Announcements

Alvin Livable Centers Study Honored by Houston Chapter of the American Planning Association

The Alvin Livable Centers Study recently received the 2025 Silver Planning Achievement award in Urban Design from the of the American Planning Association TX Houston Chapter. 

The study, completed in October 2024, underscores the pivotal role of planning in community development and showcases the transformative effect that recommendations, grounded in public and stakeholder engagement, can have on a community.

Application Process Detailed for Texas Governor's Public Safety Office Grants, Mandatory Workshops Set – Multiple Dates (Online, In Person)  

The Office of the Governor of the State of Texas annually makes available a series of funding opportunities related to increasing communities’ capacity to enhance public safety and support victims. 

The Texas Governor‘s Public Safety Office is soliciting applications for:

• Criminal Justice Grant Program, FY2027 projects that promote public safety, reduce crime, and improve the criminal justice system.
• General Victim Assistance Grant Program, FY2027 projects that provide services and assistance directly to victims of crime to speed their recovery and aid them through the criminal justice process.
• Juvenile Justice & Youth Diversion Grant Program, FY2027 projects prevent violence in and around schools; and to improve the juvenile justice system by providing mental health services and truancy prevention and intervention through community-based and school programs.
• Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program, FY2027 projects that promote a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach to improve the justice system’s response to violent crimes against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

For more detailed information about these funding opportunities, including requirements and the local process, scroll down to see the full article in the Funding Sources section at the end of this newsletter.

Livable Centers Orientation Webinar – January 22, 2026 (Online)  

H-GAC’s Livable Centers Orientation Webinar: Learning From Past Progress and Planning for What’s Next will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026, on Zoom.

Registration is required to attend.

Join us as we share a big picture overview of the Livable Centers program, highlight valuable lessons learned over the past 17 years, and reveal details about our list of upcoming studies. Consultants, local government leadership and staff, or anyone just curious about the Livable Centers program can attend. Long-time partners or anyone new to the Livable Centers program will learn something during this free webinar.

For more information, contact [email protected]. 

Clean Waters Initiative Workshop – January 26, 2026 (Hybrid)  

Make plans to attend the next Clean Waters initiative workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, in person at H-GAC second floor conference rooms and on Zoom. Please note, this workshop was rescheduled from December 1.

Join us for a full-day workshop to discuss current topics in wastewater and on-site sewage facility management including workforce recruitment, funding opportunities, data resources, educational initiatives, and reports on ongoing projects benefiting these fields. Attendees will also be encouraged to participate in guided discussions throughout the workshop. 

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

H-GAC's Clean Waters Initiative workshop series offers education and information to local governments, nonprofit organizations, landowners, and residents to develop effective strategies to reduce pollution in local waterways. 

CEUs may be available. For more information, contact Rachel Windham. 

Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable – January 28, 2026 (In Person)  

Mark your calendars for the next Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Morton Masonic Lodge Fellowship Hall, 209 Morton Street, Richmond.

Networking and check-in begin at 9:30 a.m. with the program from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program will be followed by a guided walking tour. Light breakfast and box lunches will be provided.

Planned topics include: 

• An update from Historic Downtown Richmond
• Planning, designing, implementing, and maintaining accessible sidewalks
• Funding development, including H-GAC's new Funding Development Program and tips for creating a competitive grant application

Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in a roundtable discussion and enjoy a walking tour of Downtown Richmond following the program.

Registration is requested but not required to attend.

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. 

Watershed-based Plans Meetings Set – Multiple Dates (In Person)

Mark your calendars for three watershed-based plans meetings across the region this month and in February.

Chocolate Bay Public Comment Meeting – Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) seeking public comment on the Chocolate Bay Implementation Plan from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Alvin Public Library, 105 S Gordon St, Alvin.

Tarkington Bayou Public Meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the City of Cleveland Civic Center, 210 Peach Street, Cleveland.

Bessie’s Creek Public Meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Simonton Community Church, 9703 FM 1489, Simonton.

For more information, contact Steven Johnston.

Greens Bayou Watershed Partnership Meeting – January 29, 2026 (Hybrid)

The Greens Bayou Watershed Partnership meeting will be from 5: 30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the North Houston District Office, 16945 Northchase Drive Suite 1900, Houston, and on Zoom.

Registration is required to attend online.

For more information, contact Rachel Windham.

Parks and Natural Areas Awards Celebration – February 6, 2026 (In Person)

The 20th annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards recognition ceremony will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon Friday, February 6, 2026, at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms.

Registration is requested to attend.

Award-winning projects serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. Projects will be honored in four categories: Planning Process, On-the-Ground Projects Over $500,000, On-the-Ground Projects Under $500,000, and Programming.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo.

Save the Date for Trash Bash – March 28, 2026 (In Person)

Mark your calendar for the next River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash®, Texas’s largest single-day waterway cleanup, on Saturday, March 28, 2026. 

Since its inception, more than 121,000 volunteers have collected over 2,505 tons of trash, 23 tons of recyclable materials, and 12,410 tires. Find out how to volunteer and promote a healthy Galveston Bay watershed at one of the many cleanup locations on March 28, 2026.

Cleanup supplies, event t-shirts, and lunch are provided to all volunteers. Trash Bash hopes you will come out and help “Clean it like you mean it !” ®

Regional Resilience Roundtable – April 2, 2026 (Hybrid)

If you are involved in hazard mitigation or resilience planning, save the date for H-GAC's first Regional Resilience Roundtable on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The morning session will be from 9 to 11 a.m. in person at H-GAC second floor conference rooms and online on Zoom. Lunch and the afternoon session will be from noon to 2 p.m. at H-GAC.

This event will convene regional, local, and state partners involved in hazard mitigation and resilience planning.

Through engaging sessions, participants will have the opportunity to:

• Strengthen collaboration across agencies and disciplines
• Explore innovative approaches to community engagement, green infrastructure, and flood mitigation funding
• Learn from current projects and successful mitigation investments
• Share tools, data, and best practices to enhance regional preparedness and implementation
• Identify opportunities for cross-sector funding and partnership development

Additional information, including registration details, will be available soon. For more information, contact Amanda Ashcroft or Bryant Clark.

Take Care of Texas Art Contest Opens January 6, 2026 

The Take Care of Texas Art Contest opens Tuesday, January 6, 2026. This contest offers K-5th students an opportunity to share their creativity while learning about protecting the environment. This year's theme is ways to conserve water and keep our water clean!

American Planning Association Sustainability Award Applications Due January 12, 2026 

The 13th Annual American Planning Association Awards of Excellence in Sustainability are now open for nominations. The awards honor projects, policies, plans, and people who show exemplary leadership and inspiration in sustainability planning and implementation. Categories include state and regional; community; environment, climate, and energy; quality of life; policy, law, and tools; and student awards. Learn more by visiting the award webpage. Awards applications are due Monday, January 12, 2026.

Keep Texas Beautiful Governor's Community Achievement Awards Open February 2, 2026

For more than 30 years, Keep Texas Beautiful, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, has awarded the prestigious Governor's Community Achievement Awards to Texas communities for their outstanding overall efforts to keep their communities beautiful. This year, 10 winning communities will share $2 million in landscaping awards from the Texas Department of Transportation, with the amount based on population size. The funds are used for landscaping projects along local rights-of-way. The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Green Infrastructure for Texas Offers Free Class

Green Infrastructure for Texas provides a free online course, Introduction to Green Infrastructure, designed for professionals involved in community development, infrastructure planning, and environmental management. This self-paced course is available for users to take a closer look at tools and skills for local communities' green infrastructure needs.

Audubon Christmas Bird Count – December 14, 2025 – January 5. 2026

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is December 14 through January 5 each year.

Organized by the National Audubon Society, this global, all-volunteer effort collects data on local bird populations. Individual counts are open to birders of all levels, and there is no fee to participate. Several events are scheduled across the region.

Galveston Bay Estuary Program State of the Bay Symposium – February 24-25, 2026

The 12th Galveston Bay Estuary Program State of the Bay Symposium will be February 24 and 25 at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center in Galveston.

The Galveston Bay Estuary Program coordinates the State of the Bay Symposium to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to interact and share environmental policy and management successes, report the latest monitoring and research findings, and illuminate the challenges facing Galveston Bay.

Information about registration and hotel reservations is available online. Several members of the H-GAC Water Resources staff are scheduled to provide presentations. A draft agenda is available to download.

Richmond Named Scenic City of the Year for 2025

Richmond was named 2025 Scenic City of the Year by Texas Scenic City. From the Scenic City website: This esteemed award honors the city’s steadfast commitment to preserving its natural charm while enhancing the everyday experience for its residents. Through its beautiful green spaces, pristine parks, and thoughtfully planned public areas, Richmond stands as a leader in scenic stewardship. This recognition highlights the city’s dedication to sustainability and its success in fostering outdoor spaces that inspire pride, connection, and community. Richmond continues to set the standard for how cities can protect and celebrate their distinctive landscapes.

Cities in the H-GAC region earning new or renewed certification this year include:

• Missouri City, Platinum
• Sugar Land, Platinum
• Nassau Bay, Gold
• Tomball, Bronze
• Kemah, Recognized

Funding Sources

H-GAC's Community and Environmental Planning Department maintains a list of ongoing funding opportunities for parks improvements, conservation projects, active transportation projects, and downtown revitalization projects. H-GAC also provides a Funding Resources Hub with the new Funding Development Program and a listing of many funding opportunities for individuals, local governments, organizations, and others.

If you know of a funding opportunity, forward it to Andrea Tantillo.

All content, including links to websites on these funding lists, is for informational purposes only. Users of this content are responsible for checking its accuracy, currency, and suitability.

Application Process Detailed for Texas Governor's Public Safety Office Grants, Mandatory Workshops Set – Multiple Dates (Online, In Person)  

The Office of the Governor of the State of Texas annually makes available a series of funding opportunities related to increasing communities’ capacity to enhance public safety and support victims. When considering these opportunities, please note the local process and requirements described below.

The Texas Governor‘s Public Safety Office is soliciting applications for:

• Criminal Justice Grant Program, FY2027 projects that promote public safety, reduce crime, and improve the criminal justice system.
• General Victim Assistance Grant Program, FY2027 projects that provide services and assistance directly to victims of crime to speed their recovery and aid them through the criminal justice process.
• Juvenile Justice & Youth Diversion Grant Program, FY2027 projects prevent violence in and around schools; and to improve the juvenile justice system by providing mental health services and truancy prevention and intervention through community-based and school programs.
• Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program, FY2027 projects that promote a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach to improve the justice system’s response to violent crimes against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

Application Process and Technical Assistance - The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) coordinates the application and review process for applicants in the13-county region and provides workshops and free technical support for applicants. All applications received in the H-GAC region are prioritized for recommendation to the state by H-GAC’s Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. Information concerning these opportunities, resources, and services can be found at www.h-gac.com/criminal-justice-planning/grants. However, applicants are encouraged to contact H-GAC staff with questions or to schedule a technical assistance appointment.

Mandatory Workshops - Applications are submitted directly via the state’s eGrants portal (see links above for each program). The local application process also includes attendance at mandatory application workshops held by H-GAC. These workshops will provide information on available grants, grant objectives, the grant process, and application requirements. Both prospective new and continuation applicants are required to attend a workshop, and failure to attend a mandatory application workshop will result in disqualification from the application process. If an employee from an agency does not attend a workshop, the agency is ineligible to go through the H-GAC grant priority process. The attached pdf provides links to the in-person and online workshops for registration. Attendees will receive workshop materials upon completion of the workshop.  

***NEW APPLICATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT***

The following documents must be submitted with the application to be considered complete and eligible for funding by 5 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2026. See the Eligibility Requirements and/or Program-Specific Requirements Sections of the Funding Announcement (RFA) linked in the funding programs above for more details on the requirements for each attachment/certification. Failure to submit the fully executed required attachment(s) by the application deadline may result in the application being deemed ineligible.

• Resolution from Governing Body- Applications from nonprofit corporations, local units of governments, and other political subdivisions must submit a fully executed resolution.
• CEO/Law Enforcement Certifications and Assurances Form - Each local unit of government, and institution of higher education that operates a law enforcement agency, must certify compliance with federal and state immigration enforcement requirements.
• CEO/NGO Certification and Assurances Form – Each non-profit organization must certify compliance with federal and state immigration enforcement requirements.

Grants for Alternative Fueling Facilities in Texas

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is accepting applications under the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan’s (TERP) Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) with $12 million in funding available to encourage the construction and reconstruction of alternative fueling facilities within the 88 counties making up the Clean Transportation Zone. All 13 counties in the H-GAC region are eligible.

Detailed eligibility requirements, application forms, and instructions are available on the AFFP webpage. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

For more information, contact the TERP team at 800-919-TERP (8377) or email [email protected].

Mapping Applications

Looking for interactive applications or GIS data related to the H-GAC Community and Environmental Planning Department? Visit H-GAC's interactive applications web page.