Focus On - Parks and Natural Areas
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Open spaces enhance the region's quality of life by providing public gathering spaces for socializing, recreation, and outdoor education. The Houston-Galveston region is home to more than 275,000 acres of parkland at more than 3,000 public parks. Parks are essential for enhancing communities and keeping them strong and healthy.
H-GAC's Park and Natural Areas (PNA) Subcommittee (a subcommittee to the Natural Resources Advisory Committee) serves as a forum for discussion of issues related to parks and natural areas in the region and helps facilitate information exchanges and planning efforts between various communities.
In addition to supporting an annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards program, the PNA subcommittee offers a best practices guide and list of possible parks funding sources.
The parks best practices guide provides information for the development and improvement of parks, including planning, design, maintenance, and programming. The guide is based on a synthesis of best management practices employed in parks and green spaces around the United States.
The parks grants web page is a compiled listing of regional, state, federal, and private funding sources for improving and maintaining parks. H-GAC provides this list for information and convenience for parks managers. Some deadlines have passed but can be anticipated at the same time each year. If you know of a potential park funding source to add to the list, contact Mary Martha Gaiennie at 713-993-2468.
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H-GAC Offers On-Site Sewage Facility Visual Inspection Training Course
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H-GAC will host an on-site sewage facility (OSSF) Visual Inspection Training for homeowners from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at the Brazoria County AgriLife Extension Offices, 21017 County Road 171, Angleton. Participants will learn how to identify failing OSSFs through visual inspection. Repair and replacement of an OSSF can be expensive. With the proper knowledge and instruction, a resident can assess the health of a system and reduce the costs of repair or replacement. The one-day course is free, but registration is required. For more information, contact Paniz Miesen at 832-681-2523. |
Revitalization Roundtable Set for July 20 in Alvin |
Learn how your community can create an attractive and functional downtown at the Bringing Back Main Street: Revitalization Roundtable, from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 20, at the Alvin Senior Center, 309 West Sealy. Speakers will provide information on how to create vibrant downtown parks and public spaces. Space is limited. Register today. H-GAC hosts quarterly roundtables that focus on downtown revitalization. For more information, contact Andrew Pompei at 832-681-2598. |
Webinar to Focus on Eco-Logical Tool |
H-GAC will host a webinar to demonstrate the use and functions of its Eco-Logical tool at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 20. This online mapping application is designed to bring the conservation of the region's most valuable ecological resources to the forefront of the transportation infrastructure development process. The tool furthers a nationwide initiative by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to promote an ecosystem approach to transportation planning. Online registration is required. For more information on the upcoming webinar contact Meredith Dang or Ayo Jibowu. |
H-GAC, Harris County to Host Booth at Houston World Series of Dog Shows |
Pet waste is one source of bacteria in area waterways that can easily be reduced by picking up after dogs. The H-GAC water resources team will promote this message and offer prizes for participants at the 2016 Houston World Series of Dog Shows, July 20-24, at NRG Center. This event draws more than 40,000 attendees annually and presents an opportunity to discuss the impact of pet waste on water quality. The booth, sponsored by H-GAC and Harris County, will include interactive games, educational materials, and an opportunity for guests to take the Pet Waste Pollutes pledge. To learn more about H-GAC's booth, contact Kathy Janhsen at 713-993-2423. |
Growing Green Workshop to Highlight Resources for Agriculture Producers |
To help agriculture producers learn more about which agencies can help maximize production and improve property, H-GAC will host a
Growing Green workshop from 9 a.m. to noon
Saturday, July 23, at the Brazoria County AgriLife Extension Offices, 21017 County Road 171, Angleton.
This free, half-day workshop will give landowners the opportunity to meet with representatives from state and local agricultural groups and hear about financial and technical assistance programs they may qualify for.
Registration
is required.
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West Fork Watersheds Partnership Begins Looking at Water Quality Issues |
The West Fork Watersheds Partnership held its first meeting in May and is gearing up for its next meeting in late July. The Partnership is developing a watershed protection plan for the West Fork San Jacinto River and Lake Creek in Montgomery and Grimes counties. The focus of this community-led project is to identify and address causes of water pollution through voluntary measures. For more information about getting involved, including when the next Partnership meeting is scheduled, visit www.westforkwpp.com or contact Justin Bower at 713-499-6653. |
Storm Debris Workshop, Mitigating Your Hazards, Set for August 11
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H-GAC's series of
debris management workshops concludes
Thursday, August 11, with Mitigating Your Hazards. The workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor.
Mitigation and resiliency are hot national topics, and municipalities are identifying strategies to reduce losses from natural hazards most likely to impact them.
This workshop will look at identifying long-term strategies for risk reduction, identifying cost-effective mitigation actions, and exploring the range of resources available to support mitigation activities. This workshop will include a guest speaker from the Texas Water Development Board.
The workshop will also identify lessons learned and give participants an opportunity to talk about and work through challenges they may be experiencing in response to recent floods.
There is no cost to attend this event, but space is limited and registration is required. Register to attend this event in person by contacting
Erin Livingston at 832-681-2525. To attend via webinar,
register online.
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Disaster Debris Clearance and Removal Contracts Save Time, Money |
Recognizing the need for communities to perform efficient and timely cleanup of debris generated by natural disasters, H-GAC has developed the Disaster Debris Clearance and Removal Services Program. By having debris hauler contracts in place prior to events, cleanup can be quicker and less costly. Procuring reputable and experienced firms can be challenging. H-GAC has already handled many of the procurement issues for local governments. The Disaster Debris Clearance and Removal Services Program offers access to a pool of the most qualified debris removal contractors, saves time and money associated with the procurement process, and helps maximize eligible FEMA reimbursement. To learn how to participate in the program, contact Cheryl Mergo at 713-993-4520. As a reminder, hurricane evacuation maps, including zip zone evacuation, surge zone, and evacuation routes, can be found on the H-GAC website. |
Pedestrian-Bicyclist Counters Available |
H-GAC has temporary pedestrian-bicyclist counters available for use by local governments to count the number of people using sidewalks and/or trails, giving implementing entities and H-GAC a better understanding of the demand and use of these facilities. For information about borrowing the counters, contact Andrew Pompei at 832-681-2598. |
Camera-Sharing Program Helps to Combat Illegal Dumping |
To help track and reduce illegal dumping, H-GAC offers surveillance cameras and accompanying accessories through a sharing program. The cameras can capture clear videos day or night, including license plates of cars traveling up to 50 mph. Participation in the program is for local governments within the 13-county H-GAC region and involves specific agreements, including a commitment to only use the cameras for solid waste purposes and report results to H-GAC. To allow easier access to local governments, ownership of the cameras has been transferred to Fort Bend, Galveston, and Walker counties. To access the cameras, borrow them from one of those three counties. For more information, contact Erin Livingston at 832-681-2525. |
City Council Committee Considers Houston Bike Plan |
On June 20, Director Pat Walsh of the Houston Planning and Development Department presented the revised draft of the Houston Bike Plan to Houston City Council's Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure (TTI) Committee. In completing the revised plan, the Bike Plan team considered public input from over 1,200 survey responses, 245 interactive map comments, 100 written comments, as well as from public meetings and events. The revised plan includes additional detail on implementation, including five examples of pilot projects in Houston, development of a bayou access plan prototype, and guidance for developing neighborhood-level bike plans using lessons learned during the development of a neighborhood-level bike plan in the Gulfton/Sharpstown area.
In response to public comments on the draft plan, the revised plan added 133 miles of proposed bikeways to reach more residents, for a total of 1,789 miles of bikeways in the long-term vision. The revised Bike Plan will be presented to the Houston Planning Commission in August. The revised draft
Houston Bike Plan can be viewed at
houstonbikeplan.org.
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Institutional Landscaping Workshop Planned for July 19 in Galveston |
Registration is now open for Institutional Landscaping the WaterSmart Way, a free workshop, from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 19, at the UTMB Galveston Campus. Local experts will present WaterSmart topics including Basics of WaterSmart Landscaping, Implementing Green Infrastructure/Low Impact Development, Composting Best Practices, and Lessons Learned from applied WaterSmart Principles at MD Anderson. |
Houston Wilderness Seeks Great Green Quest Sponsors |
Each year Houston Wilderness promotes environmental awareness for elementary school students through the Great Green Quest. This passport adventure program challenges students and young families to explore the parks, preserves, nature centers, and wildlife refuges in and around the Houston area. This effort is funded entirely through sponsorships with no cost for the passports for participating students. Interested in helping students participate in this annual program? Become a sponsor today. |
Webinars to Address Solar in Texas
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Go Solar, along with the State Energy Conservation Office and the North Central Texas Council of Governments, is offering free solar trainings through
webinars this summer.
Community Solar in Texas will be at 11:30 a.m.
Friday, July 8. This webinar will focus on electric utility cooperatives and municipal owned utilities that may be interested in exploring opportunities for community solar programs.
Putting Underutilized Land to Work for Solar will be at 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, July 27. This webinar will focus on local governments, including school districts, special districts, and business/industry sectors interested in going solar.
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Community Efficiency Leaders Workshop to Focus on Water and Energy Best Practices
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The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) and the State Energy Conservation Office will host a workshop on energy and water efficiency from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at H-GAC Conference Room A, Second Floor. Topics for this workshop include:
- Purple Pipe in Communities - Reducing water consumption and energy use through reclaimed water
- Strategic Energy Management - Focusing on low cost efforts with big impacts
- Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing - Considering a new economic development tool for cities
The workshop is free, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Gavin Dillingham. |
Applications Due August 5 for 2016 Texas Environmental Leadership Awards |
The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) is seeking nominations for the 2016 Texas Environmental Leadership Award. Each year, this award recognizes 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, and special event recycling. A new award for Outstanding Compost Program has been added this year. Award winners will be honored during the Texas Recycling Summit in October. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, August 5. Download the application packet for specific awards and criteria and submit a nomination online. |
Applications Sought for Annual Mayor's Proud Partner Awards |
Keep Houston Beautiful is now accepting applications for the 2016 Mayor's Proud Partners Awards. The award application is available online and entries are due by Monday, August 15. Examples of eligible entries include beautification and landscaping installations, neighborhood cleanups, environmental education programs, volunteer park improvements, and waste minimization efforts. |
Help Spread the Word About TV/Computer Recycling Programs |
Throughout Texas, used electronic equipment continues to be a rapidly growing source of waste. Since 2008, Texas law has required television and computer-equipment manufacturers to offer recycling opportunities to consumers. The Texas Recycles TVs (TRTV) and Texas Recycles Computers (TRC) programs advertise and manage responsible electronic recycling for Texans. Since the emergence of these programs, Texas has been able to divert over 190 million pounds of televisions and computers from landfills. Communities can help get the word out about these programs by advertising them on solid waste management or recycling websites. For more information, contact Luke Furfey. |
TCEQ Seeks Environmental Excellence Award Applications |
The TCEQ is now accepting applications for the 2017 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Share environmental success stories by applying for or nominating a project in one of nine award categories. View these categories and apply online. The deadline to submit is Friday, September 30. Need help writing an effective application? Go to teea.org/apply to see what to include in successful applications. Looking for an example of a winning application, send your request to awards@tceq.texas.gov and include one (or more) of the award categories you are interested in. |
Harris County Case Study Part of Green Infrastructure, Low Impact Development Workshop |
A free workshop in Dallas will highlight the relationship between green infrastructure/low impact development and water quality. The workshop will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas. Harris County, along with other agencies, will offer case studies on their experience working with green infrastructure, and participants can tour green infrastructure features at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center. Online registration is required. The workshop is free. Lunch will be provided for $10 per person, or participants can bring their own lunch. For more information, contact Rachel Evans or Erin Kelly. |
Application Period Now Open for Communities Seeking Texas Main Street Designation |
The Texas Historical Commission is now accepting applications from cities interested in becoming designated Main Street communities. The 2017 Main Street application period is now open. Each year, the Texas Historical Commission may select up to five cities for official Main Street designation. Communities selected this year will enter the program in January 2017. Main Street is an economic development program focusing on small business development, reusing historic properties, and historic preservation as primary tools. Applications are due Friday, July 29. More information, including application form, is available online. Applications to become a designed Main Street community are accepted once each year. There are currently 87 officially designated Main Street communities in Texas, including four in the region: Bay City, Huntsville, Rosenberg, and Sealy. |
2016 Disaster Preparedness and Economic Recovery Series Webinars Scheduled
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The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) provides a free Disaster and Economic Recovery webinar series each year focusing on practical information on key topics for economic development and chambers of commerce. The first webinar will be Securing Capital for Recovery and Redevelopment from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, August 25. This webinar will explore both public and private capital sources for rebuilding after a disaster and will present examples of how communities secured this funding. Upcoming workshops include Building Resilience in Rural and Small Communities, Thursday, October 13, and Guiding Your Community Image and Brand Through Disasters, Saturday, December 10. |
Sponsor, Exhibitor Opportunities Available for Annual Recycling Summit
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The 2016 State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) Recycling Summit is seeking sponsors and exhibitors. The event will be October 16-18 in San Antonio. This is the only state conference dedicated entirely to recycling and waste diversion activities in Texas. Sponsors and exhibitors have the chance to get their message in front of recycling leaders from across the state. Approximately 250 recycling professionals attend this event for educational sessions, equipment demonstrations, roundtable discussions, and training opportunities. A preliminary schedule is available. |
NADO Conference Planned for San Antonio
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The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) 2016 Annual Training Conference will be October 15-18 at the Hyatt Regency, 123 Loyola Street, San Antonio. Attendees will exchange ideas, learn from experts, participate in mobile workshops, and engage in conversations about ways to make a difference in their regions. Registration is now open. For more information, contact Laurie Thompson at 202-624-5948. |
Tools and Reports
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- EPA's Climate Ready Estuaries "Being Prepared for Climate Change: A Workbook for Developing Risk-based Adaptation Plans" is an interactive, step-by-step guide for communities to develop risk-based climate change adaptation plans.
- USDA Toolkit to Assess Economic Impact of Local Foods helps communities measure the economic benefits of local food investments with real-world examples and measurement strategies.
- Trust for Public Lands City Parks, Clean Water: Making Great Places Using Green Infrastructure is a new report that demonstrates how city parks' natural processes can play a significant role in managing urban stormwater.
- Center for Watershed Protection's Safe Waters, Healthy Waters: A Guide for Citizen Groups on Bacteria Monitoring in Local Waterways outlines how to identify areas with high bacteria, narrow down potential sources, and share findings with the public.
- STAR Community Rating System Planning Guide: Integrating Sustainability into Community Planning Efforts provides guidance on how to use the Sustainability Tools for Assessing and Rating Communities (STAR) rating system to set benchmarks and targets, develop assessments, and track implementation and progress to achieve comprehensive community development goals and plans.
- Canva, Weebly, Google Docs, and Sketchup make graphic design, website design, document sharing and collaboration, and 3-D modeling easier with free, online platforms.
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Funding Opportunities
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TCEQ 2017 Clean Water Act Section 319 Grants
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Nonpoint Source Program anticipates posting its fiscal year 2017 Clean Water Act Section 319 request for grant applications (RFGA) on the
State of Texas Electronic State Business Daily on
Friday, July 1. Grant applications will be accepted through
Thursday, September 1.
National Park Service Underrepresented Community Grants
The National Parks Service is accepting applications for its
Underrepresented Community Grants program to support the survey, inventory, and designation of historic properties associated with communities currently underrepresented in the National Register of Historic Places and among National Historic Landmarks. Within one year of the completion of the grant, all projects must result in the submission of a new nomination to the National Register of Historic Places or National Historic Landmark program, or an amendment to an existing National Register or National Historic Landmark nomination. The deadline to apply is
Friday, July 15.
HUD Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program
HUD's integrated technical assistance and capacity building program,
Community Compass, is designed to help HUD's customers navigate housing and community development challenges with the knowledge, skills, tools, capacity, and systems to implement HUD programs and policies successfully. The deadline to apply is
Tuesday, July 19.
EPA FY17 Brownfields Area-wide Planning Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the availability of funding to develop an area-wide plan for
brownfields assessment, cleanup, and subsequent reuse. This funding is for research and/or technical assistance activities directed to one or more brownfield site(s) located in a specific area (such as a neighborhood, downtown or business district, local commercial corridor, community waterfront or city blocks). Each project funded under this grant must result in an area-wide plan including specific implementation strategies for assessing, cleaning up, and reusing the brownfields site(s) as well as related brownfields and project area revitalization strategies. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 20 projects in total, funded at up to $200,000 each. The deadline to apply is
Wednesday, August 10.
NFL Foundation Grassroots Program
Houston LISC and the Houston Texans are partnering for the 2016 NFL Foundation Grassroots Program to provide nonprofit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to improve quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields. The program provides grants up to $250,000 for capital improvement projects. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 15.
TDA 2016 Small Towns Environmental Program (STEP) Fund The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will accept
STEP Fund letters of interest and applications
throughout the year until all available funds are obligated. Dates for the final round of assessment, application, and funding for letters of interest received under the 2015 Action Plan can be found on the
TDA website.
EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting grant applications to provide investments that support construction, nonconstruction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under
EDA's Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to forward economic prosperity in distressed communities. There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity. Proposals and applications will be accepted
on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new funding opportunity notice.
Advocacy Advance Rapid Response Grants
Advocacy Advance Rapid Response Grants help state and local organizations take advantage of unexpected opportunities to win, increase, or preserve funding for biking and walking. Detailed guidelines, criteria, and application requirements are available
online.
Rapid Response Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
All content, including links to other websites, is for informational purposes only. Users of this content are responsible for checking its accuracy, currency, and suitability.
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Community and Environmental Planning |
Grant Programs
H-GAC's
Community Enhancement Grants are designed to help municipalities, counties, and nonprofit organizations enhance public spaces, such as gateways, parks, waterfronts, and business districts.
Loan Programs
H-GAC's Community and Environmental Planning Department currently manages three loan programs
------the Small Business Administration 504 Loan Program, the Business Loan Fund, and the Government Loan Fund.
The
SBA 504 Loan Program provides long-term business expansion financing for real estate, construction, and equipment purchases.
The
Business Loan Fund assists small businesses in the Houston-Galveston region.
The
Government Loan Fund
assists local governments and school districts in the Houston-Galveston region.
Anyone interested in getting more information or
applying for a loan should contact
loans@h-gac.com.
Mapping Applications and GIS Data
If you are looking for interactive applications or GIS data related to the H-GAC Community and Environmental Planning Department, visit
www.h-gac.com/go/apps to see the latest information, including Census, Regional Forecast, and more.
Map Book provides maps in several formats for printing.
Facebook
Twitter
Find the latest information about activities around the region at H-GAC's Twitter Feed
@hgaccog. H-GAC's water resources program also offers Twitter updates on water quality issues in the region, including fish consumption advisories,
@HGACwater.
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