HARC Newsletter Apr-2018

HARC Newsletter | April 2018

Newsletter

April 2018

Featured Event

HARC People & Nature Speaker Series: Admiral Jonathan White on Climate, Oceans, & National Security

We live in a dynamic world with critical economic, defense, transportation, and security issues interlinked to our oceans and their natural systems. Observing, monitoring, and learning about our complex oceans and their coastal processes is thus especially critical as we look towards the future, one increasingly associated with uncertainty and climate threats. How does ocean science and a better understanding of our marine and coastal processes protect our economy, food, and health? What role does and should it play in informing our federal ocean policy and decision-making process? How does sound ocean science allow us to better ensure our safety as we look to deal with critical ocean related national, homeland, food, energy, water, health, and security issues?

Please join us the evening of April 17 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston for a stimulating conversation with Admiral Jonathan White, United States Navy (Retired) on climate and ocean issues in the context of national security, energy, and economic prosperity with a focus on opportunities and solutions for the future. Reserve your ticket by visiting Eventbrite.

The Water Challenge Program – Permian Basin Pilot

In the oil and gas industry, drilling, completions and production requires and yields significant amounts of water. Sometimes, this water can be recycled/reused. Sometimes it can’t. The Water Challenge (WC) Program was created recognizing that continuous improvement is not only feasible, but also essential for both operational and environmental sustainability. The WC Program was created to provide a mechanism for companies to undertake and document voluntary water conservation efforts through the development and implementation of cost-effective most applicable practices that address environmental issues. A Pilot of the Water Challenge has been initiated in the Permian Basin through a generous grant from The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation with the objective to identify improvements that could be made, provide feedback from industry and state regulators on the structure and to begin recruiting participants for the Water Challenge.

Featured Researcher

Andra Wilcox

Research Scientist, Energy Production

Andra Wilcox is a Research Scientist at HARC where she works with Energy and the Environment programs. She has a Master of Science Degree in strategic leadership and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science from Texas A&M, Commerce. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Her previous experience includes community outreach, solid waste/recycling monitoring, residential and governmental contract compliance, municipal recycling facilities auditing, and field/site inspections for the Texas Department of State Health Services to mitigate proliferation of potential arbovirus vectors. Further, Andra conducts litter abatement efforts whereupon several miles of roads and pathways are surveyed and litter/debris is identified, categorized, and removed quarterly throughout the year.

Press Release

Houston Endowment Gives $455,000 to Protect Galveston Bay, TX

Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) and Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) announced on April 06 that Houston Endowment has approved a $455,000 grant that will enable them to provide the Galveston Bay Report Card for another two years.

The Galveston Bay Report Card, which was first released in 2015, informs residents in Southeast Texas and the Greater Houston‐Galveston Region about the environmental quality of Galveston Bay. Updated annually and released every August, the Galveston Bay Report Card summarizes data for 22 indicators across six topic areas: Human Health Risks, Habitat, Water Quality, Coastal Change, Wildlife, and Pollution Events and Sources.

The Report Card also highlights data and information gaps such as the current acreage of wetlands and oyster reefs remaining in the region, the amount of litter and trash in area waterways and the concentrations of toxic organic substances (such as PCBs and dioxin) in the sediments of Galveston Bay outside of the Houston Ship Channel.

Announcements & Events

CEBN/HARC Event: Harnessing Texas' Energy Leadership for New Economic Opportunities

Join the Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) and Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) May 1 for a clean energy business and policy forum in The Woodlands, TX.

HARC at Earth Day Houston Festival April 22

Join us at Earth Day Houston, Sunday, April 22, 2018, from noon to 6 pm at Discovery Green Park! Visit HARC’s booth to engage with staff and learn more about resilient communities when HARC President Lisa Gonzalez delivers an Earth Talk on the main stage.

Qian Song awarded at 2018 Houston Region GIS Expo

HARC’s GIS Analyst Qian Song won two 2nd place awards in this year’s Houston Region GIS Expo map gallery competition.

Bill Bass appointed to Bayou Land Conservancy Board of Directors

HARC’s Bill Bass, Geospatial & IT Senior Manager, has been appointed to the Bayou Land Conservancy board of directors effective March 20, 2018

Support HARC when shopping at H-E-B this April

HARC has partnered with HEB and EarthShare of Texas for Earth Month. During April, look for the EarthShare of Texas display and tear-off pads at HEB check-out lanes. Select a $1, $3, or $5 slip to add to your grocery bill, and 100% of your donations will support local environmental and conservation charities that are members of EarthShare of Texas – including HARC.

HARC in the news

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium releases report on flood mitigation strategies

Through the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium, HARC was one of the leading researchers to release a report on flood mitigation infrastructure, drainage, buyouts and development regulations in the Greater Houston area.

Visit HARCresearch.org and follow us on social media to learn more about HARC

View this and prior newsletters in our archive

8801 Gosling Road, TX 77381, USA
HARC is a research hub providing independent analysis on energy, air, and water issues to people seeking scientific answers. We are focused on building a sustainable future that helps people thrive and nature flourish.

HARC and its EarthShare of Texas partners are thankful to benefit from Reliant Energy’s EcoShare Program, an easy and affordable way to purchase carbon offsets and directly contribute to local environmental efforts.

You can help HARC continue to fulfill its mission through your support.

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