JESSE JONES PARK VOLUNTEERS – MARCH MONTHLY MEETING
Date: Mon, Mar 31
Time: 7 pm
Location: 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: none
Contact: (281) 446-8588 or www.hcp4.net/jones

Complete Description:
The Jesse Jones Park Volunteers invite everyone to their monthly program and meeting. Call to learn more about volunteering. Ages 16+.

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – BLUEBIRDS AND BOXES
Date: Sun, Mar 30
Time: 2 pm
Location: 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: none; but reservations required starting Thu, Mar 20
Contact: register at (281) 446-8588; information at www.hcp4.net/jones

Complete Description:
Once common, the Eastern bluebird is on the decline due to pesticides, predation, habitat destruction, and loss of nesting sites. Learn how to help these interesting birds and build a nest box for home. Limit one box per household. Ages 8+. Reservations required.

RICE DESIGN ALLIANCE 2008 ARCHITECTURE TOUR: THE SPLENDID HOUSES OF JOHN F. STAUB
Date: Sun, Mar 30
Time: 1 – 6 pm
Location: Houses at: 1405 North Blvd., 1324 South Blvd., 1305 South Blvd., 3 Remington Lane, 3452 Del Monte Drive, and 1912 Larchmont Rd.
Fee: $25 for all houses; $15 for full-time students with i.d. and senior citizens over 65. The tour is open only to RDA members. RDA memberships beginning at $45 can be purchased at the tour and include a complimentary tour ticket. Household level and higher includes two complimentary tickets.
Contact: www.rda.rice.edu or (713) 348-4876

HOUSTON SIERRA CLUB BIKE RIDE – WILDFLOWERS ON THE BAYOU
Date: Sun, Mar 30
Time: meet at 9 am
Location: please call for meeting location and parking information
Fee: none; bring money for brunch afterward
Contact: RSVP to Kristin Lucas at invitationtodance@yahoo.com

Complete Description:
Kristin Lucas will lead us on an easy ride on White Oak Bayou to see this year’s crop of flowers. We will have brunch afterward at Java Java Cafe on W. 11th St.

HOUSTON ZOO – PONGOS HELPING PONGOS: PAINTINGS BY ORANGUTANS, FOR ORANGUTANS
Date: Sat, Mar 29
Time: evening; please call for time
Location: The G Gallery, Houston; please call or check website for details
Fee: Yes; please call for details on event fees and price range for orangutan paintings
Contact: visit www.houstonzoo.org/php for more information

Complete Description:
In 2004, the animal care staff and the orangutans at the Houston Zoo began working together on a project that helps to support the study and protection of wild orangutans in Borneo. The model is fairly simple: Zoo orangutans paint as part of an ongoing behavioral enrichment program, people purchase these works of art to hang in their homes, and the profits from auctions and sales are sent to the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project (KOCP) in Malaysian Borneo. The program is called Pongos Helping Pongos. Pongo is the scientific name for orangutans, so this translates as Orangutans Helping Orangutans. Visit www.houstonzoo.org/php for more information.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER – SUNSET CRUISE PONTOON BOAT ECO TOUR
Date: Sat, Mar 29
Time: 4 – 5:30 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:
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.

RICE DESIGN ALLIANCE 2008 ARCHITECTURE TOUR: THE SPLENDID HOUSES OF JOHN F. STAUB
Date: Sat, Mar 29
Time: 1 – 6 pm
Location: Houses at: 1405 North Blvd., 1324 South Blvd., 1305 South Blvd., 3 Remington Lane, 3452 Del Monte Drive, and 1912 Larchmont Rd.
Fee: $25 for all houses; $15 for full-time students with i.d. and senior citizens over 65. The tour is open only to RDA members. Memberships beginning at $45 can be purchased at the tour and include a complimentary tour ticket. Household level and higher includes two complimentary tickets.
Contact: www.rda.rice.edu or (713) 348-4876

URBAN HARVEST CLASS – PROPAGATION: STARTING YOUR OWN PLANTS IN CONTAINERS
Date: Sat, Mar 29
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Urban Harvest Classroom
Fee: $10 members, $30 non-members, free for community and school gardeners
Contact: Register at (713) 880-5540; Information at www.urbanharvest.org. Register at least three business days before the class.

Complete Description:
Learn the various sexual and asexual ways to start plants from seeds, cuttings, divisions, and layering. Bring a pair of small pruning shears.

HOUSTON AUDUBON SOCIETY – BOLIVAR FLATS BEACH CLEAN-UP
Date: Sat, Mar 29
Time: 9 am – 12 pm (meet at 9 am)
Location: meet at vehicular barrier at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary
Fee: none; but reservations requested
Contact: Winnie Burkett at (713) 932-1639; information at www.houstonaudubon.org

Complete Description:
Houston Audubon will supply gloves, water, and trash bags. A clean beach will be appreciated by birds and birders.

HOUSTON ARBORETUM NATURALIST EXPLORERS CLASS – LIVELY LIZARDS (AGES 5 TO
Date: Sat, Mar 29
Time: 9 – 11 am or 1 – 3 pm
Location: Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: $15 for members, $30 for non-members; register by Wed, Mar 26
Contact: register at www.houstonarboretum.org or (713) 681-8433

Complete Description:
Classes introduce 5 to 8 yr olds to nature topics using engaging activities both inside and outdoors. In this class, come and learn about the life of a lizard. Parents are welcome to participate with their child or drop them off.

HOUSTON ARBORETUM TADPOLE TROOPERS CLASS – NO WINGS ATTACHED (AGES 3 TO 5 WITH AN ADULT)
Date: Sat, Mar 29
Time: 9 – 10:15 am or 10:30 – 11:45 am or 2 – 3:15 pm (5 yr olds only)
Location: Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: $12 for members, $24 for non-members; register by Wed, Mar 26
Contact: register at www.houstonarboretum.org or (713) 681-8433

Complete Description:
Yes, some animals can fly without wings. Join us as we learn about flying fish, flying squirrels, and flying lizards.

HOUSTON ARBORETUM ECO TRACKERS CLASS – LEAPIN’ LIZARDS (AGES 9 TO 12)
Date: Sat, Mar 29
Time: 9 – 11 am
Location: Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: $15 for members, $30 for non-members; register by Wed, Mar 26
Contact: register at www.houstonarboretum.org or (713) 681-8433

Complete Description:
Programs inspire young naturalists to deepen their knowledge of the environment through hands-on experiences. Learn what skinks, anoles, and geckos have in common. Explore how lizards use camouflage to catch moving prey and hide from predators, while living a day in the life of a lizard. Parents are welcome to participate with their child or drop them off.

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – MIGRATION CELEBRATION
Date: Sat, Mar 29
Time: 8 am – 1 pm
Location: 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: none; but reservations required starting Wed, Mar 19
Contact: register at (281) 446-8588; information at www.hcp4.net/jones

Complete Description:
This mini-birding festival includes a guided bird walk, bird banding demonstration, and educational activities and programs on spring bird migration and birding by sound. Ages 12+. Reservations required.

By Ella Tyler

The Houston Green Expo: Sustainable Energy and Green Building Consumer Event will be open from 10 am to 5 pm on April 5 and 6 at Reliant Park. It is free and open to the public. (more…)

CEC and several other local groups are members of Earth Share of Texas, a workplace giving federation of environmental and conservation groups. Now we have another way to support Earth Share. (more…)

I don’t think anyone will be at home this weekend to turn the lights our for “Earth Hour.” Remember, across the world, people are turning out all non-essential lights from 8 to 9 pm to make a statement about climate change. If you want to know more, check out www8.earthhourus.org. (more…)

Well-known landscaper and author Mark Bowen will present a 90-minute talk about organic gardens at the Organic Horticulture Business Association meeting Tuesday, April 1 at 5 pm at the Houston Arboretum. (more…)