H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Awards Application Period Opens in August

H-GAC's annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards program will begin accepting applications on Monday, August 25.  

The Parks and Natural Areas Awards recognize projects in four categories: Projects Over $500,000; Projects Under $500,000; Planning Process and Policy Tools; and Programming. Winning entries serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. The application period closes at noon. Tuesday, September 30.  

The application portal is not open yet; however, an online application guide is available to help you prepare your application early. No funding is associated with this awards program.  

We are also seeking volunteers to help score the applications and choose the winners.

Winners will be notified in December and recognized in 2026. For more information or to volunteer as a judge, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

H-GAC to Open Application for Solid Waste Grants on September 2    

H-GAC receives a portion of the money collected as tipping fees at landfills across the state as pass-through funding from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to fund solid waste grant projects throughout the 13-county region.  

As part of this program, H-GAC will award at least $950,000 in solid waste program grant funds to eligible projects through a competitive process. Grants will begin in March or September 2026, and all work must be completed by May 2027. This is the only call for projects planned for this biennium.  

The grant application period will open Tuesday, September 2, and will close at noon Tuesday, October 14. H-GAC will host a webinar on how to complete the grant application from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 16. Registration is required.  

For more information about the grant program or to be added to an email list to receive future solid waste grant notifications, contact Erin Livingston. 

H-GAC Accepting Reservations for Fall and Winter Legal Clinics    

H-GAC’s Elder Justice Program is taking reservations from senior programs and community centers to host free Advance Planning Legal Clinics for seniors 65+ and disabled persons of any age. 

The four-session clinic helps educate attendees on the legal documents needed to safeguard assets and preserve independence in the face of physical and/or mental decline. Seniors who attend both educational sessions, timely submit information and return for the scheduled signing date will receive attorney-drafted, fully executed legal documents free-of-charge.

Interested in booking a presentation or hosting an Advance Planning Legal Clinic? Contact Jessica Razo, program attorney, at 346-299-5682.

H-GAC Offers Customizable Storm Debris Response, Preparation Templates 

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

For several years, H-GAC has provided flyers and videos that provide easy to understand instructions for the public in both English and Spanish 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.

The tools and templates are available for download on H-GAC's Disaster Debris Cleanup and Management Resources web page. 

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. 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 planned for Tuesday, October 14, or on our Bringing Back Main Street webpage.

Natural Resources Advisory Committee Meeting – August 7 (Hybrid)  

H-GAC's next Natural Resources Advisory Committee meeting will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, August 7, in person at H-GAC and on Zoom.

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. 

Chocolate Bay Stakeholder Meeting – August 7 (In Person)  

H-GAC will host a Chocolate Bay stakeholder meeting from 4 to 6 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. 

Free 8-hour HAZWOPER Refresher Courses – August 11,12 & 13 (In Person)  

Complete your required annual training with this 8-hour course, specifically designed for those who work in hazardous waste operations and have already completed a 40-hour or 24-hour HAZWOPER training. 

These in-person 8-hour HAZWOPER Refresher Courses include lunch and light refreshments. 

• Harris County: Monday, August 11, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (6900 Hahl Road, Houston) 
• Montgomery County: Tuesday, August 12, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Lonestar Convention Center - Yellow Rose Room (9055 Airport Road, Conroe) 
• Fort Bend County: Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Travis Building, 6th Floor Meeting Room (301 Jackson Street, Richmond) 

You must be present for the full 8-hour training to receive credit. 

Registration is required. 

Bessie's Creek Kickoff Meeting – August 28 (In Person)  

H-GAC will host the first Bessie's Creek stakeholder/public meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, August 28, at the Simonton Community Church, 9703 FM 1489, Simonton.

We will discuss water quality within the watershed, including concerns, impairments, and opportunities to improve. 

For more information, contact Steven Johnston. 

Livable Centers Land Use and Transportation Workshop – September 18 (In Person)

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 noon 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 [email protected].

2025 Houston Regional Air Quality Summit – September 24 (In Person)  

The Houston Regional Air Quality Summit will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, at the Cullen Building at Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston.

The 2025 inaugural Houston Regional Air Quality Summit, co-hosted by the FIFA World Cup Houston Host Committee Sustainability Subcommittee, will bring together community members, policymakers, industry leaders, and youth advocates to explore solutions for cleaner air across the Houston-Galveston region.

Please register to attend. More information is available on the Summit webpage.

Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable – October 6 (In Person)  

Make plans to attend the next H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, October 6, at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms. 

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

Attendees will:

• Preview applicants for the 2025 Annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards Program, and
• Engage in a roundtable discussion of events and activities in the region.

Additional topics and speakers will be announced.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable and 10th Anniversary Celebration – October 14 (In Person)  

Make plans to attend the Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable and 10th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday, October 14, at H-GAC second floor conference rooms. Networking and check-in begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the program from 10 a.m. to noon.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

Topics include

• H-GAC's history of the Bringing Back Main Street Initiative;
• Highlights of the new Downtown Revitalization Guide for Local Governments; and
• Historic Downtown Rosenberg updates.

More topics will be announced.

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. 

Applications Open for STAR 2025 Texas Environmental Leadership Awards

The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) 2025 Texas Environmental Leadership Awards (TELA) applications are open until Monday, August 18.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. 

2026 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Application Open through August 29

Each year, the Governor's Office and commissioners from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality honor the state's most outstanding environmental projects through the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Winners from across the state exemplify how Texans set the standard for ensuring clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.

The application period for the 2026 awards is now open. To see winners from 2013 to 2025, visit the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards webpage. The application deadline will be Friday, August 29.

Houston Audubon Bird Week - September 20-27

Houston Bird Week 2025 celebrates the important role Houston plays in the journey of billions of migratory birds and the everyday lives of resident birds. Houston Audubon and local conservation partners arrange a week of events centered around the region’s birds and wildlife. Past events have included birding opportunities, watch parties, trivia, movie night, and more. Visit www.houstonaudubon.org/BirdWeek for details. 

Green Infrastructure for Texas Offers Free Class

Green Infrastructure for Texas has launched a 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.

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.