Title: “Beyond the Box” with Dan Phillips
Location: Rico’s Grill, 314 Sawdust Rd, The Woodlands
Description: Dan Phillips builds wildly creative, unconventional houses in Huntsville for single
parents, artists, and low-income families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to own a
home. He uses only apprentice labor and teaches marketable skills to anyone with a
work ethic who is willing to swing a hammer. By keeping labor costs low and using
recycled, donated, and salvaged building supplies, Phillips creates homes that are
truly affordable: $20,000 to $50,000 by his definition.

Phillips is an engaging, entertaining, enthusiastic speaker who has been featured
internationally, from The New York Times and O magazine to the Discovery Channel and
HGTV. He will share his perspectives on building “beyond the box” in The Woodlands
on February 21. His presentation, sponsored by The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N, the
U.S.G.B.C. Piney Woods chapter, and Northwoods Green, is at 7 p.m. February 21, at
Rico’s Grill on Sawdust Road in The Woodlands.

Phillips has said he believes it is in everyone’s DNA to want to be a builder, from
playing with blocks, making a fort with a sheet over the dining table, and building
tree houses. About 15 years ago, this self-taught carpenter, electrician, and
plumber decided to pursue that dream, launching Phoenix Commotion, a building
initiative created to prove that constructing homes with recycled and salvaged
materials has a viable place in the building industry. That was after a variety of
careers, including working as an Army intelligence officer, a college dance
instructor, an antiques dealer, and a syndicated cryptogram puzzle maker. Phillips’s
eclectic background serves him well now, as 80 percent of the building materials are
salvaged from other construction projects, hauled out of trash heaps, or just picked
up from the side of the road. The trick, he says, is to put it all together in a
disciplined, orderly design so it doesn’t look like trash.

Phillips knows his small-scale housing ventures in Huntsville are not enough to save
the world. But they’re an important start, a model for others who want to build or
remodel in a sustainable, affordable way, too.
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2012-02-21

Title: 2nd Annual Organic Landscape & Gardening Fair
Location: United Way of Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Drive
Link out: Click here
Description: Keynote Speaker: Jeff Lowenfels, Co-author of the best-selling book “Teaming with Microbes”

Hear experts address a variety of topics including:
Growing food organically
Organic landscape programs
Organic pest control
Water conservation
Drought tolerant plants
Soils and mulch
Butterfly and hummingbird gardens
Permaculture
Start Time: 08:00
Date: 2012-02-25
End Time: 16:30

1. Reading Towards Sustainability. This event provides attendees with a list of books on the subject of sustainability. The speaker, Steve Stelzer, 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. This event will be held on December 15th at the City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center from 6-7:30pm. Please RSVP at Steve.stelzer@houstontx.gov or phone 832-394-9050. More at http://www.greenhoustontx.gov/gbrceducation.pdf.
2. Upper Texas Coast Dune Restoration Outreach Program. Artist Boat is providing an opportunity for students and teachers to engage as coastal stewards through planting a variety of native dune plants which include seaoats, bitter panicum, railroad vine, sea purslane, and marsh-hay cordgrass. This program will help restore the dunes in Follet’s Island in Brazoria County and Galveston Island from the devastating effects of Ike in addition to constant erosion from man and natural causes. These trips will be available until March 30th, 2012. To reserve a trip, call, fax, or email Kari Howard at 409-770-0722 (office), 409-770-0712 (fax), or khoward@artistboat.org.
3. GBF Seeks Comments Regarding Land Trust Accreditation. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. GBF is pleased to announce it is applying for accreditation. A public comment period is now open. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Learn more about the accreditation program and submit a comment: http://galvbay.org/conservation_landtrust.html. Comments on GBF’s application must be submitted by December 31, 2011.
4. Texas Christmas Bird Counts. The Texas Christmas Bird Counts will be held from December 14th to January 5th in various places throughout the Houston region. The bird counts are organized by the National Audubon Society, and open to birders of all skill levels. This all-volunteer effort takes a snapshot of bird populations to monitor their status and distribution across the Western Hemisphere. There is a $5 fee for each participant that helps fund the program and cover the costs of generating materials for compilers, producing an annual CBC summary issue, and maintaining the CBC website and database. To find a count in your area, visit http://www.houstonaudubon.org/.
5. Winter Camps for Kids. There are great opportunities for kids to learn about nature over the break. Katy Prairie is hosting a Winter Camp about Magical Nature from December 27th-29th. The camp will focus on the tricky, ingenious, and inventive creatures that make watching nature magical. More at http://www.katyprairie.org/events. The Houston Arboretum is also having a Winter Break Day Camp, held from December 27th-30th. This four-day camp will explore the different types of forests in the world and the plants and animals that live in each. More at http://www.houstonarboretum.org/wintercamp.asp.
6. KPC Great Grow Out. The Great Grow Out is a citizen-conservation project that enlists volunteers to grow plants at their home or as part of a scout group or garden club activity. Volunteer-grown plants are donated to KPC or local schools for prairie restoration efforts. Volunteers are highly encouraged to also keep some plants for their own use – hey, it’s part of the fun! KPC provides volunteers with the seeds and know how (see our handbook and videos provided on the link below); you provide the water, soil, pots, and time. Check out the Great Grow Out on KPC’s website so you can join our grass roots effort!
7. Parks for Pups Photo Contest. The Trust for Public Land is holding a photo contest through December 24th. Anyone who wants to enter should send a photo of a favorite four-legged friend enjoying a day at the park, and it will be uploaded to the TPL Facebook page. The snapshot with the most “likes” will earn TPL swag! Upload the photo at http://www.tpl.org/custom-forms/.
8. 2011 Winter Holiday Native Tree & Shrub Sale. The Houston Arboretum will be holding a native tree and shrub sale from December 10th to the 18th. This year, 16 different Texas native trees and shrubs will be available for sale, and quantities of each species are limited to less than 24 specimens each. Most of the plants are in 5 to 10-gallon sizes, ranging in price $30-$90. More at http://www.houstonarboretum.org/.
9. Buffalo Bayou Christmas Cruises. Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership in celebrating the holiday season with 30-minute pontoon boat rides along Buffalo Bayou served up with plenty of decorations, music and cheer! Capacity is 21 per ride. $7 adults and $5 children (4-12). Cash only. No reservations. Meet at Allen’s Landing, 901 Commerce Street, 77002; 713.752.0314 ext. 4. We recommend parking at Spaghetti Warehouse for a $5 fee or street parking, which is free after 6pm.  http://www.buffalobayou.org/boattours.html.
10. H-GAC Solid Waste Grants. H-GAC will be accepting applications for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Solid Waste Implementation Pass-Through Grants from November 14th to December 22nd. This deadline is for applications for grants for both 2012 and 2013. Eligible project categories include citizens collection stations and small registered transfer stations, education and training, household hazardous waste management, litter and illegal dumping cleanup and community collection events, local enforcement, local solid waste management plans/technical studies, and source reduction and recycling. More about the grants and the workshop at http://www.h-gac.com/community/waste/grant/default.aspx.
11. Bottle Bill News. Read about successes of the Texas Bottle Bill group in 2011 in their newsletter at www.texasbottlebill.com.
12. State of the Prairie Conference a big success. KPC once again played a leading role at this year’s State of the Prairie Conference in Houston from Nov. 18-19. Prairie managers, landowners, landscape architects, teachers, master naturalists, and others networked and were treated to some highly information and inspiring talks on Nov. 18 before talking to the field for trips on Nov. 19th to some of the best prairie remnants in town. Info from the conference is on the Coastal Prairie Partnership’s conference page.

1. Awareness of the Effects of the Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline. Tom Weis and Ron Seifert are riding their rocket bikes all the way down from the Canadian border to Port Arthur and Houston to raise awareness of the folly of Transcanada’s proposed Keystone XL Pipeline. They are in East Texas now, riding the route of the pipeline. The pipeline is planned to have two terminal points on the Gulf Coast, one in Port Arthur and the other in Houston, where the tar sands crude would be refined and where there are major ports. The plan is for the ride to culminate in front of Transcanada’s headquarters building in Houston on Monday, Dec. 19th, where there will be supporters of his ride to meet them. They plan to arrive in the Houston area either Friday, Dec. 16th or Saturday, Dec. 17th. Learn more about the ride at http://www.ktre.com/.
2. Texas State Parks. Record drought and heat, devastating wildfires, and a drop in visitation have led to a critical situation for state parks. The parks need $4.6 million to make up for the loss. There are three ways that the public can help: visit the state parks, make an online donation, and make a donation when registering a vehicle in 2012. To learn more about the parks’ situation, read http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/.
3. Bring Back the Natives. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will be awarding grants for projects that restore, protect, and enhance native populations of sensitive or listed fish species, especially on lands on or adjacent to federal agency lands. Grant awards generally range in size from $25,000 to $100,000. The pre-proposal due date is January 20th, and the full proposal due date is March 16th. More at http://www.nfwf.org/.
4. Texas Wildlife Rehabilitators. Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition (TWRC) is recruiting volunteers to train to be a rehabilitator. No previous experience is needed—just the desire to help wildlife. The training is free! There will be an informational meeting on January 14th from 10am-1pm at the George & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library, 8125 Ashlane Way. For more information and to RSVP, send an email to info@twrc-houston.org and visit http://www.twrc-houston.org/.
5. Wildlife Conservation Grants Available for High School Students. The Student Wildlife Conservation Grants are offered by our Planet Connect (http://planetconnect.org/) program, a youth engagement initiative of the National Environmental Education Foundation (http://www.neefusa.org/). We are offering high school students grants of $1,000 – this funding will give grantees the opportunity to implement wildlife conservation projects in their schools or communities and participate in a local internship focused on wildlife conservation or natural resources. To learn more, please visit the grant web page, located here: http://planetconnect.org/2012wcgrants.
6. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Seabrook, and on HCC. More info on the TPWD website. This week’s broadcast will include:
   • Lone Star Land Steward: Hailey Ranch
   • Lake Tawakoni State Park
   • A Scar on the Flats – Texas Gulf Coast
7. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
• December 15: Green–Good–Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
• December 16: Green–Good–Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
• December 17: Green–Good–Moderate winds and/or low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.

Featured

1. Tiny Algae Could Be a Big Source of Power (Mose Buchele – StateImpact News, 12/09/2011)
   Dr. Robert Hebner, director of the UT’s Center for Electromechanics and at the forefront of algae research, does not see algae as pond scum but as “fuel, cures for cancer nutricuticals, sources of chemicals that are greener than we’ve ever had before.” Last summer, Hebner produced biofuel from algae that was naturally occurring at a sewage treatment plant outside of Austin. This shows promise in the algae technology. However, at this point in time, it would take a lot of algae to provide for the U.S. fuel needs.
   http://stateimpact.npr.org/
2. Texas water plan set for approval but complicated by population growth, reservoir dispute (Kelley Shannon – The Dallas Morning News, 12/04/2011)
   Drafting the state water plan has become even more complicated in the past year. The plan has to take into account the reservoir dispute in northeast Texas, questions about climate change science, and the state’s rapid population growth. The Texas Water Development Board is expected to approve the plan on December 15th. The severe drought this year has increased the importance of the plan to account for such harsh conditions.
   http://www.dallasnews.com/
3. Scientists working on report card for Gulf’s health (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle, 12/07/2011)
   The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies in Corpus Christi is currently developing a science-based report card that addresses the health of the Gulf of Mexico. It should include at least 20 key indicators of the Gulf’s well-being, ranging from sea grasses and mangroves to bottle-nose dolphins. The report should influence decision-making on the policies and resources needed to achieve a healthy gulf.
   http://www.chron.com/

EcoNotes

• 13 December
• Buffalo Bayou trails and park improvements coming through 2015 (Jay Blazek Crossley – Houston Tomorrow)
  http://www.houstontomorrow.org/
• Baker and Nau to lead effort for 4 county coastal recreation area (Jay Blazek Crossley – Houston Tomorrow)
  http://www.houstontomorrow.org/
• What’s in Fracking Fluid? Texas Will Now Have an Answer (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
  http://stateimpact.npr.org/
• How the Natural Gas Industry Is Responding to the EPA Fracking Contamination Report (Terrence Henry – StateImpact News)
  http://stateimpact.npr.org/
• 12 December
• Harris County Prepares For Future Wildfires (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News)
  http://app1.kuhf.org/
• Christmas Tree, ‘O Christmas Tree How Easy to Recycle Are Thee! (Guidry News)
  http://www.guidrynews.com/
• Texas coal plant cuts deal with environmentalists (Canadian Business)
  http://www.canadianbusiness.com/
• 10 December
• EPA targets county as smog violator (Matthew Tresaugue – My SA News)
  http://www.mysanantonio.com/
• 9 December
• Tiny Algae Could Be a Big Source of Power (Mose Buchele – StateImpact News)
  http://stateimpact.npr.org/
• Rising World Refining Capacity May Hurt Gulf Coast (Andrew Schneider – KUHF News)
  http://app1.kuhf.org/
• EPA ties fracking to water pollution (Jennifer Dlouhy and Tracy Idell Hamilton – My SA News)
  http://www.mysanantonio.com/
• 8 December
• 130-mile coastal recreation area would help protect against storm surges (Harvey Rice – Houston Chronicle)
  http://www.chron.com/
• Collage of catastrophe: New statistics portray scope, toll of heat, drought (Texas Climate News)
  http://texasclimatenews.org/
• George P. Mitchell named in “Top 100 Global Thinkers” (Jay Blazek Crossley – Houston Tomorrow)
  http://www.houstontomorrow.org/
• Girl Scouts Receive $1.5 Million From Alcoa Foundation to Expand ‘Forever Green’ Project (Philanthropy News Digest)
  http://foundationcenter.org/
• EPA Region 6 Enforcement and Compliance Results for 2011 (EPA News)
  http://yosemite.epa.gov/
• EPA Annual Enforcement Results Highlights Commitment to Address Largest Pollution Problems with Greatest Community Impact (EPA News)
  http://yosemite.epa.gov/
• Garden provides teachable moments (The Baytown Sun)
  http://baytownsun.com/
• Exxon predicts shale gas growth (Matt Joyce – Dallas Business Journal)
  http://www.bizjournals.com/
• 7 December
• Scientists working on report card for Gulf’s health (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
  http://www.chron.com/
• Judge rejects environmental groups efforts to overturn air quality permits for proposed Tenaska power plant (Jaime Adame – ReporterNews)
  http://www.reporternews.com/
• McCollum Park’s renovation continues (Ben Tinsley – The Baytown Sun)
  http://baytownsun.com/
• Remember Your Plants Outside During Cold Snap (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News)
  http://app1.kuhf.org/
• 6 December
• Texas State Parks Announce $4.6 million Appeal for Help (Texas Parks & Wildlife)
  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
• State Parks in Financial Trouble (Bill Stamps – KUHF News)
  http://app1.kuhf.org/
• 5 December
• Natural gas boom projected to fuel job growth (Jennifer A. Dlouhy – Houston Chronicle)
  http://www.chron.com/
• Strategy for Long Term Gulf Restoration (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News)
  http://app1.kuhf.org/
• 4 December
• Texas water plan set for approval but complicated by population growth, reservoir dispute (Kelley Shannon – The Dallas Morning News)
  http://www.dallasnews.com/
• 15 November
• Freshwater Use by U.S. Power Plants: Electricity’s Thirst for a Precious Resource (Union of Concerned Scientists)
  http://www.ucsusa.org/

Title: Emile Street Community Farm Auqaponics and Patio Cafe Workday
Location: Emile Street Community Farm, 711 N. Emile, Houston 77020
Link out: Click here
Description: Work on growbeds for the aquaponics demonstation area this weekend and will be starting on the solar panel installation to be used to power the pumps. We will also be cleaning up and working on the patio cafe and performance area to be used for live music, performance art and seating for dinners at the Emile Street Farm.

Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2011-12-17
End Time: 15:00

This position will be responsible for developing and leading outreach efforts related to GBF’s conservation programs, including habitat (marsh, oyster reef, etc.) restoration projects, the living shorelines program, and land preservation initiatives. Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as education, biology, environmental science, or public affairs, with a graduate degree preferred; one to three years of professional experience in conservation advocacy; excellent written and oral communication skills; comfort with being in the field in bay environments, with previous field experience a plus; technical skills, such as basic webpage editing and video editing, preferred; among others. More information is available at http://galvbay.org/aboutus_jobs.html. To apply, email resume and any supporting materials to csmith@galvbay.org by January 30, 2012.

Title: TWRC Wildlife Rehab Training
Location: George & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library, 8125 Ashlane Way, The Woodlands 77382
Link out: Click here
Description: Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition (TWRC) is recruiting volunteers to train to be a rehabilitator. No previous experience is needed—just the desire to help our area wildlife. TWRC provides the training and it’s FREE! Plan to attend an informational meeting.

info@twrc-houston.org

10801
Hammerly, Suite 200 – Houston, TX 77043
281-723-9696

Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2012-01-14
End Time: 13:00

Title: 7th Annual Texas Transportation Forum
Location: San Antonio, TX
Link out: Click here
Description: “We are excited to announce that the 7th Annual Texas Transportation Forum is “going places”!

San Antonio, Texas will serve as host to the 2012 Forum, February 15-17. Our 7th Annual Forum will be the premier transportation event in Texas, bringing together participants from many places to discuss where we’re going, and more importantly, where we’re going together.”

Registration ranges from $225 to $575 depending on timing and sector.

Early registration ends December 15, 2011.
Start Date: 2012-02-15
End Date: 2012-02-17

Title: Texas Trails & Active Transportation Conference
Location: San Antonio, TX
Link out: Click here
Description: Texas Bike/Ped Summit
February 1-3, 2012
San Antonio, TX

“San Antonio is the perfect place this coming February to witness, experience, learn and share in the burgeoning interest in trails and active transportation taking place around the state and around the world.

Building from the very successful 2010 TTAT Conference in Austin, in February 2012 we’ll have something for everyone involved in the planning, construction, funding, economics, operation, management, promotion and use of active transportation.”
Start Date: 2011-02-01
End Date: 2011-02-03

Title: Livable Houston Initiative Meeting
Location: H-GAC Building, 3555 Timmons Lane, 2nd Floor, Room C
Link out: Click here
Description: Livable Houston Initiative December:
Houston’s new Coalition for Complete Streets
Due to the holidays, this meeting will be held a week earlier than normal on Wed, December 21, 2011.
12- 1:30pm

The Houston Coalition for Complete Streets seeks a future where streets are safe for all users at all times throughout Houston. Come learn about this new coalition.
Start Time: 12:00
Date: 2011-12-21
End Time: 13:00

Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE) is an organization dedicated to empowering Texans to fight pollution through sustained grassroots organizing campaigns that shift corporate and governmental environmental policy. TCE is seeking a strategically-minded activist for the Program Director position in Austin. There is a strong preference for someone with field and/or phone canvass experience. Good speaking, listening and writing skills are a must. Some of the duties of the Program Director include leading efforts to translate the success of the canvass operations into effective campaigns that get results by convincing government and corporate decision-makers to take the positions and actions TCE advances, educating and motivating the canvass staff and management, and involving them in TCE’s campaigns. Please submit resume and cover letter by January 10, 2012. More at http://www.texasenvironment.org/jobs.cfm.

Title: Winter Break Day Camp
Location: Houston Arboretum
Link out: Click here
Description: Join Arboretum naturalists for “Fabulous Forests” a four-day camp to explore the different types of forests in the world and the plants and animals that live in each.

Children will learn to estimate a tree’s height, create their own tree and shrub identification guide, make a piece of recycled paper, learn about the plants of the rainforests and find out how animals can survive in the subarctic climate of the boreal forests.

Arboretum naturalists will lead children in hands-on activities both indoors and outside using the Arboretum’s 155 acres as an outdoor classroom.
Start Date: 2011-12-27
End Date: 2011-12-30

Title: Galveston Bay Water Quality Public Meeting
Location: Armand Bayou Nature Center’s Education Center, 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena, 77507
Link out: Click here
Description: Please join GBF for a public meeting on January 18, 2012, from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM to hear updates to the Implementation Plan to reduce bacteria levels in the Upper Gulf Coast Oyster Waters.

The main purpose of this public meeting is to continue spreading awareness of bacteria issues around Galveston Bay, and in particular, to share more details on the management measures that will be taking place over the next five years to reduce bacteria levels. These measures will take a community effort to carry out successfully, so join us to find out how you can help! Refreshments will be provided!
Start Time: 17:30
Date: 2011-01-18
End Time: 19:30

Title: BBP Holiday Open House
Location: 1113 Vine Street, 77002 (Same building as FotoFest, behind DiverseWorks, and next to UHD Business Building)
Link out: Click here
Description: Please stop by for an evening of Holiday Cheer and Merriment to Celebrate Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s 25-Year Birthday! Cupcakes and libations will be served and you will be able to do your Christmas shopping at our Bayou Boutique.
Start Time: 16:00
Date: 2011-12-19
End Time: 19:00

Title: Don’t Stop Believin’ Celebration
Location: Mercer Lounge 3308 Mercer Street, 77027
Link out: Click here
Description: DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’!!!
HOLD ON TO THAT FEELIN’!!!
- Journey (Christmas, 1981)

That’s right…. it’s time for the 8th annual Don’t Stop Believin’ Celebration, a holiday party sponsored by a group of loyal friends…and this year, the festivities benefit Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Stop by for a night of drinks, dancing, and holiday revelry. $10 suggested donation at the door.
Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2011-12-17

Title: Transition Houston January Meeting
Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Blvd., Houston 77005
Link out: Click here
Description: Transition Houston starts off the new year in a big way! Theresa Keefe will
be leading us in a resource mapping session at this Transition Meeting. The
intent is to collect–in a fun way–what each person has to offer to the
group in way of skills, resources, and so on, be it knowledge of raising
chickens, canning, website design, supplying folding chairs, books, etc.
This is going to be a fun and interesting event with your participation!
As is our tradition, the business program will end at 8:30 and the time
for refreshments, conversation, and community will begin.

Cost: Free
Contact person for questions: Mark at 832-655-5104
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2012-01-03
End Time: 21:00