ORNITHOLOGY GROUP BEGINNING BIRDER/NEW MEMBER FIELD TRIP – CULLINAN PARK
Date: Sat, Sep 29
Time: please call for time
Location: please call for location
Fee: none; but reservations required
Contact: Adam Wood, OG Field Trip Coordinator, at (713) 515-1692 or birdsondabrain@earthlink.net; information at www.ornithologygroup.org

Complete Description:
Leader: Adam Wood
More information later.

MERCER ARBORETUM – BIRDING CLASS WITH GLENN OLSEN
Date: Sun, Sep 30; Sun, Oct 14; and Sun, Oct 28
Time: 10 am – 3 pm
Location: Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX
Fee: $150 for 3 classes (includes materials); pre-registration and pre-payment required
Contact: Register at (281) 443-8731 or in person at the Mercer office; information at www.hcp4.net/mercer

Complete Description:
This is a 3-part birding class series. Glenn will present class material in the morning and lead a birding walk in the afternoon at Mercer. Pre-registration required.

HERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY AND HOUSTON AUDUBON SOCIETY – BIRD WALK IN HERMANN PARK
Date: Sat, Oct 20
Time: 10 am
Location: Bayou Parkland Pavilion (on Almeda between South MacGregor and Holcombe)
Fee: none
Contact: Hermann Park Conservancy at (713) 524-5876 or Houston Audubon Society at (713) 932-1639

ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF PEAK OIL AND GAS (ASPO-USA) – WORLD PEAK OIL CONFERENCE
Date: Wed, Oct 17 – Sat, Oct 20
Time: please check website for conference schedule
Location: please check website for location
Fee: Yes; please call for details
Contact: Register with ASPO-USA and obtain more information at www.aspousa.org. Local contact information for the Houston area (general questions only) may be found at www.houstonpeakoil.org or contact Louis C. Smith at lsmith62@houston.rr.com or Nan Hildreth at nanhildreth@riseup.net

Complete Description:
Legendary Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens will speak at the ASPO-USA 2007 World Oil Conference, October 17 – 20, 2007 in Houston, Texas. Other confirmed participants include Matthew Simmons, Henry Groppe, Art Smith, Robert Hirsch, and Jeremy Gilbert, Chief Petroleum Engineer of BP (retired). And we are awaiting RSVPs from Former President Bill Clinton, Sadad al-Husseini, retired head of exploration and production for Saudi Aramco, and other high-profile speakers. International oil and gas experts will address the energy challenges of the 21st century. ASPO Week in Houston will consist of four days and nights of energy discussion as well as field trips to drilling sites and to Refinery Row on the Houston Ship Channel. Co-sponsored by the City of Houston and the University of Houston’s College of Technology and Program in Future Studies.

THE PARK PEOPLE SPEAKER EVENT – GUY HAGSTETTE ON THE DISCOVERY GREEN PARK
Date: Thu, Sep 13
Time: 5:30 – 6 pm Wine & Cheese Social, 6 – 7 pm Program
Location: 3015 Richmond, First Floor Conference Room
Fee: Free for The Park People members, $15 for non-members
Contact: (713) 942-7275

Complete Description:
Guy Hagstette, Park Director for Discovery Green, will talk about the new 12 acre amenity in downtown Houston.

MERCER ARBORETUM – ADVANCED FLORAL DESIGN
Date: Wed, Aug 15
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Location: Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd
Fee: $20 for The Mercer Society members, $25 for non-members per class; pre-registration required
Contact: Register at (281) 443-8731; information at www.hcp4.net/mercer

Complete Description:
This is the third of a 3 class series on floral design. This class teaches participants how to use their creativity to create a tropical design using South African proteas. Although not required, participants are encouraged to bring flowers from their own gardens. Participants may take home an arrangement from each class. Bring a sack lunch.

ORNITHOLOGY GROUP AUGUST MONTHLY MEETING – SHOREBIRD MIGRATION
Date: Mon, Aug 6
Time: 6:30 – 7 pm Learning Corner, 7 – 8:30 pm Program
Location: Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet (at Hillcroft)
Fee: none
Contact: Bernice Hotman at (713) 782-7889 or www.ornithologygroup.org

Complete Description:
Speaker: Cin-Ty Lee
Topic: Shorebird Migration on the Upper Texas Coast

LAKE HOUSTON PARK – SUMMER BIRD CAMP
Date: Sat, Aug 4
Time: 8 am – 11 am
Location: Lake Houston Park, 22031 Baptist Encampment Road, New Caney, TX 77357
Fee: $3 park entry fee only; reservations required
Contact: Register at (281) 354-6881 or (281) 354-0173 or by e-mail to gerald.walls@cityofhouston.net; information at www.houstontx.gov/parks/lakehoustonpark

Complete Description:
Ages 10 and up. Limited to 12 participants total. Register early if interested. Join fellow bird enthuasiasts and learn how to identify common backyard birds by both sight and sound. Learn the who, what, where and when of bird watching, including the type of equipment needed for birding, where to go birding, and how to use field guides and binoculars. Bird games and a guided bird walk are part of the program.

HOUSTON AUDUBON SOCIETY FREE LIBRARY PROGRAM – BIRDS OF THE BAYOU CITY
Date: Tue, Jul 31
Time: 1 – 2 pm
Location: Fifth Ward Branch Library
Fee: none
Contact: www.houstonaudubon.org or (713) 932-1639

Complete Description:
Join Mary Anne Weber and her live birds for a free one-hour library program. Soaring over our city parks and nesting in our backyards are an amazing array of birds. Discovery why Houston is one of the birdiest cities in the country. Learn all about what makes a bird a bird. Meet live birds and enjoy hands-on activities.

NATURE DISCOVERY CENTER SUMMER CAMP – DESERT DWELLERS (AGES 5 – 10)
Date: Mon, Jul 30 – Fri, Aug 3
Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Nature Discovery Center, 7112 Newcastle, Bellaire
Fee: $180/week for members, $215/week for non-members; Pre-registration required
Contact: Register at (713) 667-6550; information at www.naturediscoverycenter.org

Complete Description:
Learn about rabbits with pouches, pink snakes, upside down trees, and a desert that’s cold. Come explore the lives of the plants, wildlife, and humans who make their homes in the deserts of North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

HOUSTON RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP MEETING – RENEWABLE ENERGY IN TRANSPORTATION
Date: Sun, Jul 29
Time: 2 – 4 pm
Location: Park Place branch – Houston Public Library
Fee: none
Contact: www.txses.org/hreg or for directions, www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/par_home.html

Complete Description:
Jamie Mitchell of Austin Energy is the guest speaker.

HOUSTON SIERRA CLUB BICYCLE RIDE – MIDTOWN AND 288 AREA
Date: Sun, Jul 29
Time: Meet at 8 am
Location: Meet in the Rose Garden parking lot in Hermann Park
Fee: none; reservations are not required; bring helmet and water
Contact: For questions, John Berlinghoff at (713) 644-8228 or johnb@hal-pc.org

Complete Description:
Join the Houston Sierra Club as we explore the area around Midtown and 288. We will go on both sides of 288 to witness the different development patterns and eat in a local non chain restaurant afterwards.

THE PARK PEOPLE AND HOUSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT – HOUSTON HEIGHTS URBAN FOREST TREE COUNT
Date: Sun, Jul 29
Time: 8 am – 2 pm
Location: Heights City Hall and Fire Station, 107 W. 12th St at Yale St
Targeted Tree Count Area: White Oak to 20th Street, and Yale Street to Nicholson Street
Fee: none
Contact: Victor or Jeremy at (713) 867-0379 or The Park People at (713) 942-7275

Complete Description:
Help update our neighborhood’s tree inventory. Participants will be assigned a block, given a prepared packet and be asked to fill our a simple spreadsheet during their walk. Snacks and water will be provided. A signed waiver is required from all volunteers.

HOUSTON BICYCLE CLUB – MONTGOMERY RIDE
Date: Sun, Jul 29
Time: Meet at 8 am
Location: Meet at Montgomery High School
Fee: none; bring money for lunch
Contact: www.houstonbicycleclub.org or webmaster@houstonbicycleclub.org

Complete Description:
21, 37, or 57 miles. Ride through the beauty of the pines in Sam Houston National Forest to Dobbin, Dacus, Richards, and Anderson. Expect hills and country roads. Meet: Montgomery High School, one mile west of the town of Montgomery on TX Hwy 105. Montgomery is 15 miles west of Conroe on Hwt 105 or from the south, 23 miles north of Tomball on TX Hwy 249 and FM 149.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER – MOONLIGHT CRUISE PONTOON BOAT ECO TOUR
Date: Sat, Jul 28
Time: 8 – 9:30 pm
Location: Meet at Bay Area Park boat launch
Fee: $15 for members, $20 for non-members; Pre-registration required
Contact: Register at (281) 474-2551; information at www.abnc.org

Complete Description:
Nightlife on the bayou is a lively chorus of frog songs and owl calls. Some of the workers of the night shift include: raccoons, opossums, nutria, deer, owls, snakes, turtles and alligators. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Leave from Bay Area Park aboard the “Bayou Ranger.”

HOUSTON AUDUBON SOCIETY FREE LIBRARY PROGRAM – SILENT HUNTERS
Date: Sat, Jul 28
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am
Location: Oak Forest Branch Library
Fee: none
Contact: www.houstonaudubon.org or (713) 932-1639

Complete Description:
Join Mary Anne Weber and her live birds for a free one-hour library program. Explore the world of owls. Learn all about their adaptations for survival, where they live, and what they sound like. Meet live owls and dissect some owl pellets.

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – GEOLOGY WALK
Date: Sat, Jul 28
Time: 10 am
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: none; but Reservations required
Contact: Register at (281) 446-8588; information at www.hcp4.net/jones

Complete Description:
For ages 10+. North Harris College geology department head Tom Hobbs explores the park’s geologic processes and their relationships with the dynamically changing environment. Learn how geologic processes influence the balance between man and nature. Reservations required beginning Wednesday, July 18.