awards Celebration – February 21, 2025 (In Person)  

Save the Date for the Parks and Natural Areas Awards recognition ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, February 21, 2025, at H-GAC, Second Floor Conference Rooms.

Registration is requested, but not required to attend.

Award-winning projects serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. Projects will be honored in four categories: Planning Process, On-the-Ground Projects Over $500,000, On-the-Ground Projects Under $500,000, and Programming.

Attendees will also hear about accessible and inclusive designs in parks and natural areas from Clark Condon | Landscape Architecture.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo.

Trash Bash Waterway Cleanup – March 29, 2025 (In Person) 

Mark your calendar for the next River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash®, Texas’s largest single-day waterway cleanup, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. 

Since its inception, more than 121,000 volunteers have collected over 2,505 tons of trash, 23 tons of recyclable materials, and 12,410 tires. Find out how to volunteer and promote a healthy Galveston Bay watershed at one of the many cleanup locations on March 29, 2025.

Cleanup supplies, event t-shirts, and lunch are provided to all volunteers. Trash Bash hopes you will come out and help “Clean it like you mean it !” ®

American Planning Association Sustainability Award Applications Due January 13, 2025 

The 12th Annual American Planning Association Awards of Excellence in Sustainability are now open for nominations. The awards honor projects, policies, plans, and people who show exemplary leadership and inspiration in sustainability planning and implementation. Categories include state and regional; community; environment, climate, and energy; quality of life; policy, law, and tools; and student awards. Learn more by visiting the award webpage or by attending a webinar with previous award winners from 1 to 2 p.m.(CST) on Wednesday, December 4. Awards applications are due Monday, January 13, 2025.

Take Care of Texas Video Contest

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) invites students in 6th through 12th grades to enter the annual Take Care of Texas Video Contest.

Student videos should be 30 seconds long and portray positive ways Texans can help keep air and water clean, conserve water and energy, or reduce waste.

The contest deadline is Friday, December 6, and the public will have the opportunity to pick their favorite videos January 15-24, 2025. There will be six winners. Waste Management of Texas, Inc. will provide prizes—gift cards and scholarships.  

Applications Open for National Scenic Byways Program Funding

The Federal Highway Administration is accepting applications for the National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP). 

This funding opportunity will result in the award of up to $26.95 million in grants to States and federally recognized Tribes to implement eligible projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads (collectively America’s Byways®), State scenic byways, or Indian Tribe scenic byways; and plan, design, and develop a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program. 

Applications for the NSBP 2024 Grants NOFO must be submitted electronically through grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, December 16, 2024. 

A recording and slides from then October informational webinar are available on the National Scenic Byways Program website. For questions related to the NSBP 2024 Grants NOFO, contact Kenan Hall at [email protected]. 

Keep Texas Beautiful Governor's Community Achievement Awards Due February 13, 2025

For more than 30 years, Keep Texas Beautiful, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, has awarded the prestigious Governor's Community Achievement Awards to Texas communities for their outstanding overall efforts to keep their communities beautiful. This year, 10 winning communities will share $2 million in landscaping awards from the Texas Department of Transportation, with the amount based on population size. The funds are used for landscaping projects along local rights-of-way. There is a $25 application fee. The application period opens Thursday January 2, 2025. The deadline to apply is Thursday, February 13, 2025. 

Applications Open for USDA Conservation Program Funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program. 

This funding opportunity will provide financial assistance to Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to acquire and establish community forests that provide community benefits.

To apply, interested local government and nonprofit applicants must submit applications to the State Forester where the property is located. Tribal applicants must submit applications to equivalent Tribal government officials. All applications must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments by January 13, 2025. 

Hazard Mitigation Funding Available Following Two Texas Storms

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is accepting applications for funding under DR-4781 related to severe storms in April 2024 and DR-4798 related to Hurricane Beryl. All entities seeking funding under these opportunities must have a FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan at the time the project is submitted to FEMA for consideration and at the time an award is made, except for projects to develop or update mitigation plans. 

Applications under the DR-4781 program are due on February 28, 2025, and applications under the DR-4798 are due on March 14, 2025. 

Eligible applicants for both programs must apply for funding using the TDEM Grants Management System (GMS). GMS Is used to apply for, track, and manage a variety of FEMA grants. To register, visit grants.tdem.texas.gov/. 

Writing a Winning GCAA Application Webinar – December 11

Keep Texas Beautiful will host a webinar from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 11, to discuss insights and frequently asked questions for writing a winning Governor’s Community Achievement Awards application. During this webinar participants will hear answers to the most commonly asked application questions, will learn about resources available for crafting a winning application, and will gain valuable insight from a longtime GCAA judge who will share what judges look for when reviewing applications each year.

Registration is required.

Virtual Q&A Session about Green Infrastructure for Texas – December 16

Join Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Disaster Assessment and Recovery Unit's Green Infrastructure for Texas (GIFT) program for a Virtual Q&A on green infrastructure and how AgriLife Extension can support communities. The event will be at 1 p.m. Monday, December 16. Registration is required. Learn about green infrastructure, how it can be incorporated into current plans, and how it can be used to assist in alleviating flooding issues. The Virtual Q&A will also include a discussion on partnership opportunities to bring these ideas, trainings, and projects to communities. For more information, contact Michael Niebuhr, Program Coordinator.

Audubon Christmas Bird Count – December 14, 2024-January 5, 2025 

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is December 14 through January 5 each year. Organized by the National Audubon Society, this global, all-volunteer effort collects data on local bird populations. Individual counts are open to birders of all levels, and there is no fee to participate. Several events are scheduled across the region.

Text to 9-1-1 Program in H-GAC Region Success Highlighted by Recent Arrest

A recent arrest highlights the success of the Text to 9-1-1 system in the Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communication District, including the counties and municipalities of Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Liberty, Matagorda, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties.

Read the article here: Brazoria County deputies rescue woman who sent 911 text while allegedly being held against her will in captor's car - ABC13 Houston

Learn more about Text To 9-1-1, including tips for texting efficiently, visit the GCRECD Text To 9-1-1 webpage.

Funding Sources

H-GAC's Community and Environmental Planning Department maintains a list of ongoing funding opportunities for parks improvements, conservation projects and downtown revitalization projects. H-GAC also provides a Funding Resources Hub with many funding opportunities for individuals, local governments, organizations, and others.

If you know of a funding opportunity, forward it to Andrea Tantillo.

All content, including links to websites on these funding lists, is for informational purposes only. Users of this content are responsible for checking its accuracy, currency, and suitability.

Mapping Applications

Looking for interactive applications or GIS data related to the H-GAC Community and Environmental Planning Department? Visit H-GAC's interactive applications web page.