HOUSTON ARBORETUM SUMMER CAMP – LIVING ON THE EDGE – ENDANGERED SPECIES (AGES 5 TO 12)
Date: Mon, Jun 30 – Thu, Jul 3
Time: 9 am – 3 pm; Morning Only option also available
Location: Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: $230 for members, $270 for non-members. This week is a 4-day class due to the holiday. Fee for this week will be pro-rated. Pre-registration required.
Contact: Register at www.houstonarboretum.org or (713) 681-8433

Complete Description:
Have you ever seen a Red Wolf, a Texas Horned Lizard, a Houston Toad, or a White-nosed Coati? These animals are all native to Texas, yet seldom seen because they are all either endangered or threatened species. Learn about the rarest of Texas animals and the reasons for their rarity. Registration begins March 24 for non-members.

ARTIST BOAT – CHRISTMAS BAY ECO-ART SUNSET PADDLE KAYAK ADVENTURE
Date: Sun, Jun 29
Time: 4 – 8 pm
Location: west Galveston; please call for specific location
Fee: $50 for Eco-Art Adventure includes all equipment; $25 off if you bring your own canoe or kayak 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:
For the adventurous as well as the romantic, experience the most enchanting place to watch a sunset on Galveston Bay and view pristine salt marsh and seagrass habitats. This trip is considered an easy paddle canoe or kayak trip. Pre-registration required. This trip will not be offered again until the Fall season.

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – REPTILE OPEN HOUSE
Date: Sun, Jun 29
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: none
Contact: (281) 446-8588 or www.hcp4.net/jones

Complete Description:
The Nature Center at Jones Park is packed with displays of live reptiles and amphibians from around the world. Learn more about these fascinating creatures and their natural history.

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – FROG FORAY
Date: Sat, Jun 28
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: none
Contact: (281) 446-8588 or www.hcp4.net/jones

Complete Description:
Frogs and toads can be easily identified if you know what you are looking and listening for. Join a naturalist to learn more about these natural pest controllers, followed by an evening walk to discover their favorite habitats.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER – SUNSET CRUISE PONTOON BOAT ECO TOUR
Date: Sat, Jun 28
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: meet at Bay Area Park boat launch, 7500 Bay Area Blvd.
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 – REPTILE OPEN HOUSE
Date: Sat, Jun 28
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: none
Contact: (281) 446-8588 or www.hcp4.net/jones

Complete Description:
The nature center at Jones Park is packed with displays of live reptiles and amphibians from around the world. Learn more about these fascinating creatures and their natural history.

HOUSTON ZOO – AMPHIBIAN AWARENESS SATURDAY
Date: Sat, Jun 28
Time: please call or check website for time
Location: Houston Zoo; booth location in front of the Reptile House
Fee: regular Zoo admission fee only if not a Houston Zoo member
Contact: rrommel@houstonzoo.org or www.houstonzoo.org

Complete Description:
We will have amphibian-related booths in front of the Reptile House with conservation information, live amphibians, and presentations scheduled throughout the day. Visitors will learn how to make toad abodes, tips on frog friendly gardening, and how you can monitor local frog and toad habitats with your family. Also, don’t miss the Amphibian Monitoring Workshop for only $5 per person for adults only on Friday evening, June 27th (see related CEC calendar entry for that date for further details).

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – SNAKES OF HARRIS COUNTY
Date: Sat, Jun 28
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:
Only a few of the local snake species pose any threat to humans. Attend this program to learn more about the snakes that inhabit this area and how to properly identify them.

ARTIST BOAT – GALVESTON ISLAND STATE PARK ECO-ART KAYAK ADVENTURE
Date: Sat, Jun 28
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Location: Galveston Island State Park; west Galveston; please call for specific meeting location
Fee: $50 for Eco-Art Adventure includes all equipment; $25 off if you bring your own canoe or kayak 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. This trip is considered an easy paddle canoe or kayak trip.

MERCER ARBORETUM – SUMMER PLANT SALE
Date: Sat, Jun 28
Time: 9 am – 4 pm (gates open at 8 am for members of The Mercer Society only)
Location: Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road
Fee: none; bring money to buy plants and trees
Contact: (281) 443-8731 or www.hcp4.net/mercer

Complete Description:
Swaying palms, lush greenery, and vibrant blooming buds…sounds exotic, right? This is possible – even in your own backyard. Get everything you need to create a tropical oasis at the Summer Plant Sale at Mercer Arboretum. The Summer Plant Sale features many species of tropical plants, spectacular gingers, and other wonderful specimens for the landscape. Join The Mercer Society (TMS) now to receive discount coupons on plant purchases.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER – BREAKFAST ON THE BAYOU PONTOON BOAT ECO TOUR
Date: Sat, Jun 28
Time: 8 – 9:30 am
Location: meet at Bay Area Park boat launch, 7500 Bay Area Blvd.
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 SIERRA CLUB – BLACK SKIMMER COLONY AND BRAZORIA NWR DAY TRIP
Date: Sat, Jun 28
Time: meet at 8 am
Location: please call
Fee: none; but reservations required as space is limited
Contact: register with Frank Blake at (713) 528-2896 or frankblake@juno.com

Complete Description:
On this outing we will visit the black skimmer colony located at the Dow Chemical Facility in Freeport, and then the nearby Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. The Dow black skimmer colony is the largest on the Texas coast. Each year between April and August more than 1200 skimmers utilize this nesting ground. Access to this colony by the general public is limited to just one day per year. Nearby, Brazoria NWR is an area of coastal marsh and grassland that provides important habitat for a variety of shorebirds and other species. In summer, birds that nest on the refuge include herons, egrets, white ibis, roseate spoonbill, mottled duck, white-tailed kite, clapper rail, horned lark, black skimmer, and scissor-tailed flycatcher.

URBAN HARVEST – TOMATO FEST AT BAYOU CITY FARMERS’ MARKET
Date: Sat, Jun 28
Time: 8 am – 12 noon
Location: Bayou City Farmers’ Market, 3000 Richmond @ Eastside btwn. Kirby and Buffalo Spdwy (back parking lot behind the office building)
Fee: none; bring money to buy fruits and vegetables
Contact: (713) 880-5540 or www.urbanharvest.org

Complete Description:
Tomato Fest celebrates the height of the tomato season in southeast Texas. Many varieties of tomatoes, including heirloom varieties, will be available. The Tomato Doctor will be on hand to answer your tomato-growing questions, and farmers will bring farm animals and equipment for display. Live music and a cooking demonstration will also be featured. Farmers’ Market will be open every Saturday at this location from 8 am – 12 noon.

HOUSTON ZOO CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT – AMPHIBIAN MONITORING WORKSHOP
Date: Fri, Jun 27
Time: evening (probably 6:30 or 7 pm); call for details
Location: Houston Zoo, Brown Education Center
Fee: $5 (includes CD of the Calls of Native Toads and Frogs of Texas); pre-registration required
Contact: To register, contact rrommel@houstonzoo.org; information at www.houstonzoo.org

Complete Description:
In this workshop, you will learn about some of our native amphibian residents, and learn how you can help amphibians locally. We will take a night walk on zoo grounds and around the Hermann Park lake.

ARTIST BOAT – EAST LAGOON ECO-TOUR KAYAK ADVENTURE
Date: Fri, Jun 27
Time: 4 – 7 pm
Location: Galveston Bay; please call for details
Fee: $50 for Eco-Art Adventure includes all equipment; $25 off if you bring your own canoe or kayak plus all equipment; pre-registration and pre-payment required
Contact: register at (409) 770-0722; information at www.artistboat.org or info@artistboat.org

NOAA OFFICE OF MARINE SANCTUARIES – DEDICATION OF THE RESEARCH VESSEL MANTA WITH SPECIAL GUEST DR. SYLVIA EARLE
Date: Fri, Jun 27
Time: 9:30 am
Location: Galveston City Pier 21
Fee: none; pre-registration required
Contact: please RSVP by Fri, Jun 20 to vesselrsvp@noaa.gov or (301) 713-7287

Complete Description:
Ceremony begins promptly at 9:30 am. Luncheon and ship open house to follow. Dress is business casual. Closed toe, flat heel shoes required for vessel tours. For more information including hotels and transportation, contact Pam.Plakas@noaa.gov or (301) 713-7287. The 82-foot state-of-the-art catamaran’s mission will be to conduct research, monitoring, education, public outreach, enforcement and emergency response related operations and emergency response missions.

SIERRA CLUB COOL CITIES CAMPAIGN TRAINING – ADDRESS GLOBAL WARMING THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Date: Thu, Jun 26
Time: 7 pm
Location: Friendswood Activity Building, 416 Morningside in Friendswood, TX
Fee: none; but please RSVP for materials and space availabilty
Contact: RSVP to Ann Drumm at (214) 350-6108 or anndrumm@swbell.net; information on the campaign available at www.sierraclub.org/coolcities

Complete Description:
The Sierra Club is getting more cities on board the Cool Cities train! As part of our expansion of the Cool Cities campaign in the metro Houston area, we are forming teams in Friendswood, Pearland, Alvin, and Manvel. Be part of this positive, solutions-oriented campaign! Each team’s charge is to ask its mayor to address global warming by embracing energy efficiency at the local level. This is an excellent first-time volunteer opportunity that has a specific objective and a limited time commitment. You do not need to be a member of the Sierra Club to participate.