Natural legacy transition and new program

Natural Legacy is a non-profit organization focused on raising the level of awareness in education for schools concerning the environment through areas of land stewardship, nature education, and hands-on experience in programs that allow the students to artistically express themselves. Debbie Rhodes, Founder and executive director for the past four years, is leaving for Sydney, Australia in June and passes the torch to the new director, Lisa Caruthers. In a farewell letter posted on their Web site, Caruthers says, "Through Natural Legacy, I was able to take small steps towards this vision. I am happy to have discovered countless others in this community who are helping Houston's youth learn about and conserve our natural environment." Along with a new director, beginning June 12, Natural Legacy begins a new program with the Harris County After-School Initiative - a program focused on the nature education and creative use of green space. This program is a collaboration between the Education Foundation of Harris County and CASE (Cooperative for after school enrichment), a division of Harris County Department of Education. Lisa Caruthers believes "the program will broaden their services to the communities and serve as a clearinghouse for after school programs." For more information, contact Lisa Caruthers at (713) 696-1336, email: lcaruthers@hcde-texas.org or visit
http://www.naturallegacy.com/index.htm

SWIM program launched
Buffalo Bayou Partnership

The Storm Water Management Joint Task Force has launched their SWIM program, a program created to mark storm drains throughout Harris Country. The program is an environmental public education program intended to raise awareness of the storm water quality issues in Harris County communities, connecting residents to their neighborhood storm drains and local waterways, while encouraging them to protect their water resources. Much of the pollutants in area creeks and bayous comes from common, every day materials like household chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, gasoline, used motor oil and antifreeze. These substances run off into storm draininlets by rainwater from our streets, yards, driveways and parking lots. The storm drain markers will be colorful reminders that let people know that everything that goes into the storm drains goes straight into Galveston Bay. The program needs volunteers around Houston to help mark the drains with the free markers. For information, log onto www.cleanwaterclearchoice.org.

The Children's Museum of Houston's Ecostation

The Children's Museum of Houston is determined to ignite a passion for learning and to develop good environmental stewards for Houston's future through its child center. The children's museum serves around 642,000 people annually and is considered one of the highest attending youth museum in the country. There are 14 galleries for kids to experience hands-on adventure with some that include stops at the Eco and Weather Station, Face Painting, Kids' Café, KID-TV Studio, and starting June 12-September 6, a new one of kind bilingual exhibit, Everyone Counts !Todo el mundo cuenta!, a Big Adventure where kids can explore and discover the mysteries of Mayan filled with games and hands-on activities and an opportunity to learn how to count in different languages. For more information contact (713) 522-1138 or visit online http://www.cmhouston.org/stage.htm

Synergy Award 2004: Call for nominations

The Citizens’ Environmental Coalition is seeking nominations for the 2004 Synergy Awards. Each year, the CEC acknowledges individuals and groups who are working hard to make a difference in the Houston area. The Synergy Awards represent cooperative action where the total effect is greater than what each would have achieved independently. Past winners include people from all different backgrounds from community activists and environmental organizations, to reporters and government officials. However, each winner has portrayed a commitment to progress, achievement, hard work and resourceful stewardship in their environmental endeavors in the Houston-Galveston area. There are eight award categories including awards in the areas of conservation, community activism, corporate awareness, environmental education, media, government, sustainable planning, and lifetime achievement.
The 2004 Synergy Awards ceremony will be held on October 12. Please email synergy@cechouston.org for details or to submit nominations. Nomination deadline is July 30, 2004.

Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network volunteer training day

The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, an organization dedicated to responding to all marine mammal strandings along the Texas Gulf Coast, will hold its next volunteer training day on July 10. Anyone interested in volunteering with the Network is invited to attend, and training is required for anyone wishing to work with live animals. Most recently, the group rescued Memory, a 310-pound melonheaded whale who was found stranded at Bolivar peninsula at the end of May, and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Network’s Galveston center. For more volunteer information, visit: http://www.tmmsn.org.