Jan. 27, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve been working somewhat behind the scenes, researching flooding and drainage issues and Zooming to meetings. But we\u2019ve been posting items of interest on our Facebook page<\/a>. We should be posting them here too. So here ya go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tree Equity. Trees cool us with their shade, cleanse the air, deflect and absorb rainfall, provide habitat for birds and other creatures, and generally hold the world together. But not everybody has trees.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The First Step to Bridging the Urban \u2018Canopy Gap\u2019? Counting and Mapping Trees<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Grist<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Housing policies of the past, like redlining, have made trees abundant in wealthy neighborhoods, but scarce for socioeconomically disadvantaged communities of color. That\u2019s why we need Tree Equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the rest of this article in Grist<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Related:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Houston\u2019s Newest Heroes Are Native \u2018Super Trees\u2019 with Special Eco-Powers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A plan to plant 4.6 million trees across Houston by 2030 has taken root<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Houston Chronicle<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Houston Wilderness, the City of Houston, Harris County, the Texas Department of Transportation and major landscape architects formed a strategy group in November to reach the 4.6 million native trees goal. They are now compiling the first-ever regional, large-scale tree planting manual to help anyone who wants to pitch in, from private developers to individuals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read this article in the Houston Chronicle.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And here is more information about the tree-planting program<\/a> from Houston Wilderness, including the list of trees studied and their ecosystem benefits, and the list of fourteen super-trees targeted for planting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reminder: Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tour, Friday, Jan. 29<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Join the Citizens Environmental Coalition (CEC)<\/a> for a virtual Houston screening of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A selection of films from the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, North America\u2019s largest environmental film festival, will bring two hours of beautiful, educational, and inspiring films to the comfort and safety of your own home. Preview the lineup on cechouston.org.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Three local films will be shown by Native Prairies Association of Texas<\/a>, the City of Pearland\u2019s Delores Fenwick Nature Center<\/a>, and SETSVN<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Proceeds from the event will be used to support CEC programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The CEC has lined up unique experiences and a piece of art for this year\u2019s silent auction which is OPEN FOR BIDS using this Google Form.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe time to rethink those azaleas and camelias?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yale Environment 360<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The impact of introduced plants on native biodiversity has emerged as a hot-button issue in ecology. But recent research provides new evidence that the displacement of native plant communities is a key cause of a collapse in insect populations and is affecting birds as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For these reasons, [Doug] Tallamy has proposed a domestic version of Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson\u2019s Half Earth Project. If American homeowners converted half of their lawn to productive native plant communities, he says, they would create a \u201cHomegrown National Park\u201d larger than the Everglades, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Teton, Canyonlands, Mount Rainier, North Cascades, Badlands, Olympic, Sequoia, Grand Canyon, Denali, and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the article published by the Yale School of the Environment.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Related:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be like a butterfly. Sting like a bee.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Native Plant Society of Texas<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s time! The 2020-2021 Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas garden grant season is now in full swing! Find the 2021 application, rules, and other information here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Applications are due February 15th, 2021. Time flies, so don\u2019t wait too long to start thinking about your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more from the Native Plant Society of Texas.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Also related:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Texas Invasives<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Texas Invasives is a collaborative effort among various state and federal agencies and other groups to help manage and prevent the spread of nonnative, invasive species in the state.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n An \u201cinvasive species\u201d is defined as a species that is non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. (Executive Order 13112<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n An invasive species grows\/reproduces and spreads rapidly, establishes over large areas, and persists. Species that become invasive succeed due to favorable environmental conditions and lack of natural predators, competitors and diseases that normally regulate their populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This includes a wide variety of plants, insects and animals from exotic places. As invasive species spread and take over ecosystems, they decrease biodiversity by threatening the survival of native plants and animals. In fact, invasive species are a significant threat to almost half of the native U.S. species currently listed as federally endangered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more info about the Texas Invasives Citizen Science Program, visit Texas Invasives.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Another related article:<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the Houston Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n National Academy of Sciences<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many numerically abundant insects provide ecosystem services upon which humans depend: the pollination of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; the biological control of weeds, agricultural pests, disease vectors, and other organisms that compete with humans or threaten their quality of life; and the macrodecomposition of leaves and wood and removal of dung and carrion, which contribute to nutrient cycling, soil formation, and water purification. Clearly, severe insect declines can potentially have global ecological and economic consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the article from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n [SBB is working on a follow-up about this tax abatement program, including a review of what other cities are doing to slow the flow and reduce flooding.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Houston Chronicle<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The city last month launched a new property tax abatement program for developers who incorporate green stormwater infrastructure, a type of design aimed at minimizing the downstream impacts of development, into their projects. It also boosted incentives for LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) projects, an abatement program that has never been utilized, despite being on the city\u2019s books for 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n The stormwater strategies can take different forms, from natural landscapes and gardens with plants and other vegetation that seek to collect or slow runoff, to \u201cgreen roofs\u201d that apply similar concepts on top of buildings, to permeable pavement that allows water to seep into the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Developers already must meet minimum detention requirements for how much water their projects can detain. Green storm-water infrastructure would not necessarily increase that capacity, but it could retain the water for longer than more traditional projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Commercial developers could save as much as 10 percent against their property tax increases when they incorporate green stormwater infrastructure into their developments. The program is open to $3 million projects that include at least an $100,000 investment in the eco-friendly strategy. The maximum abatement is the total cost of the green stormwater infrastructure, effectively reimbursing developers for including it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the rest of this report in the Houston Chronicle.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n And speaking of slowing the flow. Here\u2019s how they do it in England:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Slow The Flow is a registered charity working to advance the education of the public in Natural Flood Management, Sustainable Drainage Systems and other renewable methods of managing the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This includes the exploration of alternative practices which safeguard the natural environment and its resources in a manner which best fits the specifics of a local geography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to know more, visit www.slowtheflow.net<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Upcoming Virtual Meetings of Interest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtual Meeting February 2, 2021, 6:00 \u2013 8:00 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Buffalo Bayou Partnership<\/a> wants to hear from you! The development organization recently released its master plan for Buffalo Bayou East<\/a>, which includes an expansion of Tony Marron Park<\/a>.The plan was developed after a series of conversations with members of the Greater East End and Fifth Ward communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Live or work in Greater East End or Fifth Ward? The Partnership is asking you to please join on Zoom, Tuesday, February 2 from 6-8 pm to learn about the plans and progress on Buffalo Bayou East destinations,specifically the enhancements to Tony Marron Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There will be an opportunity for feedback and questions following the presentation. Spanish translation will be offered at the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is how to register.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Houston Climate Action Plan and Faith Communities<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sunday, February 14, 2 -4:30 pm, virtual<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join Lara Cottingham, Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Houston, to learn about the Houston Climate Action Plan (CAP)<\/a> and how houses of worship and their members can get involved. Lara will cover the goals of the CAP and strategies and actions to be employed in reaching the goals. The CAP is designed to address climate change, but there are many co-benefits which Lara will also highlight. She will also discuss how faith communities can partner with the City of Houston to achieve the goals, helping to lead Houston to a more sustainable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more and register here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Galveston Bay and the Storm Surge of Our Nightmares<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sponsored by The Houston Seminar<\/a>, Thursday, Feb. 4, 5-6:30 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please join Eric Berger of Space City Weather<\/a> and environmental attorney Jim Blackburn<\/a> for \u201cGalveston Bay and the Storm Surge of Our Nightmares,\u201d a conversation about hurricane storm surges, coastal defense barriers, and the mid-bay gate proposal, known as the Galveston Bay Park Plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thursday, February 4, from 5-6:30 pm via Zoom. Cost is $25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two more events in this series titled \u201cWater, Water Everywhere: Strategies and Success Stories.\u201d<\/a> Local experts will discuss flood control projects on Feb 11 and low-impact development on Feb. 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go here for more details and to register<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sort of related:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.savebuffalobayou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Tree-planting-Seabrook-Chron-Godofredo-A.-Va\u0301squez-11.20.20-1-1-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.savebuffalobayou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/WSFF-2021.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Non-Native Plants Are Contributing to a Global Insect Decline<\/a><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Monarch Garden Grant Applications Open<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
What Are Invasive Species?<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Insect Decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a Thousand Cuts<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
More Plants, Less Concrete: Houston Now Will Offer Tax Incentives for Eco-Friendly Development<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Slow The Flow<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Buffalo Bayou Partnership, the East End, and Tony Marron Park<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is Biomimetic Architecture?<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n