Local events focusing on water issues kick off this month

The Shell Center for Sustainability will host public forums on state water issues including supply, quality and management at Duncan Hall, McMurty Auditorium, Rice University, beginning Feb 10, 2004. This is the beginning of a global forum on one of the most valuable resources on the planet. Sponsors are Fotofest 2004, the Environmental & Energy Systems Institute, the Shell Center for Sustainability and the Center for the Study of Environment and Society at Rice University.

Training workshop to help save endangered sea turtles in Galveston

The National Marine Fisheries Services will host a sea turtle training, Saturday, Feb. 28, at 9:30 am. Participants will learn what to do if they find a nesting turtle or hatchlings. The event will include a tour of the so-called turtle barn where loggerheads are currently being raised for turtle excluder devicetesting. TEDs have proven to be effective at protecting sea turtles from shrimp trawls. Everyone who enjoys the beach and is interested in helping the sea turtle is encouraged to attend. The training will be held in the conference room of the NMFS facility at 4700 Avenue U in Galveston. For more information, contact Carole Allen of HEART/Sea Turtle Restoration Project at (281) 444-6204.

Third film scheduled in environmental series

The CEC, Mothers for Clean Air and the Houston Sierra Club anti-sprawl campaign will co-host a screening of the environmental film Save Our Land, Save Our Towns. The film is the third in a video series focusing on urban Sprawl, quality of life and the effects on our health. Save Our Land, Save Our Towns will be shown Friday, Feb. 27, 7 pm, at the Upper Kirby District Building, 3015 Richmond, which houses the Houston Environmental Center. The film will be preceded by refreshments and networking at 6:15 pm.