Title: Public Lecture with Dr. David Archer
Location: Rice University – Herzstein Hall Amphitheater
Link out: Click here
Description: The Center for the Study of Environment and Society, The Shell Center for Sustainability, and Green Team America invite you to the public lecture

The Long Thaw: how humans are changing the next 100,000 years of
Earth’s climate

with Dr. David Archer, University of Chicago, Department of Geophysical Sciences.
Start Time: 19:30
Date: 2011-02-04

Title: Gunther Hauk presents “Queen of the Sun” film
Location: Blackwood Educational Land Institute
Link out: Click here
Description: Blackwood welcomes Gunther Hauk, Biodynamic Farmer, Master Beekeeper and Waldorf Educator, presenting a film from the director of The Real Dirt on Farmer John – Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling us?

QUEEN OF THE SUN: What Are the Bees Telling Us? is a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world including Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk and Vandana Shiva. Together they reveal both the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature.
Start Time: 13:30
Date: 2011-02-27
End Time: 18:00

Title: Lone Star Hiking Trail – Trail Maintenance
Location: parking lot behind the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) at I-45 North and Greens Road
Link out: Click here
Description: The Houston Sierra will be conducting trial maintenance in the Sam Houston National Forest. Help keep the trail open.
Start Time: 08:00
Date: 2011-02-19

Title: Birds on the Katy Prairie
Location: Katy Prairie Conservancy, Warren Ranch
Link out: Click here
Description: Brandt Mannchen of the Sierra Club will lead a field trip to Katy Prairie Conservancy to enjoy a day of birding.

Bring your daypack, water (at least two quarts), lunch, hiking shoes, cameras, bug repellant, sunscreen, field guides, binoculars, and clothes to fit the weather.
Start Time: 07:30
Date: 2011-02-19

Title: Growing Up WILD Workshop
Location: Lake Waco Wetlands Education Center
Link out: Click here
Description: Learn how to build on young children’s sense of wonder about nature and invite them to explore wildlife and the world around them. During the three-hour training workshop participants will sample activities and receive a curriculum and activity guide. Activities are designed for 3-7 year olds and are correlated to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards and the Head Start Domains. Teachers, informal educators and early childhood caregivers may take the training. Held at Lake Waco Wetlands Education Center. Fee $10; preregistration required. To register, contact Diane Cooney, (254) 742-2816 or Nora Schell, (254) 848-9654 or e-mail Txcooneys@aol.com or noras@ci.waco.tx.us
Date: 2011-02-19

Title: Green Home and Garden Workshop
Location: Harris County Extension Office, 3033 Bear Creek Drive, Houston, TX 77084
Link out: Click here
Description: Discover energy & cost saving strategies, gardening smart with native plants, decrease maintenance costs for your home. Learn about low maintenance landscapes, find out about invasive plants. Also Composting strategies and Continuing Education Credits for teachers!
Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2011-02-19
End Time: 15:00

Title: “Food, Inc.” Movie and Slow Food pot luck
Location: Emerson Houston, Westwood Hall
Link out: Click here
Description: There will be a potluck event and sustainable movie. The movie is “Food, Inc.” The potluck begins at 6pm and the movie starts at 7pm.
Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2011-02-4

Title: Concrete Utopias – 1960s Architecutre and Urbanism
Location: University of Houston, College of Architecture Theater, Room 150
Link out: Click here
Description: You are invited to join several scholars and architects at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture to discuss the innovations of the utopian projects put forth during the 1960s, as well as their relevance to present day.
The 1960s was a transformative decade for architectural practice in the Americas, Europe and Asia. It coincided with the social and cultural transformations initiated by student protests and the emergence of the global village theorized by Marshall McLuhan. During those years, a number of architects and urban planners began rethinking the utopian legacy of modernity by looking at the city as a new space and place of intense social interaction.
Start Time: 09:30
Date: 2011-02-18

Title: Recurring Events
Location: Various
Link out: Click here
Description: Something going on every day!

http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/event-calendar/recurring-events/

Start Date: 2011-01-27
End Date: 2012-01-26

CEC’s Annual Meeting will be held on February 22, 2011, at 6:00 pm at Kirksey offices at 6909 Portwest Drive, Houston, Texas 77024. In addition to a a lively speaker, excellent networking, and tasty treats, the event serves as the CEC’s business meeting, at which member organizations vote on the proposed slate for the board of directors.

Executive Committee

President: Kim Kaiser
President Elect: not filled
Secretary: Emily Shaw
Treasurer: Tim Lewis

Trustees

Luci Correa, Immediate Past President
Scott Barnes
Ginger Coleman
Jarrod Hageman
Julie Hendricks
Sarah Mason
Shawn McFarland
Helen O’Connor
Steve Rosencranz
Liane Soukup
Michele Wilkins

Advisory Council

The CEC is reviving its advisory council. Please contact former board chair Rachel Powers at cecrachel@earthlink.net if you have served on the council in the past or are a former trustee and are interested in participating in the council.

Title: Cupid Cruise on Buffalo Bayou
Location: Meet Us at Allen’s Landing (Behind the Spaghetti Warehouse) 901 Commerce Street Houston, TX 77002
Link out: Click here
Description: Hop Aboard Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s Spirit of the Bayoupontoon tour boat for a cozy cruise with your Valentine. Bubbly beverages and chocolate bites will be provided during a romantic evening boat ride with spectacular views of downtown Houston.
Limited seating.
$40 per person
For reservations, contact Trudi Smith at tsmith@buffalobayou.org or 713.752.0314.
Start Time: 06:00 PM
Date: 2011-02-14
End Time: 07:30 PM

Title: Teaching In and Out of The Classroom!
Location: 12121 N. Sam Houston Parkway East, Humble, Texas
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us on February 1st
· MEET the coordinators of an exciting new program

· LEARN about two exceptional educational resources

· DISCUSS how to bring this to your school or science program

TEKS correlated – grades 4-8 – science – social studies

Service learning – Watershed studies

TO SIGN UP: For more information or to sign up, contact Brinkley Prescott at 651-523-2591 or bprescott01@hamline.edu. We hope to see you there!
Start Time: 01:30 PM
Date: 2011-02-01
End Time: 04:00 PM

Title: Teaching In and Out of The Classroom!
Location: 723 Olympia Dr, Trinity TX, 75862
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us on February 1st

· MEET the coordinators of an exciting new program

· LEARN about two exceptional educational resources

· DISCUSS how to bring this to your school or science program

TEKS correlated – grades 4-8 – science – social studies

Service learning – Watershed studies

TO SIGN UP: For more information or to sign up, contact Brinkley Prescott at 651-523-2591 or bprescott01@hamline.edu. We hope to see you there!

Camp Olympia- Houston ISD Outdoor Education Center
723 Olympia Dr, Trinity TX, 75862
Meeting held in the O’Dome
Start Time: 08:30 AM
Date: 2011-02-01
End Time: 11:00 AM

Title: Firewise Town Hall Meeting
Location: Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, Texas
Link out: Click here
Description: Residents in the area around Hays and Comal counties interested in learning how to protect themselves from wildfire are invited to a town hall meeting on Feb. 10.

The gathering is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Road 12.

Representatives from Texas Forest Service and the National Fire Protection Association will be on hand to answer questions and talk about what you can do to protect your home and family from wildfire.

For example, you can reduce potential wildfire losses by adopting Firewise landscaping practices 100 to 200 feet around your home. That includes moving firewood and clearing dead and dense vegetation.

Wildland Urban Interface Specialist Jan Fulkerson stressed that wildfires are a community-wide problem, which means reducing risks to homes and property is everyone’s responsibility.

“More than 80 percent of wildfires in Texas occur within 2 miles of a community,” Fulkerson said, reminding residents that wildfires have raged through the three counties before and likely will again. “We want to encourage residents to take proactive measures that could end up saving lives and property.”
Start Time: 06:30 PM
Date: 2011-02-10

1. Teaching In and Out of the Classroom. There will be two information sessions in the Houston area to learn about exciting new programs in interactive education. One program, Waters to the Sea: Trinity River, explores how humans have lived with the Trinity River. The other program, Earth Force, helps young people develop the skills and motivation to become life-long leaders in addressing environmental issues. The information sessions occur on February 1st, from 8:30-11 am at Camp Olympia and 1:30-4:00 pm at the Water Works Education Center. For more information or to sign up, contact Brinkley Prescott at 651-523-2591 or bprescott01@hamline.edu.
2. Keep America Beautiful Awards. Texas communities won top awards at the Keep America Beautiful National Conference. Westbury Community Garden, Lake Jackson Youth Advisory Commission, Keep Dickinson Beautiful were among the first place winners. For a full list of award recipients, visit http://www.ktb.org/highlights/congrats-to-kab-award-winners.aspx.
3. Visualize Sea Level Rise in Houston/Galveston Area. The NOAA Coastal Services Center recently released the Sea Level Rise Impacts Viewer, a new tool for visualizing sea level rise and coastal flooding that is now available for coastal Mississippi and Texas’ Houston and Galveston metro areas. The tool will be expanded for use in other geographic areas in the near future. Tool features include coastal flooding scenarios, coupled with photos of well-known locations that illustrate marsh impacts; uncertainty maps; flood frequency information; and social and economic vulnerability information.
4. Opportunities for Awards.
   • Sustainable Forestry Initiative Seeks Proposals for Conservation and Community Partnerships Grants – Deadline is February 15th
     http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=322100028
   • Mantis and National Gardening Association Offer Mantis Awards for Community and Youth Gardening Projects – Deadline is March 1st
     http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=322100030
   • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Accepting Applications for Five Star Restoration Program – Deadline is February 14th
     http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=322100029

1. Counting on Quality of Place – 2011 Regional Symposium. The Counting on Quality of Place 2011 Regional Symposium will take place on January 28th from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. Different topics will be presented throughout the day including water issues and green buildings. The Luncheon Keynote Speaker will be Kimberly Lewis, VP – U.S. Green Building Council. For more information on the symposium, visit http://centerforhoustonsfuture.cmail5.com/T/ViewEmail/r/69AAD71BBDE04D95.
2. Kleenwood: For a trash-free Kingwood. Keep Kingwood Green is supporting Kleenwood this coming weekend. Who can’t support a trash free Kingwood? If you can help, please show up at your neighborhood pool or any pool in Kingwood at 9:00 am Saturday morning. A Kleenwood Team Captain will greet you there, give you supplies, and suggest an area that you can cover. An hour of your time is all that you are asked to contribute. At noon, there will be a celebration in Town Center Park with refeshments and entertainment. You can find more information at: www.kwchamber.org or www.keepkingwoodgreen.org. RSVP requested to Info@keepkingwoodgreen.org.
3. 4th Annual Houston Environmental Education Summit. The 4th Annual Houston Environmental Education Summit will be held on February 5th at the University of Houston – Downtown. The summit will explore various ways to help reverse the growing trend of the indoor child by connecting children to nature through environmental education at school, at home, and through the offerings of various nature centers in the Houston area. Registration is now open. To learn more, visit http://houstoneesummit.wordpress.com/.
4. The Last Stand: Katy Prairie Conservancy. The Katy Prairie Conservancy, which worked with the Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Endangered Species Media Project, and others, will be featured in a story on KUHT at 3 pm on Saturday, January 29, 2011. The story, called The Last Stand, talks about the disappearing wetlands and prairies in Texas. The segment can be seen now on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqknxErvs6Y.
5. Comment on Water Quality in creeks, bayous, and streams. The Bacteria Implementation Group, a stakeholder committee representing government, business, and community leaders, seeks comments on a plan to reduce the amount of bacteria entering area waterways. Learn more at www.h-gac.com/BIG. Public open houses are being held throughout the region:
   • Thursday, January 27, 5:30 pm, Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center
   • Monday, January 31, 6:00 pm, Park Place Regional Library, Sims Bayou area
   • Tuesday, February 1, 6:00 pm, Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, League City
   • Monday, February 7, 5:30 pm, High Meadows Branch Library, Aldine area
   • Thursday, February 10, 2010, 6:00 pm, Bear Creek Community Center
6. Volunteers Plant a Forest in Big Thicket National Preserve. Volunteers from the Houston Sierra Club and Big Thicket Association were among those recognized by the Big Thicket National Preserve for helping to plant over 13,000 longleaf pine seedlings in honor of the National Day of Service. This work is part of continuing restoration efforts to advance the Preserve’s mission of maintaining high quality examples of representative vegetation communities. The longleaf pine ecosystem provide habitat for rare species including the red-cockaded woodpecker and the Texas trailing phlox.
7. 39th Annual Buffalo Bayou Regatta: on-line registration now available. The Regatta, Texas’s largest canoe and kayak race, will be on March 12, 2011. Those not wanting to paddle can catch the outdoor fun and cheer on the racers.  Free live music, awards ceremony, and food and drinks will be available for sale at the finish line at downtown’s Sesquicentennial Park. More information at http://www.buffalobayou.org/regattabayou.html.

Featured

1. UT scientists seek means to burn coal cleanly (Asher Price – Austin American Statesman, 01/23/2011)
   Researchers at the University of Texas are hoping to find a way to burn coal without contributing to global warming. Their mini power plant aims to capture about 90 percent of the carbon dioxide emitted by the mini-facility. The carbon emissions would then be piped underground for storage. Critics say that clean coal is “a kind of unattainable holy grail of energy.”
   http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7393993.html
2. What’s Swimming With You? (Laurie Johnson – KUHF News, 01/25/2011)
   The bayous, creeks, and lakes in the Houston region are full of bacteria. The EPA has set a standard for a safe amount of bacteria in the water. The bacteria can come from wastewater, sewage facilities, pet waste, failing septic systems and more. Many septic systems in Westfield Estates, about 79%, are failing. H-GAC has proposed an Implementation Plan, or I-Plan, to reduce the problem.
   http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1295993365
3. Houston-Area Family of Five Gets First All-Electric Nissan Leaf in Texas (Wendy Siegle – KUHF News, 01/26/2011)
   One Houston family received the first all-electric Nissan Leaf. There is a long reservation list for the car, which can go up to 130 miles or so on a single charge and has zero tail-pipe emissions. This may be the start of cleaner transportation around the city.
   http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1296007508

EcoNotes

• 26 January
  • Houston-Area Family of Five Gets First All-Electric Nissan Leaf in Texas (Wendy Siegle – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1296007508
  • TCEQ-EPA jockeying continues with a new job’s creation and a permit critique (Texas Climate News)
    http://texasclimatenews.org/wp/?p=1161
• 25 January
  • What’s Swimming With You? (Laurie Johnson – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1295993365
  • Turtles to shine at Sea Turtle Saturday (The Galveston County Daily News)
    http://galvestondailynews.com/story/206798
• 24 January
  • Volunteers Plant a Forest (SETX Social Center)
    http://www.setxsocialcenter.com/NewsDetail.asp?id=934
• 23 January
  • UT scientists seek means to burn coal cleanly (Asher Price – Austin American Statesman)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7393993.html
  • Texas Devotes Millions to Water Infrastructure (Paul Darin – The Epoch Times)
    http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/49877/
  • In his EPA job, former academic is the most feared environmentalist in the state (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7394544.html
• 20 January
  • Officials seek info on water authority report (T.J. Aulds – The Galveston County Daily News)
    http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=0f98d8593fd5b270
• 19 January
  • A Texas guzzler tax? (Roger Gray – KETK NBC News)
    http://www.ketknbc.com/news/a-texas-guzzler-tax
  • ExxonMobil warns carbon emissions will rise by 25% in 20 years (John Vidal – Guardian News)
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/19/exxonmobil-carbon-emissions-rise
• 18 January
  • La Porte’s noisy neighbor debate headed to municipal court (KHOU News)
    http://www.khou.com/home/related/La-Porte-Noisy-Neighbor-Debate-Headed-to-Muni-court-114169264.html
• 17 January
  • CO² process to coax more oil out of Hastings field (Brett Clanton – Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/energy/7385746.html
• 16 January
  • Time running out to comment on reef management (Kelly Drinnen – The Galveston County Daily News)
    http://galvestondailynews.com/story/204846/
• 10 January
  • Houston oil infrastructure exposed to storms (Sonja Elmquist – Global Warming News)
    http://global-warning.org/main/gulf/