1. Jones Park Summer Camp. Jones Park will begin registration for its popular Summer Nature Camp on Saturday, May 7 at 8am. The camp is aimed at children ages 5 to 12 and is held Tuesdays through Fridays in June and July. Featuring a variety of themed nature topics and held mostly outdoors, participants learn about wildlife and their habitat during the four-day camp. To learn more, visit http://www.hcp4.net/jones/.
2. Transition Houston May Meeting and Guest Speaker. Tuesday, May 3, 7-9 PM at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Blvd., Houston 77005. In a timely guest talk arranged by the Transportation Action Group, Desmond Startin of Performance Bicycles will be discussing how to gear up for bicycle commuting. He will address bicycle selection as well as gear that will make your commute more comfortable and safe, with a focus on affordability.  Transition Houston will also be reflecting on a very special Permablitz at the church (come early if you would like a tour), announcing the next event in the Houston Green Film Series, and hearing about all of the activity in our Action Groups and Neighborhood Initiatives.  As always, Transition Hosuton will close out the meeting with refreshments, conversation, and community. More at http://transitiontexas.ning.com/events/transition-houston-may-meeting.
3. Keeping Kingwood Green Monthly Meeting. On Monday, May 2, the Keeping Kingwood Green board will meet at the Kingwood Library for our monthly meeting. If you are interested in finding out more about KKG, letting us know your recycling issues, and/or joining the group, just reply to Susan@keepkingwoodgreen.org by this coming Sunday so we can plan accordingly to ensure that we won’t have an issue with the room accommodations at the library. Topic will be how to support single stream recycling at Humble ISD. More at www.keepingkingwoodgreen.org.
4. Bike to the Ballgame! May is Bike Month and in honor of the occasion, the Houston Astros will sponsor Bike to the Ballpark this  Sunday, May 1! The ballclub aims to raise awareness of green initiatives and reduce commuter emissions to Minute Maid Park. Both CTC and Bike Houston are nonprofit sponsors of this first-ever event. For $10 you will get a discount ticket to Astros vs. Brewers, free Bike Valet secure bike parking, a complimentary bike inspection by Bike Barn mechanics, and more! In addition, two lucky participants will win new bicycles from Bike Barn. Be sure to register online by 5:00 pm Thursday, April 28!

Featured

1. TCEQ issues new rules on Galveston Bay inflows (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle, 04/20/2011)
   TCEQ has approved new rules that are designed to preserve flows from two rivers in order to protect Galveston Bay. Environmentalists are critical of these rules, stating that they will not provide the amount of fresh water to sustain the wildlife. A change in the bay’s mix of fresh and salt water could damage the ecosystem.
   http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7530783.html
2. City’s eco-achievements are mounting (Maggie Galehouse – Houston Chronicle, 04/21/2011)
   Houston’s mayor has been making efforts to get people outside. The city has recently made environmental accomplishments including building more community gardens, increasing recycling, and increasing energy efficiency.
   http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/7532309.html
3. Gragg Building’s GREEN Preservation Reaps GOLD LEED Status (Guidry News, 04/22/2011)
   The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s Gragg Building headquarters the Gold Level in LEED. The Gragg building was an older building that was retrofitted to meet green standards. Part of the renovations included re-using 100% of the original shell of the building and bringing natural light into its interior.
   http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000034311

EcoNotes

• 27 April
  • Companies are finding a solution to plastics problem (ABC 13 News)
    http://www.greenrightnow.com/ktrk/2011/04/27/companies-are-finding-a-solution-to-plastics-problem/
• 26 April
  • Texas Forest Service to celebrate trees at State Arbor Day Celebration in Pearland (Texas Forest Service News)
    http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/popup.aspx?id=13386
  • District Receives Energy Efficiency Incentive Check (Guidry News)
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000034388
  • Texas Forest Service issues call for famous tree nominees (Texas Forest Service News)
    http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/popup.aspx?id=13354
  • Officials seek causes of power loss at Texas City plant (Tom Fowler and Dale Lezon – My SA News)
    http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Officials-seek-causes-of-power-loss-at-Texas-City-1353827.php
  • Supplemental Water to Ease Galveston’s Emergency Shortage (Guidry News)
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000034374
• 25 April
  • Galveston Water Emergency (Rod Rice – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1303765955
• 24 April
  • Texas waterfowl may be left high and dry (Shannon Tompkins – Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/outdoors/tompkins/7534681.html
• 23 April
  • City of Houston scores major victory in water rate lawsuit (The Cypress Times)
    http://www.thecypresstimes.com/article/News/Local_News/CITY_OF_HOUSTON_SCORES_MAJOR_VICTORY_IN_WATER_RATE_LAWSUIT/43929
• 22 April
  • Yard Waste Savings (Ed Mayberry – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1303512142
  • Fracking disclosure website may not deter regulations (Casey Wooten – Houston Business Journal)
    http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2011/04/22/fracking-disclosure-website-may-not.html
  • Gas Prices Changing Driving Habits (Pat Hernandez = KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1303513342
  • Gragg Building’s GREEN Preservation Reaps GOLD LEED Status (Guidry News)
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000034311
  • Court Rules on Houston Water Appeal (Ed Mayberry – KUHF News)
    http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1303511808
  • Storm Chasers (Guidry News)
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000034322
  • West University Little League Fields Equipped With New Recycling Totes (Instant News WestU)
    http://instantnewswestu.com/2011/04/22/18686/
  • BP advancing money for restoration work; $100 million for Texas (Matthew Tresaugue – My SA News)
    http://www.mysanantonio.com/living_green_sa/article/1-billion-payment-is-set-in-oil-spill-1348103.php
• 21 April
  • Statement of Ken Kramer, Director, Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, on the TCEQ Adoption of Weak Environmental Flow Standards for Galveston Bay and Sabine Lake and Associated River Basins (Guidry News)
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000034307
  • City’s eco-achievements are mounting (Maggie Galehouse – Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/7532309.html
  • NRDA Trustees Announce $1 Billion Agreement to Fund Early Gulf Coast Restoration Projects (Guidry News)
    http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000034293
• 20 April
  • TCEQ issues new rules on Galveston Bay inflows (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7530783.html
  • TCEQ Approves Fines Totaling $1,347,522 (TCEQ News)
    http://www.tceq.texas.gov/news/releases/4-11Agenda4-20
• 19 April
  • Senate votes to establish energy policy committee (Houston Chronicle)
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7528381.html

Title: Friends of Cedar Bayou Conservation Fair
Location: Roseland Park
Link out: Click here
Description: The keynote speaker for the even is Justin Bower, senior environmental planner for the Houston-Galveston Area Council. Bower will provide an overview of the Cedar Bayou Watershed Protection Plan that is being developed by the council, as well as a look at water quality issues facing the Gulf Coast region. His presentation will be at 1 pm.
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2011-05-07
End Time: 17:00

Title: Second Sunday Pickers at Jones Park
Location: Jones Park
Link out: Click here
Description: The Second Sunday Pickers take center stage inside the nature center for an afternoon of folk music played on a variety of old-fashioned instruments. Visitors of all ages are invited to listen, sing along, or bring an instrument to join in the fun.
Start Time: 14:00
Date: 2011-05-08
End Time: 16:00

Title: STS-AIChE Dinner Meeting
Location: Brady’s Landing
Link out: Click here
Description: The dinner topic will be “Catalyst Development: The Story of PRICATJM PD 468″ by Gary Gildert. There will be three workshops: PD, CAST, and PE/PO: the PD workshop will be “Social Networking” by Teresa Jurgens-Kowal; the CAST workshop will be “Excel® Tips and Tricks” by Dale Embry; and the PE/PO workshop will be “Tales from the Plant: Distillation Operation Troubleshooting” by Lowell Pless.

Schedule
5:30PM – 6:30PM Workshops
6:00PM – 7:00PM Social/Networking Time
7:00PM – 8:00PM Dinner
8:00PM – 9:30PM Dinner Presentation/Speaker

**There will also be a meeting in North Houston. Visit the website for more details.
Start Time: 17:30
Date: 2011-05-05
End Time: 21:30

Title: Livable Houston Initiative with David Crossley
Location: H-GAC, 3555 Timmons Lane, 2nd Floor, Room C
Link out: Click here
Description: David Crossley
President, Houston Tomorrow

Three recent surveys from the National Association of Realtors, Smart Growth America, and the Kinder Houston Area Survey reveal a lot about what people want in terms of where they live and the amenities they desire. The case for walkable neighborhoods is getting very strong. Can the market meet the demand?

Please join Houston Tomorrow President David Crossley to discuss this and more.
Start Time: 12:00
Date: 2011-04-27
End Time: 13:30

Title: Environmental Educator’s Exchange (EEE) Meeting
Location: TBA
Link out: Click here
Description: Agenda:
Summit wrap-up
Plans for future summits?
Can EEE help facilitate the coordination of other environmental organizations?

For more information, contact Edith Smith at smithedith@aol.com.
Start Time: 16:00
Date: 2011-05-04
End Time: 18:00

Title: Environmental Educator’s Exchange (EEE) Meeting
Location: TBA
Link out: Click here
Description: Agenda:
Summit wrap-up
Plans for future summits?
Can EEE help facilitate the coordination of other environmental organizations?

For more information, contact Edith Smith at smithedith@aol.com.
Start Time: 16:00
Date: 2011-05-04
End Time: 18:00

Title: Movie Screening: Fresh
Location: Rice University Campus – Entrance 9, off University Blvd
Link out: Click here
Description: Whereas Food, Inc., depicted how our food is grown, raised and harvested using industrial methods, the farmers, ranchers, and merchants of FRESH represent the next chapter. This documentary truly is the back story for farmers markets everywhere. After the screening, hopefully you will have a new appreciation for the part you can play in moving food production back to a more healthful, sustainable and just system.

Two screenings will be held: 3:30 pm and 5 pm. Seating is limited so bring your own lawn chair.
Start Time: 15:30
Date: 2011-05-03

Title: Putting for Green Golf Tournament
Location: 13300 Longwood Trace Cypress, Texas 77429
Link out: Click here
Description: Annual USGBC Putting for Green Golf Tournament

Time: 12:00-1:00 pm – Registration and lunch,
1:00 pm Shotgun Start,
Box lunch at registration and dinner served after
Start Time: 12:00
Date: 2011-05-19

Title: “Build Your Own Rain Barrel” Workshop
Location: Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Link out: Click here
Description: In this hands-on, make and take workshop, learn how a one-time investment of less than $100 will allow you to harvest over 50 gallons of water from your roof every time it rains.

Instructor: Joe Blanton, the Arboretum’s Conservation Director, is certified by National Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Habitat Designer. Before joining the Arboretum staff, Joe designed, implemented and/or managed 16 outdoor environmental education classrooms for Urban Harvest and HISD. His latest undertaking has been to become one of the first 100 accredited Green Roof professionals in North America.

Cost (includes one barrel and one kit):
$75 for members; $95 for non-members
Start Time: 14:00
Date: 2011-05-08
End Time: 17:00

Title: “Build Your Own Rain Barrel” Workshop
Location: Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Link out: Click here
Description: In this hands-on, make and take workshop, learn how a one-time investment of less than $100 will allow you to harvest over 50 gallons of water from your roof every time it rains.

Instructor: Joe Blanton, the Arboretum’s Conservation Director, is certified by National Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Habitat Designer. Before joining the Arboretum staff, Joe designed, implemented and/or managed 16 outdoor environmental education classrooms for Urban Harvest and HISD. His latest undertaking has been to become one of the first 100 accredited Green Roof professionals in North America.

Cost (includes one barrel and one kit):
$75 for members; $95 for non-members
Start Time: 14:00
Date: 2011-05-01
End Time: 17:00

Title: Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Star Party
Location: Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Link out: Click here
Description: Enjoy an evening at the Arboretum with food, drinks and star gazing. After a picnic barbeque dinner, stroll through the forest to the Arboretum’s Meadow Deck for viewing of the near-full moon, nearby planets and other celestial objects with members of the Houston Astronomical Society.

Cost is $35 per adult, which includes a one year membership to the Arboretum; $70 for family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children); $10 each for additional children. Registration is limited.
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2011-05-14
End Time: 22:00

Title: Katy Prairie Bash 2011
Location: Katy Prairie Conservancy
Link out: Click here
Description: Enjoy a night of good food, good times, and great people on grounds of a beautiful home on Buffalo Bayou at KPC’s annual Katy Prairie Bash! Call for information on underwriting opportunities or tickets!
Date: 2011-05-18

Title: Bike to the Ballpark!
Location: Minute Maid Park
Link out: Click here
Description: Join the Houston Astros on Sunday, May 1st for Bike to the Ballpark! This inaugural event will cap off a week long Play Green® celebration as the Astros continue efforts to raise awareness of green initiatives.

For just $10, fans will receive:

- a discounted ticket to see the Astros take on the Brewers
- an event packet including a personal bib number
- a goodie bag filled with various “green items.”
- each fan registered for the event will get a chance to enter a raffle for a brand new bike, courtesy of Bike Barn! One male and one female bike will be awarded!
- Also included is a complementary bike inspection at the Astros designated starting location
- Bike Valet at Minute Maid Park

A designated starting location will be offered for the ride, and is approximately 5 miles from Minute Maid Park. Fans living in the outer suburbs are encouraged to drive to the secure lot at this location, and from there take part in the organized ride into Minute Maid Park.
Date: 2011-05-01

Title: Arbor Day Tree Planting
Location: Houston
Link out: Click here
Description: Join Emerging Professionals and Project Respect for an Arbor Day tree planting!
Start Time: 12:30
Date: 2011-05-01

Title: Wild Orchids of the Big Thicket Walk
Location: Sundew trailhead, located on CR 1910 just south of FM 2827
Link out: Click here
Description: Orchid expert Joe Liggio will lead a walk in the Hickory Creek Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve on Saturday, May 7, to look for these beautiful and unusual flowers. Mr. Liggio is a photographer, writer, and biologist and serves on the board of the Big Thicket Association. He and his wife, Ann Orto Liggio, have written an excellent book on orchids, Wild Orchids of Texas, which can be purchased at the Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center.

No reservations are required for this program. Participants are encouraged to bring water, insect repellent, cameras, and good walking shoes. For more information, please call the preserve visitor center at 409-951-6700.
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2011-05-07