LAKE HOUSTON PARK – NOCTURNAL SAFARI ADVENTURE
Date: Sat, May 31
Time: 7 pm
Location: Lake Houston Park, 22031 Baptist Encampment Road, New Caney, TX
Fee: $3 per person park entrance fee; advance reservations required
Contact: register at (281) 354-0173

Complete Description:
An exciting nocturnal guided adventure is scheduled. See what interesting creatures become active after the sun goes down in this 5,000 acre wilderness park. We will search for coyotes, bobcats, deer, raccoons, foxes, bats, owls, frogs, toads, moths, and all kinds of interesting creatures.

SOUTH TEXAS SECTION – AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS – 2008 SPRING SHIP CHANNEL TOUR
Date: Sat, May 31
Time: 6 pm sharp M/V Sam Houston leaves the dock; returns 8 pm
Location: Gate 8, Port of Houston, 7300 Clinton Drive. Park in the parking lot near the pavilion at the Turning Basin. Additional directions and information at www.sts-aiche.org/ship2008
Fee: $15 (includes beef, chicken or rib barbecue, beverages, and desserts); please register by 2 pm on Thursday, May 29th. Age 16 minimum. Only 2 persons per family allowed.
Please make advance reservations and bring a picture I.D. with you to get on the boat ride.
Contact: Please make your reservations and pre-pay at www.sts-aiche.org/zen-cart/. Additional directions and information available at www.sts-aiche.org/ship2008.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER – SUNSET CRUISE PONTOON BOAT ECO TOUR
Date: Sat, May 31
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: depart from 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.

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – COMMON INVERTEBRATES OF JONES PARK
Date: Sat, May 31
Time: 10 am
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: none
Contact: (281) 446-8588 or www.hcp4.net/jones

Complete Description:
Learn about the common creepy crawlers found at Jesse H. Jones Park during a presentation in the nature center followed by a walk in the woods. For all ages.

ARTIST BOAT – GALVESTON ISLAND STATE PARK ECO-ART KAYAK ADVENTURE
Date: Sat, May 31
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Location: Galveston Island State Park; west Galveston; please call for details
Fee: $50 for Eco-Art Adventure includes all equipment; $25 off if you bring your own kayak or canoe plus all equipment; pre-registration and pre-payment required
Contact: register at (409) 770-0722; information at www.artistboat.org or info@artistboat.org

Complete Description:
Come paddle at one of Galveston’s ecological and historical jewels. Be one with the herons and travel back in time to when the Karankawas made this their winter home. Tour natural and restored marshes in west Galveston Bay.

HOUSTON SIERRA CLUB – CANOE/KAYAK THE CYPRESS WONDERLAND NEAR WALLISVILLE
Date: Sat, May 31
Time: meet in morning; please call for time; paddling time: 5 hrs; difficulty level: moderate to strenuous
Location: please call for meeting location
Fee: $10 recommended donation to Houston Sierra Club; please bring your own canoe or kayak, life jacket, and paddles; the trip leader can help you with advice regarding canoe and gear rentals
Contact: register with Tom Douglas at (713) 869-6026 or baymail@sbcglobal.net

Complete Description:
Experience the maze of lakes and shaded, winding bayous deep within the heart of the largest cypress forest on the Texas coast. This is one of the most scenic paddling destinations in this part of our state, and it is located only 30 miles east of Houston. Depending on the water and weather conditions, we will focus on one or more of the area’s many features: wildlife, river processes, Texas history, and the impact of human interventions such as the Wallisville Project. This trip is considered a moderate to strenuous canoe or kayak day trip.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER – BREAKFAST ON THE BAYOU PONTOON BOAT ECO TOUR
Date: Sat, May 31
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: depart from Bay Area Park boat launch
Fee: $20 for members, $25 for non-members; pre-registration required
Contact: register at (281) 474-2551; information at www.abnc.org

Complete Description:
Observe wildlife searching for their breakfast on the bayou. This trip through the heart of the nature center presents an uncommon opportunity to watch and learn about bayou life. Enjoy pastries, juice and coffee while underway.

HOUSTON ZOO – FAMILY NIGHT PROWL (AGES 7 AND UP)
Date: Thu, May 29
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: Houston Zoo
Fee: $25 for members, $30 for non-members
Contact: register at www.houstonzoo.org

U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL MAY MEETING – HOT TOPICS IN GREEN SCHOOLS
Date: Wed, May 28
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: The Houstonian
Fee: none
Contact: www.usgbc-houston.org or info@usgbc-houston.org

Complete Description:
Learn the real numbers and the real facts about what’s going on in schools that are going green. The May monthly membership meeting will give you the facts about the SCORE program in schools. A CenterPoint Energy SCORE representative will be available to explain the reimbursement program and answer your questions. The LEED for Schools Committee will present the process to build a LEED school and answer questions you have about what does it really take for a school to go green. Finally, learn how to go green in school transportation from the Houston-Galveston Area Council representative in charge of the CLEAN BUS program.

GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION – MARSH MANIA
Date: Sat, May 31
Time: morning; please call for time
Location: various sites; please call
Fee: none; but reservations required
Contact: (281) 332-3381, ext. 207 or marshmania@galvbay.org; info at www.galvbay.org

Complete Description:
The goal of Marsh Mania is to involve local citizens in hands-on wetlands restoration activities while increasing their awareness and appreciation of wetland habitats and functions. The planting sites will be at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Armand Bayou Nature Center, Chocolate Bay, and Texas City Prairie Preserve. After the planting, volunteers will get lunch and a t-shirt. Volunteers who would rather stay clean and dry can work at check-in booths, site set-up, or food stations.

URBAN HARVEST CLASS – SELL WHAT YOU GROW AT A FARMERS’ MARKET
Date: Mon, May 26
Time: 4 – 6 pm
Location: Urban Harvest Classroom
Fee: $15 members, $30 non-members, $10 community or school gardeners
Contact: Register at (713) 880-5540; Information at www.urbanharvest.org. Register at least three business days before the class.

Complete Description:
This class provides basic information on the techniques and strategies of market gardening.

ARTIST BOAT – ARMAND BAYOU ECO-TOUR KAYAK ADVENTURE
Date: Sun, May 25
Time: 10 am – 3 pm
Location: southeast Houston; please call for details
Fee: $50 for Eco-Art Adventure includes all equipment; $25 off if you bring your own kayak or canoe plus all equipment; pre-registration and pre-payment required
Contact: register at (409) 770-0722; information at www.artistboat.org or info@artistboat.org

Complete Description:
Experience the full moon over the largest urban park in the United States. Find pathways through stands of tree trunks that once stood on dry land but have subsided into the bayou, today serving as favorite perches for ospreys. Experience quiet in a place that allows no motorized vessel traffic. This trip is considered a moderately strenuous canoe or kayak trip.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER – SUNSET CRUISE PONTOON BOAT ECO TOUR
Date: Sat, May 24
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: depart from 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.

ARTIST BOAT – CHRISTMAS BAY ECO-ART KAYAK ADVENTURE
Date: Sat, May 24
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Location: west Galveston; please call for details
Fee: $50 for Eco-Art Adventure includes all equipment; $25 off if you bring your own kayak or canoe plus all equipment; pre-registration and pre-payment required
Contact: register at (409) 770-0722; information at www.artistboat.org or info@artistboat.org

Complete Description:
View pristine salt marsh and seagrass habitats as well as the beautiful Christmas Bay in west Galveston.

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – SCAVENGER HUNT
Date: Sat, May 24
Time: 10 am
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: none; but reservations required beginning Wed, May 14
Contact: register at (281) 446-8588; information at www.hcp4.net/jones

Complete Description:
For ages 5 to 16. Young nature lovers are invited to join in this nature-discovery outing. Scout groups and parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

HOUSTON SIERRA CLUB DAY OUTING – BERRY PICKING AND PICNIC LUNCH
Date: Sat, May 24
Time: meet in morning; please call for details
Location: TBA; please leave your phone and e-mail with Arlene or Frank for information
Fee: bring cash only for payment of fruit and maybe for lunch
Contact: register with Arlene Diehl at (281) 252-4639 or arlenediehl@peoplepc.com or Frank Blake at (713) 528-2896 or frankblake@juno.com

Complete Description:
Join the Houston Sierra Club for a morning of berry picking at family-owned orchards in the greater Houston area. We will pick blackberries and/or blueberries depending on ripening dates. Some of the farms we may visit include: BlackberriesofHouston.com, Matt’s Family Orchard, or Moorhead’s Blueberries. Participants should bring a picnic lunch, water, hat, and sunscreen, and don’t forget to bring cash to pay for the fruit.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER – BREAKFAST ON THE BAYOU PONTOON BOAT ECO TOUR
Date: Sat, May 24
Time: 8 – 9:30 am
Location: depart from Bay Area Park boat launch
Fee: $20 for members, $25 for non-members; pre-registration required
Contact: register at (281) 474-2551; information at www.abnc.org

Complete Description:
Observe wildlife searching for their breakfast on the bayou. This trip through the heart of the nature center presents an uncommon opportunity to watch and learn about bayou life. Enjoy pastries, juice and coffee while underway.