Title: Houston Audubon/ONC present Bringing Nature Home -How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens by Doug Tallamy
Location: Rice University, Hamman Hall
Link out: Click here
Description: Houston Audubon and the Outdoor Nature Club are teaming up to present Doug Tallamy. Tallamy will discuss how native plants sustain wildlife in our gardens. Doug Tallamy is a professor and the chair of the Entomology and Wildlife Ecology department at the University of Delaware, where he has been studying insects and their role in the environment for over 20 years. His book, “Bringing Nature Home: How Native plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens,” has been featured in the New York Times. More about Mr. Tallamy and his book can be viewed at http://bringingnaturehome.net/lectures/about-doug. Sponsored by Houston Audubon (http://www.houstonaudubon.org) and the Outdoor Nature Club (ONC– http://www.outdoornatureclub.org).
Date: 2010-03-31
Title: Galveston Bay Foundation Annual Meeting
Location: Children’s Museum of Houston (1500 Binz, Houston, TX 77004)
Link out: Click here
Description: GBF is pleased to announce that Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) President and Chief Executive Officer, William C. Baker, will be our featured speaker. Will has been President and CEO of the CBF since 1982, but began working at the CBF in 1976 as an intern. Under Will’s leadership, CBF received the nation’s highest environmental honor, the 1992 Presidential Medal for Environmental Excellence.
Start Time: 18:00 pm
Date: 2010-03-23
End Time: 20:00 pm
Title: Green Valentine: Mulching in March
Location: Stude Park, 1031 Stude, near the community center
Link out: Click here
Description: Join Jeff Shell and Jill Whitten and the Green Valentine Crew for a massive mulching effort at Stude Park in the Heights.
Bring gloves, water, shovel, rake, and get ready to put your back into it!
Start Time: 10:00 am
Date: 2010-03-13
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is sponsoring an environmental justice video contest that challenges professional or aspiring filmmakers to create videos that capture the faces of the environmental justice movement. The Faces of the Grassroots contest is an opportunity to publicly exhibit creativity with environmental justice stories, and connect with others working to raise awareness of the movement.
“Faces of the Grassroots will help EPA expand the conversation on environmentalism and work for environmental justice,” said Charles Lee, director of EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice. “Participants can make a difference for the historically underrepresented in their community by using motion pictures to show the struggles and triumphs they have endured to advance environmental justice.”
Videos can focus on any environmental justice activity, issue, or topic. Examples would be a music video about climate change, or a video recording a successful environmental justice project that has made a community a healthier and happier place to live.
Awards will be given to the winning submissions in each category. The videos will also be featured on EPA’s Web site and may be used as public service announcements. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 8, 2010. EPA will announce winners in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
Below are the categories and prize money:
Public Service Announcements (30 or 60 seconds)
- 1st Place - $2,500
- 2nd Place - $1,500
- 3rd Place - $1,000
- Student Winner – $500 (13-18 years old)
Informational Video (3-5 minutes)
- 1st Place - $2,500
- 2nd Place - $1,500
- 3rd Place - $1,000
- Student Winner – $500 (13-18 years old)
More information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/events/video-contest.html
Informational video on the contest:
http://www.epa.gov/multimedia/playercontents/video/EJVideoContest/index.html
Title: Free Prairie Discovery Tour
Location: Katie Prairie: Mary Manor Preserve
Link out: Click here
Description: Wetland Adventure Awaits!
Want to get outdoors and learn more about your hometown habitats but don’t know how? KPC’s Prairie Discovery Tours pairs expert guides with small groups on a visit to a special KPC preserve every month. You’ll be introduced to some of the secrets of the wildlife and plantlife that make the Katy Prairie such a wonderfully diverse area.
Looking to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather? A real-life adventure awaits on the Katy Prairie Conservancy’s Mary Manor Preserve. This restored wetland is home to animals both great and small, including colorful ducks, raucous frogs, and even the occasional beaver! Put on some comfortable shoes, drive out, and join us for an afternoon of cool sights and a scenic sunset.
Registration limited and required. Call 713.523.6135 or email us at info@katyprairie.org for more details and to register.
Price: Free!
Remember to always dress appropriately for trips out to the prairie. Closed-toe shoes and long pants are always recommended. The prairie can get windy, so bring a jacket just in case!
Start Time: 16:00 pm
Date: 2010-03-13
End Time: 18:00 pm
Title: My Houston 2040–Co-hosted by Houston Tomorrow, GHASP, and Citizens’ Transportation Coalition
Location: Rudyard’s upstairs, 2010 Waugh Dr, Houston, 77006
Link out: Click here
Description: A new Happy Hour meeting of the minds
Co-hosted by Houston Tomorrow, GHASP, and Citizens’ Transportation Coalition
Sponsored by Change Magazine and New Living
Free and open to the public. Food and drinks available at bar.
5:30 The Livable Centers plan for Houston’s East End, Meredith Dang
5:55 My Houston 2040, Andrew Burleson
The Idea
Houston Tomorrow, GHASP, and the Citizens’ Transportation Coalition agree that Houstonians can build a better Houston today by thinking about the Houston we may inherit in 2040 and the Houston we want in 2040. Each happy hour will include time for networking and socializing, a topical speaker who will give an informational presentation on Houston urbanism, transportation planning, culture, environment, and more, and a visionary speaker who will give their “My Houston 2040″ talk: what they think Houston will be like in 2040, what they want it to be like in 2040, and / or what they want us to do to make it like they want it to be in 2040.
This month’s speakers
The Livable Centers Plan for Houston’s East End
Meredith Dang, AICP
Meredith Dang is the Land Use Transportation Coordinator for the Community and Environmental Planning Department with the Houston-Galveston Area Council. Her responsibilities include managing H-GAC’s Livable Centers, Subregional Planning, and Eco-Logical programs, providing technical assistance to local governments, and training local officials on land use transportation coordination principles. Ms. Dang is a certified planner and received her Masters in Planning from the University of Southern California and BA from Rice University.
My Houston 2040
Andrew Burleson
Andrew Burleson is a professional urban designer and real estate consultant in Houston. He started neoHOUSTON in 2008 to add to the local dialogue on urbanism and business. His professional work is concentrated on the design, finance, and entitlement of pedestrian and transit-oriented real estate developments. He has a Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Design. He has lived in various places around the world, mainly Illinois, Texas, and Italy – but now he lives in Montrose. He is a founding member of CNU-Houston
Start Time: 17:00 pm
Date: 2010-03-11
Title: KIDFISH in West Columbia
Location: First Capital Park, North 13th Street/FM 2853
Link out: Click here
Description: KIDFISH community events are more like a fishing tournament, are typically held in city parks throughout Texas, and are designed to promote fishing, the outdoors, and simply spending time with family. KIDFISH, together with community leaders and local media work to publicize the event through television and radio PSA’s as well as in schools and throughout the community by distributing registration forms.
KIDFISH generously stocks the pond prior to the event in order to increase the children’s odds of a memorable fishing experience. Everything the child will need to catch a fish (i.e. rod, reel, bait, and tackle) will be provided to those who need it.
During KIDFISH, children participate in a “KIDFISH College”, a brief presentation on fishing, conservation, and respect for the environment, the fish, and other anglers. Upon completion participants receive a “Bachelor of Angling” Degree and are then allowed to fish.
The tournament is broken down into 3 different age categories (6 & under, 7-11, and 12-16). The winners of each age group qualifies for the KIDFISH Classic, our by invitation only tournament held each summer.
Start Time: 09:00 am
Date: 2010-03-13
End Time: 12:00 pm
Title: KIDFISH in Friendswood
Location: Centennial Park 2200 S Friendswood Dr. Friendswood, TX 77546
Link out: Click here
Description: Friendswood Community Event (Catfish)
Hours: 9-12noon
The 8th annual KIDFISH event has been scheduled in Friendswood on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 9 a.m. until noon at Friendswood’s Centennial Park Pond.
The KIDFISH Foundation will stock over 750 pounds of adult fish in the Centennial Park Pond for participants to catch. There is no pre-registration required. Bait, tackle, and loaner rods will be provided to children who do not have their own equipment. Starting March 25th, participants can pick up registration forms at local schools, Friendswood City Hall, the Friendswood Library, Friendswood Activity Building, Friendswood Chamber of Commerce building, and at Centennial Park on the day of the KIDFISH Event.
For registration information or to volunteer at the event, contact KIDFISH toll free at 877-733-5646 or 254-982-4887 or go to www.kidfish.com.
Start Time: 09:00 am
Date: 2010-04-03
End Time: 12:00 pm
Title: Coastal Resiliency Forum
Location: Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005; Shell Auditorium, Jones School of Business
Link out: Click here
Description: Galveston Bay Foundation, working with several partners, brings you a forum which will address how vulnerable the area is to hurricanes and other major storms, and what can be done to prepare for future events. Topics will include:
What is Coastal Resiliency?
What are the Threats?
What’s at Risk and What are Our Vulnerabilities?
What are the Structural and Non-Structural Options?
What are the Public Policy Issues?
Experts from the United States and abroad will share experiences and information that local decision-makers can use to increase the resiliency of our region.
Start Time: 08:00 am
Date: 2010-05-26
End Time: 17:00 pm
Galveston Bay Foundation staff and volunteers assisted the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with its 8th annual Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program on February 20th. The event spans over a 10-day period in February when all Texas bays are closed to crabbing with crab traps, and any traps left in the bay are presumed to be abandoned and considered litter under state law, thus allowing volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find.
GBF volunteers helped remove 175 abandoned crab traps from Trinity Bay. Thank you to all who made this event a huge success! Click here to see photos.
Title: 14th Annual Great Texas Birding Classic
Location: Various locations
Link out: Click here
Description: The Great Texas Birding Classic (GTBC) is coming up April 24-May 2, coinciding with the annual spectacle of spring bird migration in Texas. This friendly competition has a serious conservation purpose. Adult teams who record the most bird species win the privilege of choosing which bird conservation projects receive grant money.
Start Date: 2010-04-24
End Date: 2010-05-02
Title: Canoe Spring Creek at Jones Park
Location: Jesse H Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive, Humble, Texas77338
Link out: Click here
Description: Join staff and volunteers Saturday or Sunday, March 20 or 21 for a guided tour and some canoeing fun! On Saturday beginning at 9 a.m., canoe Spring Creek on an extended trip from Pundt Park to Jones Park. Or beginner canoeists can enjoy a trip down Spring Creek from Jones Park to the San Jacinto River on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. Both trips are open to individuals ages 16 and older, and the Sunday trip is open to visitors ages 10 to 15 with previous Junior Canoe Training. Reservations are required and may be made beginning Wednesday, March 10.
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, a Harris County Precinct 4 facility under the leadership of Commissioner Jerry Eversole, is located at 20634 Kenswick Drive in Humble. All programs are free of charge and open to the public. Harris County Precinct 4 programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, sex, religion, national origin or physical ability. For more information on the park or any of its programs, call (281) 446-8588 or visit the Jones Park Web site at www.hcp4.net/jones.
Start Time: 14:00 pm
Date: 2010-03-21
Title: Canoe Spring Creek
Location: Jesse H Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive, Humble, Texas77338
Link out: Click here
Description: Join staff and volunteers Saturday or Sunday, March 20 or 21 for a guided tour and some canoeing fun! On Saturday beginning at 9 a.m., canoe Spring Creek on an extended trip from Pundt Park to Jones Park. Or beginner canoeists can enjoy a trip down Spring Creek from Jones Park to the San Jacinto River on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. Both trips are open to individuals ages 16 and older, and the Sunday trip is open to visitors ages 10 to 15 with previous Junior Canoe Training. Reservations are required and may be made beginning Wednesday, March 10.
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, a Harris County Precinct 4 facility under the leadership of Commissioner Jerry Eversole, is located at 20634 Kenswick Drive in Humble. All programs are free of charge and open to the public. Harris County Precinct 4 programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, sex, religion, national origin or physical ability. For more information on the park or any of its programs, call (281) 446-8588 or visit the Jones Park Web site at www.hcp4.net/jones.
Start Time: 09:00 am
Date: 2010-03-20
Title: Texas Wildflowers and Native Grasses–at Winedale
Location: Winedale Historical Complex Conference Room 3738 FM 2714 (4 miles east of Round Top)
Link out: Click here
Description: by Carolyn Fannon & Flo Hannah
A program sponsored by the Gideon Lincecum Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist
Free and open to the public.
Texas Flowers in the Wild, Carolyn Fannon
A published photographer, Carolyn Fannon has been photographing Texas
Coastal Prairie for the past 14 years and, for the last several years, The Big
Thicket. She is a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Native
Prairies Association of Texas, and Coastal Prairie Partnership. Carolyn’s
presentation will include both familiar and rare wildflowers with an emphasis on
the places where they grow and their plant associations.
Native Grasses of the Tallgrass Prairie, Flo Hannah
Flo Hannah, Senior Sanctuary Steward of Houston Audubon Society, manages
several of Houston Audubon’s 17 bird sanctuaries and serves on the boards of
the Native Plant Society of Texas-Houston Chapter, the Outdoor Nature Club
and the Coastal Prairie Partnership. She also owns Houston-based Hannah
Native Grasses, a small business that grows native coastal prairie grasses.
Contact Gene Luhn , 713-305-6443, for more information about the program.
Start Time: 13:00 pm
Date: 2010-03-20
MEXICO 2010 (En Español)
What does home mean to you? Is it where you were born or where you live now? Is it where you were baptized or where you will be laid to rest? Is it a food, a style of music or a particular scent in the air? In conjunction with the anniversaries of Mexican Independence and Revolution in 2010, Song of Houston explores the enduring bonds and divisions between Mexico and the United States and celebrates the incredible migration of the Monarch butterfly.
More information at http://www.houstongrandopera.org/mexico.
We’re Growing! Discovery Green and Urban Harvest to expand the downtown park’s farmers market.
Discovery Green is partnering with Urban Harvest to expand the park’s current Sunday green market by extending the footprint of offerings from local small-scale produce growers, family farms producing vegetables, fruits, and other farm products; prepared foods and crafts; chef demonstrations; gardening and growing classes; and more.
The Urban Harvest Farmers Market at Discovery Green will launch during a special market day on Saturday, April 3 in conjunction with the Earth Day Houston celebration at the park. The regular Urban Harvest Farmers Market at Discovery Green will take place every Sunday beginning April 11 from Noon to 4 p.m. Urban Harvest will continue to host their popular Urban Harvest Farmers Market at Eastside, which occurs Saturdays from 8 a.m. to Noon at 3000 Richmond at Eastside.
Central City Co-op pioneered the successful market at Discovery Green which began shortly after the park opened in Spring 2008 and will continue to operate the market through the end of March. With the Co-op’s blessings, Discovery Green will transition to its new market operator, Urban Harvest, which will be able to sustain more local farmers and vendors, offer a wider variety of choices for market patrons, and eventually bring cooking classes, live chef demonstrations, and a series of gardening classes.
Visitors to the market at Discovery Green can expect to see their “old favorites” each Sunday and discover new favorites as vendors are added over the coming weeks. To see a full list of vendors at the Urban Harvest Farmers Market at Eastside, visit http://www.urbanharvest.org/programs/market/meetvendors.html.
Title: Invaders of Texas: Invasive Species Workshop
Location: Texas AgriLife Extension Service 3033 Bear Creek Drive Houston, Texas 77084
Link out: Click here
Description: Guest Speakers:
* Travis Gallo, Program Coordinator, Invaders of Texas
* Jed Aplaca, Horticulturist, City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department
What is “Invaders of Texas”?
The Invaders of Texas Program is an innovative campaign whereby volunteer “citizen scientists” are trained to detect the arrival and dispersal of invasive species in their own local areas. That information is delivered into a statewide mapping database and to those who can do something about it. The premise is simple. The more trained eyes watching for invasive species, the better our chances of lessening or avoiding damage to our native landscape.
Why do we need to do this?
1. Invasive species threaten native plants and native plant communities.
2. After habitat destruction, invasive species are the single largest cause of native plant extinction.
3. The rate at which new, potentially invasive, species are being introduced is increasing.
What will I do after the workshop?
Your completion of the workshop will make you a trained “Citizen Scientist” and a part of the Pulling Together Initiative, a collaborative project between several state and federal agencies, including the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The purpose of the Pulling Together Initiative is to provide information about identification and management of invasive plants, establish locations for invasive plant demonstration areas, and, through a statewide conference, facilitate information sharing about non-native invasive plants. As a Citizen Scientist, you will be able to recognize many species of invasive plants, determine their location and mode of occurrence, and report this information by entering it into the database maintained at http://www.texasinvasives.org/
Cost: A donation of $5-7 per person for lunch, but it might be free if we get some groups to help subsidize the food. Coffee and beverages also provided.
How do I sign up?
To enroll, send an email to Bruce Handley at bhandley2@comcast.net or call 713.703.7244. Be sure to choose regular or vegetarian lunch.
What Should I Bring?
Bring pens, pencils, notebook paper, a clipboard, a digital camera, and a hand-help GPS device, if you have one.
This workshop has been made possible in part by the Heartwood and Gulf Coast Chapters of the Texas Master Naturalists, and the Houston Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Thank you!
Start Time: 09:00 am
Date: 2010-05-15
End Time: 16:00 pm
Title: North Houston Association–Environment Committee Meeting
Location: Lone Star College – Greenspoint, 250 N Sam Houston Parkway East, Room 305
Link out: Click here
Description: Kathy Turner Jones, General Manager
Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District
Topic: Montgomery County Water Issues Update
Lunch is provided; RSVP required to
ann.cates@north-houston.com or call 281-875-0660.
Start Time: 11:30 am
Date: 2010-03-11
End Time: 13:00 pm
Title: Children’s Museum Earth Day–Free Family Night
Location: The Children’s Museum of Houston 1500 Binz Houston, TX 77004
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us for Free Family Night this Earth Day as we welcome several exciting guests!
Trees For Houston – Plant a tree and help keep Houston green.
Houston Wilderness Passport – Learn how to better appreciate the beautiful environment we live in.
Environmental Protection Agency – The EPA is dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. Learn how you can help!
Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – See real animals and learn what you can do to keep them safe.
Native Plant Society – Hear about Houston’s unique vegetation and how we can maintain it.
Time: 5 – 8 PM
Location: Tables set up throughout the museum
Start Time: 17:00 pm
Date: 2010-04-22
End Time: 20:00 pm