DYNEGY LISTENS TO DISSENT ON COAL PLANTS
Houston Chronicle 3/29/07
The day before Dynegy shareholders overwhelmingly approved the merger with LS Power on Thursday, which turns Dynegy into a major power plant developer, CEO Bruce Williamson met with environmental groups in Washington, D.C

SENATE PASSES WATER RESERVOIR BILL
Austin American-Statesman 3/28/07
The state Senate on Tuesday passed the framework for a $750 million plan to create as many as 19 water reservoirs in the next 20 years, the centerpiece of a broad stewardship and conservation plan for Texas.

GLOBAL WARMING A THREAT TO TEXAS WATER SUPPLY
GLOBAL WARMING HEATS UP TEXAS LEGISLATURE
Houston Chronicle 3/25/07
Lawmakers this session have filed more bills to assess the effects global warming will have on the state and to curb the pollution causing it than at any other time in legislative history, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis.

ENERGIAS DE PORTUGAL SNAPS UP HORIZON WIND ENERGY
Houston Business Journal 3/27/07
In a move that will give it entry to the United States energy market, Energias De Portugal SA has agreed to acquire Horizon Wind Energy LLC from The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. for $2.2 billion in cash.

HOUSTON ENERGY FIRM BOUGHT FOR $2.15 BILLION
TIME ON CITY FIELDS IS GOING TO COST YOU
Houston Chronicle 3/29/07
Youth sports teams and leagues that now play on city fields for free will be charged $2 to $10 an hour to use the facilities starting July 1 under an ordinance the City Council approved Wednesday.

US HOUSE OF REPS. OKS BILL TO CUT SHIP POLLUTION
Reuters 3/28/07
WASHINGTON – The US House of Representatives approved legislation late on Monday to cut polluting emissions spewed by ships powered by diesel fuel.

CLEANER FUEL FOR SHIPS MAY RAISE CO2 EMISSIONS – EXEC
CALL EXPERTS IF YOU FIND A WILDLIFE BABY
Houston Chronicle 3/28/07
Stranded dolphins make headlines, but these days you are more likely to find a tiny rabbit or squirrel in your backyard.

GROUP TARGETS HUNTSVILLE’S FUTURE
Huntsville Item 3/29/07
In an effort to provide a positive outlook on the future of economic development, about 75 residents decided to form Huntsville First.

WITH HOPES OF RESTORATION, STATE RESEARCHERS
Baytown Sun 3/25/07
A team of ecologists made a stop on a tour of Trinity River with a boating excursion along the mouth of the bay in Wallisville.

CHAMBERS RESIDENTS WORRY ABOUT CHANGING LAND
Baytown Sun 3/28/07
The continued eastward push of development into Chambers County has residents worried that their rural, peaceful, natural and affordable lifestyle may be in danger.

CITIZENS VOICE CONCERNS AT 2025 MEETING
Baytown Sun 3/28/07
A meeting room buzzed Tuesday with residents’ plans for improving Baytown with more uniform building codes, a public transportation system and enhanced beautification efforts.

GUTTING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT?
E-Magazine 3/24/07
Environmentalists are livid about a recent policy re-interpretation by the Bush administration which grants endangered species protection to listed plants and animals only where they are struggling to survive and not in areas where their populations are healthy or have already died out.

DOCTORS LEARN ABOUT WILDERNESS MEDICINE
Galveston County Daily News
UTMB’s Wilderness Medicine Society is growing in popularity as it hosts speakers and workshops.

A SECTION OF LAVACA BAY FIT TO FISH AGAIN
Houston Chronicle 3/29/07
PORT LAVACA — Once-mercury-fouled Lavaca Bay now stands rehabilitated because of a corporate, federal and state partnership that has restored marshland and made a section of water fit for fishing once again.

THE PARK PEOPLE – GREEN TIE AFFAIR GALA
Date: Thu, Mar 29, 2007
Time: evening; please call for details
Location: The Junior League building
Fee: Yes; please call for ticket and table fees
Contact: (713) 942-7275

URBAN HARVEST – HOW TO START A COMMUNITY OR SCHOOL GARDEN: CLASS 3 – IMPLEMENTATION
Date: Wed, Mar 28
Time: 2 – 4:45 pm
Location: Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane
Fee: None; Pre-registration required
Contact: RSVP to (713) 880-5540; information at www.urbanharvest.org

Complete Description:
Instructor: Gary Edmondson
In Class 3, critique garden designs from Class 2, determine materials needed, and cost of building your garden. Class will also include a review of fruits that grow well in Houston.

CLEAN FILM SCREENING – OUT OF BALANCE, EXXON MOBIL’S IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Date: Tue, Mar 27
Time: 7 – 9 pm
Location: University of St. Thomas, Anderson Hall Room 103, 3800 Montrose
Fee: none
Contact: www.cleanhouston.org

Complete Description:
Presented by CLEAN and the Houston Chapter of the Sierra Club. This film shows the influence that the largest company in the world has on governments, the media and citizens and what can be done about global warming. While the Earth’s climate is pushed further out of balance by increasing use of fossil fuels, ExxonMobil continues to assert undue influence around the world – making record profits while ignoring climate science. This film offers challenging, large-scale ideas for the global social changes that must take place if there is any chance of having a livable planet for future generations. The film’s director will be on hand to introduce the film and answer questions after the screening.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER – BENEFIT DAY AT FUDDRUCKERS
Date: Tue, Mar 27
Time: 5 – 8 pm
Location: Fuddruckers Restaurant, 2040 NASA Parkway
Fee: Bring a ticket provided by ABNC (281-474-2551 in advance) and a percentage of your bill at this time will benefit Armand Bayou Nature Center and the Bridge Over Troubled Water (shelter)
Contact: Please order a ticket in advance – 281-474-2551

OUTDOOR NATURE CLUB – SPRING FEAST AND VISITORS WEEKEND AT LITTLE THICKET NATURE SANCTUARY
Date: Sat, Apr 14
Time: 8:30 or 9 am Cleanup Begins, then wildflower walk, feast, and other activities
Location: Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary; please call for details
Fee: None
Contact: Aaron Stoley at (713) 781-1372

Complete Description:
April is a busy month and you will not want to miss all the activities at the Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. On Saturday, we will pick up trash along our adopted highway. Following the trash pickup, will be a short wildflower walk to King’s Hill and Martin Flat. Our bluebonnets should be in full bloom along with other native wildflowers. Then it’s back to Camp Cove for Spring Feast, our annual potluck pig-out! Everyone brings a covered dish and we eat to our heart’s content. Be prepared to eat plenty. After lunch, we will take a tractor ride to the meadows for more nature activities, education, and nature and wildflower walks. Please join us for this fun-filled weekend. Plan to camp in the Cove or join us for the day.

URBAN HARVEST – SELL WHAT YOU GROW AT A GREEN MARKET
Date: Mon, Mar 26
Time: 4 – 6 pm
Location: Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane
Fee: $30 ($15 members); Pre-registration required
Contact: RSVP to (713) 880-5540; information at www.urbanharvest.org

Complete Description:
Instructor: Ray Sher
Backyard gardeners in the city as well as farmers in the countryside can sell at a local farmers’ market. Find out how to set up shop, including packaging, displays, pricing, and market rules.

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – CUB SCOUT FISHING BELT LOOP
Date: Sun, Mar 25
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Location: 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: None; but Reservations required beginning Thu, Mar 15
Contact: (281) 446-8588

Complete Description:
Cub Scouts, grab your tackle and join staff naturalists to pick up tips on how to bait a hook and catch a fish, while learning more about fishing regulations and safety.

KATY PRAIRIE CONSERVANCY – TEXAS AMPHIBIAN WATCH TRAINING
Date: Sat, Mar 24
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: KPC Field Office, see www.katyprairie.org for details
Fee: Reservations required; may be small fee to participate
Contact: RSVP to Jaime Gonzalez at (713) 523-6135 or jaime@katyprairie.org

Complete Description:
The Katy Prairie Conservancy is partnering with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to provide training for the Texas Amphibian Watch Program. This citizen-scientist project collects data on local frog and toad populations. Information gathered by volunteer monitors is used by the state and federal government to estimate the health of local amphibian communities.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER – SUNSET CRUISE PONTOON BOAT ECO TOUR
Date: Sat, Mar 24
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: 8500 Bay Area Blvd; meet at Bay Area Park boat launch
Fee: Members: $15 adults, $10 children and seniors; Non-members: $20 adults, $15 children and seniors; Pre-registration required
Contact: (281) 474-2551

Complete Description:
Join us for a relaxing and educational trip on the bayou in the cool of the evening. Sunset on the water is a peaceful experience as you observe the wildlife of Armand Bayou.

HOUSTON ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER – WEEKEND TOURS
Date: Sat, Mar 24
Time: 2 pm or 3 pm
Location: 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: Free
Contact: (713) 681-8433

HOUSTON ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER – ANIMAL FEEDING
Date: Sat, Mar 24
Time: 1:30 pm
Location: 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: Free
Contact: (713) 681-8433

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – CREEK ECOLOGY (AGES 10 – 16)
Date: Sat, Mar 24
Time: 10 am
Location: 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: None; but Reservations required beginning Wed, Mar 14
Contact: (281) 446-8588

Complete Description:
Ever wondered what lives in the park’s waterways? Join the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to see a demonstration of the electroshock method of fish sampling, participate in a hands-on program using dip-nets and seines, and build your own minnow trap. Wear suitable clothing.

HOUSTON ARBORETUM TADPOLE TROOPERS CLASS – LEAPING LIZARDS (AGES 3 – 5 + A PARENT)
Date: Sat, Mar 24
Time: 9 – 10:15 am or 10:30 – 11:45 am (5 yr olds only) or 2 – 3:15 pm
Location: 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: $10 for member, $18 for non-member; Pre-registration required
Contact: (713) 681-8433 or www.houstonarboretum.org

Complete Description:
What’s scaly all over and can scurry fast? Come discover these cold-blooded animals. Learn what they eat and how they move. Pre-registration and Pre-payment required.

HOUSTON SIERRA CLUB BACKPACKING TRIP AT FOUR NOTCH LOOP NEAR NEW WAVERLY, TX
Date: Sat, Mar 24 – Sun, Mar 25
Time: meet Saturday morning early; please call for details
Location: please call for directions
Fee: $25 per person (includes dinner and breakfast); Pre-registration required
Contact: Dick Poindexter at rppoind@cs.com or Steve Rosencranz at srosencranz@sbcglobal.net

Complete Description:
This pleasant loop (about 60 miles from downtown Houston) is the venue for a 10 mile overnight backpack trip through country that was reforested in 1982 after a pine bark beetle infestation. This area has a significant amount of dogwood which should be in bloom at the time of the trip. In addition, parts of this area burned in late 2003, which creates a wonderful opportunity to see how the forest recovers. The hike, through varied terrain and vegetation and with camping along Boswell Creek, is a wonderful trip for the novice backpacker as well as the more experienced backpacker looking for a pleasant early spring outing. You also have the option of camping with us Friday night at Lake Houston Park. Lake Houston Park is located just off US 59 about 20 miles north of 610. If you don’t join us Friday night, you can meet us at the trailhead Saturday morning. Final instructions will be emailed to all who have signed up the week before the trip with directions and times to meet. This trip typically has 15 – 20 youth and 10 – 20 adults, as well as three or four dogs. The trip is a great opportunity to enjoy gumbo with appropriate beverages, strawberry pie, and good company.

HOUSTON ARBORETUM NATURALIST EXPLORERS CLASS – MARCHING MILLIPEDES (AGES 5 –
Date: Sat, Mar 24
Time: 9 – 11 am
Location: 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: $12 for member, $24 for non-member; Pre-registration required
Contact: (713) 681-8433 or www.houstonarboretum.org

Complete Description:
In this class, learn how millipedes, centipedes and pill bugs move with all those legs. Naturalist Explorers classes introduce children ages 5 – 8 to environmental and natural history topics in a fun and enthusiastic atmosphere. All classes include a short introduction inside followed by hands-on, engaging activities outside. Parents are welcome to participate with their children or drop them off. Pre-registration and Pre-payment required for this class.

HOUSTON ARBORETUM ECOTRACKERS CLASS – TWELVE TO ONE THOUSAND LEGS (AGES 9 – 12)
Date: Sat, Mar 24
Time: 9 – 11 am
Location: 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: $12 for member, $24 for non-member; Pre-registration required
Contact: (713) 681-8433 or www.houstonarboretum.org

Complete Description:
Centipedes, millipedes, and roly-polies all have more legs than we do. What would you do with more legs? Do you think you could walk farther? EcoTrackers classes inspire young naturalists ages 9 – 12 to explore their surroundings and deepen their knowlege of the environment. All classes include a short introduction inside followed by hands-on, engaging activities outside. Parents are welcome to participate with their children or drop them off. Bring a friend to EcoTrackers! Register your child for an EcoTrackers class (ages 9 – 12 only) and they can bring a friend for free. This opportunity is valid only from January to March of 2007 – mention that you saw the offer in our newsletter. Both children need to be registered for the class in order for us to prepare materials. Pre-registration and Pre-payment required for this class.