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H-GAC Offers Customizable Storm Debris Preparation, Response Templates
H-GAC worked with TetraTech to develop a set of customizable debris-related public information messages and templates. These outreach templates and tools are designed for local governments and other partners to customize and use to provide information to communities, residents, and other stakeholders before, during, and after a debris-generating event, such as floods, wildfires, or hurricanes.
Tools include graphics and messages that can be used on social media posts, on websites, and on flyers; public information / news release templates; and tips for setting up a call center.
The graphics and messages are available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Flyers and videos that provide easy to understand instructions for the public in both English and Spanish on the proper method to sort and set out debris are also available.
The tools and templates are available for download at Disaster Debris Cleanup and Management Resources | Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC).
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Disaster Debris Trainings – June 11 (Hybrid) and July 10 (Online)
Mark your calendars for two Disaster Debris trainings this summer. H-GAC’s annual Disaster Debris Workshop will be from 9 to noon Tuesday, June 11. This workshop will be at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms, and on Zoom. Registration is required to attend online. Registration is requested, but not required, to attend in person. In-person check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
Topics for this event include:
- Waterway debris considerations
- Wildfire debris considerations
- Debris management resources for residents and businesses
- Damage assessment processes and tips
- Preparations for jurisdictions to ease the burden in disaster debris operations
The second training, a disaster debris webinar, will be 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.
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Cotton Bayou Public Meeting – June 17 (In Person)
H-GAC will host a public meeting to discuss the development of an implementation plan (I-Plan) to address water quality issues in Cotton Bayou. At this meeting, H-GAC will review revisions to the draft I-Plan and share other project updates. This meeting will be from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday, June 17, at the Sam and Carmena Goss Memorial Branch Library, 1 John Hall Dr, Mont Belvieu, TX 77580.
Registration is requested but not required, to attend.
For more information, contact Rachel Windham.
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Livable Centers Roundtable – June 20, (In Person)
H-GAC invites you to attend the second event in a three-part 2024 Livable Centers Roundtable and Workshop Series—Exploring Community Conscious Planning Practices.
The next event will be an in-person roundtable from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms..
During a moderated discussion, expert panelists will share the principles of human-centered design and its application to transportation infrastructure and services. During a roundtable discussion, participants will share the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating these metrics into their own program, policy and planning initiatives.
Registration is requested to attend.
Expert panelists include recent Livable Centers partners/consultants:
- Armandina Chapa, Huitt-Zollars
- Louis Cutia, Halff Associates
- Ranjan Roy, Asakura Robinson
The first event was a roundtable on April 18 and the third event will be the Annual Livable Centers Land Use and Transportation Workshop on September 19.
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Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable – July 9 (In Person)
Mark your calendars for 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
- Discuss the upcoming Parks and Natural Areas Awards program;
- Learn about a new online, interactive trail mapping tool;
- Hear from an award-winning park/natural area project; and
- Engage in a roundtable discussion of events and activities in the region.
Registration will open soon on the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable web page.
For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo.
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Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable – July 23 (In Person)
Save the date for the next Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable 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.
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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].
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STAR 2024 Scholarships for Sustainability Applications Close Today
The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) 2024 Scholarships for Sustainability applications are close today, Monday, June 3. As a part of STAR’s commitment to the growth of the environmental and recycling business community in Texas, STAR offers annual environmental sustainability scholarships for students, teachers, and student groups. The Student Scholarship aids up to two high school seniors or college students planning to study or working toward a degree in Environmental Sustainability or other related field. The Student Group and Teacher Scholarship supports up to two educators at any level of public education in Texas and one officially recognized student group at any Texas university, college, or community college.
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STAR 2024 Texas Environmental Leadership Awards Applications Close Today
The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) 2024 Texas Environmental Leadership Awards (TELA) applications are close today, Monday, June 3. These awards recognize stewards of environmental change in Texas – individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses developing and maintaining programs involving recycling, composting, sustainable materials management, public education and outreach, special event recycling, and more.
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American Planning Association Awards Application Period to Open in June
The American Planning Association (APA) will accept applications in its annual National Planning Awards program June 12-28. The awards honor planning efforts, initiatives, and individuals working to make safer, stronger, and more just communities.
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Texas Watershed Steward Workshops – June 11. 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 workshops:
Registration is required to attend a workshop.
For more information contact Michael Kuitu, PG, CFM at 979‐862‐4457.
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Keep Texas Beautiful Conference – June 24-26
The 2024 Keep Texas Beautiful Annual Conference will be held online June 24-26. Keep Texas Beautiful is a network of Texans working together to make the state the best place to live, work, and play. Local partners and affiliates are equipped with tools they need to help clean up and prevent litter across the state. The annual conference is an opportunity for participants to share, learn, and celebrate local, regional, and state accomplishments and programs and includes networking, educational sessions, and awards presentations.
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Texas Water Development Board Financial Assistance Workshop – June 27
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is hosting an in-person workshop with valuable information and one-on-one opportunities to discuss project needs. The workshop will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 27, t the Bay City Civic Center, 201 7th Street, Bay City. Registration is required, and space is limited.
The regional project team and TWDB program coordinators will be available at the workshop to discuss specific projects and answer questions about financial assistance programs for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and flood infrastructure funding.
Additionally, the workshop will include an overview and discussion of the recently passed Texas Water Fund (Proposition 6) implementation plan.
Additional workshops are scheduled outside of the H-GAC region. Learn more at the TWDB Financial Assistance webpage or email [email protected].
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Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Recognition
Congratulations to the following individuals and organizations for receiving recognition in the 2024 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards.
- Pollution Prevention - Winner - Port Houston, Houston — Port Houston’s Carbon Neutrality, Electrification, and Sustainability Work
- Individual - Winner - Don and Penny Johnson, Missouri City — Lifetime Environmental Education Efforts
- Environmental Educator of the Year - Winner - Venessa Wallace, Peet Junior High, Conroe - Wildlife Management Teacher
- Innovative Operations/Management - Finalist - Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center - Johnson Space Center GIS Spill Map Book
This annual awards program recognizes achievements in environmental preservation and protection.
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Unless otherwise noted, all meetings scheduled at H-GAC are at 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, Texas. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, H-GAC will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities attending H-GAC functions. Requests should be received 72 business hours prior to the function. Contact the meeting organizer to make arrangements.
Banner Photo: Colorado County courthouse. Would you like us to consider featuring your municipality, program, or regional photo on the C&E Planning Update banner? Just forward your picture to Andrea Tantillo, along with some information about the subject and the photographer, and you might see it in a future month's newsletter.
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Houston-Galveston Area Council
713-627-3200
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