CEC Welcomes a new member organization: Texas Coastal Partners.

Coastal Office

P.O. Box 70181

Houston, TX 77270-0181

http://www.TexasCoastalPartners.org

Frank Fuller, Chair

frank@ffuller.com

Linda Shead, Programs Chair

linda.shead@sheadconservation.com

Purpose: To promote, preserve, and enhance the natural resources of the Texas coast, for their intrinsic value and benefit to humankind, through a public education and community-based consensus approach.

Programs: (a) Serve as a voice on coastal policy development processes; (b) participate in coastal watershed protection efforts; and (c) facilitate land conservation

and land acquisition efforts.

CEC welcomes new member The Wind Alliance!

1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 5005

Houston, TX 77002

info@TheWindAlliance.org

www.TheWindAlliance.org

Business Development Manager

Katharaine.Kollins@TheWindAlliance.org

(919) 286-1989

Claire E. Henkhaus, Associate Director

(713) 600-9994

Purpose: The Wind Alliance develops infrastructure, technology and workforce through pre-competitive business integration and collaborative projects between industry, academia and government within the U.S. The Wind Alliance’s primary functions are to coordinate, support and identify funding for members’ collaborative projects and to manage the dynamic member-driven committees. The Wind Alliance

focuses on solutions to barriers in achieving the federal wind initiatives set for 2030 that are above the competitive threshold within infrastructure, technology and workforce. The Wind Alliance is an independent, 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

Publications: Newsletter (as important updates occur)

Major Events: The Wind Alliance holds two all-member meetings each year, one in the fall and one in spring. Committees are led by an industry chair and an academic cochair and meet as needed.

Title: 2010 Green Valentine
Location: Stude Park
Link out: Click here
Description: Join Woodland Heights and Students from Hogg Middle School for the 7th Annual Green Valentine Tree Planting at the Stude Park Community Center on Saturday, February 13 at 1pm! We will be planting native trees along the White Oak Bayou, distributing mulch, pruning, and cleaning up reforested areas!

We need different types of shovels, wheelbarrows, gloves, etc to provide the students with the tools they need to help. Come hungry! Coffee and tea by Antidote Coffee and breakfast pastries by Dacapo’s.

The Green Valentine Tree Planting is a seven-year-old partnership with the City of Houston Parks and Recreations Department, Heights Beautification Project and Woodland Heights Civic Association.

Contact Jeff Shell at jeff@greenvalentine.org to help.
Start Time: 13:00 pm
Date: 2010-02-13

Title: TPWD’s “Life’s Better Outside”
Location: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
Link out: Click here
Description: Texas Parks and Wildlife is taking its TPW Expo on the road! On Feb. 20-21 at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will debut its new Life’s Better Outside® Experience, in effect taking its TPW Expo on the road. The show will be at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo on March 6 and 7. Visitors of all ages can try fishing, archery, birding, rock climbing, camping, Wildlife CSI, and other activities, with gear and guidance provided free. The event will focus on outdoor opportunities in the Houston region, with information on nearby state parks, good spots to go fishing, paddling, camping and much more. The event will also help to connect families to outdoor groups in their area.
Start Date: 2010-03-06
End Date: 2010-03-07

Title: Bats on the Bayou Boat Tour
Location: Buffalo Bayou
Link out: Click here
Description: Visit Houston’s newly discovered Mexican Free-tailed Bat Colony! Guests on these tours will enjoy an amazing view of the bats’ dusk emergence from our boats on the bayou’s waters. Over 250,000 bats call Waugh Bridge home. We will spend the evening viewing and learning more about these magnificent flying mammals that share the city with us.

All bat tours leave from Sabine Promenade. For more information, or to register, call 713.752.0314 ext. 4 or e-mail jballard@buffalobayou.org

Tours begin 45 minutes before dusk (weather permitting)
$35 per adult; $25 per child (ages 4-12) no children under 4
Maximum number of passengers: 20
Minimum number of passengers: 8
Children under the age of 12 must wear (provided) life jackets while onboard.

Dates: March 12 & 26
April 9 & 23
May 14 & 28
June 11 & 25
July 9 & 23
August 13 & 27
September 10 & 24
October 8 & 22
Date: 2010-03-12

Title: Donuts for Kingwood Recyclers
Location: Kingwood Park and Ride
Description: Girl Scouts will be giving out donuts to recyclers at the Kingwood Park and Ride as an incentive to get folks out to recycle.
Start Time: 09:00 am
Date: 2010-02-13
End Time: 11:00 am

Title: 16th Annual Migration Celebration
Location: San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
Link out: Click here
Description: The Annual Migration Celebration is held each spring in southern Brazoria County, Texas. Migration Celebration is held by the Friends of the Brazoria Wildlife Refuges in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

We will be having a tour of the Dow Woods site on April 18 as part of Migration Celebration. See Sunday “Schedule” or “Amazing Adventures”. Also, note that our Friday speaker is Ross Melinchuk, Deputy Executive Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. His talk is titled “Texas – the State of Coastal Waters”. My understanding is this includes discussions on the Brazos and San Bernard Rivers. Also, lots of free, fun things to do on Saturday and Sunday.
Start Date: 2010-04-16
End Date: 2010-04-18

Title: Dirt! The Movie
Location: Rice University Cinema, Entrance # 8 University Blvd at Stockton Blvd (Hyperlink Rice Cinema to http://film.rice.edu/Content.aspx?id=90 )
Link out: Click here
Description: HoustonPBS Community Cinema
Co-sponsored by CEC
Free Screening of Dirt! The Movie

It’s under our feet and under our fingernails, but what is it? And how
did it get there? Inspired by William Bryant Logan’s acclaimed book
“Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth”, “Dirt! The Movie” shows how
industrial farming, mining and urban development have led us toward
cataclysmic droughts, starvation, floods and climate change. Dirt is a
part of everything we eat, drink and breathe. Which is why we should
stop treating it like, well…dirt. The “Dirt: The Movie” screening is
presented in partnership with HoustonPBS, the Houston Press, Citizens
Environmental Coalition and Urban Harvest.

To watch a preview, visit http://dirtthemovie.org/
Start Time: 19:00 pm
Date: 2010-03-31
End Time: 21:00 pm

Title: Upper Gulf Coast Oyster Waters
Location: Clear Lake Park 5001 NASA Rd. 1
Link out: Click here
Description: Meeting Regarding Reduction of Bacteria Levels in Galveston Bay

The Galveston Bay Foundation would like to invite you to be involved in a community-driven effort to lower the bacteria levels in the waters of Galveston Bay. We need your help and input to develop reduction measures and a monitoring plan to lower the fecal coliform concentrations in six segments of the Upper Gulf Coast – Upper Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay, East Bay, West Bay, Lower Galveston Bay, and Chocolate Bay. The bacteria levels have reached critical levels in some areas and we must take action to ensure the long-term health of our waters.

We are having a meeting on February 24, 2010 at Clear Lake Park 5001 NASA Rd. 1 in Seabrook from 1:30PM to 3:30PM. Refreshments will be served. Representatives from TCEQ will present the Upper Gulf Coast Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and background as well as describe the expectations of the Implementation Plan. Workgroups associated with the targeted sources will be formed for: Onsite Sewage Facilities (OSSF), Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTF), Boater Waste, Science and Monitoring, and Policy and Outreach. This is an opportunity for local citizens to influence the Implementation Plan and to decide what reduction measures are most appropriate for each source.

If you have an interest in lowering the bacteria levels in the oyster waters, are familiar with the targeted sources, or are just interested in helping preserve our Galveston Bay, please attend this meeting. No previous experience or expertise is necessary! This is a project that needs community involvement and will not succeed if you do not participate.

Contact:
Lisa Miller-Marshall
Galveston Bay Foundation
lmarshall@galvbay.org
281.332.3381 x215
Start Time: 13:30 pm
Date: 2010-02-24

Title: Houston Urban Gardeners (HUG) monthly meeting: All the dirt on soil testing
Location: Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Dr. in Hermann Park, Houston
Link out: Click here
Description: Come join us at the Houston Urban Gardeners (HUG) monthly meeting Wednesday, February 10 at 6:30 PM at the Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Dr. in Hermann Park, Houston (713-284-1989). To access parking go to Golf Course Drive and enter the lot right across from Miller Outdoor Theater. A panel will discuss Getting Started: All the dirt on soil testing, which irrigation system is right for you, raised beds versus tilling and more. We’ll have soil test bags for you to mail with your payment for test results.

Bring your favorite unusual hand tools well labeled with your name. If you don’t know what a dibble or a hand hoe looks like, come on down! We will again have the popular coffee machine that brews a fresh cup of coffee or tea. So there are lots of reasons to join us again this month.

March 10 we will talk about how to prepare and cook what we grow for serving to our families and friends.
Start Time: 6:30 pm
Date: 2010-02-10

Title: H-GAC’s Livable Centers Forum
Location: Lone Star College
Link out: Click here
Description: Mark your calendars for the next Livable Centers Forum on Thursday, April 22. This half day workshop, to be held in association with the North Houston Association at Lone Star College, will provide participants an in-depth look at how to make Livable Centers a reality in the region. More information about Livable Centers, please visit www.h-gac.com/livablecenters. Additional details about the workshop will be available online in the coming weeks or, for more information, contact Meredith Dang at meredith.dang@h-gac.com.
Date: 2010-04-22

Title: Green Schools Symposium: Starting a School Recycling Program
Location: H-GAC Conference Room A, 3555 Timmons, Houston
Link out: Click here
Description: A school recycling program can provide learning opportunities through lessons about resources, waste management, and even economics of supply and demand. It can also teach parents and other members of the community to change their disposal habits. And – it’s the law! The 1991 Texas legislative session passed Senate Bills 1340 and 1051 which had several components affecting Texas schools.

This workshop is designed to teach school district administrators how to plan and promote a school recycling program.

For more information or questions, contact Gena McKinley at 713-993-4529 or gena.mckinley@h-gac.com.
Date: 2010-03-01

Title: H-GAC Debris Management Planning Workshop
Location: H-GAC Conference Room A, 3555 Timmons, Houston
Link out: Click here
Description: The Houston-Galveston Area Council invites you and your colleagues to attend the second in a series of Debris Management Planning Workshops from 9:00 a.m. to noon at H-GAC Conference Room A, 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, Texas 77027.

All-Hands on Deck: Understanding State/Federal Debris Operations at the Local Level, on Thursday, February 25, will explore the many factors that may necessitate a federal or state mission assignment for debris operations. While a city or a county may be responsible for managing the majority of the debris removal operations within their jurisdiction, some situations require federal and state agencies to concurrently operate a separate debris removal effort.

H-GAC encourages participation from private industry in this series, however, the primary audience is local governments. Available space for attendees is limited. As the popularity of the workshops series grows, H-GAC reserves the right to limit participation to local governments. Thank you for your understanding.

Space is limited and RSVP is required. Please register online by Tuesday, February 23.
Start Time: 09:00 am
Date: 2010-02-25
End Time: 12:00

Title: Houston Police Department Offers Free Environmental Investigation Seminar
Location: Third Ward Multi-Service Center, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, 3611 Ennis, Houston, Texas 77004
Description: The Environmental Investigations Unit of the Houston Police Department is offering a free seminar on Water Pollution in Houston-Harris County on Wednesday, February 24. This seminar is for any business owner or operator in Houston or Harris County or who does business in Houston or Harris County. Speakers include environmental law enforcement officials, storm water enforcement officials, sanitary sewer officials, an environmental prosecutor and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

The seminar will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, 3611 Ennis, Houston, Texas 77004.

Call Sylvia Brumlow at 832-394-0776 for more information. Space is limited and registration is required.
Start Time: 8:00 am
Date: 2010-02-24
End Time: 13:00 pm

Title: Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition Annual Meeting
Location: Hilton Houston North, 12400 Greenspoint Drive
Link out: Click here
Description: Registration 10 a.m., Program: 10:30 a.m.

Join us in celebrating the 2009 accomplishments and volunteers of the Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition and hear Houston’s new mayor, Annise Parker, discuss her visions for flood remediation and greenway development along Houston’s bayous.

Free of Charge, but RSVP required.
Call 281-874-2148.
Start Time: 10:00 am
Date: 2010-02-18

Title: KPC Prairie Discovery Tour
Location: KPC’s Nelson Farms Preserve
Link out: Click here
Description: Billowing clouds of blackbirds, bronzed landscapes, musical meadowlarks, delightful ducks, and grand, leafless vistas make the prairie an ideal day trip in February. Come join us for our second Prairie Discovery Tour of the new decade and we’ll show you the sights that will entice you to return to this Flat Out Wonderful land. Prairie Discovery Tours pair small groups with expert guides to help reveal the mysteries and secrets of nature. We will take you out to the crawfish pond, explore the ins and outs of rice farming, and learn about some of the feathered friends seen buzzing over the prairie in February.

KPC’s Nelson Farms Preserve: a working rice farm with a diverse array of habitations ranging from wetlands to upland forest that is home to hundreds of varieties of wildlife and plant life.
Start Time: 13:00 pm
Date: 2010-02-13
End Time: 16:00 pm

Title: Friends of Texas Wildlife: Wildlife Rehabilitation Training
Location: Cadwalder Behavioral Clinic in Tomball at 30903 Quinn
Link out: Click here
Description: Have you heard about wildlife rehabilitators and wonder what they do? Have you ever thought you may like to be a rehabber but don’t know what’s involved? Now’s your chance to find out. Friends of Texas Wildlife, a non-profit organization in Montgomery County, will be offering two classes in February. The first class is scheduled for Saturday, February 20th from 10:00 am to noon. This will be an informational meeting to explain what it takes to rehabilitate and will allow you to decide if this is something you’d like to pursue. We will discuss the animals we care for, the permits needed, supplies and caging and the time involved in rehabbing wildlife. We will also discuss volunteer opportunities other than rehabilitating animals like fundraising, education, animal transport, etc. This is a FREE informational meeting.

If you attend the meeting on February 20th and decide you’d like to pursue wildlife rehabilitation, we will be holding a training class on Saturday, February 27th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. You will be required to join Friends of Texas Wildlife as a rehabilitator which is $50. You will be trained in the basics of rehabilitation and will be sub-permitted under a permitted rehabilitator while you learn. You must be at least 18 years of age to rehabilitate wildlife. A free lunch will be served.
Start Time: 10:00 am
Date: 2010-02-20
End Time: 12:00 pm

Title: Cocktails and Binoculars on Buffalo Bayou
Location: Allen’s Landing, 1001 Commerce Street
Link out: Click here
Description: Who: Houston Audubon’s Young Professionals group, targeting people in their 20’s and 30’s.

What: Join us for a ride on Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s pontoon boat,
The Osprey. Launching from Allen’s Landing, our city’s birthplace, we’ll sip cocktails and listen to the story
of the bayou as we view the striking downtown skyline juxtaposed against verdant banks and graceful herons.
Each trip is limited to 20 participants per boat. $15 Night Owl Members – $20 Non-members.

1:00 – 2:30 PM or 4:30 – 6:00 PM

Pre-registration is required. Minimum age 21.
Start Time: 13:00 pm
Date: 2010-02-20
End Time: 18:00 pm

Title: Central City Co-op’s Valentine’s Day Green Market
Location: Discovery Green
Link out: Click here
Description: On February 14th, we will celebrate the people that we love in our lives with a Valentine’s Day Celebration! We’ll have our super crafters joining us in offering handmade gifts for you to pick up for your friends, family and yourself.

We’ll also be raffling off a Basket of Love with goodies and treats from Green Market vendors. The raffle will be held at 3:00 pm and is FREE, so stop by the info booth to sign up.

Holly Vernon continues bringing us those lovely Latin jazz tunes at Green Market! Holly has been wonderfully received, and we are so happy to have her continue with us this month. Holly has been generously sponsored by Rick and Georgia Bost, of Georgia’s Grassfed Beef! Thanks, Rick and Georgia! Listen to Holly’s Flamenco guitar sounds from 1- 4 pm.

To see a list of our fabulous regularly appearing Green Market vendors,visit www.centralcityco-op.com/vendorlist.html
Start Time: 12:00
Date: 2010-02-14
End Time: 16:00