DEVELOPERS EYE OLD COMPAQ LAND, WETLANDS
by Sarah Morgan

When Hewlett-Packard bought out Compaq, Compaq's land went with it, including the more than 600-acre wooded site located in north Harris County alongside highway 249. Now, Hewlett-Packard is looking to unload some of that land, one of the last green spaces left in the Cypress area, and development companies are eager to snatch it up.

Kickerillo Cos. and Mischer Investment, both of Houston, recently bought nearly 170 acres at Highway 249 and Louetta Road, the northern portion of the HP land, and are planning to develop a gated community of million-dollar homes, according to the Houston Chronicle.

However, the real estate companies are not planning to stop there.

Kickerillo is trying to persuade HP to sell them the rest of the untouched property, a southern section of 500 plus acres of trees, wetlands, and the last refuge for local wildlife in the Cypress area.

Community members and environmental groups have begun to express their concerns regarding the protection of the green space.

Legacy Land Trust, a Houston area group focused on conserving open space, is trying to offer HP another more ecologically based solution for the excess land. "We're hoping they will consider conservation easement," said Jennifer Lorenz, executive director for Legacy Land Trust. "We're one of the main options to keep it green." Lorenz explained that conservation easement is a legal document where landowners permanently protect land from development. It also offers major benefits to landowners including lower property values - which lead to lower property taxes- and a corporate tax write-off.

The land in its natural state offers a multitude of benefits to the surrounding community.

"Legacy has been trying for three years to preserve the southern tract," said Lorenz. "It has functioning wetlands which work as a flood buffer ...and it's a habitat for a lot of species. It does a lot of things."

Some community members are concerned about the animals that call this part of Cypress home. With no other green spaces in the area for them to move to, residents worry that the animals will run toward the busy highway 249, a danger to the animals and motorists. Previously, when the land was still under Compaq's control, Legacy tried to work with them to offer employees nature tours and observations. Lorenz said that at the time, employees were interested in these possibilities. "There are so many opportunities with the property where [HP] can give back to the community," said Lorenz.

Though HP says they have no intention of selling the southern tract, Vincent Kickerillo told the Houston Chronicle that Kickerillo will be "working very diligently to acquire the land."

Kickerillo said developers interested in building shopping centers on the land have already signed letters of intent.

This is exactly what Legacy Land Trust and Cypress community members hope they can stop.

"If you ask people why originally they moved to these areas, trees is the top two reason," Lorenz said, "It takes a long time for trees to grow back." Lorenz noted that when Compaq owned the land, they were very conscious of the natural habitat, integrating their building development with nature and maintaining a pleasing aesthetic appearance while keeping a majority of trees and green space. Compaq's buildings were a compliment to the area, not a blight, said Lorenz.

"We hope very strongly that HP will continue Compaq's vision of sustainability," she said.

ACT AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING UP FOR RE-VOTE IN SENATE
by Sarah Morgan

The McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act, which failed to pass in November of 2003, may be up for vote again in June.

The Act is a national plan to begin solving the problem of global warming by requiring industry to control the amount of pollution that they emit into the atmosphere. Under the Act, power plants, oil companies and factories would be required to collectively reduce their emissions to the levels they emitted in 2000 by the year 2010.

By creating an emissions trading system under which companies can sell excess reductions to companies that are unable to meet these requirements, the Act encourages innovation and helps reduce the costs of environmental progress. In addition, the Climate Stewardship Act helps farmers to be part of the solution by allowing companies to meet a portion of their emissions goal by paying farmers to use conservation methods to increase the amount of carbon stored in their soil.

The effects of global warming are far-reaching and include weather changes like increases in hurricanes and flooding, changes to water quality and supply, and the loss of important ecosystems and animal habitats.

Though the Act failed to garner enough votes in November, the loss was narrow with 43 senators voting in favor and 55 voting against. Republican Texas Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchinson and John Cornyn both voted against the Act in November.

For more information visit http://www.undoit.org

May is National Bike Month and CEC recognizes the efforts our member organizations contribute to our local communities.

BIKEHOUSTON NATION-WIDE RIDE OF SILENCE

BikeHouston, a Bicyclist Advocacy group, honored the memory of cyclists
killed or injured on the road in a nationwide Ride of Silence Wednesday, May
19. Wearing black or red armbands or clothing, cyclists followed a route in
downtown Houston to promote public awareness of the rights and
responsibilities of bicyclists as well as to honor those that have suffered
personal injury or lost their lives.

After endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing
bus and was killed, Texas cyclist Chris Phelan was prompted to organize the
first event in Dallas last May.

"Our goals are simple," states the BikeHouston website regarding the ride. "There is no registration, no fees, no t-shirts."

The ride, which is being held during Bike month, aims to raise motorists,
police and city official’s awareness of cycling and cyclists. The ride is
also a chance to show respect for those that have been killed or injured.
In 2001, 728 cyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles and
almost 45,000 were injured, according to bicyclinginfo.org

Though many organizations are promoting the event, the Ride of Silence is
not directly tied to any particular group. BikeHouston emphasized that the
event is not a fundraiser or an attempt to gain commercial recognition, but
simply a commemoration.

BikeHouston states, "We would like to get the attention of the motorists
and elected officials in the Houston area so that they will get mobilized
and spend some effort to educate motorists about cyclists and their rights
to the roadway."

There are over 30 locations across the country where a Ride of Silence
exists.

BikeHouston is just one organization trying to promote safe bicycling and
to improve the quality of life and air in the Houston area. More injuries
and deaths have been recorded due to inattentive motorists. Their goals
include securing equitable access to regional facilities, lands and roads
and to educate the public about safety issues. For more information on
BikeHouston and events go to http://www.bikehouston.org/index.php

HOUSTON BICYCLE CLUB

Houston Bicycle Club, Inc., a Bicyclist Advocacy group with a total
membership approaching 1000 is considered one of the largest bicycle clubs
in the country. Their goals include promoting and encouraging bicycle safety
throughout Texas, a resource organization to cyclist concerning major events
like the Easter Hill Country tour, Kerrville, and the New Year's Day ride,
and recognizing bicycling as a healthy outdoor sport.

Participants are encouraged to come to meetings on the second Tuesday of
each month (except for May) at the Tracy Gee Community Center located at
3599 Westcenter Dr., one block east of the Sam Houston Tollway between
Richmond and Westpark. Recent meetings discussed what is currently happening
on local cycling events and upcoming projects like the 2004 Tour de Cure in
San Antonio where thousands of cyclists nationwide will ride to help raise
money for the American Diabetes Association. For membership information call
(713) 782-0885 or visit http://www.hbc.stevens.com/index.html

GALVESTON BAY ISSUES IN SPOTLIGHT AT ART CAR PARADE

Gulf Ghost, an environmentally motivated art car made by citizens of
Galveston Bay, won the Everyone's Choice Award for the 2004 Everyone's Art
Car Parade. The car, a large pelican with "fat cats" on the rear, featured
signs that read "Stop Bayport" and "Save the Bay." The crowd cheered and
shouted, "Save the Bay," as the pelican meandered its way through the parade
route. The car also received third place in the political category. The
Everyone’s Choice Award is one of the three biggest prizes and includes a
$1,500 reward that will be donated to the Galveston Bay Conservation
Preservation Association. http://gbcpa.net

UPDATE: PADDLE TEXAS COMPLETED

On Wednesday, May 19, Gene Gore touched ground at the base of the Sabine
Pass Jetty, completing the 375-mile odyssey known as "Paddle Texas."
Husband and wife team Gene and Rachel Gore began their journey May 1 from
the mouth of the Rio Grande River on the border of Mexico and Texas. Taking
one-hour shifts, the couple, using nothing more than their own arm power and
a 12-foot paddle board, became the first to successfully navigate the Texas
coast by paddle board. Facing inclement weather, winds of over 70 mph,
strong currents, encounters with a coyote, sharks and other sea life, the
Gores completed their adventure in just under three weeks. "Paddle Texas"
was conceived and executed in an effort to bring attention to coastal issues
and to raise funds for the Surfrider Foundation's "Respect the Beach"
educational program for children grades K through 12. Gene and Rachel hope
to have a complete journal of their voyage up soon on the Surfrider
Foundation's Texas Chapter website,
http://www.surfrider.org/texas/paddletexas

GREEN BUILDING WORKSHOP POSTPONED

The green building workshop originally scheduled for Saturday, May 22 has
been postponed indefinitely. The workshop, presented by Aspen Green Building
Services , was to be taught by Mike Myers, formerly with the U.S. Department
of Energy and nation-wide speaker on green building. Myers said that
another date would be set as soon as possible. For more information, visit
http://www.aspengreenbuildings.com

KODAK AMERICAN GREENWAYS GRANTS
Application deadline: June 1, 2004

The Greenways Awards Program, a partnership of the Eastman Kodak Company, the Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society, provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout America. Grants can be used for all appropriate expenses needed to complete a greenway project, including planning, technical or legal assistance, and other costs. The maximum grant award is $2,500, although most grants will range from $500 to $1,500.
http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2372

THE WILD GIFT
Application deadline: June 1, 2004

The Wild Gift provides exceptional youth, ages 18-30, an experience in deep wilderness and encourages commitment to a self-designed leadership project that will benefit the human and natural community. The 17-month program is provided to Wild Gift recipients at no cost.
http://www.wildgift.org

CANON ENVIROTHON

Annual competition for high school students throughout North America, designed as a way to teach kids about environmental education. The best teams from 47 states and Canadian provinces compete at a summer play-off during July or August on a selected topic. To expose students to diverse environmental issues, ecosystems, and topography, a different state or province hosts the Canon Envirothon each year. In addition to the actual competition, the event also includes social, cultural, and educational activities organized by the Canon Envirothon Host Committee.
http://www.envirothon.org/competition/Canon2004/index.htm

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY TEACHER GRANTS
Application Deadline: June 10, 2004

The foundation provides grants to educators to facilitate their work in the classroom, school, district, and community. This year, projects will be funded in either of two broad categories: Promoting Stewardship of Cultural and Natural Resources, and Promoting Geographic Knowledge Through Education. The foundation plans to make approximately $100,000 available, in grants of up to $5,000 each. Applications may be submitted by a single teacher or by a project team leader on behalf of a group.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/education/teacher_community/get_grant.html

CONSUMER GUIDE DETAILS ILLS AND ALTERNATIVES FOR COMMON PRODUCTS

A free online consumer guide published in March by the Worldwatch Institute describes the environmental, social, and health harms associated with a wide range of products, including appliances, baby products, DVDs, clothing, cell phones, and food. The guide takes a behind the scenes look at how products are made, and offers simple advice and alternatives that enable people to reduce some of the ills associated with the things they buy.
For each product, the guide also describes successful efforts by governments, businesses, and nonprofit groups around the world to reduce negative impacts associated with common products.
http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/goodstuff

NEW REPORT IN PARKS FOR PEOPLE SERIES

The Trust For Public Land’s Parks for People initiative works in cities across America to ensure that everyone--in particular every child--enjoys access to a park, playground, or open space. A new Parks for People report by Peter Harnik, director of TPL's Center for City Park Excellence, highlights the need for parks in Newark, New Jersey. The report's release follows by several months the publication of TPL's Parks for People white paper, which makes the case for new city parks nationwide. Upcoming Parks for People publications will focus on other US cities.
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=13843&folder_id=175

A HANDBOOK FOR ACTIVISTS

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, Wilderness Forever has created a handy-dandy guide to taking action. Learn how to draft your own action letters, organize enjoyable activism events, and get in touch with local media.
To obtain your own tree-free version of the guide:
http://www.wildernessforever.org/action/index.html
Learn more about the Wilderness Act:
http://www.wilderness.org/OurIssues/Wilderness/act.cfm

CONSERVATION ACROSS BOUNDARIES EDUCATION COURSE

Conservation Across Boundaries’s Enhancing Wildlife Conservation through Education is a fully-funded, two-week course for junior and senior high school science teachers. The course is being held June 12-25, 2004. To download a brochure and application, visit www.boone-crockett.org, http://www.eih.uh.edu/education/bboard/cabflyer_2004_small.pdf or contact Selma Glasscock, Welder Wildlife Foundation, selmaglass@aol.com for more information. Application deadline: March 30, 2004. $125 application fee.

SEASIDE CLUB BECKONS TO TEXAS TEACHERS

Texas A&M University's Marine Advisory Service (MAS) will be hosting two development workshops for Texas educators on the environment, and natural resources in Texas and the Gulf Coast. Participates who are teachers, science curriculum specialists, or department heads working in public and private schools are encouraged to register. Training sessions for elementary school educators are June 28-30; training for secondary school educators will take place July 7-9. For more information or to enroll, contact (979) 863-2940 or email lbeach@neo.tamu.edu.

EPA SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

The EPA Summer Opportunities for Students website is now up and running. The site provides a web portal through which students may enter to learn about EPA programs, offices, and summer employment opportunities. They also will be able to submit a job application directly to the EPA location where there is a vacancy.
http://www.epa.gov/ohros/student