H-GAC Earns Bronze Recognition for Solid Waste Program Report 

The Houston-Galveston Area Council Communications Department was awarded a Bronze Excalibur Award from the Houston chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in the Special Publications category for the Four Decades of H-GAC's Regional Solid Waste Program report. Awards in the Special Publications category honor single-issue publications (either printed or electronic) designed for a special purpose.

Since 1983, H-GAC's Regional Solid Waste Management Program has worked to facilitate effective solid waste management in the 13-county H-GAC region. This 16-page report showcases the program's history, the changing landscape of solid waste management, and successful programs aimed at supporting solid waste management in the region. Solid waste management is proper handling and disposal of garbage, recycling, and composting, and the enforcement of illegal dumping. 

Four Decades of H-GAC's Regional Solid Waste Program is available online to view or print. 

Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable – July 9 (In Person) 

Make plans to attend the next H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms.

Ashley R. Morgan-Olivera, Director of Research and Education/Outreach for the Texas Invasive Species Institute at Sam Houston State University, will discuss invasive species in the Houston-Galveston region, their removal, and reporting them on Texasinvasives.org.

Attendees will also

• Hear about award winning programs in Brazoria County from Bryan Frazier;
• Discuss the upcoming Parks and Natural Areas Awards program;
• Learn about a new online, interactive trail mapping tool; and
• Engage in a roundtable discussion of events and activities in the region.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

Disaster Debris Training – July 10 (Online)  

H-GAC is hosting a free disaster debris webinar from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, on Zoom. Registration is required to attend.

Topics for this event include:

• Debris management challenges caused by staff turnover and tips for overcoming them
• Finding qualified contractors and maintaining good contractor relations
• Social vulnerability and social justice considerations in disaster debris management operations
• Public information tools to enhance the message

For more information, contact Erin Livingston.

Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable – July 23 (In Person) 

The next Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable will be from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 23, at the West Columbia Civic Center, 512 E. Brazos, West Columbia. Networking and check in begin at 9 a.m. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. Registration is requested, but not required to attend.

Presenters include representatives from the City of West Columbia, Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Department of Transportation. 

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. 

Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence Awards Ceremony – July 29 (In Person) 

H-GAC will recognize outstanding projects and programs during the Water Innovations Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, July 29, at H-GAC second floor conference rooms.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

The WISE Awards program is overseen by H-GAC's Natural Resource Advisory Committee. This program recognizes and celebrates projects, programs, and individuals using innovative strategies to protect and improve water resources in the Houston-Galveston region. Join us as we recognize the 2024 WISE Award winners and learn more about their projects and programs. 

Natural Resources Advisory Committee Meeting – August 1 (Hybrid) 

The next Natural Resources Advisory Committee meeting will be hosted from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, at H-GAC in the second floor conference rooms and on Zoom. At this meeting, H-GAC will seek the Committee’s approval of the 2024 Draft Water Quality Management Plan Update.

Registration information will be available soon.

The Natural Resources Advisory Committee serves as a forum to advise the H-GAC Board and local decision-makers on policy issues affecting natural resources in the 13-county Houston-Galveston region. Its membership includes diverse representatives from local governments, natural resource management agencies, environmental organizations, and the private sector.

For more information, contact Rachel Windham. 

Clean Waters Initiative Workshop – August 22 (Hybrid) 

Join H-GAC for a Clean Waters Initiative on-site sewage facilities (OSSF) workshop from 9 a.m.. to noon Thursday, August 22, at H-GAC second floor conference rooms and on Zoom. 

Registration information is available online.

Clean Waters Initiative workshops offer education and information to local governments, nonprofit organizations, landowners, and residents to develop effective strategies to reduce pollution in local waterways.  

For more information, contact Rachel Windham. 

Annual Land Use / Transportation Workshop – September 19 (In Person) 

Save the date for a Livable Centers Workshop: Incremental Steps Towards Transportation, Environmental, and Social Equity. The workshop will be from 8 to 11 a.m. Thursday, September 19, at H-GAC second floor conference rooms.

At this annual Land Use / Transportation Workshop, participants will hear from experts on strategies for integrating environmental and health considerations into transportation planning and policy and share best practices for encouraging sustainable transportation behaviors.

Registration is requested but not required to attend.

For more information, email [email protected].

Plastic Free July 2024 Starts Now

The Plastic Free Foundation encourages everyone to be a part of the plastic pollution solution by refusing single-use plastic when practical and possible. Plastic Free July is a global movement with resources such as videos, products, and posters. The effort also includes information on how you can reduce your plastic consumption, events to attend, and a challenge you can take to show your commitment to reducing plastic pollution. 

2025 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Application Open Until August 30

Each year, the Governor's Office and commissioners from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality honor the state's most outstanding environmental projects through the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Winners from across the state exemplify how Texans set the standard for ensuring clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste. The application period for the 2025 awards is now open. To see winners from 2013 to 2024, visit the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards webpage. Applications will be accepted through Friday, August 30. 

Texas Watershed Steward Workshop – July 25

The Texas Watershed Steward program is a statewide one-day educational program designed to improve the quality of Texas’ water resources by educating and informing local stakeholders about their watershed, potential impairments, and steps that can be taken to help improve and protect water quality in their watershed.

Upcoming workshop:

• July 25, Houston: 1 to 5 p.m.  at the Michael Talbott Pavilion—Harris County Flood Control District North Service Center, 7522 Prairie Oak Drive, Houston.

Registration is required to attend the workshop.

For more information contact Michael Kuitu, PG, CFM at 979‐862‐4457.

Houston Audubon Bird Week - September 21-28

Houston Bird Week 2024 celebrates the important role Houston plays in the journey of billions of migratory birds and the everyday lives of resident birds. Houston Audubon and local conservation partners arrange a week of events centered around the region’s birds and wildlife. Events include birding opportunities, watch parties, trivia, movie night, and more. Visit www.houstonaudubon.org/BirdWeek for details. 

Keep Texas Beautiful Announces Beautify Texas Award Winners 

Congratulations Adrian Hernandez from Pearland, the recipient of the Stan Weik Leadership Award for his work in national, state, and local environmental leadership.

The most prestigious award Keep Texas Beautiful presents, the Stan Weik Leadership Awards is a once-in-a-lifetime professional distinction awarded to an individual who has provided outstanding leadership in improving and enhancing the environment of their community, the state of Texas, and beyond.

The Beautify Texas Awards recognize efforts made by individuals and organizations to enhance their communities and protect Texas’ environment. These awards range in honoring extraordinary volunteers, professionals, youth, educators, businesses, local/civic governments, organizations, and specific projects and programs.

Area Projects Chosen for AARP Community Challenge Awards

Four Houston-Galveston area projects have been selected to receive American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Livable Communities Community Challenge Grants. These grants fund quick-action projects across the country to improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and older.

Are projects include:

• Houston: FAM Houston This project will provide cold storage containers at a community farm, enabling East African migrants to grow and sell traditional crops not widely available in Houston. (Flagship Grant)
• Houston: Veteran Hub A series of trainings will teach veterans and older adults about modifications to make their homes safer and more comfortable, allowing them to age in place. The project will also create a community display showcasing various home modifications. (Capacity-Building Microgrant)
• La Marque: City of La Marque Three bike audits on multiuse paths will focus on safety for older cyclists. The audits will identify hazards and barriers to be addressed in future planning efforts. (Capacity-Building Microgrant) 
• Richmond: Fit Houston A series of bicycle and tricycle audits will evaluate travel routes between local senior centers. Meant to support the rollout of adult tricycle lending libraries, the audits will address safety concerns along a system of roads and park trails. (Capacity-Building Microgrant)

All projects must be complete by November 30, 2024.

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.