Stop the Grand Pkwy Web site debuts

The Houston Sierra Club this week announced they have a new tool in their anti-sprawl campaign to halt further construction on the Grand Parkway. A new web site provides updated information, maps of proposed construction, links to local media coverage of the issue, upcoming events and meetings and an online petition against the parkway. Campaign organizer Christine Sagstetter said she hopes activists and concerned citizens will use the site to network and to keep informed. Visit the new web site at: http://www.stopgrandparkway.com.

Coalition members co-host environmental video series

Join the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Mothers for Clean Air and the Sierra Club’s National Sprawl Campaign for an enjoyable series of three videos on the topic of urban sprawl beginning in January and continuing through March. The videos will feature the beginning and continuation of urban sprawl and cover the consequences of sprawl from effects on quality of life to the effects on our health.
Film Schdule
Subdivide and Conquer, January 23
at 7 pm.
Save Our Land, Save Our Towns, February 27, 7 pm.
The Air We Breathe, 7 pm, March 26

Each one–hour screening will be preceded by a time for conversation and networking with free refreshments beginning at 6:15 pm followed by a short open discussion.
All the videos will be shown on the fourth Friday of the month at the Upper Kirby District Building, 3015 Richmond, which houses the Houston Environmental Center.

State grant and outreach program for Galveston Bay

The Galveston Bay Education & Outreach Grant Program, funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is now available online.
The GBEP/TCEQ anticipates awarding $120,000 in multiple grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 in 2004. The grant program is implemented under the authority of Texas Water Code Sections 5.124 and 5.125.
All grant applications must be submitted to Regina Adams, by 3 pm on Friday January. 19. All details pertaining to the grant proposal application process can be found on the Texas Market Place web site at:
http://esbd.tbpc.state.tx.us.

Helpful hints for CEC member organizations

Community Mapping Studio at the Gulf Coast Institute

The Gulf Coast Institute maintains a community mapping studio using advanced geographic information systems to create visual representations of data related to a variety of related issues, from the depletion of the urban forest to management of the regional watershed, to the dynamics of rational transportation development. To date, the studio has provided GIS services to more than 20 nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies, often without charge. For more information, contact GCI at (713) 524-5757 or visit them one the Web at www.gulfcoastideas.org.