GCRECD Planning and Development Document Approved  

The Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District (GCRECD) Board of Managers recently approved the Planning and Development document which outlines the District's strategic initiatives for Fiscal Years 2024 - 2029.   

The GCRECD promotes enhanced public safety and increased fiscal and service efficiencies in the administration of emergency communications for the municipalities and counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Liberty, Matagorda, Walker, Waller, and Wharton. The GCRECD is governed by a Board of Managers representing the eight participating counties in the program region. 

Learn more about the GCRECD.

NRAC Meeting – November 7 (Hybrid) 

The next Natural Resources Advisory Committee meeting will be hosted from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms, and on Zoom.

Registration is requested to attend in person and required to attend online. 

The Natural Resources Advisory Committee serves as a forum to advise the H-GAC Board of Directors 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. 

Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable Park Tour – November 13 (In Person)  

Join us for the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable park tour from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, November 13, at Exploration Green, 16205 Diana Lane, Houston. We will learn more about the award-winning projects in this multi-phase green space and flood detention effort. 

We will meet at the park at 10 a.m. for a walking tour and then drive to the volunteer wetlands planting nursery. We will learn more about the projects during the gentle 1-mile (approx.) stroll along paved paths. The event will conclude at noon. 

Transportation will NOT be provided to Exploration Green or to the nursery. Carpooling is encouraged. 

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

For more information, visit the Parks and Natural Areas website or contact Andrea Tantillo. 

Elder Justice Program Prosecutor, Law Enforcement Officer Training – November 18, 19 and 20 (In Person)  

The H-GAC Elder Justice Program offers specialized training for prosecutors and law-enforcement officers in how to identify, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse. Two nationally recognized former prosecutors, Candace Heisler (San Francisco, California) and Kathy van Olst (King County, Washington), will conduct three full-day trainings in November. Note: TCOLE and CLE credits are pending. 

The trainings will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Attendance is free but is limited to TCOLE-licensed investigators as well as prosecutors at county, district, and state levels. Advance registration is required. Lunch is provided. Seats are limited. Please let us know if you register and can no longer attend. 

Felony Elder Abuse: Joint Prosecutor/Investigator Training 

(Note: SBOT or TCOLE license number and a criminal-justice agency email are required to register for these sessions.) 

• Monday, November 18: Harris County Sheriff’s Office Academy, Humble
• Wednesday, November 20: Gus George Law Enforcement Academy, Richmond

Domestic Violence in Later Life Investigations: Combining What Works in Domestic Violence & Elder Abuse Cases 

(Note: TCOLE license number and a criminal-justice agency email are required to register for this training.) 

• Tuesday, November 19: Sam Houston State University—The Woodlands  

For more information, contact Jackie Pontello. 

Clean Waters Initiative Workshop – November 20 (Hybrid) 

Join H-GAC for a Clean Waters Initiative workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, November 20, at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms, and on Zoom. Expert speakers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Texas A&M University, University of Texas Public Health, University of Houston Clear Lake, and H-GAC will discuss pathogen indicators.

Registration is requested to attend in person and required to attend 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. 

Houston GIS Day – November 22 (In Person) 

Save the date for the 2024 Houston Area GIS Day on Friday, November 22, at the University of Houston – Clear Lake campus, 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Bayou Building, Houston. Houston GIS Day is a one-day celebration of Geographic Information Systems for local GIS professionals, universities, high school students, and teachers. 

This year’s activities include: 

• Live Educational Presentations for Students 
• Live Geospatial Presentations for Professionals 
• College and University GIS Program Exhibitors 
• Geospatial Exhibitors and Vendors 
• Student GIS Activities and Games 
• Professional Map Contests and More! 

For more event information including sponsor, exhibitor, speaker, and volunteer opportunities, visit the 2024 Houston Area GIS Day website.

Keep Texas Beautiful Beautify Texas Awards Applications Due November 22 

The Keep Texas Beautiful Beautify Texas Awards recognize efforts made by individuals and organizations to enhance their communities and protect the Texas environment. Applications will be accepted through Thursday, November 22. Winners will be announced in May 2025 and recognized at the annual Keep Texas Beautiful Conference. There are four individual and four organizational awards recognizing leadership, volunteerism, education, sound environmental business principles, and civic contributions.    

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]. 

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/. 

America, Texas Recycles Day – November 15

For more than two decades, communities have come together on November 15 to celebrate America Recycles Day. Find tools for organizing or attending special events.

November 15 is also Texas Recycles Day. Learn more and explore outreach tools online.

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.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Brings Comprehensive Wellness Campaign to Municipalities Across Texas 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (Blue Cross) is in year three of a statewide partnership with National Fitness Campaign (NFC) to bring world-class outdoor wellness infrastructure and programming to communities across Texas. Here’s what this means for your municipality:

• The opportunity to join leading municipalities like McKinney, Grand Prairie, Brownsville, Galveston, Katy and Grapevine; 
• Ability to work with experts on comprehensive community wellness master-planning services in alignment with city/county goals; and
• Support with developing community consensus for people to spend more time outdoors, improving physical and mental well-being.

Since 2021, Fitness CourtsⓇ have shown improvement in the health and vitality of communities they are in with equitable access to wellness programs. Thirty-six communities and schools yielded 53 public-private investment partners, creating healthy infrastructure for 343,545 residents across the Fitness Court network.

“The outdoor Fitness Court is a welcome addition to our Parks and Recreation Department and represents free access to high-quality workouts as a part of the National Fitness Campaign’s initiative to fight obesity and improve the quality of life for communities," said William H. “Dusty” Thiele, Mayor of the City of Katy.

Approved participants receive planning, funding, and activation assistance from NFC and Blue Cross. If you would like to learn more about the program please fill out this short contact form to learn more and qualify for funding: nationalfitnesscampaign.com/texas.

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.