An early and intensive response by state game wardens and coastal fisheries biologists, aided by United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Park Service (NPS) biologists and a network of volunteers is bolstering efforts to rescue record numbers of Atlantic green sea turtles stunned during recent cold weather along the Texas coast. More information.

Title: Houston Audubon Birding Classes
Location: Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
Link out: Click here
Description: Sparrow Identification: Classes held January 21 – February 6, 2010. Secretive and challenging to identify are what make this group of birds Fun. The Upper Texas Coast is a great place to see wintering sparrows. Learn the key principles of identification that will enable you to separate the 17 different species that are possible.
The fee for each course is $150 for HAS members ($175 for non-members).
Field Trips: January 23, 2010 and February 6, 2010.
More information at http://houstonaudubon.org.
Registration is now open. To register, please use the secure online registration form or contact the HAS office, 713-932-1639.
Start Date: 2010-01-21
Start Time: 19:00
End Date: 2010-02-06
End Time: 20:45

Take Care of Texas News You Can Use

The January  2010 newsletter is now available:

January 2010 – Plan to Participate in Fix a Leak Week

In this issue:

• Plan to Participate in Fix a Leak Week
• Small Ways to Lead Big
• Landscapes Now Rated for Sustainability
• Register Now for the Emissions Inventory Workshop
• World Water Day Seeks to Improve Water Quality
• Help Clean Up with the Great American Cleanup
• Save the Date! TCEQ’s Environmental Trade Fair and Conference
• Improve Your Landscape with Texas SmartScape
• Highlighted TCEQ Publications
• Take Care of Texas Tips

This newsletter offers current information on environmental topics of interest to Clean Texas members, and other groups including municipalities, Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates, corporate environmental managers, school teachers, and the general public.

The Take Care of Texas News You Can Use newsletter is brought to you by the TCEQ’s Small Business and Environmental Assistance Division. You can receive a printed edition in the mail at no charge, or sign up to receive an e-mail alert when new issues are available on our Web site. Find out how to get your free subscription.

The Houston Zoo, Katy Prairie Conservancy (KPC) and Coastal Prairie Partnership (CPP) will be hosting a Seed Packing Party TONIGHT – Tuesday, January 5, 2010.  It will be held from 6:30 p.m.  to 8:30 p.m. at The Houston Zoo located at:  6200 Golf Course Drive, Houston, TX  77030.     

Event Type: restoration, education, and environmental and habitat health

Event Coordinator: Jaime Gonzalez, Katy Prairie Conservancy Community Education Manager.   Phone: 281.660.6683 to sign-up, or for more information.

More about this event:  volunteers will be packing native prairie grasses and wildflower seeds into baggies for distribution to volunteer seed growers (including individuals, scouts, and schools).  These seeds will later be used to help grow prairie natives for the the Katy Prairie Conservancy, Hermann Park (Houston), the Houston Zoo, and local pocket prairies.  

The Zoo’s website:  http://www.houstonzoo.org.

To learn more about the Coastal Prairie Partnership click on this to access the website:  http://www.coastalprairiepartnership.org/

Title: HAS & GBF Present “Climate Change: What Does it Mean for our World?”
Location: United Way Community Center at 50 Waugh Drive, Houston 77007
Link out: Click here
Description: Houston Audubon and Galveston Bay Foundation present Dr. Katherine Hayhoe, Texas Tech University Atmospheric Science Professor.

Please RSVP to Emily Demmeck at edemmeck@galvbay.org or 281-332-3381.

Hosted by Houston Audubon and Galveston Bay Foundation. Katharine Hayhoe is a highly respected expert on climate change. Her life’s work has been dedicated to discovering and communicating the realities of a changing climate to those who will be affected most by it. Please RVSP to Emily Demmeck, telephone 281-332-3381. To find out more about Dr. Hayhoe and her work, please visit her website at www.katharinehayhoe.com.

Reception 5:30; Program 6:30 – 7:30
Start Time: 05:30
Date: 2010-01-20
End Time: 07:30 PM

Title: Mercer Arboretum Bird Walk
Location: Mercer Arboretum – 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, Texas, 77338
Link out: Click here
Description: Take a guided walk through Mercer to discover the abundant bird life in the park. Bring binoculars, water, and comfortable walking shoes.
Available the second Saturday of every month from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM.

Start Time: 08:30
Date: 2010-01-09
End Time: 11:30

Title: Lunch Bunch: Gardening 101
Location: Mercer Arboretum – 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, Texas, 77338
Link out: Click here
Description: This program offers beginner gardeners all the details they need to becoming a gardening guru. From preparing beds to selecting plants this class teaches all beginner gardeners what they need to know to get their garden started. Bring a sack lunch to enjoy during the program. Please call ahead for reservations at (281)443-8731.

Start Time: 12:00
Date: 2010-02-10
End Time: 14:00

Title: Water for the People and the Environment
Location: United Way Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh Drive Houston, Texas, 77007
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us for the Sierra Club Regional Water Conference regarding your water future. Topics to be covered can be found on the website provided. Pre-registration: $30 (deadline: Jan. 11th) or $40 at the door. Students w/ ID get in free w/RSVP or $10 at the door. Registration includes lunch. Call (522)477-1729 or RSVP by registering online at http://action.sierraclub.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=126561.
Start Time: 9:00
Date: 2010-01-16
End Time: 16:00

Title: Third Annual HISD Sustainability Education Summit
Location: One Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77002
Link out: Click here
Description: The event, co-sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, Houston Independent School District, and the Environmental Educators’ Exchange (EEE), will be exploring how the growing national movement to “green up” our schools can help students achieve at their highest levels. Come see how you can help educate our children for the challenges of this century. Speakers include Kevin Coyle, Jim Blackburn, and Robin Moore, Ph.D. Hands-on activities and exhibits will be available as well as field tours after the summit. Attendance is free. Link to registration and summit agenda (available mid-December): http://online.nwf.org/houstonee09 or visit www.houstonsyh.org.
Start Time: 08:00
Date: 2010-01-23
End Time: 4:00 pm

Houston Audubon will offer owl prowls at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, 440 Wilchester Blvd., on Friday evenings, January 29 and February 26, 2010, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. (more…)

The course will be facilitated by Transition US trainers Bill Aal (from Seattle) and Zaida Amaral (from Albuquerque).  (more…)

Join Legacy Land Trust’s Environmental Education Coordinator, Teri MacArthur, who is a mycologist, for a mushroom walk through the Montgomery County Preserve nature trails on Saturday, November 28, 2009. (more…)

Thursday, December 3, 2009, 6:30-8:30 pm at the Edith L Moore Sanctuary cabin. Authors, Houston Audubon executive director Gina Donovan (Neches River User Guide), nature writer Gary Clark and wildlife photographer Kathy Adams Clark (more…)

Thursday, December 3, 2009, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. The Katy Prairie Conservancy and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) invite you to join us for a conversation, book signing, and reception, (more…)

December 5, 10:00 to 11:30 am. In this class you will sample about 80 varieties of citrus fruit from back yards throughout Houston.  (more…)

December 5, 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Join us for free fun, food and crafts at Houston Audubon’s SIMS Bayou Urban Nature Center. Take a picture with Scooter – Santa’s favorite rooster! Enjoy 10% off your purchases at SBUNC Nature Store. http://www.houstonaudubon.org

Tuesday, December 8, 2009, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. H-GAC is hosting an informational open house to share information and concerns about bacteria in regional waterways. (more…)