JESSE H. JONES PARK & NATURE CENTER – SUNDAY MORNING BICYCLING
Date: Sun, Sep 24
Time: 8 am – 12 pm
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: Free
Contact: (281) 446-8588

Complete Description:
The trails are open for bicycling.

JESSE H. JONES PARK & NATURE CENTER – SUNDAY MORNING BICYCLING
Date: Sun, Sep 17
Time: 8 am – 12 pm
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: Free
Contact: (281) 446-8588

Complete Description:
The trails are open for bicycling.

JESSE H. JONES PARK & NATURE CENTER – SUNDAY MORNING BICYCLING
Date: Sun, Sep 3
Time: 8 am – 12 pm
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: Free
Contact: (281) 446-8588

Complete Description:
The trails are open for bicycling.

JESSE H. JONES PARK & NATURE CENTER – SUNDAY MORNING BICYCLING
Date: Sun, Sep 10
Time: 8 am – 12 pm
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: Free
Contact: (281) 446-8588

Complete Description:
The trails are open for bicycling.

ORNITHOLOGY GROUP AUGUST FIELD TRIP – MATAGORDA COUNTY
Date: Sat, Aug 19
Time: Meet at Matagorda County Birding Nature Center at 8 am or meet at Katy Prairie Conservancy, 3015 Richmond Avenue at 5:30 am to carpool (call ahead)
Location: Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, 1.7 miles west of Bay City on SH 35
Fee: Free
Contact: Adam Wood at (713) 515-1692 or birdman_570@yahoo.com

Complete Description:
Marilyn Sitz will lead us on a birding expedition around Matagorda County. Last year we had a very successful trip to the Mad Island Marsh Preserve in Matagorda County, the site of the highest Christmas Bird Count in the nation for the past four years. This trip should be just as successful. If you are a beginning or novice birder, or if you are interested in possibly becoming a member of the Ornithology Group, this will be a good trip for you to join us on because it will be an easy-paced trip with no target birds requiring special skills. So come out and join us for a nice morning of birding in Matagorda County, one of the birdiest counties in Texas. The birding will last at least until noon and longer if the group would like to continue birding after lunch. Be sure to bring your binoculars, hat, sunscreen, water, lunch, spotting scope, camera, and snacks.

RICE DESIGN ALLIANCE SUMMER CIVIC FORUM # 2- THE PUBLIC REALM- THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Date: Wed, Aug 9
Time: 7 pm
Location: Brown Auditorium, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet (Enter via the Main Street door). Parking at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is available for $3 in the museum garage located at the corner of Binz and Fannin.
Fee: Free
Contact: Rice Design Alliance at (713) 348-4876

Complete Description:
The public realm is a constantly shifting concept that once included fields and rivers, wildlife and plants. Today we think of it mostly in terms of the built places and networks in which we conduct our daily lives, hopefully in safety, with convenience, and with some comfort. Its influence on our quality of life is enormous, and because it is public, it is the place where individuals and communities can have the greatest effect on the quality of life. So where is the public realm? What are its boundaries and how are those decided? Who is responsible for its integrity and maintenance? These civic forums will explore change in our complex human habitat, and the places and people that are involved. Martin Melosi, Director of the Institute for Public History and Director of Graduate Studies in History at the University of Houston, will be one panelist. Christof Spieler, Structural Engineer at Matrix/Structural Engineers, Inc., and Editorial Board Member of Cite: The Architecture and Design Review of Houston, will be another panelist. John S. Jacob, Ph.D., Director of the Texas Coastal Watershed Program, and Environmental Quality and Coastal Community Development Specialist for Texas Sea Grant and Texas, will be the moderator. This civic forum is free and open to the public (bring money for parking if you wish to park in the museum garage).

MERCER ARBORETUM – TROPICAL WORKSHOP WITH PRIVATE PLANT SALE
Date: Sat, Aug 19
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Location: Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road
Fee: $50 per person ($40 for Mercer Society members); bring money to buy tropical plants
Contact: Call Mercer Arboretum for reservations at (281) 443-8731
 
Complete Description
Increase your knowledge of tropical plants. This all-day workshop includes speakers, lunch, a participant’s only plant sale, and a tour of Mercer’s tropical garden. Local and out-of-town experts are scheduled to speak about tropical plants and their use in the landscape. Topics include: gingers, palms, bamboo, and begonias (both rhizomatous and cane). Between lectures, participants can take a break and purchase a wonderful variety of select tropical plants for their home and landscape. Class is limited to 50, so register early! Call for reservations.

MERCER ARBORETUM WORKSHOP – MAKE A DECORATIVE RAIN GAUGE
Date: Thu, Aug 17
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Location: 22306 Aldine Westfield Road
Fee: $15 per person; Pre-registration required
Contact: (281) 443-8731

Complete Description:
Join Mercer volunteer and garden artist Cynthia Douglas to learn how to make a decorative rain gauge during this hands-on class. Cost is $15 for supplies (provided), and class size is limited. Please call for reservations.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER ECO-CAMP – REPTILE REVIEW (2ND-3RD GRADE)
Date: Mon, Jul 31 – Fri, Aug 4
Time: 12:30 – 3:30 pm
Location: 8500 Bay Area Boulevard
Fee: $100 for member, $130 for non-member
Contact: (281) 474-2551
 
Complete Description
This camp runs from July 31-August 4, 2006. For 2nd-3rd Grade. Identify alligators, snake scales, and turtle shells; take a pontoon boat ride; get familiar with the creepy and crawling critters of Armand Bayou Nature Center. Pre-registration and Pre-payment required. Location: Armand Bayou Nature Center 8500 Bay Area Boulevard Contact: Call (281) 474-2551 for information or to register by phone with a credit card. Fee: $100 for Armand Bayou member, $130 for non-member Time: 12:30-3:30 pm

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER ECO-CAMP – CALL OF THE WILD (K-1ST GRADE)
Date: Mon, Jul 31 – Fri, Aug 4
Time: 12:30 – 3:30 pm
Location: 8500 Bay Area Boulevard
Fee: $100 for member, $130 for non-member
Contact: (281) 474-2551
 
Complete Description
This camp runs from July 31-August 4, 2006. For K-1st Grade. Investigate how the feathers, fur, scales, and skins of wildlife help them survive. Feel the real thing on live animals and learn how animals adapt with their coverings. Pre-registration and Pre-payment required. Location: Armand Bayou Nature Center 8500 Bay Area Boulevard Contact: Call (281) 474-2551 for information or to register by phone with a credit card. Fee: $100 for Armand Bayou member, $130 for non-member Time: 12:30-3:30 pm

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS WILDSCAPES WORKSHOP: LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE PLANTS TO ATTRACT WILDLIFE
Date: Sat, Sep 9
Time: 8 – 9 am Check-In, Book Sale, Browsing, 9 am – 3 pm Conference, 11 am-3 pm Plant Sale
Location: University of Houston – Central Campus, Cullen College of Engineering, Building 1
Fee: $30 general ($25 for NPSOT members); pre-registration before September 1, 2006 is required. Lunch and refreshments are included.
Contact: (281) 456-7029 or (281) 558-3710 or www.npsot.org/houston

Complete Description:
Speakers are scheduled to include: Dee Howell, giving opening remarks, Gloria and John Tveten on butterflies, Diane Cabiness on Plants for a Wildscapes Landscape, Chris LaChance on Watersmart Landscaping, and Lisa Gonzales on Invasive Plants. Many hard-to-find native plants are available at the plant sale (Plant Sale 11 am – 3 pm for attendees; plant sale open and free to general public from 12:30 – 3 pm). Other activities for attendees include: booths, exhibits, book sale, door prizes, and raffle. This event is an NPSOT-H fundraiser.

HOUSTON SIERRA CLUB – AUGUST GENERAL MEETING
Date: Thu, Aug 3
Time: 7:30 – 9 pm
Location: Central Presbyterian Church, 3788 Richmond (at Timmons)
Fee: Free
Contact: (713) 895-9309
 
Complete Description
Speaker: Stephen Klineberg
Topic: Houston in Transition: Toward a New Politics of Environmental Concern
Location: Central Presbyterian Church 3788 Richmond Richmond at Timmons Contact: (713) 895-9309 or www.houston.sierraclub.org Fee: Free Time: 7 pm Tabling & Social 7:30 pm Program

NATURE DISCOVERY CENTER SUMMER CAMP – TEXAS ANIMALS (AGES 5-10)
Date: Mon, Jul 31 – Fri, Aug 4
Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: 7112 Newcastle in Bellaire
Fee: $180 for member, $215 for non-member
Contact: (713) 667-6550
 
Complete Description
This camp runs from July 31-August 4, 2006. For ages 5-10 years. Lizards with horns? A mammal with a shell? Chickens that dance? Discover the weird and wonderful lives of these and other animals who call Texas home on our journey through Texas wildlife. Campers bring their lunch, we provide snacks and water. Pre-registration and Pre-payment required. Location: Nature Discovery Center 7112 Newcastle in Bellaire Contact: (713) 667-6550 Fee: $180 for member, $215 for non-member Time: 9:30 am-3:30 pm

HOUSTON ZOO CAMP – TOWN & COUNTRY (AGES 4-5)
Date: Mon, Jul 31 – Fri, Aug 4
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Location: Houston Zoo
Fee: $200 for Zoo member, $215 for non-member
Contact: (713) 533-6550 or
 
Complete Description
This camp runs from Monday, July 31-Friday, August 4, 2006. For ages 4-5 years. Storytelling, animal encounters, cheers and activities make this an urban-suburban adventure. Pre-registration and Pre-payment required. Location: Houston Zoo 1513 North MacGregor Contact: Registration opens April 3, 2006 for Individual Level & Non-member Please call for registration dates for higher Zoo membership levels. The Zoo must receive your registration forms at least 7 days prior to the start date of the program. Registrations are only accepted by mail or fax, and spaces in classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact information for Zoo Camps: Website with registration form: www.houstonzoo.org Phone: (713) 533-6550 Fax: (713) 533-6768 E-mail: camps@houstonzoo.org Mail: Reservations Department – Camps Houston Zoo, Inc. 1513 North MacGregor Houston, Texas 77030 Fee: $200 for Houston Zoo member, $215 for non-member Time: 9 am-3 pm each day Before Camp & After Camp available for additional fee

HOUSTON ZOO CAMP – CAT PURRADE (AGES 4-5)
Date: Mon, Jul 31 – Fri, Aug 4
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Location: Houston Zoo
Fee: $200 for Zoo member, $215 for non-member
Contact: (713) 533-6550 or
 
Complete Description
This camp runs from Monday, July 31 – Friday, August 4, 2006. For ages 4-5 years. Meet our fantastic felines to discover how our big cats compare to your house cats. Pre-registration and Pre-payment required. Location: Houston Zoo 1513 North MacGregor Contact: Registration opens April 3, 2006 for Individual Level ($50) and Non-member. Registrations are only accepted by mail or fax. Call (713) 533-6550 or visit www.houstonzoo.org. Fee: $200 for Houston Zoo member, $215 for non-member Time: 9 am-3 pm each day

HOUSTON ZOO CAMP – ZOO FUN 101 (AGES 6-7)
Date: Mon, Jul 31 – Fri, Aug 4
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Location: Houston Zoo
Fee: $200 for Zoo member, $215 for non-member
Contact: (713) 533-6550 or
 
Complete Description
This camp runs from Monday, July 31 – Friday, August 4, 2006. For ages 6-7 years. Interact with animals and keepers to get the inside scoop on how to operate the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo. Pre-registration and Pre-payment required. Location: Houston Zoo 1513 North MacGregor Contact: Registration opens April 3, 2006 for Individual Level ($50) and Non-member. Registrations are only accepted by mail or fax. Call (713) 533-6550 or visit www.houstonzoo.org. Fee: $200 for Houston Zoo member, $215 for non-member Time: 9 am-3 pm each day

HOUSTON ZOO CAMP – ANIMAL DEFENSES (AGES 8-9)
Date: Mon, Jul 31 – Fri, Aug 4
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Location: Houston Zoo
Fee: $200 for Zoo member, $215 for non-member
Contact: (713) 533-6550 or
 
Complete Description
This camp runs from Monday, July 31-Friday, August 4, 2006. For ages 8-9 years. Meet animals that have cooler defenses than most video games. Pre-registration and Pre-payment required. Location: Houston Zoo 1513 North MacGregor Contact: Registration opens April 3, 2006 for Individual Level ($50) and Non-member. Registrations are only accepted by mail or fax. Call (713) 533-6550 or visit www.houstonzoo.org. Fee: $200 for Houston Zoo member, $215 for non-member Time: 9 am-3 pm each day