H-GAC Launches Funding Development Program for Local Governments

H-GAC is excited to announce the Funding Development Program on launched on October 21. This new initiative provides direct technical assistance on funding to member governments. Through this program, H-GAC will help communities identify funding opportunities and develop strong, competitive proposals aligned with regional priorities established by the H-GAC Board of Directors. 

To learn more about eligibility and how to apply for assistance, visit h-gac.com/funding-development. 

Customizable Storm Debris Response, Preparation Templates Available

H-GAC worked with TetraTech to develop a set of customizable debris-related public information messages and templates. These outreach templates and tools are designed for local governments and other partners to customize and use to provide information to communities and residents before, during, and after a debris-generating event, such as floods, wildfires, or hurricanes.

Tools include graphics and messages that can be used on social media posts, on websites, and on flyers; public information / news release templates; and tips for setting up a call center.

The graphics and messages are available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

For several years, H-GAC has provided flyers and videos in English and Spanish with easy-to-understand instructions on the proper method to sort and set out debris. These customizable materials have been used across the region, state, and country, and even in a few international locations.

Find and download the tools and templates H-GAC's Disaster Debris Cleanup and Management Resources web page. 

Natural Resources Advisory Committee Meeting – November 6 (Hybrid) 

H-GAC's next Natural Resources Advisory Committee meeting will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, November 6, in person at H-GAC and on Zoom.

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

For more information, contact Rachel Windham. 

Houston Area GIS Day – November 19-21 (In Person) 

Registration is open for the 2024 Houston Area GIS Day on November 19-21 at the University of Houston – Clear Lake campus, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Bayou Building, Houston. Houston Area GIS Day is a celebration of Geographic Information Systems for local GIS professionals, universities, high school students, and teachers. 

This year’s activities include: 

• Cutting-edge GIS tools demos
• Hands-on workshops
• College and university GIS program exhibitors 
• Geospatial exhibitors and vendors 
• Student GIS activities and games and more!

For more event information including sponsor, exhibitor, speaker, and volunteer opportunities, visit the 2025 Houston Area GIS Day website.

Parks and Natural Areas Park Tour – December 10 (In Person)  

Make plans to attend the next H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Park Tour from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, in Kemah.

We will meet at Kemah City Hall for an introduction to Kemah's parks and highlights of the Kemah Beacon Project, then travel to parks around the area.

Transportation will not be provided to Kemah City Hall. However, onsite transportation will be provided to parks around the area. Lunch discounts may be available for select local restaurants (pending).

Registration is requested by December 3 to ensure onsite transportation availability.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

Fall Planning Workshop – December 12 (Online)

Register today for H-GAC's Annual Planning Workshop, DIY Urban Planning - Empowering Public Spaces Through Community-Led Projects, from 9 a.m. to noon, Friday, December 12, on Zoom  

This event will explore how communities can redesign their urban spaces by taking a hands-on approach to planning. Participants will learn how to execute small-scale, DIY (do-it-yourself) urban design projects that address immediate community needs – whether it’s transforming vacant lots, enhancing public parks, creating pedestrian-friendly spaces, or making their neighborhood more inclusive and accessible. The focus will be on simple, actionable steps that spark change and encourage collaboration  

Registration is required to attend. 

For more than 16 years, H-GAC has hosted this free annual workshop to deliver timely, relevant topics that equip attendees with practical, real-world planning ideas, community planning best practices, and solutions. Designed for local governments, community members, neighborhood leaders, planners, city staff, nonprofit partners, and students.  

For more information, contact Amanda Ashcroft  

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

Additional topics may be announced.

Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in a roundtable discussion.  

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. 

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.

Take Care of Texas Video Contest

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) invites students in 6th through 12th grades to enter the annual Take Care of Texas Video Contest. 

Student videos should be 30 seconds long and portray positive ways Texans can help keep air and water clean, conserve water and energy, or reduce waste. 

The contest deadline is Friday, December 5, and the public will have the opportunity to pick their favorite videos in January 2026. There will be six winners. Waste Management of Texas, Inc. will provide prizes—gift cards and scholarships.

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.

America Recycles Day – November 15

For more than two decades, communities have come together on November 15 to celebrate America Recycles Day.

Find tools for organizing or attending special events. 

Audubon Christmas Bird Count – December 14-January 5

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.

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].

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.

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.