JULY 2025

In this month’s episode of What's Happening at H-GAC, discover how you can make your voice heard in the development of the Regional Transportation Plan 2050—a long-range strategy that guides how we invest in roads, transit, trails, and more. Find a public meeting near you, learn how to participate in the process, and share your vision for how you want to travel in the years ahead.

Learn more about events at the Houston-Galveston Area Council at

👉 h-gac.com/calendar

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The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) has launched a series of in-person and virtual public meetings to gather community input for the development of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) 2050 — a long-range strategy to guide transportation investments across the eight-county region.

Updated every four years, the RTP sets goals and recommends projects to improve roadways, public transit, biking and walking paths, freight systems, and emerging technologies. It plays a key role in determining how limited transportation funds are prioritized to support regional growth, safety, sustainability, and quality of life.

“It is essential that we begin planning for the future now, and these initial public meetings are how we begin that process so that we hear from residents that are directly impacted by future projects,” said Allie Isbell, assistant transportation director at H-GAC. “These public meetings are an opportunity for residents to tell us what concerns they have related to transportation today and what they would like to see change in the future.”

Why Your Input Matters

Your feedback will help:

• Shape the plan’s vision and goals
• Identify regional transportation priorities
• Influence which projects get funded
• Ensure the plan meets the needs of all types of travelers

Residents of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties are encouraged to attend.

Public Meeting Schedule Highlights

All meetings are 6:30 – 8 p.m. and include both in-person and virtual participation options.

• Liberty County – July 10 | A.J. “Jack” Hartel Building, Liberty
• Chambers County – July 15 | Westside Complex, Baytown
• Waller County – July 22 | Courthouse Annex, Hempstead
• Galveston County – July 24 | League City & Texas City
• Brazoria County – July 29 | Courthouse Annex, Angleton
• Harris County – July 31 | H-GAC Office, Houston
• Fort Bend County – August 6 | Missouri City Library
• Montgomery County – August 8 | Shenandoah City Hall
• Virtual-Only Zoom Meeting – August 12

For a full list of meetings, details and virtual links, visit RTP2050.com.

Can't Attend a Meeting?

You can still participate!

Visit RTP2050.com to:

• Take the online survey
• Sign up for news alerts
• Express your interest in the RTP Stakeholder Group

Your voice matters, whether you attend in person, log on virtually, or engage online.

Accessibility and Accommodations

H-GAC provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request assistance or an interpreter, please contact 832-821-2050 or email RTP2050@h-gac.com at least 72 hours in advance.

Now Available: 2025 Basin Highlights Report

The 2025 Basin Highlights Report – Characterization of the Luce Bayou Watershed – has been approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and is now available online.

Each year, H-GAC’s Clean Rivers Program publishes a basin highlights report to provide an overview of current water quality conditions, trends, and key activities throughout the region. This year’s report focuses on the Luce Bayou Watershed, offering valuable insights into the state of one of our area’s critical water systems.

Visit our website to read the full report and learn more about how H-GAC is working to protect and improve water resources across the region.

Local governments are on the front lines of addressing increasingly frequent weather disruptions, rising temperatures, and evolving infrastructure demands. These changes impact core services—such as waste collection, emergency response, and public health operations—and often require proactive measures, like opening cooling centers during heatwaves or strengthening energy resilience.

There are two compelling reasons for local governments to lead in adopting emissions-reducing strategies:

1. To improve long-term service reliability and community-wide operational resilience.
2. To lead by example and build public trust in practical, effective solutions.

Leading by Example

Because local governments interact directly with residents, the choices they make are highly visible—and influential. Upgrading city equipment (like switching to electric landscaping tools), retrofitting public buildings with smart thermostats, or improving energy management systems are just a few ways municipalities can demonstrate cleaner, more resilient practices.

Local governments often manage extensive fleets and facilities. Transitioning to low- or zero-emission vehicles, investing in energy-efficient retrofits, and exploring renewable energy sources sends a strong signal that environmental responsibility is both achievable and beneficial.

To support these efforts, H-GAC and regional partners offer resources that help communities collaborate and lead effectively:

• H-GAC’s Regional Conservation Toolbox – A hub for best practices, case studies, and strategies to support conservation and green infrastructure planning.
• SPEER Energy Efficiency Collaboration – A network advancing local government energy efficiency across Texas and Oklahoma, offering technical assistance, training, and policy guidance.
• H-GAC Clean Cities Coalition – A program promoting alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and fuel-saving technologies to help fleets reduce emissions and lower costs.

By leveraging these resources and prioritizing collaboration, local governments can not only strengthen their own resilience—they can empower their communities to do the same.

Click here to learn about H-GAC's Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program.

This year, the Houston-Galveston Area Council is proud to celebrate two major milestones that showcase the power of community collaboration and regional impact: 20 years of the Parks and Natural Areas Awards and 10 years of Bringing Back Main Street.

20 Years of Parks and Natural Areas Awards

Since 2006, H-GAC’s Parks and Natural Areas Awards program has recognized more than 300 parks and natural areas planning, policy, built, and educational projects across our region. These awards honor the dedicated work of counties, cities, neighborhoods, non-profits, and individuals who have preserved, enhanced, and expanded our parks and natural spaces.

As we prepare to honor the 2025 award winners in February 2026, we’re also looking back on two decades of projects that have shaped our region—and we want to hear how these recognitions have made a difference in your community.

• Did your award help you secure additional funding?
• Has a featured project inspired action in your own community?
• Has the program influenced the way you approach parks and natural areas?

If so, we’d love to feature your story. Send a short description and a photo or two to Andrea Tantillo. Your story could be highlighted during the awards ceremony in 2026 or on the Parks and Natural Areas Awards webpage.

Want to be part of the conversation? Join us for the next Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable, taking place from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, July 14, at H-GAC’s second floor conference rooms. The meeting will include:

• A discussion of the upcoming 2025 Parks and Natural Areas Awards
• A preview of updates to H-GAC’s interactive trail mapping tool
• A presentation from an award-winning project
• An open roundtable on upcoming events and opportunities across the region

Registration is requested but not required. We hope you’ll attend and help us kick off the next 20 years of parks and natural areas excellence.

10 Years of Bringing Back Main Street

We’re also marking a decade of Bringing Back Main Street roundtables, which began with its first roundtable in Tomball on October 1, 2015. Over the past 10 years, this program has brought communities together to discuss small-town and rural downtown revitalization—from preserving historic spaces to boosting economic growth.

As we plan a special event this fall—tentatively set for October 14—we’re looking for stories that show the program’s lasting impact:

• Have you started or expanded a revitalization project after attending a roundtable?
• Have you used the Downtown Revitalization Guide for Local Governments to inform your planning?

If Bringing Back Main Street has made a difference in your community, send a brief summary and photo or two to Andrea Tantillo. Your success may be featured in our anniversary slideshow or on the program’s webpage.

More than 50 participants from across the region, state, and nation attended the 2025 National Institute on the Prosecution of Elder Abuse (NIPEA), hosted at H-GAC in June.

This intensive three-and-a-half-day course, designed specifically for prosecutors, offered both foundational knowledge and practical skills for successfully prosecuting crimes involving elder abuse. The training covered a wide range of topics, including case evaluation and litigation strategies, dementia and capacity considerations, common injury patterns, the use of medical experts, ethical concerns, and resources available to support prosecution teams.

This marks the first time NIPEA has been hosted in the Houston-Galveston region—providing an opportunity to showcase local efforts to address elder abuse and deliver high-quality training to more than 20 local participants from H-GAC’s 13-county service area.

H-GAC’s Elder Justice Program supports older adults and individuals with disabilities who have been victims of crime. In addition to providing direct services, the program offers training, technical assistance, and coordination support to help communities build effective, collaborative responses to the growing problem of elder abuse.

For more information on H-GAC's Elder Justice Program, visit: h-gac.com/elder-justice.



JUL 3

For more information, contact Steven Johnston. 

Registration is required to attend online, and

requested but not required to attend in person.

To receive updates on these workshops, email swinformation@h-gac.com.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

Attendees will:

• Discuss the upcoming Parks and Natural Areas Awards program (review the 2024 application guide for discussion);
• Learn about updates to H-GAC's 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.

Download a draft agenda.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

Networking and check-in begin at 1:30 p.m. followed by the program from 2 to 4 p.m. See map for free parking and nearby restaurant options.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

Topics include Alvin’s preparations for future growth and economic development including the 2035 Comp Plan; and Visit Alvin, including public art, foodie trail program, film friendly, music friendly, and other state programs. The event will conclude with a quick walk to the Historic Alvin Train Depot, just a couple of blocks from the Senior Center.

Speakers include: 

• Paul Chavez, Economic Development Director, city of Alvin
• Athlyn Roberts, Public Information Manager, city of Alvin
• Courtney Landers, Tourism and Marketing Officer, Alvin Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Betty Russo, Gulf Coast/East Texas Regional Representative, Office of Governor Greg Abbott

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. 



For more information, contact Amanda Ashcroft. 

The watershed stakeholder group will discuss any work done in relation to the Oyster Creek Implementation Plan. During this meeting, we will also kick off the implementation phase of the plan and discuss measures the community can take to reduce fecal sources of bacteria to help Oyster Creek meet water quality standards. 

For more information, contact Steven Johnston. 



JUL 23

Registration is required to attend.

The final meeting of 2025 will be in person from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, October 22, at H-GAC second floor conference rooms.

We are seeking a sponsor for refreshments at the in-person meeting (October). Reach out to Erin Livingston if you would like to sponsor or if you have suggestions for speakers or content you'd like to see featured.  

For more information, contact Erin Livingston. 



Registration is required to attend online.

To receive updates on these workshops, email swinformation@h-gac.com.

JUL 25

JUL 31

The watershed stakeholder group will discuss any work done in relation to the Caney Creek Implementation Plan. During this meeting, we will also kick off the implementation phase of the plan and discuss measures the community can take to reduce fecal sources of bacteria to help Caney Creek meet water quality standards. 

For more information, contact Steven Johnston. 



AUG 7

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

The main topic of discussion will be a review of the 2025 Water Quality Management Plan Update. H-GAC is seeking comments on the current draft of the document which is available on the H-GAC website. 

For more information, contact Rachel Windham. 



The watershed stakeholder group will discuss any work done in relation to the Chocolate Bay Implementation Plan. During this meeting, we will also kick off the implementation phase of the plan and discuss measures the community can take to reduce fecal sources of bacteria to help Chocolate Bay meet water quality standards. 

For more information, contact Steven Johnston. 

SEP 18

H-GAC concludes its three-part 2025 Livable Centers Roundtable and Workshop Series—exploring the critical connections between transportation planning, design, and public health with the annual Land Use and Transportation workshop from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, September 18, second floor conference rooms.

Participant networking begins at 9 a.m. The program begins at 9:30 a.m.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

This workshop will bring together leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners from urban design, transportation planning, and public health to discuss integrated solutions for reducing health disparities and improving community well-being. 

This workshop is a must-attend for anyone committed to designing cities and communities that prioritize well-being, mobility, and long-term resilience. 

For more information, contact Sarai Osorio at livablecenters@h-gac.com.

SEP 24

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