Title: Public Policy and Human Health: A Houston Workshop
Location: Houston Tomorrow, 3015 Richmond, 1st floor conference room
Link out: Click here
Description: Get involved in a discussion on the use of Health Impact Assessments to evaluate the impacts of public policy, and see a Houston example in a soon-to-be transit-oriented neighborhood.

PARTICIPANTS WILL:
Learn about Health Impact Assessments – we will discuss the policy-making context of HIA and review the major steps involved in conducting an HIA.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of how social, economic, and infrastructure public policies affect health – we will discuss the multiple factors that impact the health of individuals and communities.
Discuss how changes to the built environment impact health – we will focus on how Transit Oriented Development and Traditional Neighborhood Development are connected to health.
Hear about an HIA just completed in Houston – we will present an overview of the Health Impact Assessment for the Quitman Station-Area Development. The Quitman Station is located in the Northside village neighborhood, just north of downtown Houston and is part of METRO’s forthcoming North line light rail.
AGENDA
11- Noon: Background and HIA Case Study
Noon- 1: Lunch and Open discussion; Q&A
1- 2: HIA demonstration exercise

DETAILS
This event is conducted by Texas Southern University, Houston Tomorrow, Baylor College of Medicine, and with funding from The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts. For more detailed information on Health Impact Assessment, please see: www.healthimpactproject.org

When: Thursday, December 15, 2011, 11:00 AM -2:00 PM
Where: Hosted by Houston Tomorrow, 3015 Richmond, 1st floor conference room
Cost: Free, lunch provided

Registration is limited to 100 participants. Please register online to reserve your spot today.
Start Time: 11:00
Date: 2011-12-15
End Time: 14:00

Title: USGBC Galveston Branch Holiday Event
Location: 3204 Sewall Blvd, Galveston Island
Link out: Click here
Description: Please join us for the USGBC -Galveston County Branch Holiday event. Bring a friend for light snacks, cash bar and good cheer.

The Galveston County Branch will be presenting awards for Best Green Project in categories such as business, commercial, residential and landscaping & gardens. Please send your nominations to easterwood@beaia.com or 409-765-1487.

Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2011-12-07
End Time: 20:00

Title: 12th Annual Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale
Location: University of Houston Robertson Football Stadium
Link out: Click here
Description: The 12th Annual Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale will be held on Saturday, January 14th, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until sold out, at the University of Houston Robertson Football Stadium. This sale brings together far more types and varieties of fruit trees than can be found anywhere else in the greater Houston area. Best fruit trees are available only during the winter at this sale. 
Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2012-01-14
End Time: 13:00

Title: Kingwood E-Waste Recycling
Location: Kingwood Park and Ride
Link out: Click here
Description: Compucycle will be collecting your obsolete or worn out electronics at the Kingwood Park and Ride location this coming Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM. You can go to the web site (www.keepkingwoodgreen.org) for a complete list of what they will take. The next collection will be on January 7th.

The City has a good reminder on their web site about other recycling opportunities during this holiday season. You might check it out. http://www.houstontx.gov/citizensnet/enewsletter112811.html#recycle
Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2011-12-03
End Time: 15:00

Title: Wild about Birds – Baytown Nature Center
Location: Baytown Nature Center, 6213 Bayway Drive
Link out: Click here
Description: Following a very successful Nurture Nature Festival in November, the monthly Nurture Nature Series returns to the Baytown Nature Center with “Wild about Birds,” on Saturday, December 3 at 10 am

The center, located at 6213 Bayway Drive in Baytown is the perfect setting for a very special presentation by former Houston Audubon president, Stennie Meadours. With Baytown and the greater Houston area located along the route of the Central Migratory Flyway, the topic of birds and birding holds widespread appeal for many in the area.

For bird watchers, more commonly known as birders, the area is a gold mine for observing and studying a wide variety of avian species. Both the Baytown Nature Center and the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education Center are stops on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, and as such, attract hundreds of birders every year, not only during migration season, but year round. The nature center, also the site of one area of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count hosts the event this year on Saturday, December 17 when volunteers assemble bright and early to begin the annual tally of bird species. Ms. Meadours is the co-compiler for the Houston section which includes the nature center. Her presentation on December 3 provides a timely refresher before the CBC on December 17. To register for the CBC, contact Meadours at stenmead@aol.com.

The Nurture Nature Series is a free program with admission to the nature center. Regular admission is $3 for adults, with children 12 and under, free. Annual passes are also available for individuals and families.

For additional information, contact: MaryAlice.Trumble@baytown.org.

Phone: 281-420-7128
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2011-12-03

Title: Air Alliance Houston Holiday Open House
Location: Air Alliance Houston
Link out: Click here
Description: Come and join for our Holiday party! Light refreshments, beer and wine will be served until they last.

Come early and enjoy getting to know the staff, and the growing group of committed supporters!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Start Time: 16:30
Date: 2011-12-09
End Time: 19:00

Title: San Marcos River Wild-Rice Public Meeting
Location: Texas State University, River Systems Institiute, Texas Rivers Center, Room 107 on Spring Lake, 951 Aquarena Springs Drive, San Marcos, TX
Link out: Click here
Description: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), in conjunction with Texas State
University and the City of San Marcos, will hold initial scoping meetings and take
public comment on the potential designation of a segment of the San Marcos River as
a new State Scientific Area to protect federally endangered Texas wild-rice and its
habitat.
Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2011-12-06

Title: TWRI Stakeholder Facilitation Training
Location: Texas Farm Bureau Conference and Training Center in Waco
Link out: Click here
Description: Effective stakeholder engagement is a powerful tool to address watershed issues and has gained momentum in recent years because of the nature of the water quality problems we face today. Solving these problems requires the commitment and participation of stakeholders throughout the watershed. Stakeholder engagement is more than just holding a public hearing or seeking public comment on a new regulation. Effective stakeholder engagement provides a method for identifying public concerns and values, developing consensus among affected parties, and producing efficient and effective solutions through an open, inclusive process.

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach for conducting a successful stakeholder engagement program, there are common elements to consider when working with stakeholders. This workshop will highlight tools used to effectively identify, engage, and involve stakeholders throughout a watershed to restore and maintain healthy environmental conditions. Key concepts to be highlighted include the following:

Identifying driving forces
Forming a stakeholder group
Differentiating between positions and needs
Keeping the process moving forward
Dealing with conflict and hidden agendas
Making decisions using a consensus-based approach

Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2012-01-24
End Time: 16:00

Title: Watershed Coordinators Roundtable
Location: Texas Farm Bureau Conference and Training Center in Waco
Link out: Click here
Description: The Texas Water Resources Institute will host a Texas Watershed Coordinators Roundtable Jan. 25 at the Texas Farm Bureau Conference and Training Center in Waco. To RSVP, visit watershedplanning.tamu.edu.
Date: 2012-01-25

Title: 2012 Bacterial Source Tracking–State of the Science Conference
Location: T Bar M Resort and Conference Center in New Braunfels
Link out: Click here
Description: Speakers at this one-and-a-half-day conference will discuss bacterial source tracking (BST) and its application regarding current practices, scientific advances and improvements in application. Nonpoint sources (NPS) of pollution greatly affect water quality, with bacteria being a serious concern. Identifying and assessing sources of fecal pollution are vital in effectively implementing a NPS pollution management program. BST helps identify the source of bacterial pollution.
Start Date: 2012-02-28
End Date: 2012-02-29

Title: Reading Towards Sustainability
Location: City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77002
Link out: Click here
Description: Reading, besides being a wonderful use of the mind, can help gather momentum on your chosen path. Predictably, Steve Stelzer, the Program Director has read a few books on the subject of sustainability on his path to the Green Building Resource Center. Are you an avid reader? Perhaps you worry about the commitment a book takes in case it turns out to be more title than substance.

This session will feature a slide presentation of many quotes from a plethora of interesting books that range from best sellers to a few you might not have heard about, based upon his “The Blind Men and the Elephant” book list that he started handing out in 2003 and has been updating ever since whenever new books outshine any of the earlier selections. Steve will present converging ideas and contrasts from a cross section of the books to give the audience an idea of the community effect of authors concerned about the state of the human race and what we need to do to keep it on track with the planet. Each attendee will receive a booklist.

PLEASE RSVP:
Steve.stelzer@houstontx.gov or phone 832-394-9050
Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2011-12-15
End Time: 19:30

Title: Save the Date! 5th Environmental Education Summit
Location: University of Houston – Downtown
Link out: Click here
Start Time: 08:00
Date: 2012-01-28
End Time: 16:00

Title: Houston Food Policy Workgroup Meeting
Location: Upper Kirby Building, 3015 Richmond, 1st Floor, Upper Kirby Room
Link out: Click here
Description: The mission of the Houston Food Policy Workgroup is to nurture the growth of a sustainable local food system, accessible to all, through education, collaboration, communication, and creation of a food policy council for the Houston region.

Meetings are open to the public and generally include leaders from various diverse organizations in the Houston region working on food issues. The group meets to discuss and encourage the advancement of local food production and consumption, and has begun to take on projects to work towards the functions stated in the mission statement. This group depends on the varied areas of expertise of its members, which allows the group to successfully move forward in its endeavors.

The workgroup meets at 11:30 AM on the second Wednesday of each month. All are welcome, as long as you RSVP.
Start Time: 11:30
Date: 2011-12-14
End Time: 13:00

Title: My Houston 2040
Location: Rudyard’s Upstairs, 2010 Waugh Drive
Link out: Click here
Description: Speakers:
My Houston 2040: Omar Afra, Publisher, Free Press Houston
TxRx Labs, Houston’s Hackerspace

The Idea:
Houston Tomorrow, Air Alliance Houston, and the Citizens’ Transportation Coalition agree that Houstonians can build a better Houston today by thinking about the Houston we may inherit in 2040 and the Houston we want in 2040. Each happy hour will include time for networking and socializing, a topical speaker who will give an informational presentation on Houston urbanism, transportation planning, culture, environment, and more, and a visionary speaker who will give their “My Houston 2040” talk:

What do you think Houston will be like in 2040?
What do you want Houston to be like in 2040?
What do you want us to do to make Houston like you want it to be in 2040?
Start Time: 17:00
Date: 2011-12-08
End Time: 19:00

Title: Transition Houston December Meeting/Potluck
Location: Green Building Resource Center, 1002 Washington Ave., Houston 77002
Link out: Click here
Description: Transition Houston has developed a tradition of holding a holiday potluck party for the December monthly meeting, and we aren’t breaking tradition this year!

We have a really excellent venue for this potluck, as we will be meeting at the *Green Building Resource Center *at the downtown end of Washington Ave. (near the Amtrak station). The GBRC is a fantastic place to learn about green building technologies, with lots of visual and hands-on displays of materials and systems ranging from the simple but effective to the advanced and highly efficient.

Please bring yourself, friends and/or family, and food to share–if you can also bring your own plates and utensils that would be helpful too, but not essential. We will have a short meeting to review our successes for the year, and talk generally about what folks would like to see happen during 2012.

*Cost:* Free
*Contact person for questions:* Mark at 832-655-5104
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2011-12-06
End Time: 21:00

Title: 2011 Winter Holiday Native Tree & Shrub Sale
Location: Houston Arboretum
Link out: Click here
Description: The perfect holiday gift!

This year, 16 different Texas native trees and shrubs will be available for sale. Quantities of each species are limited to less than 24 specimens each; most are in 5 to 10-gallon sizes, ranging in price $30-$90.
Start Date: 2011-12-10
Start Time: 09:00
End Date: 2011-12-18
End Time: 16:00

Title: 2011 Winter Holiday Native Tree & Shrub Sale
Location: Houston Arboretum
Link out: Click here
Description: The perfect holiday gift!

This year, 16 different Texas native trees and shrubs will be available for sale. Quantities of each species are limited to less than 24 specimens each; most are in 5 to 10-gallon sizes, ranging in price $30-$90.
Start Date: 2011-12-10
Start Time: 09:00
End Date: 2011-12-18
End Time: 16:00