Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District Upgrades System

As of May 20, 2025, the Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District has transitioned its 23 Emergency Communication Centers in its eight-county program region (Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Liberty, Matagorda, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties and the municipalities therein) to the Next Generation 9-1-1 System (NG911) in advance of the statewide deadline of September 1. 

NG911 is an internet-protocol (IP)-based system that allows for digital information (e.g., voice, videos, text messages) to flow seamlessly from the public to emergency communications centers.

Residents, Business Owners Can Verify Addresses

Residents and business owners in the eight-county Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District can visit the District website to submit a request to verify their address to ensure their VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) phone systems are in compliance with the Ray Baum’s Act. The Ray Baum’s Act requires having a dispatchable location regardless of the technology platform used, including Multi-Line Telephone Systems (MLTS). 

Share Your Successes to Celebrate 20 Years of Parks, Natural Areas Awards 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Houston-Galveston Area Council Parks and Natural Areas Awards. Since the first awards were given in 2006, we have recognized more than 300 planning, policy, built projects, and education programs in 10 of the 13 counties in our region to celebrate and elevate achievements of counties, cities, communities, neighborhoods, non-profit organizations, and individuals. As we celebrate this year’s award winners in February 2026, we will also highlight past honorees.

You are invited to help us celebrate past projects by sharing any stories you have showcasing the value the awards have brought to your community.

Were you able to apply for funding or other awards as a result of your Parks and Natural Areas Award? Did you implement something new in your community because you heard about another community’s successful park or natural area project? Or maybe your value comes from approaching something differently now.

Send an email to Andrea Tantillo with your success story and a photo or two, and we may include it in a slideshow during the awards ceremony in 2026 or on our Parks and Natural Areas Awards webpage. 

Stories Sought to Highlight a Decade of Bringing Back Main Street  

Did you know our first Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable was October 1, 2015, in Tomball? As we reflect on 10 years of coming together in communities around the region to discuss opportunities and challenges in rural and small-town downtown revitalization, we would like to celebrate your successes and any value you have enjoyed thanks to Bringing Back Main Street.

Have you implemented any new projects or approaches based on something discussed at a Bringing Back Main Street roundtable or highlighted in the Downtown Revitalization Guide for Local Governments?

Send an email to Andrea Tantillo with a note about successful new or updated changes in your community following a roundtable and a photo or two, and we may include it in a slideshow during a special event tentatively planned for October 14 or on our Bringing Back Main Street webpage.

2025 Basin Highlights Report to be Published on June 30 

The Basin Highlights Report - Characterization of the Luce Bayou Watershed has been approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and will be published online by June 30. 

Each year the H-GAC Clean Rivers Program produces a report outlining the state of water quality in the region. The Basin Highlights Reports include the status and trends of water quality and a brief overview of the previous year's activities. Every five years, H-GAC's Clean Rivers Program produces a Basin Summary Report which provides a more detailed analysis of the region's water quality.

Bacteria Implementation Group Annual Meeting – June 3 (Hybrid)  

Make plans to attend the Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG) Spring meeting on Tuesday, June 3. 

The meeting is from 2 to 4 p.m. at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms, and on Zoom. 

Registration is requested, but not required to attend in person. Registration is required to attend online. 

Topics will include the 2025 annual report, BIG Implementation Plan revisions, targeted bacteria monitoring, Total Maximum Daily Load Watershed Delineation, and the Green Infrastructure for Texas program. 

For more information or to submit public comment, contact Steven Johnston.   

Clean Rivers Program Regional Monitoring Workgroup – June 10 (Online)  

H-GAC's Clean Rivers Program Regional Monitoring Workgroup meeting will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, June 10, on Teams.

The Workgroup meets quarterly to review ongoing monitoring activities, share updates related to the Clean Rivers Program, and support water resource education and outreach within the H-GAC region. This quarter’s educational focus will be on field safety, including best practices for ensuring a prompt 9-1-1 response when working in remote areas.



For more information, including a link to attend the meeting, contact Jenny Oakley. 

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Workshop, Public Meeting – June 10, 17 (Online)  

H-GAC will host two workshops on Tuesday, June 10, to discuss the agency's FY 2026 - 2028 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals. These consultation workshops will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and will provide attendees the opportunity to provide comments.

Representatives of DBE and Non-DBE firms and other interested stakeholders can attend an online public meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, to provide feedback on the proposed goals. Information will also be provided about contracting and procurement opportunities with H-GAC Transportation Department.

More information about the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and links to join the workshops or public meeting is available online.

Cotton Bayou Public Meeting – June 18 (Hybrid)  

H-GAC will host a public meeting to discuss the state of water quality in Cotton Bayou from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 18. The meeting will be at the Sam and Carmena Goss Memorial Branch Library, 1 John Hall Drive, Mont Belvieu and on Zoom. 

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend in person. Registration is required to attend online. 

H-GAC will discuss the update to the current I-Plan and an addendum to the Technical Support Document for a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) in the Above Tidal portion of the watershed (0801E_01).

For more information, contact Cornell Evans Jr. 

Clute Housing Vision Plan Open House – June 24 (In Person)  

The City of Clute and H-GAC will host a Housing Vision Plan Open House on Tuesday, June 24, at the B.R. Hester Event Center, 100 Parkview Drive, Clute. The open house will be come and go participation from 4 to 8 p.m.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

Clute is growing, and residents are invited to share their thoughts on the future of housing, including recommendations from a 2023 Livable Centers Study for the redevelopment of Shanks Lake.

Livable Centers Roundtable, Workshop Series – June 26, September 18 (In Person)

H-GAC continues its three-part 2025 Livable Centers Roundtable and Workshop Series—exploring the critical connections between transportation planning, design, and public health. This series will bring together experts and practitioners to discuss how the built environment, transportation systems, and planning decisions influence community health, and how we can work across disciplines to create healthier, more livable communities. 

This series is a must-attend for urban planners, transportation planners, public health professionals, designers, policymakers, and community leaders interested in shaping a future where the built environment supports well-being for all. Participants can attend one, two, or all three events.  

Remaining events in the series include:

• Roundtable 2 – Designing Healthy Communities, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 26. Space is limited. Registration is requested.
• Annual Land Use/Transportation Workshop—Health-Conscious Communities: Integrating Urban Design, Planning, and Public Health, 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, September 18. Registration is requested.

All events will be held at H-GAC second floor conference rooms. Participant networking is from 9 to 9:30 a.m. for each event. Program activities will begin at 9:30 a.m. each day.

For more information, contact Sarai Osorio at [email protected].

Big Creek Annual Meeting – July 3 (In Person)  

H-GAC will host the Big Creek Annual Meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 3, at the George Memorial Library 1001 Golfview Drive, Richmond. 

The watershed stakeholder group will discuss any work done in relation to the Big 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 Big Creek meet water quality standards. 

For more information, contact Steven Johnston. 

H-GAC Disaster Debris Workshops – July 7, 24 (Hybrid, Online)  

Save the dates for the H-GAC’s Annual Disaster Debris Workshops on Monday, July 7, and Thursday, July 24. 

The workshop on July 7 will be from 9 a.m. to noon at H-GAC second floor conference rooms and on Zoom. The workshop on July 24 will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Zoom.

Topics and registration information will be provided soon.

To receive updates on these workshops, email [email protected].

Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable – July 14 (In Person)  

Mark your calendars for the next H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, July 14, at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms. 

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. 

Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable – July 15 (In Person)  

Save the date for the next Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable on Tuesday, July 15, at the Alvin Senior Center, 309 W. Sealy St., Alvin. 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.

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. 

Regional Flood Management Committee Meeting – July 16 (Online)  

The next meeting of the H-GAC Regional Flood Management Committee will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, on Zoom.

Registration is required to attend.

The committee will welcome newly nominated members, discuss chair and co-chair nominations, discuss bylaws updates, and hear from speakers on relevant topics.

For more information, contact Amanda Ashcroft. 

Oyster Creek Annual Meeting – July 17 (In Person)  

H-GAC will host the Oyster Creek Annual Meeting from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at the Lake Jackson Library, 250 Circle Way St., Lake Jackson. 

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. 

Solid Waste Management Committee Meeting – July 23 (Online)  

The next meeting of the H-GAC Solid Waste Management Committee will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Wednesday, July 23, on Zoom.

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. 

Caney Creek Annual Meeting – July 31 (In Person)  

H-GAC will host the Caney Creek Annual Meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at the Cedar Lane Community Center, 13622 FM 457, Cedar Lane.

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. 

Chocolate Bay Stakeholder Meeting – August 7 (In Person)  

H-GAC will host a Chocolate Bay stakeholder meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, August 7, at the Alvin Library, 105 S. Gordon St., Alvin.

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. 

Galveston Bay Estuary Program Seeks Abstracts for 12th State of the Bay Symposium

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.

The 12th State of the Bay Symposium will be on February 24-25, 2026, at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center in Galveston.

The Call for Abstracts is now open through Friday, June 20. Complete details for abstract submission are available on the State of the Bay Symposium Call for Abstracts information page.

STAR 2025 Texas Environmental Leadership Awards Applications Open Soon

The call for nominations for the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) 2025 Texas Environmental Leadership Awards (TELA) will open soon. These awards recognize 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, special event recycling, and more.

American Planning Association Awards Application Period to Open This Month

The American Planning Association (APA) will accept applications in its annual National Planning Awards program June 11-27.

The awards honor planning efforts, initiatives, and individuals working to make safer, stronger, and more just communities.

Texas Rural Funders Rural Disaster Planning and Readiness Webinar – June 24

Texas Rural Funders will host Weathering the Storm-A Rural Guide to Disaster Planning and Readiness webinar from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 24. 

Registration is required to attend.

When disaster strikes, knowing what to do—and who to call—can make all the difference. A strong disaster response starts with a solid plan and an understanding of the resources available ahead of time. This informative session will help community leaders, nonprofits, and funders get ready before the next emergency.

Featured Speakers: 

• Courtney Goss, State Voluntary Agency Liaison, Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM)
• Stephanie Duke, Chairperson, Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)
• Justen Noakes, Executive Director, BeforeDuringAfter 
• Taylor Wolter, Director, Rebuild Texas Fund 

What Will You Learn? 

• How disaster relief is changing in Texas and what proactive planning looks like 
• Who’s involved in disaster response, featuring key organizations like TDEM, Texas VOAD, and OneStar’s Rebuild Texas Fund 
• How to use BeforeDuringAfter, a new tool that helps small businesses and communities access disaster resources 
• Tips for tapping into philanthropic support during a crisis

EPA to Gather Input on Labeling, Collecting Large-format Batteries for Recycling – June 17

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a virtual working session from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, to improve battery labeling and develop best practices for the collection of rechargeable large-format batteries over 25 pounds or more than 2,000 watt-hours. This includes batteries often used in electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine vehicles; other motorized equipment; and stationary energy storage systems. This session will cover the end-of-life management of large-format batteries, including recycling and refurbishment. Registration is required to attend.

Green Infrastructure for Texas Offers Free Class

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

• Fort Bend County Precinct 3 officials break ground on all-abilities park in Sugar Land | Community Impact
• Spring Creek Dam study highlights flood relief potential, funding still needed | Community Impact
• Katy City Council approves final contract for Historic Town Square renovations | Community Impact
• Conroe launches Downtown Rangers Program to bolster revitalization | Community Impact
• Manvel moves forward with plans for 1st ever fall festival | Community Impact
• Sugar Land approves $12.5M investment to modernize Town Square | Community Impact
• Houston housing market sees slight decrease in April home sales | Community Impact
• Houston jumps 2 spots in national park rankings due to increased investment | Community Impact
• NOAA predicts above-average hurricane season | Community Impact

Headlines aggregated from area news media.

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 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.