Featured

1. Trinity River Refuge Hunt Opportunities (Laurie Lomas – Friends of Trinity River Refuge News)
   There is a new application procedure for the 2010 Archery Only hunt and Upland Game hunt on the Trinity River National Refuge website. New regulations are described in the application process.
   http://fotrr.com/
2. Councilman: Dredging bayou could improve water (Chris Paschenko – The Galveston County Daily News)
   Recently the bayou has continually shown bacteria levels that exceed clean water standards. This happens 90% of the time tests are performed. Louis Decker, a city councilman, believes that dredging the bayou would help the situation. The tidal movement would help alleviate the problem.
   http://galvestondailynews.com/story/170098/
3. Record heat may be our new normal (Eric Berger – Houston Chronicle)
   According to climate projections, temperatures 4 to 5 degrees above  the present normal will be a typical summer. Weather events are likely to be more more prevalent in the warmer temperatures. The increase can be seen all over the world, not just Houston. People may need to adapt to the warmer climate.
   http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7177184.html

EcoNotes

• 31 August
  • Galveston begins series of Ike recovery neighborhood meetings (David Pitman – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1283287352
  • Reid touts clean energy and says the Senate could (still) pass a Renewable Electricity Standard (Barbara Kessler – AVC13 News)
    http://www.greenrightnow.com/ktrk/2010/08/31/reid-touts-clean-energy-and-says-the-senate-could-still-pass-a-renewable-electricity-standard/
  • Gas exploration in city parks (Laurie Johnson – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1283288884
  • EPA disapproves components of TCEQ’s air permitting program (EPA News)
    http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/91f7018c5ca54bf185257790006d8803?OpenDocument
• 30 August
  • Record heat may be our new normal (Eric Berger – Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7177184.html
  • $2 million dollars earmarked for improvements to Historic Sam Houston Park – Guidry News)
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000029065
  • Safer roads in Texas (Montgomery County News)
    http://www.montgomerycountynews.net/index.php?module=article&view=1395
• 29 August
  • Deforestation, sprawl increase runoff (Jon Boyd – Houston Tomorrow)
    http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/deforestation-and-sprawl-increase-runoff/?utm_source=Houston+Tomorrow+Growth+News&utm_campaign=46e85b73a2-Houston_Tomorrow_Livability_News_083010&utm_medium=email
• 28 August
  • TPC struggles with 2035 RTP (Jon Boyd – Houston Tomorrow)
    http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/tpc-approves-to-study-the-baseline-scenario/?utm_source=Houston+Tomorrow+Growth+News&utm_campaign=46e85b73a2-Houston_Tomorrow_Livability_News_083010&utm_medium=email
• 27 August
  • Proposed changes to air quality permits announced (TCEQ News)
    http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/comm_exec/communication/media/08-10AirMeeting8-27
  • EPA takes over cleanup of abandoned NW Houston plant (Houston Business Journal)
    http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/08/23/daily34.html
  • U.S. urged to ensure deepwater drilling safety (Ayesha Rascoe – Planet Ark News)
    http://planetark.org/wen/59319
  • TCEQ says EPA fine with air monitor data from DISH (Barnett Shale News)
    http://blogs.star-telegram.com/barnett_shale/2010/08/tceq-says-epa-fine-with-air-monitor-data-from-dish-.html
• 26 August
  • EPA considers coal ash regulations (Laurie Johnson – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1282858002
  • Old plant gets EPA clean-up (Wendy Siegle – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1282859468
  • Oil spill hearing continues in Houston (Bill Stamps – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1282863438
  • $2 million dollars earmarked for improvementsto Historic Sam Houston Park (The City of Houston News)
    http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/pdfs/2010/HPARDSamHoustonParkGrantAnnouncement.pdf
• 25 August
  • TCEQ approves fine totaling $1,798,745 (TCEQ News)
    http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/comm_exec/communication/media/08-10Agenda8-25
  • Senator Patrick concerned about hurricane preparedness (Guidry News)
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000028977
  • Safer roads contribute to significant drop in highway fatalities (Guidry News)
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000028978
• 24 August
  • Texas Medical Center gets its own on-site power facility (Houston Business Journal)
    http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/08/23/daily18.html
  • Job losses over drilling ban fail to materialize (John M. Broder and Clifford Krauss – The New York Times)
    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/us/25drill.html?hp
• 23 August
  • Certain rigs could see ban lifted early (Jennifer A. Dlouhy – Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7168460.html
• 20 August
  • Councilman: Dredging bayou could improve water (Chris Paschenko – The Galveston County Daily News)
    http://galvestondailynews.com/story/170098/
• 17 August
  • Trinity River Refuge Hunt Opportunities (Laurie Lomas – Friends of Trinity River Refuge News)
    http://fotrr.com/
• July 27
  • Urban gardening experiment blossoms in Houston (Monica Rhor – ABC News)
    http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wirestory?id=11260877&page=1

Title: Lower Trinity Valley Bird Club Meeting
Location: First Liberty National Bank located at 1900 Sam Houston in Liberty
Event Link: Click here
Description: Speakers for September will be David Knutson and LTVBC members: the presentation will be over the Frio River: Birds and Butterflies.

Come early at 9:30 a.m. for “Birder’s Chat” time.

If you have any questions call President Gary Holmes at 281-576-0574 or e-mail him at lisashepholmes@verizon.net.
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2010-09-11

Title: Lower Trinity Valley Bird Club Meeting
Location: First Liberty National Bank located at 1900 Sam Houston in Liberty
Event Link: Click here
Description: Speakers for September will be David Knutson and LTVBC members: the presentation will be over the Frio River: Birds and Butterflies.

Come early at 9:30 a.m. for “Birder’s Chat” time.

If you have any questions call President Gary Holmes at 281-576-0574 or e-mail him at lisashepholmes@verizon.net.
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2010-09-11

Title: Clean Waters Initiative Workshop
Location: H-GAC 2nd Floor Conference Room A 3555 Timmons Lane Houston, TX 77027
Event Link: Click here
Description: Clean water is crucial to our region’s environment, economy, and quality of life. Our Clean Waters Initiative (CWI) program offers workshops that help local governments, landowners, and citizens develop effective strategies to reduce pollution in our area waterways.

Register online.
Start Time: 13:00
Date: 2010-09-28
End Time: 16:00

Title: The City of Liberty’s “Shred It and Forget It!”
Location: Liberty City Hall parking lot
Description: Individuals are asked to bring old credit card statements, IRS tax records, computer disks, or anything that lists personal information …to be commercially shredded — absolutely FREE!!

The City of Liberty stresses the importance of shredding
customer and personal confidential information to prevent Identity Theft.
Start Time: 9:00
Date: 2010-09-11
End Time: 12:00

Title: Baytown Nature Center’s Tyke Hike
Location: 6213 Bayway Drive
Event Link: Click here
Description: This is an opportunity for area pre-schoolers and their parents or grandparents to explore the wonders of nature. Fun hikes, exciting discoveries, live animals, crafts and snacks keep the participants returning each week.

Occurs Wednesdays.
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2010-09-01
End Time: 11:00

Title: Gulf Coast Recycling Council Networking Mixer
Location: Haven 2502 Algerian Way Houston, TX 77098
Event Link: Click here
Description: The Gulf Coast Recycling Council of STAR is hosting a business networking event for it’s members and guests on September 9th from 4 – 7 pm.

A certified Green Restaurant. Haven will be providing complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine and will also provide a short tour of their restaurant to all of those that are interested in learning more about their sustainability efforts.

Although there is no cost to attend this event the Gulf Coast Recycling Council is asking that attendees provide a $10.00 donation to further support their efforts and mission. So please join us for great networking opportunities, food and drinks.
Start Time: 16:00
Date: 2010-09-09
End Time: 19:00

Title: Career Day Activities and Event for Children
Location: The Children’s Museum of Houston 1500 Binz Houston, TX 77004
Event Link: Click here
Description: Does today’s economy seem a bit rough? Come out and take your mind off of it and help children prepare for their futures. This is a great opportunity for kids to be exposed to the different types of careers. What better way to prepare for the future than by having fun and knowing the possibilities are endless when you are prepared.
Start Date: 2010-09-01
End Date: 2010-09-08

Title: Children’s Museum Food For Thought Bash
Location: The Children’s Museum of Houston 1500 Binz Houston, TX 77004
Event Link: Click here
Description: Did you know the average person eats almost 1500 pounds of food a year? Healthy eating habits start now. Join the Children’s Museum of Houston as we celebrate Nutrition! Come try yummy snacks and learn cool facts at our Nutrition Expo!

Also takes place on Saturday, September 11: 10 a.m.—6 p.m.
Start Time: 17:00
Date: 2010-09-11
End Time: 19:45

Title: Communication: Super Seminar Series
Location: Marathon Oil Conference Center 5555 San Felipe Houston, TX 77056
Description: September is almost here and that means only one thing: time for our Super Seminar Series hosted at the Marathon Oil Conference Center. The series is featured in two parts: Day 1 covering Fund Development and Day 2 (9/28) focusing on Communication.

$20 per person per day
$35 per person for both days – 2nd seminar is on September 28
(An organization may send different people to each day and still receive the benefit but the same number of people from an organization attending each day must be the same to qualify for the 2-day discount)
Start Time: 8:30
Date: 2010-09-28
End Time: 15:30

Title: Fund Development: Super Seminar Series
Location: Marathon Oil Conference Center 5555 San Felipe Houston, TX 77056
Description: September is almost here and that means only one thing: time for our Super Seminar Series hosted at the Marathon Oil Conference Center. The series is featured in two parts: Day 1 covering Fund Development and Day 2 (9/28) focusing on Communication.

$20 per person per day
$35 per person for both days – 2nd seminar is on September 28
(An organization may send different people to each day and still receive the benefit but the same number of people from an organization attending each day must be the same to qualify for the 2-day discount)

Start Time: 8:30
Date: 2010-09-14
End Time: 15:30

Title: KPC Twilight Hike
Location: Barn Owl Woods
Event Link: Click here
Description: Take a break from the sunny prairie with an unguided tour of KPC’s Barn Owl Woods, a stand of upland forest that serves as a home of assorted wildlife, including owls and tree frogs.

What to Bring: All participants should wear appropriate outdoor clothing, including closed-toe shoes and long pants. A long-sleeve shirt is also recommended. Participants should bring their own water and insect repellent.

For more information, call 713.523.6135 or email info@katyprairie.org.
Start Time: 17:00
Date: 2010-09-05
End Time: 19:30

Title: Plant-a-Seed Feed-the-Need Permablitz
Location: 2508 St. Christopher Avenue League City , TX, 77573
Event Link: Click here
Description: The plant a seed ~ feed the need community garden at St. Christopher Episcopal church is a donation garden providing fresh organic produce to the food pantry at Interfaith Caring Ministries in League City Texas. We will be planting an orchard, fall veggies, installing rain barrels and irrigation, and building compost systems all under the counsel and direction of Certified Master Gardeners and Permaculture designers. This community event will provide labor for the garden and a hands on educational experience for the participants.

The garden is open to all individuals and groups wishing to volunteer in this community outreach project. The 1 acre garden will encompass (30) 150 square foot vegetable and herb beds, 36 fruit trees, a Texas wildflower bed and a children’s bed where the kids can claim a foot or two for there own and plant whatever they wish. It is an eco- friendly project in that we are encouraging organic gardening practices and reducing the amount of organic material (lawn clippings, coffee grounds, kitchen vegetable scraps) that ends up in landfills by maintaining a compost pile that will be used to fertilize the plants.
Start Time: 8:30
Date: 2010-10-10
End Time: 15:30

Title: Prairie Heritage Day at Brazos Bend State Park
Location: Brazos Bend State Park: 21901 FM 762 Road / Needville, TX 77461-5634
Event Link: Click here
Description: Prairie Heritage Day is a fun and educational event
for the whole family!
Activities include:
★Live wildlife
★Guided prairie adventures
★Presentations and demonstrations
★Exhibits
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2010-11-06
End Time: 16:00

Title: Prairie Heritage Day at Brazos Bend State Park
Location: Brazos Bend State Park: 21901 FM 762 Road / Needville, TX 77461-5634
Event Link: Click here
Description: Prairie Heritage Day is a fun and educational event
for the whole family!
Activities include:
★Live wildlife
★Guided prairie adventures
★Presentations and demonstrations
★Exhibits
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2010-11-06
End Time: 16:00

Title: Piney Woods Wildlife Society Program: Photographers John and Gloria Jones
Location: Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens located at 22306 Aldine Westfield
Description: The September 21 program of the Piney Woods Wildlife Society will feature well –known photographer and travelers John and Gloria Jones and their program about their Tanzania Photo Safari.

John and Gloria believe that there are few places in the world for wildlife photographers and those with a deep interest in nature that will compare to a safari in east Africa. To observe and photograph thousands of animals in their natural environment, interacting just as they have for thousands of years, is an intriguing experience that will always be remembered. Tanzania is probably the top single country in east Africa for a wildlife safari. It is a nation of warm friendly people who depend heavily on tourism. They devote 25 percent of their land to conservation and boast the highest concentration of animals anywhere in the world. Their trip was in February during the rainy season starting and ending at the Mt. Meru Game Lodge—noted for the birdlife and troops of monkeys that come to feed in the fruit trees and also at a time when most of the migrating animals are in this area. The next two weeks were spent in the famous parks across northern Tanzania—Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater.

The public is invited to hear the Jones’ program on September 21 at the Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens located at 22306 Aldine Westfield beginning with a social time at 7 p.m. President Al Barr will open the meeting at 7:30 p.m. There is no charge. More information about the society is available at www.pineywoodswildlifesociety.org.

Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2010-09-21

Title: Children at Risk: Are We A Global Leader?
Location: United Way of Greater Houston 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX
Event Link: Click here
Description: The Forum on Math and Science Education in Houston will bring together educators and local experts to discuss challenges, successes, and best practices in K-12 math and science education. This event will feature two panel-style discussions among schools and local experts, a presentation from CHILDREN AT RISK on the status of public math and science education, as well as an award ceremony for leaders of the top area high schools in math and science presented by El Paso Corporation.

Registration is $25 and includes lunch, program materials, and 1.5 hours continuing professional education for teachers and school board members.
Start Time: 11:00
Date: 2010-09-14
End Time: 12:30