- The North Face Never Stop Exploring – Speaker Series: Mark Synott. The Woods Project has been selected as the Houston non-profit agency to receive funds raised by The North Face Never Stop Exploring – Speaker Series. The first speaker is legendary climber, Mark Synnott. Mark’s exploits are beyond amazing and he will be using his life story to communicate the core messages of The Woods Project – visioning outside the box and developing the skills required to succeed in college and beyond. The presentation will take place on May 24th at 7pm at the Wortham Giant Screen Theater at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. For more information, please contact Steve Rosencranz at Steve@thewoodsproject.org. Purchase tickets at http://thenorthface.inticketing.com/.
- Galveston Bay Foundation: Bay Gazer Photo Contest. Do you have photos that exhibit the natural beauty of Galveston Bay? Give GBF your best shot by submitting up to three photos to the Bay Gazer Photo Contest for a chance to win cash prizes and have your photo professionally framed and showcased around the Bay Area. Submissions are being accepted through May 28th. Then come out and join us at Bay Day, at the Kemah Boardwalk on June 9th, for photo judging and announcement of the winners! There are three aged-based entry levels starting from age 11 and up. Submissions must represent Galveston Bay scenes, animals or people within the last year. Help celebrate nature through imagery with GBF by showcasing Galveston Bay through your lens! Learn more about the contest and submit your photos at http://galvbay.org/.
- Online Auction with Galveston Baykeeper. If you missed the wonderful Earth Day Art Auction on Taylor Lake, it’s not too late! Check out the auction online at Galvestonbaykeeper.org then send an e-mail to info@galvestonbaykeeper.org with your contact information and a bid for paintings, photographs, and jewelry! Bidding will close at 5:00 pm on May 28th.
- Bayou Land Conservancy Award. For the second year in a row, Bayou Land Conservancy has made the list of Top-Rated Green Nonprofits in the country. Write your own review and read others at http://greatnonprofits.org/.
- Children’s Museum Gets Wild About Wildflowers. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to experience the magnificent wildflowers which cover the Texas landscape in the spring, you know what a sight that is to behold! Now here’s your chance to get a little taste of that Texas spring time beauty at the Children’s Museum of Houston. Stop by and indulge in some of nature’s most beautiful inventions in CMH’s EcoStation exhibit, open from May 10th – 16th. Let your creativity garden grow while you learn about Texas native flowers, plants and more! www.cmhouston.org.
- Houston Area Urban Forestry Council Regional Workshop. Want to improve your water quality and stormwater management? Need help crafting an emergency management plan and tips for dealing with FEMA? Interested in the ecosystem benefits trees can provided to your community? Mark your calendars now for the Houston Area Urban Forestry Council Regional Workshop hosted by the Texas Emerging Communities program. The one-day workshop will be held in North Harris County on May 16 and in Pearland on May 17. Scholarships are available. http://www.haufc.org/ or mmerritt@tfs.tamu.edu.
- Houston Green Film Series: The Greenest Building. The Houston Green Film Series continues on May 23rd at the Media Center (2030 University Blvd) at 6:30pm. The film, The Greenest Building, is a new hour-long documentary that presents a compelling overview of the important role building reuse plays in creating sustainable communities. The Greenest Building explores the myth that a green building is a new building and demonstrates how renovation and adaptive reuse of existing structures fully achieves the sustainability movement’s triple bottom line: economic, social, and ecological balance. This event is brought to you by the Rice University Environmental Club, Houston Tomorrow, Emerging Professionals of the Houston USGBC, Houston Green Scene, and Transition Houston in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment. Learn more at http://houstongreenscene.org/.
- Documentary Screening: What’s On Your Plate. Urban Harvest Youth Gardening is hosting a screening of What’s on Your Plate on May 16th from 5:30-7:30pm at the Auditorium of Wilson Montessori. The documentary has started a community engagement campaign about kids and the politics that affect their food. There is a $2 students/$3 adults suggested donation. For more information, email irene@urbanharvest.org or call 713-880-5540. Learn more about the film at http://www.whatsonyourplateproject.org/.
- Save the Date: Bay Day – June 9th, 11am-4pm.
- The 2012 United Way Board Fair. The 2012 United Way Board Fair seeks to connect area nonprofits with a broad spectrum of interested candidates looking for ways to connect with nonprofit organizations in a meaningful way. The fair will take place on May 24th from 5-6:30pm at United Way (50 Waugh Drive). For an organization to participate, an application must be filled out and submitted by May 11th. Space is limited. For more, visit http://www.unitedwayhouston.org/.
- Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Final Management Plan. Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary has released its 2012 Final Management Plan. A sanctuary management plan is a site-specific planning and management document that describes the goals, objectives, policies, management strategies, and activities for a sanctuary. This plan outlines the program activities for FGBNMS over the next five years and beyond, along with staffing and budget needs, and performance measures. More at http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/.
- USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program. The Farmers Market Promotion Program offers grants to help improve and expand domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Among other benefits, locally sourced food reduces emissions associated with transport. Those eligible to apply for grants include local and tribal governments, agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, non-profit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, and regional farmers’ market authorities. More at http://www.ams.usda.gov/.
- 2012 Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award. The Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award is given annually to an outstanding middle or high school teacher who integrates environmental education across the curriculum and engages students in interdisciplinary solutions to environmental challenges. The award alternates between middle and high school teachers each year, and 2012 award will go to a high school teacher (grades 9-12). The 2012 award winner will receive $5,000, and two merit winners will receive $750 each. The deadline for nominations is June 8th. More at http://neefusa.org/bartlettaward.htm.
- Earth Dog Returns to Save the Environment. The Earth Dog Story, first published in 1992, returns as an app in iTunes and an eBook as part of the U.S. Department of Energy environmental outreach program with Weekly Reader. Earth Dog is a superhero who teaches kids about taking care of the environment. Check it out at http://earthdogstory.com/.
- New Viewer for NOAA’s Historical Shoreline Surveys. NOS Special Projects has developed, in collaboration with the National Geodetic Survey and NOAA’s Coastal Services Center, a new tool to view NOAA’s collection of historical shoreline surveys. The NOAA Historical Shoreline Survey Viewer provides access to a large number of historical shoreline surveys conducted by NOAA and its predecessor organizations. About 7,800 surveys—the earliest dating back to 1841—are available for viewing in Google Earth. In addition to overlaying a scanned image of the survey in Google Earth, the viewer provides links to download the original scan and metadata, the resulting extracted vector shoreline, and a descriptive report compiled by the survey team. When compared to imagery available through Google Earth, the surveys provide invaluable historical information about how the shoreline has evolved through both natural and man-made changes over the last 170 years. More at http://specialprojects.nos.noaa.gov/tools/shorelinesurvey.html.
- New Publication Outlines How to Incorporate Sea Level Change at the Local Level. Local communities want to incorporate sea-level rise projections into their planning efforts, but there is no “one size fits all” approach. A new NOAA publication, Incorporating Sea Level Change Scenarios at the Local Level, provides an eight-step approach that shows community planners how to understand and plan for sea level change. The publication can be downloaded or obtained in hard copy. Learn more at http://www.csc.noaa.gov/.
- EPA Awards Over $40,000 to Help Students Understand Marine Mammal Rehabilitation. Promoting environmental education through interactive marine mammal experiences is the goal of the “Dolphin Exploration and Vessel Adventure Program” by the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network. This initiative will receive $43,407 to enhance the educational experience for 1,000 students and science teachers in the Greater Houston area. The goals of this project are to increase awareness of marine mammals and issues with the local marine environment. This will include education about current marine mammal protection initiatives while encouraging interest in an environmental career. Partners include Baywatch Dolphin Tours and Texas A&M, Galveston. More information on the EPA’s environmental education grant program is available at http://www.epa.gov/education/grants.html.
- Like Houston Bayou Greenways on Facebook. Houston Bayou Greenways is on Facebook! Like the page at http://www.facebook.com/ and leave a comment about your experience paddling on one of Houston’s bayous.
- TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Seabrook, and on HCC. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). This week’s broadcast will include:
- What’s in the Water
- Lone Star Land Steward: Blue Mountain Peak Ranch
- Ray Roberts Lake State Park
- The Flying Photographers
- Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
- May 15: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” levels on the south and southeast side of the Houston area.
- May 16: Yellow-Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels on the south side of the Houston area.
- May 17: Orange-Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on the north side of the Houston area.
- On May 14, TCEQ issued an Air Pollution Warning – Level Orange for unhealthy levels of ozone in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria areas. During a Level Orange warning, active children and adults as well as people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exposure.
Featured
- A Mother’s Day Message from Missy – A Special Sea Turtle (Sea Turtle Restoration Project, 05/09/2012)
On April 27th, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle returned to Galveston to lay 103 eggs. This turtle was raised for one year at the NOAA sea turtle facility in Galveston and then released in 1989. She has returned to the island to make nests three times since her release: in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
http://www.seaturtles.org/ - What We Learned About Invasive Species While Drinking Beer (Terrence Henry – StateImpact, 05/08/2012)
Participants of an event held in Austin called ‘Invasive Species and Why We Love Them With Salt’ took a look at the issues of invasive species in Texas. Texas has a unique problem as 97% of the state is privately-owned land according to Texas Parks & Wildlife. This makes it difficult for the organization to manage invasive species. There is no easy solution for these issues.
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - For Now, the Texas Drought Stays on One Side of a Dividing Line (Terrence Henry – StateImpact, 05/08/2012)
There has been a lot of rainfall throughout Texas in the past few weeks. The Texas drought seems to be subsiding in parts of the state: East Texas has greatly recovered, although not completely. However, West Texas is now in its second year of major drought and is experiencing above-normal temperatures.
http://stateimpact.npr.org/
EcoNotes
- 11 May
- Conservation pact endorsed for lizard (Matthew Tresaugue – My SA News)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/ - Water, Water, Everywhere (For Now) (Filipa Rodrigues and Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Super Weeds No Easy Fix For US Agriculture-Experts (Carey Gillam – PlanetArk News)
http://planetark.org/ - Concerned Residents and Business Leaders Call on White Stallion to Come Clean on Mercury Pollution (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - 10 May
- How Much Rain It Would Take to Fill the Highland Lakes (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/ - EPA Implements the “New” 2008 Ozone Standard (Larry R. Soward – Air Alliance Houston News)
http://airalliancehouston.org/ - EPA Allows Change At Gas Pumps (Carrie Feibel – KUHF News)
http://app1.kuhf.org/ - Park and Ride Kick Off Week a success (Miranda Irvin – Ultimate Clear Lake News)
http://www.ultimateclearlake.com/ - TCEQ holds a public meeting on water quality (TCEQ News)
http://www.tceq.texas.gov/ - Forestry Association opposes study of Neches River designation (Guidry News)
http://guidrynews.com/ - 9 May
- A Mother’s Day Message from Missy – A Special Sea Turtle (Sea Turtle Restoration Project)
http://www.seaturtles.org/ - Asking the Tough Questions About Water in Texas (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - America Just Ended its Hottest 12-Month Period. Ever. (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Feds seek agreement to protect endangered lizard (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/ - EPA Awards Over $40,000 to Help Students Understand Marine Mammal Rehabilitation (EPA News)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ - EPA Provides More Than $20,000 in an Environmental Education Grant to Plant the Seeds of Future Forestry Careers (EPA News)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ - A $50,000 EPA Environmental Education Grant Will Teach Students to Convert Cooking Oil to Fuel (EPA News)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/ - 8 May
- For Now, the Texas Drought Stays on One Side of a Dividing Line (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - What We Learned About Invasive Species While Drinking Beer (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - 7 May
- Protecting People and Pollinators from Pesticides (EarthShare)
http://www.earthshare.org/ - Looking Up at the Supermoon From Texas (and Beyond) (Filipa Rodrigues and Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - 3 May
- Houston will shut off more taps on water bill scofflaws (Chris Moran – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/ - A Warmer World and Weather Gone Wild: The Most Important Story of Our Lives (Bill McKibben – Common Dreams)
http://www.commondreams.org/ - Automakers agree on ‘single-port’ charging system for electric cars (Keith Laing – The Hill)
http://thehill.com/ - Drought conditions back in picture (Natalie Stoll – KXAN News)
http://www.kxan.com/ - 2 May
- Texas Battling Pollution From Poultry Production (Dave Fehling – NPR news)
https://www.npr.org/ - 1 May
- Groundwater district offers student sponsorship to water camp (Your Conroe News)
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/ - 30 April
- Final management plan released for Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary (FIS News)
http://www.fis.com/
CEC is pleased to announce the second year of The Reliant EcoShareSM, a way that Texans can support CEC and offset their own carbon production at the same time. Reliant and EarthShare of Texas have launched a program that allows Reliant customers to help reduce their carbon footprints through the purchase of carbon offsets. And for each customer-purchased offset, Reliant will make a contribution to EarthShare of Texas and its participating organizations. As an EarthShare of Texas participating organization, CEC will benefit from this program. For more information, follow this link to the EarthShare of Texas website www.earthshare-texas.org or go directly to reliant.com/ecoshare.
Title: Save the Date! 6th Annual Farm and Food Leadership Conference
Location: Bastrop Convention Center, Bastrop, TX
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us at the 6th Annual Farm and Food Leadership Conference!
WHEN: Monday, September 10 – Tuesday, September 11, 2012
WHERE: Bastrop Convention Center, Bastrop, TX
WHAT: This uniqe conference focuses on the policies and regulations affecting our farms and our food. Come hear top speakers on issues such as the Farm Bill, genetically modified foods, corporate control of our food system, and much more.
Registration
Register before August 1 for discounted early registration rates. Early registration is just $45 for Monday and $30 for Tuesday. After August 1, registration fees will go up $15 for each day, so don’t delay!
Download the registration form and mail in with a check. Online registration coming soon
Full and partial scholarships are available. Download the scholarship application form for more information.
Topics
Monday, September 10
Keynote: The 2X2 Pledge (Yes, we can!): We can eat our way to economic security and personal freedom, and we can do so without spending an extra dime on food or an extra dollar on taxes. It will be so easy it will make the audience blush! Illustrated with real-life stories and includes a real-time audience pledge
The Farm Bill: What’s Happening in DC?
Genetically Modified Foods: Fighting Back
What Does Local Mean? Distribution and Scaling Issues For Local Foods
The Upcoming Texas Legislative Session
Farmer-Led Local Initiatives
and more! Additional topics will be posted in May and June
Tuesday, September 11
Join us on Tuesday for an intensive workshop on activism! We’ll start the day with workshops on how to effectively lobby and network. After a lunch catered by Dai Due, the afternoon will focus on specific issues for grassroots activism in the coming year, including how you an be involved in working for local foods bills in the Texas Legislature in 2013. Limited seats available — come prepared to commit to activism work in the coming year!
Speakers
Michael Olson, agriculturalist, journalist, and host of Food Chain Radio
Don Davis, Grassfed Livestock Alliance
Jesse Griffiths, Dai Due
Patty Lovera, Food & Water Watch
Judith McGeary, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance
Brad Stufflebeam, Home Sweet Farm
Howard Vlieger, Verity Farms
and more! Additional speakers will be posted in May and June
Date: 2012-09-10
Title: NEA Art/Science Webinar
Location: Online
Link out: Click here
Description: NEA Art/Science Webinar
The NEA supports art/science projects across all disciplines through our
Art Works grants. Anyone interested in learning more about funding
opportunities for art/science projects is invited to log on to a NEA webinar
on June 14th at 3:00 pm EST. Agency representatives will be on hand to
provide information and answer questions. Our next application deadline is
on August, 9th.
To join the webinar, go to http://artsgov.adobeconnect.com/art-science/
Type in your full name, and then click “Enter Room.² You can listen using
your computer speakers or dial-in toll-free to 1-877-685-5350, participant
code: 942738.
An archive will be posted Monday, June 18 in the “Podcasts, Webcasts, &
Webinars” section of the NEA website.
Start Time: 14:00
Date: 2012-06-14
Title: Scenic Houston’s Annual Dinner
Location: Houston Country Club, 1 Potomac Drive
Link out: Click here
Description: Join Scenic Houston and our event Chairs Kathy and Harry Masterson, and Honorary Chairs Ann and Henry Hamman, on October 17 for our Annual Dinner honoring 2012 Scenic Visionary:
John W. Kirksey
John Kirksey founded Kirksey Architecture in 1971 just one year after graduating from the University of Texas. As President, John created the firm with a clear mission – to design high-performing, healthy buildings that positively impact the people, environment, and communities they serve.
John has made it his personal and professional mission to shape a better Houston. He has accomplished this through his firm’s commitment to sustainable design, and through his stunning success in tree planting. Rarely can a specific environmental achievement of this breadth be traced back to a single individual, but there is no argument that John Kirksey is directly responsible for initiating and fostering programs that have planted more than one million trees in Houston since 1990.
Photo of Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA designed by Kirksey Architecture.
Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA designed by Kirksey Architecture.
John Kirksey has been recognized by the Texas Forest Service, Texas Urban Forestry Council, Trees for Houston, Houston Arboretum, The Park People (now Houston Parks Board), the Mayor of Houston and now, Scenic Houston for enhancing the visual character of Houston.
In addition, having long been at the forefront of sustainable design and business practices, John has built a firm culture focused on community and the environment. To date, Kirksey has completed more than 50 LEED certified building representing over 22 million square feet and was ranked as the number one green firm in Houston by the Houston Business Journal in 2010.
A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), John has held leadership roles with Scenic Houston, Trees for Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Memorial Herman Healthcare System, and many more professional and civic organizations.
Date: 2012-10-17
Bayou Land Conservancy is once again seeking Marketing and Biology students for 2012 Summer Internships. These positions will provide students the opportunity to gain experience working with one of the most successful conservation organizations in Texas. For information on these positions and how to apply: visit http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/ for marketing internships and http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/ for biology internships.
Artist Boat is seeking two motivated, creative, and self-starting art and science educators with environmental backgrounds to deliver Eco-Art Workshops and Adventures to the communities of the Houston/Galveston Region. Primary duties include assisting Eco-Art Educators in interpretation of habitats, ecosystems, science, and the environment through the disciplines of science and art for people of all ages engaging in Eco-Art experiences with the Artist Boat. An Interpreter must be able to clearly and enthusiastically be able to work with a team member who is specialist in science or art in a professional and positive manner in the field, office, and via technology; and Present art and/or science skills and knowledge to students and adults in order to facilitate the creation of works of art interpreting the coastal margins and marine ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico in classrooms and outdoor events (kayaks, vessel, walking, and restoration). If interested, send a cover letter and resume including 3 references listed to LuAnne Ashley, 2415 Avenue K, Galveston, Texas 77550 or email to: lashley@artistboat.org.
Title: General CDCAGH Membership Meeting
Location: MHMRA – Conference Center – Room A (7033 SW Frwy., Houston, Tx. 77074)
Link out: Click here
Description: “General CDCAGH Membership Meeting”
TOPIC:
Do you know what insurance is required for construction projects?
What types of insurance are available and needed to protect a CDC’s assets?
How to manage a nonprofit’s risks and operations with insurance.
Planning for the future – Retirement Products.
Do Insurance Companies have foundations which can provide funds?
Insurance Company and CRA?
—————————————————————————————————–
Panel Insurance Professionals – Insurance Coverages/Products
Handout Information on Insurance Foundation, 2 Other Foundations & CRA
Presentation CDC Com’l Dev. in partnership/funding – Insurance Foundation
Date: Friday, May 18, 2012
Time: 9:30am to 11:00am
Place: MHMRA – Conference Center – Room A (7033 SW Frwy., Houston, Tx. 77074)
I. Registration
II. Welcome and Introduction * CDCAGH Board & All In Attendance
III. PRESENTATIONS:
Dale Zellmer – Swain and Baldwin Insurance– “Nonprofit Insurance Coverage”
Bill Baycroft – BankcorpSouth Insurance Services – “Project Insurance Coverage”
Ernie Wright – Wright Financial – “Annuities, IRA, 403b, Retirement Program”
IV. Handouts – Foundations & CRA (State Farm, Constellation, Exelon)
V. Kathy Payton – Fifth Ward CRC – 4300 Lyons (commercial dev. in partnership with State Farm)
VI. Announcements & Future Meetings – (1) July 20, 2012-TBD, (2) August 31, 2012–Council
Member Wanda Adams, (3) October 4, 2012 Green Training with LISC & Amanda Timm-focus
VII. Questions & Answers
VIII. Adjournment
IX. Networking
*** RSVP Required – Limited Seating – Priority Seating for Members – Open to nonprofits based on availability***
***RSVP @ # 713-970-7448 – leave a message: person attending, organization, & phone #***
Start Time: 09:30
Date: 2012-05-18
End Time: 11:00
Title: Houston Peace Festival
Location: 1318 W. 26th St, Houston, TX 77008
Link out: Click here
Description: Houston Peace Festival – May 26th, 2012
Starts: May 26 @ 1:00pm
Location: 1318 W. 26th St, Houston, TX 77008
Houston Peace Festival – May 26th, 2012: Testing 123
Houston Peace Festival
Where: Live Oak Friends Meeting, 1318 W. 26th St
When: Saturday, May26th • 1:00PM – 7:00PM
The mission of the Houston Peace Festival is to provide a day of celebration, information, and networking with local and national organizations whose work to improve our community and world aligns with Quaker testimonies and values.
Live Music by: Please Check back soon for Band Announcements
Featuring: A variety of food and kids activities (please leave alcoholic beverages at home). Art Cars on display.
Vendors/artists interested in a table, contact us at live.oak.friends@gmail.com attn: Peace Festival
Start Time: 13:00
Date: 2012-05-26
Title: NatureLIVE Community Day
Location: W.G. Jones State Forest in Conroe
Link out: Click here
Description: Pollinator Week at Jones State Forest
NatureLIVE @ Jones State Forest
Meet and talk with
our Texas Master Naturalist Volunteers
to find out…
What’s all the buzz about bees, birds and butterflies?
Relax and walk among the flowers and pollinators – stop – visit with a Texas Master Naturalist volunteer at the different stations
Start Here Tent – Pick up your species count guide; Texas Master Naturalist
Plants for Pollinators – plant selection info and take home a plant to grow
Monarchs On The Move – butterfly migration and how you can help them
Solitary Bees Fly Solo – Build a solitary bee nest box to take home
Bee Hive Buzz – See our hive and visit with our beekeeper
Hummingbird Restaurants – identify local hummingbirds and how to feed them
Pollinator Puddles and Ponds – different species need different water sources
Pollinator Art – make an art project to display at home
Other Cultures Honor Pollinators – meet the Chikawa Dancers
Take a Shot at Nature – a small thing with a simple camera can be a great photo
Catch the Rain Water – rain water harvesting in big and small ways
Feed the Worms; Feed the Butterflies -worm composting for the pollinators
Chimney Swift Tower – why and how it was built
Owl Nest Boxes – how to build it and where to put it
SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING
A lunch or snack. You can take a break at one of our picnic tables.
A bag for all the educational literature and give away items we have for you.
A water bottle you can refill for free at our ice filled water jug.
ENTRY FEE: NONE
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2012-06-23
End Time: 13:00
Title: Native Plant Society, Houston Chapter – Field Trip to College Park Prairie
Location: Deer Park, 1222 E. Purdue Lane, 77536
Link out: Click here
Description: The second field trip will be held on Saturday, May 19, beginning at 9 am at the site. Again, we will be looking for spring plants but are interested in everything. We are expecting Dr. Larry Brown to lead this field trip, but if that changes, there will be knowledgeable plant people there who can answer many of your questions.
After this trip there are a couple of great options for lunch, Besaw’s for barbeque or the historic Monument Inn which sits by the water. You can also visit the San Jacinto Monument before you leave the area.
As
always, please come prepared in additional ways for both field trips. The prairie can be wet so you might want to wear or bring boots. Bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat.
Meeting Place: We will meet in front of the house at the end of Purdue Lane in Deer Park, 1222 E. Purdue Lane, 77536. Please use Google Maps or Mapquest.com for directions.
Please remember that this is private property and so we are not allowed to wander about the property without permission at any other time.
Carpooling can be organized privately or if you need help with getting a ride or have any other questions, feel free to email Katy Emde at Ktart2001@yahoo.com. We want you to come so we’ll do our best to help you get there.
Date: 2012-05-19
Title: Houston Chapter Native Plant Society Meeting
Location: Houston Arboretum & Nature Center in Memorial Park
Link out: Click here
Description: Thursday, May 17 Membership Meeting
Meetings are held January to November at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center in Memorial Park www.houstonarboretum.org
Speaker: Jessalyn Ballard, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, “Eradicating Invasive Plants in the Buffalo Bayou Watershed”
Meet at 7:00 pm
Program at 7:30 pm
Houston Chapter Native Plant Society Meetings – Please Join Us, we’ll have refreshments and door prizes and we would love to meet you! Visitors are Welcome at all Meetings and Field trips!
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2012-05-17
Title: Heart of Texas Green Expo
Location: Bastrop Convention Center at 1408 Chestnut Street Bastrop, Texas 78602
Link out: Click here
Description: Heart of Texas Green Expo
Save the date! June 8th and 9th. The largest Green Expo between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin is coming to Bastrop, TX and will be held at the beautiful, new Bastrop Convention Center at 1408 Chestnut Street Bastrop, Texas 78602.
The Green Expo weekend will feature more than 50 speakers and panels and demonstrations. They include a presentation by city managers and mayors of Bastrop, Elgin and Smithville of their newly developed “sustainability” programs. John Ikerd from Missouri is the keynote speaker, followed by talk show host Howard Garrett (“The Dirt Doctor”) from Dallas.
Friday, the first day of the event, will focus on issues for professionals, such as city planners, architects and green builders but the public is invited to attend. Nationally acclaimed architect Peter Pfeiffer will share the elements of green building. Many people who are required to complete annual continuing education credits to maintain licensure or accreditation in their fields of practice will be able to get those credits by attending the Expo.
Saturday will be a fun-filled atmosphere featuring live music, lots of kids’ show and tell demonstrations, indoor and outdoor exhibits featuring alternative energy (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.) and more.
Start Date: 2012-06-08
End Date: 2012-06-09
Title: Galvanize It!
Location: Green Building Resource Center 1002 Washington Ave. 2nd Floor
Link out: Click here
Description: Galvanize It!
June 5th, 2012
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Green Building Resource Center
1002 Washington Ave.
2nd Floor
Houston, TX 77002
The first session in a two part series on Hot Dip Galvanizing and Sustainable Development. Learn about the benefits of galvanizing and enjoy lunch catered by t’afia.
Presented by the American Galvanizers Association (AGA), this Galvanize It! educational seminar will assist you in the design and integration of after-fabrication hot-dip galvanizing into your project. Seminar topics include:
- Corrosion theory
- Designing galvanized steel products
- Video & process animations
- ASTM specifications
- Inspection
- Painting over galvanized steel
- And much more!
The seminar culminates with an extensive review of galvanized steel projects in industries ranging from electrical/telecom utilities, pulp and paper, chemical and petrochemical, to transportation, building construction, and agriculture.
Who is this seminar for?
- Departments of transportation
- Colleges and universities
- Engineering firms
- Ministries of transportation
- Architectural companies
- Waterway & transit authorities
- Construction specifiers
- Manufacturers
- Design-Build firms
- Detailers
Meet your Instructor: Joe Langemeier, AZZ Galvanizing Services
Joe Langemeier is Marketing Manager, Southern Operations for AZZ Galvanizing Services of Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Langemeier received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and his MBA from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Joe has spent 15 years in the hot dip galvanizing business and is a certified presenter of the AGA’s GalvanizeIt! and Sustainable Development seminars which he has been delivering across the United States and Canada for the past fourteen years. Joe is also a member of N.A.C.E. International, AIA, AISC, ASCE and ASTM.
Member Price: $10.00/person
Non-Member Price: $25.00/person
Start Time: 12:00
Date: 2012-06-05
End Time: 13:00
Title: The North Face Speaker Series: Legendary Climber Mark Synnott
Location: Wortham Giant Screen Theater, Houston Museum of Natural Science
Link out: Click here
Description: Dear Friends of TWP,
We are excited to announce that The Woods Project has been chosen as the Houston area non-profit to receive funds raised by The North Face Never Stop Exploring – Speaker Series. The North Face, along with Whole Earth Provision Company, are both bringing legendary climber, Mark Synnott, to Houston on Thursday, May 24th at 7 PM for an appearance at the Wortham Giant Screen Theater at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Proceeds from the VIP reception will be used to support our students in our program.
Mark is one of the top climbers and explorers in the world today. His exploits are beyond amazing and he will be using his life story to communicate the core messages of our programming-visioning outside the box and developing the skills required to succeed in college and beyond.
We hope you can come to this great presentation and be awed by what amazing people can do in amazing places! Tickets can be secured online in advance at North Face’s website and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guaranteed seating tickets for the event may be purchased for $8.00 and VIP Reception tickets, which include preferred seating, a meet & greet with Synnott, beer, wine and light food, are available for $20.00. Following the presentation, there will be an interactive question-and-answer session.
All proceeds of the event support The Woods Project!!
Thank you in advance for taking part in this great opportunity to both hear a great speaker and see amazing pictures while supporting the TWP kids.
For more information, please contact me at Steve@thewoodsproject.org or reply to this mail.
Thank you!
Steve Rosencranz
President
The Woods Project
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2012-05-24
Title: Permaculture Design Course in Austin
Location: Austin, TX
Link out: Click here
Description: Austin Permaculture Guild
Where: Austin, TX
When: September 29, Starting date
Permaculture Design Course in Austin
Starting September 29, 2012
PERMACULTURE is a nature-inspired approach to designing human environments. Design that goes AGAINST nature is all around us: in our homes, in our workplaces, in our communities. It’s costing us, and it’s costing the planet. Permaculture gives a toolkit for designing WITH nature — designing our lives and systems to work within ecological limits. To find out more about permaculture, and tap into permaculture resources in the Austin area, a good place to start is Austin Permaculture Guild. We offer a very active email-based discussion group, as well as public events and Permaculture Design Certificate courses.
Our next Permaculture Design Certification course starts September 29. This fall course is filling up fast, so now is a good time to reserve your space.
For details and registration go to austinperm.com
Date: 2012-09-29