Ecological issues

News and Information Sources of Ecological Issues
last updated 3/17/2010

Contents:

1. Citizen's Environmental Coalition News Update 3/17/2010
2. Houston Tomorrow, formerly Gulf Coast Institute 2/15/2010

Register for e-mail notifications from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). They will notify you when legislation arises that needs your input. NWF makes it easy to contact your legislators, leading you through the process. Transfer to the NWF Action Alert Network page to sign up.

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Note: In February 2009 CEC changed their newsletter from text to html so this text conversion may have some odd formatting.

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Citizens' Environmental Coalition
http://www.cechouston.org

Houston Environmental News Update 03/17/2010

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CEC NEWS

1. Support CEC & EarthShare at HEB
2. CEC Marketing Partner for Shell Eco-Marathon
3. Dirt! The Movie
4. Earth Day Houston Festival and 5K, Saturday, April 3, 2010
5. Save the Date! Green Bank Golf Tournament to benefit CEC!

COALITION NOTES

1. Galveston Bay Foundation Annual Meeting
2. International Sea Level Rise discussion in Texas
3. Plant Sales Galore!
4. Bayou Clean-ups
5. BBVA Compass Tour de Houston
6. Houston Audubon/ONC present Bringing Nature Home - How Native
Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens by Doug Tallamy

COMMUNITY NOTES

1. GLOBE at Night 2010
2. Bluebonnet License Plate
3. Conservation deal protects additional 7,800 acres adjacent to Big
Thicket National Preserve
4. Texas Climate News now available
5. Air Quality Forecast

GREEN JOBS

1. NEW! Shell Non Profit Internship Program: Galveston Bay Foundation
Summer Projects Student Intern
2. NEW! Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary has an
immediate temporary opening
3. Summer Employment Opportunity for Students on Trinity River
National Wildlife Refuge
4. NRG Energy seeks summer ecology internship
5. Armand Bayou Nature Center has a current opening for a Donor
Development Coordinator

UPCOMING EVENTS

RECURRING EVENTS

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS
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CEC NEWS

1. Support CEC & EarthShare at HEB. CEC is pleased to announce that
H-E-B has selected EarthShare of Texas to be the beneficiary of
its in-store coupon promotion for April, in recognition of Earth
Day. This means that customers can tear off and add check-out
coupons worth $1, $3, or $5 to their total bill.

H-E-B has supported many EarthShare of Texas organizations with
corporate grants or in-kind contributions. The April tear-pad
promotion enables H-E-B customers to support the environmental
program work of more than three dozen EarthShare of Texas
organizations. CEC will benefit, because the contributions will
be divided among EarthShare of Texas organizations with program
work in the Houston/Gulf Coast area.

Look for the EarthShare of Texas display and tear-off coupons at
the check-out stands in more than 200 H-E-B and Central Market
stores in most areas of Texas in late March through April. And
help support Earth Share of Texas and the Texas environment!

2. CEC Marketing Partner for Shell Eco-Marathon. Can you imagine a
vehicle getting nearly 3,000 mpg on the equivalent of a single
gallon of fuel? It actually happened. Last year, a student team
from Laval University of Quebec, Canada achieved an incredible
2757.1 mpg to win the grand prize in the ?Prototype? category at
the 2009 Shell Eco-marathon Americas, a fuel-efficiency challenge
for high school and university students from across the Americas.

On March 26-28, 2010, at downtown?s Discovery Green, dozens of
student teams will test vehicles they have designed and built, to
see which can go the furthest distance using the least amount of
fuel in the first Houston appearance of the Shell Eco-marathon
Americas. More than 50 teams from across the Americas are
expected as well as a team from Italy. Of particular local
interest, two teams are entered from University of Houston and one
from Lamar University in Beaumont. More information at the
Eco-Marathon website <http://www.shell.com/us/ecomarathon/>.
3. Dirt! The Movie. CEC is pleased to partner with Houston PBS to
present "Dirt! The Movie <http://dirtthemovie.org/>" at Rice
University Cinema. On Wednesday, March 31, from 7-9pm, we're
hosting a free screening and panel discussion of the film, "Dirt!
The Movie" at Rice Cinema. The film, which is narrated by Jamie
Lee Curtis, was inspired by William Bryant Logan's acclaimed book
Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth. The film discusses the
environmental impact of industrial farming, mining and urban
development on soil. The screening will be followed by a panel
discussion to talk about issues raised in the film and what we can
do in Houston to help. A flyer with additional information can be
found here <http://www.cechouston.org/pdf/dirt-ecard.pdf>.

4. Earth Day Houston Festival and 5K, Saturday, April 3, 2010. Join
GHASP/MfCA as we celebrate the 2nd Annual Earth Day Houston
Festival, 5K and the Green Expo. Earth Day Houston once again will
take place at Discovery Green on Saturday, April 3, from 8 a.m. to
6 p.m. The festivities kick off with the Earth Day Houston 5K at 8
a.m. followed by a day-long celebration with family entertainment,
environmental education, the NEW Green Expo and much more. Be sure
to visit the Environmental Education Zone hosted by CEC!

This free one-day celebration will focus on the merits of mindful,
sustainable living while educating and encouraging Houstonians to
preserve, conserve and enhance our city and the Earth. Developed
by Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention and Mothers
for Clean Air, Earth Day Houston Festival, 5K & Green Expo is a
collaboration with the City of Houston, Discovery Green and
various green non-profit agencies.

To register for the 5K, reserve your booth or to just learn more
about the festivities, go to www.earthdayhouston.org
<http://www.earthdayhouston.org/>.
5. Save the Date! Green Bank Golf Tournament to benefit CEC! On
Friday, April 30, 2010, Green Bank is hosting a golf tournament
benefiting the Citizens? Environmental Coalition. The tournament
will be held at the Redstone Golf Club SHO Tournament Course.
Sponsorships are still available. More information on the CEC
website <http://www.cechouston.org/>.

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COALITION NOTES

1. Galveston Bay Foundation Annual Meeting. March 23, 2010, 6:00 pm,
at Children?s Museum of Houston (1500 Binz, Houston, TX 77004).
GBF is pleased to announce that Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)
President and Chief Executive Officer, William C. Baker, will be
our featured speaker. Will has been President and CEO of the CBF
since 1982, but began working at the CBF in 1976 as an intern.
Under Will?s leadership, CBF received the nation?s highest
environmental honor, the 1992 Presidential Medal for Environmental
Excellence. More information on the GBF website
<http://www.galvbay.com/>.
2. International Sea Level Rise discussion in Texas. An International
Conference on Sea Level Rise recently convened in Corpus Christi
to discuss the impacts of climate change, adaptations, and
necessary management steps (speakers' presentations online here).
As Gulf Restoration Network Texas Organizer Ellis Pickett said,
"Sea level rise is an overwhelming concept that people tend to
push out of their minds. For the sake of our grandchildren, this
is an issue that we can no longer ignore." Models predict that
sea levels will rise anywhere from 15 inches to 16 feet or more by
2100. A rise of merely 3 feet could be catastrophic to coastal
wetlands, bays, and estuaries, and would mean that thousands of
coastal industries and waste dumps are threatened with
inundation. These are necessary conversations, but we need action
today. GRN continues to push with our partner organization
1sky.org for real changes that will work to restore and preserve
our threatened resources. More information at the Sea Level Rise
2010 website
<http://www.sealevelrise2010.org/oral%20Presentations.htm>.
3. Plant Sales Galore! March is plant sale season for many CEC member
organizations. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center native plant
sale <http://www.houstonarboretum.org/nativeplantsale.asp> is
already underway, daily through March 21, 2010. Choice plants are
already selling out--so go by soon. Mercer Arboretum and Botanic
Gardens will host its annual March Mart
<http://www.hcp4.net/mercer/> beginning with a members-only sale
on March 25. The event, which includes the sale of a variety of
native plants, is open to the public on March 26 and 27, 2010.
Also on March 27, 2010, the Friends of Mandell Park will be
hosting their 4th annual plant sale
<http://www.cechouston.org/2010/02/24/4th-annual-friends-of-mandell-park-plant-sale/>.
Sale will include all many varieties of plants, bulbs, herbs, and
tomatoes as well as potted trees and plants to attract
butterflies. And, of course, Urban Harvest continues to offer
pre-order fruit tree sales
<http://www.cechouston.org/2010/02/17/urban-harvest-pre-order-fruit-tree-sales/>
for pick-up at their farmers market each week. Not sure what to do
with everthing once it is planted? Learn how to Green Your Yard
<http://www.cechouston.org/pdf/CompostingEvent.pdf> with the City
of Houston. No excuses to stay out of the garden now!
4. Bayou Clean-ups. This weekend, on March 20, the Greens Bayou
Corridor Coalition <http://www.greensbayou.org/> will host their
first trash pick-up and tree planting event. The following weekend
will feature River, Lakes, Bays ?N Bayous Trash Bash
<http://www.trashbash.org/index.htm>. With 17 sites in the region
and thousands of volunteers, this is the largest one-day waterway
clean-up event in Texas--and it's always a blast!
5. BBVA Compass Tour de Houston. Sixth Annual Bicycle Ride Benefiting
the Houston Parks and Recreation Dept. Scheduled for Sunday, March
21. Mayor Annise Parker and Senator Rodney Ellis will ride along
with participants in the sixth annual BBVA Compass Tour de
Houston. Cyclists will line up at City Hall on March 21, as the
bike ride kicks off to benefit the Houston Parks and Recreation
Department. The route will take riders on a journey through
Houston?s historic districts and parks. Pedal or spectate, it will
be a great ride. More at the tour website
<http://www.houstontx.gov/specialevents/tourdehouston/index.html>.
6. Houston Audubon/ONC present Bringing Nature Home - How Native
Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens by Doug Tallamy. March 31,
2010. Houston Audubon and the Outdoor Nature Club are teaming up
to present Doug Tallamy. Tallamy will discuss how native plants
sustain wildlife in our gardens. Doug Tallamy is a professor and
the chair of the Entomology and Wildlife Ecology department at the
University of Delaware, where he has been studying insects and
their role in the environment for over 20 years. His book,
?Bringing Nature Home: How Native plants Sustain Wildlife in Our
Gardens,? has been featured in the New York Times. More about Mr.
Tallamy and his book can be viewed at
http://bringingnaturehome.net
<http://bringingnaturehome.net/lectures/about-doug>. Sponsored by
Houston Audubon ( http://e2ma.net/go/6623987073/208138598/211878017/1403181/goto:http://www.houstonaudubon.org ) and the Outdoor
Nature Club (ONC? http://www.outdoornatureclub.org).

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COMMUNITY NOTES

1. GLOBE at Night 2010. GLOBE at Night is an annual 2-week campaign
in March. People all over the world record the brightness of their
night sky by matching its appearance toward the constellation
Orion with star maps of progressively fainter stars. They submit
their measurements on-line and a few weeks later, organizers
release a map of light-pollution levels worldwide. Over the last
four GLOBE at Night campaigns, volunteers from over 100 nations
have contributed 35,000 measurements. More
at www.globeatnight.org/ . <http://www.globeatnight.org/>
2. Bluebonnet License Plate. The bluebonnets are blooming and you too
can show off your flower power wherever the road takes you! Get a
Bluebonnet license plate for your vehicle, motorcycle, RV or boat
trailer. Each plate costs $30, and $22 of every purchase goes
directly to Texas Parks and Wildlife to help preserve the unique
natural beauty of more than 90 state parks across Texas. More
about this and other plates at conservationplate.org
<http://www.conservationplate.org/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=EmailBlast&utm_content=Bluebonnet&utm_campaign=CLP>.
3. Conservation deal protects additional 7,800 acres adjacent to Big
Thicket National Preserve. The Conservation Fund, Texas Forest
Service and The Campbell Group, LLC, recently completed the
state?s largest Forest Legacy project, permanently protecting more
than 7,800 acres of forestland surrounding the Big Thicket
National Preserve. The project concludes a multi-year effort by
the three organizations to conserve working forests and ultimately
protect from subdivision and development more than 10,700 acres of
environmentally significant forestland adjacent to the Big
Thicket?s Turkey Creek Unit. The Forest Legacy Program, funded by
the USDA Forest Service, works with state agencies and local
landowners to protect environmentally important forests that are
threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. The Conservation Fund
<http://www.conservationfund.org/news/big-thicket-texas-gains-land>,
through a grant from the Brown Foundation, also provided funding
for the projects. More at the Texas Forest Service website
<http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/default.aspx?dept=news>.
4. Texas Climate News now available. The Texas Climate News has been
updated. New journal entries, which can be viewed on the TCN
website <http://www.texasclimatenews.org/>, have been posted,
including:
* Evidence of climate change grows as public concerns continue
to decline
5. *Air Quality Forecast. *http://www.ghasp.org/air-quality-aqi/
<http://e2ma.net/go/6583707389/208087917/211173389/goto:http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=295745192&u=3280440>*
*or
http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html
<http://e2ma.net/go/6583707389/208087917/211173390/goto:http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=295745192&u=3280441>

o 17 March: Green--Good
o 18 March: Yellow--Moderate. Winds may be light enough and
background levels high enough for ozone to reach "Moderate"
or possibly higher levels in the Houston and Beaumont/Port
Arthur areas on Thursday afternoon. Fine particulate could
also reach "Moderate" levels in parts of the Houston area
with highest concentrations in the morning and evening.
o 5 March: Green--Good
o 6 March: Green--Good

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GREEN JOBS (Tell them you heard about it from us!)

1. NEW! Shell Non Profit Internship Program: Galveston Bay Foundation
Summer Projects Student Intern. The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF)
in conjunction with the Shell Non Profit Internship Program is
seeking a Summer Projects Student Intern. We are looking for a
currently enrolled, full-time, undergraduate student who wants to
share in the GBF mission: preserve, protect and enhance Galveston
Bay. The internship will be highly involved and can include marsh
restoration, assisting with freshwater inflows education meetings
and exhibits, creating marketing pieces for various upcoming
member and volunteer events, and much more. More information at
www.galvbay.org <http://galvbay.org/aboutus_jobs.html>.
2. NEW! Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary has an
immediate temporary opening. Responsibilities will include helping
set up and populate a searchable database for our multi-media
assets (still and video imagery). Position will report to the
Education Coordinator and will work closely with the research team
to develop scientific information associated with each entry.
Experience with Extensis Portfolio and Adobe Lightbox preferred.
*Must be detail oriented. * For more details, contact Shelley Du
Puy at 409-621-5151, ext 106 or Shelley.DuPuy@noaa.gov.
3. Summer Employment Opportunity for Students on Trinity River
National Wildlife Refuge. Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge
is seeking summer employment applications from young men and women
ages 15 to 18. Two positions will be available through the Youth
Conservation Corps program. No prior experience is necessary but
participants must be citizens of the United States. Crew members
will work 40 hours per week for $ 7.25 an hour starting June 14th
through August 6th. Hours of work will be Monday thru Friday from
7:30 AM till 4:00 PM. Work will be conducted outside and will be
physically demanding. Individuals selected must have
transportation to and from the refuge office, located at 1351 N.
Main, Liberty, Texas. Typical duties will include trail
maintenance, boundary line posting, fence construction, building
construction, and various restoration and maintenance projects.
Educational field trips and training sessions will also be included.
Selection will be on a random basis from the list of
qualified applicants. Young adults interested in wildlife careers,
summer employment, or job experience are encouraged to apply. For
applications or more information please contact the Trinity River
National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 10015, Liberty, TX, 77575 or
call 936-336-9786. Applications are due by April 9, 2101, and can
be mailed, faxed, or brought to the office. The fax number is
936-336-9847. Contact: Bonnie Campisi or Stuart Marcus,
936-336-9786 with questions.
4. NRG Energy seeks summer ecology internship. For students
interested in wetland habitat restoration, community outreach, and
environmental education. NRG Energy is seeking candidates with a
career interest in ecology and need field experience for career
development. NRG is the new name for the electric generating
company formerly known as Houston Lighting & Power Company. NRG
has a facility in Baytown, the EcoCenter, which is used as a
wetland plant nursery, and community outreach facility. We also
support power plant environmental activities. The work at the
EcoCenter is typically physical, outside, and dirty. Activities
range from mowing to public speaking, boat maintenance, and
night-time alligator surveys. The position is temporary and will
require some work on weekends. It pays $13/hour for a 40 hour week
for 14 weeks. Candidates must have a valid driver?s license, be
able to pass a background check and pass a drug screen. If your
interest remains high please call 713 553 6433 or email at
breck.sacra@nrgenergy.com.
5. Armand Bayou Nature Center has a current opening for a Donor
Development Coordinator. The Donor Development Coordinator is
expected to cultivate strong relationships with potential
business, corporate and community organization donors, and is
responsible for achieving Armand Bayou Nature Center donor
development objectives by 1) creating a system for contacting
local businesses to propose corporate sponsorships, and 2)
establishing personal contacts with appropriate local business
owners and managers to invite sponsorship contributions from
beyond our current heavy emphasis on the petrochemical sector.
More information about Armand Bayou Nature Center, and a complete
job description, is available at www.abnc.org
<http://www.abnc.org>. No phone calls please. Resumes may be
submitted by mail or email to tom@abnc.org.

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UPCOMING EVENTS (Also see WEEKLY EVENTS, below)

If you attend one of these events, please let them know you heard about
it here!

* T 3/18/2010: TCEQ Trinity and San Jacinto Rivers and Galveston Bay
Stakeholders Committee and Expert Science Team
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/17/tceq-trinity-and-san-jacinto-rivers-and-galveston-bay-stakeholders-committee-and-expert-science-team/>
* T 3/18/2010: NPSOT Monthly Meeting: Columbia Bottomlands and the
MidCoast Wildlife Refuge System? by Mike Lange, USFWS
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/02/24/npsot-monthly-meeting-columbia-bottomlands-and-the-midcoast-wildlife-refuge-system%e2%80%9d-by-mike-lange-usfws/>
* F 3/19/2010: KPC Open Trail Fridays <http://www.katyprairie.org>
* F 3/19/2010: KPC Prairie Works Friday <http://www.katyprairie.org>
* F 3/19/2010: Kleb Woods Bird Biology Class
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/17/kleb-woods-bird-biology-class-2/>
* S 3/20/2010: RDA 2010 Architecture Tour: Southgate
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/06/rda-2010-architecture-tour-southgate/>
* S 3/20/2010: March Trail Maintenance Visits Stubblefield North
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/01/14/march-trail-maintenance-visits-stubblefield-north/>
* S 3/20/2010: Greens Bayou Clean-up and Tree Planting
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/01/greens-bayou-clean-up-and-tree-planting/>
* S 3/20/2010: Green Your Yard
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/08/green-your-yard/>
* S 3/20/2010: Canoe Spring Creek
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/09/canoe-spring-creek/>
* S 3/20/2010: Beach & Surf Exploration at Galveston Island State
Park
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/01/beach-surf-exploration-at-galveston-island-state-park/>
* S 3/20/2010: Texas Wildflowers and Native Grasses--at Winedale
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/09/texas-wildflowers-and-native-grasses-at-winedale/>
* S 3/21/2010: Buffalo Bayou Breakfast and Birding Tour
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/02/10/buffalo-bayou-breakfast-and-birding-tour/>
* S 3/21/2010: BBVA Compass Tour de Houston
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/02/22/bbva-compass-tour-de-houston/>
* S 3/21/2010: Spring Native Plant Society Field Trip: Memorial Park
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/01/29/spring-native-plant-society-field-trip-memorial-park/>
* S 3/21/2010: Second Saturday Buffalo Bayou Boat Rides
<http://www.buffalobayou.org>
* S 3/21/2010: Canoe Spring Creek at Jones Park
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/09/canoe-spring-creek-at-jones-park/>
* T 3/23/2010: Galveston Bay Foundation Annual Meeting
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/02/14/galveston-bay-foundation-annual-meeting-3/>
* T 3/23/2010: Emerging Green Builders Green Film Series: Greening
of Southie
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/08/emerging-green-builders-green-film-series-greening-of-southie/>
* W 3/24/2010: Tour First City Tower, Certified Green Building
<http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/leedtour.pdf>
* W 3/24/2010: Livable Houston Initiative - David Rouse on the
Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/10/livable-houston-initiative-david-rouse-on-the-imagine-austin-comprehensive-plan/>
* W 3/24/2010: Starting a Community/ School Garden 3: Implementation
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/02/22/starting-a-community-school-garden-3-implementation/>
* T 3/25/2010: H-GAC Debris Management Planning Workshop 3
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/06/h-gac-debris-management-planning-workshop-3/>
* T 3/25/2010: Mercer March Mart Members' Only Sale
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/08/mercer-march-mart-members-only-sale/>
* T 3/25/2010: Houston Zoo Wildlife Speaker Series: Professional
Photographer Cristina Mittermeier
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/17/houston-zoo-wildlife-speaker-series-professional-photographer-cristina-mittermeier/>
* T 3/25/2010: Houston Tomorrow Distinguished Speaker Series: Emily
Talen, Ph.D., author of Urban Design Reclaimed
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/17/houston-tomorrow-distinguished-speaker-series-emily-talen-ph-d-author-of-urban-design-reclaimed/>
* T 3/25/2010: Creating Leaf Art
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/17/creating-leaf-art/>
* F 3/26/2010: Bayou City Arts Festival, Memorial Park
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/01/10/bayou-city-arts-festival-memorial-park/>
* F 3/26/2010: Mercer March Mart Plant Sale
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/01/10/mercer-march-mart-plant-sale/>
* F 3/26/2010: Shell Eco Marathon
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/01/shell-eco-marathon/>
* F 3/26/2010: KPC Open Trail Fridays <http://www.katyprairie.org>
* F 3/26/2010: KPC Prairie Works Friday <http://www.katyprairie.org>
* F 3/26/2010: Chrysanthemums Society Monthly Meeting
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=6390>
* F 3/26/2010: Chrysanthemums Society Monthly Meeting
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=6391>
* S 3/27/2010: River, Lakes, Bays ?N Bayous Trash Bash
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/01/06/river-lakes-bays-%e2%80%98n-bayous-trash-bash%c2%ae/>
* S 3/27/2010: Trash Bash Event
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=6137>
* S 3/27/2010: 4th Annual Friends of Mandell Park Plant Sale
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/02/24/4th-annual-friends-of-mandell-park-plant-sale/>
* S 3/27/2010: Beach & Surf Exploration at Galveston Island State
Park
<http://www.cechouston.org/2010/03/01/beach-surf-exploration-at-galveston-island-state-park/>
* S 3/27/2010: Floral Foray
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/17/floral-foray/>
* S 3/27/2010: Nurture Nature Festival at Baytown Nature Center
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/02/10/nurture-nature-festival-at-baytown-nature-center/>
* S 3/27/2010: Jesse Jones Park After Dark
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/17/jesse-jones-park-after-dark/>
* S 3/27/2010: Earth Hour 2010 <http://www.earthhour.org>
* S 3/28/2010: Jones Park Nature Craft
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/03/17/jones-park-nature-craft/>
* W 3/31/2010: LEED 2009: Managing the Transition
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/02/16/leed-2009-managing-the-transition/>
* W 3/31/2010: USGBC Workshop: LEED 2009: Managing the Transition
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/02/23/usgbc-workshop-leed-2009-managing-the-transition/>
* W 3/31/2010: Bringing Nature Home Lecture
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/01/14/bringing-nature-home-lecture/>
* W 3/31/2010 : Dirt! The Movie
<http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/2010/02/07/dirt-the-movie/>

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RECURRING EVENTS

* Thursdays
o Native Plant Society (Third Thursdays 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm)
http://www.npsot.org/houston
o Baytown Fit Kids (Thursdays 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
http://www.baytown.org/parks/special-events/programs-activities.htm
o Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)
http://www.houstonhabitat.org/restore/index.php
* Fridays
o Bat Presentations at the Waugh Street Bridge (first and
third Fridays 20 minutes before sunset)
http://community-2.webtv.net/masternaturalist/THEWAUGHBATMONITOR/
o Buffalo Bayou Bat Tours (second and fourth Fridays 6:30 to
8:00 pm)
http://www.buffalobayou.org/boattours.html
o Waugh Bridge Bat Colony Pontoon Boat Tours (Second Fridays
45 minutes before dusk, through November)
http://www.buffalobayou.org/boattours.html
o KPC PrairieWorks Fridays (Fridays 9:00 am to noon)
http://www.katyprairie.org/events.html
o KPC Open Trails (9:00 am to 1:00 pm)
http://www.katyprairie.org/events.html
o Aquarium Fish Feedings at Sea Center Texas (Fridays 10:30 am)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/seacenter/calendar/
o Chrysanthemum Society Meeting (Fourth Fridays 10:30 am to
2:00 pm)
http://www.hcp4.net/mercer/index.htm
o Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)
http://www.houstonhabitat.org/restore/index.php
* Saturdays
o Sierra Walkers--Clear Lake Area (Saturdays 7:30 am)
For more information, contact Betty Armstrong at 281-333-5693.
http://www.houston.sierraclub.org/events/index.htm#daytrips
o Marysee Prairie Work Day (First Saturdays)
http://www.houston.sierraclub.org/events/index.htm
o Beach & Surf Exploration at Galveston Island State Park
(Saturdays 10:00 to 11:30 am through November)
http://www.fogisp.org/
o Recycling Saturdays at Discovery Green (Saturdays 10:00 am
to 2:00 pm)
Bike repair workshop at Discovery Green (Saturdays 10:00 am
to 2:00 pm)
http://www.discoverygreen.com/Springhealthlylivingseries/
o Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
http://www.houstonhabitat.org/restore/index.php
o Mercer Arboretum Bamboo Meeting (Fourth Saturdays 9:00 am to
noon)
http://www.hcp4.net/mercer/index.htm
o Guided Nature Tour and Free Family Fishing at Sheldon Lake
State Park (9:00 am)
http://www.foslsp.org/things-to-do.php
o Saturdays at Buffalo Bayou
+ Walking Tour (First Saturdays 10:00 am to noon)
http://www.cechouston.org/index.php/?p=4747
+ Boat Rides (Second Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm)
http://www.buffalobayou.org/boattours.html
+ Canoe Trip (Third Saturdays at 1:00 pm)
http://www.houstonarboretum.org/bayoucanoetrip.asp
o Saturdays at Armand Bayou
+ Guided Canoe Tours (Second and Fourth Saturdays 8:00
am to 11:00 am)
http://www.abnc.org/things-to-do/guided-canoe-tour.html
+ Guided Trail Hike at Armand Bayou Nature Center
(Saturdays 10:00 am)
http://www.abnc.org <http://www.abnc.org/>
+ Pontoon Boat Cruises (breakfast, sunset, and moonlight)
http://www.abnc.org/things-to-do/pontoon-boat-cruises.html
o Saturdays at Baytown
+ Baytown Sk8 Don't Spect8 (First and Second Saturdays
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm)
http://www.baytown.org/parks/special-events/programs-activities.htm
+ Baytown Planeteers (Second and Third Saturdays)
http://www.baytown.org/parks/special-events/programs-activities.htm
o Saturday Birding
+ Kleb Wood bird walk (first Saturdays 8:00 am to 10:00 am)
http://www.pct3.hctx.net/parks/klebwoodsnaturepres.aspx?calendar
+ Mercer Arboretum Bird Walk (Second Saturdays 8:30 am
to 11:00 am)
http://www.hcp4.net/mercer/index.htm
+ Armand Bayou Nature Center Bird Count (Second
Saturdays 7:00 am to 10:00 am)
http://www.houstonaudubon.org/default.aspx/MenuItemID/821/MenuGroup/Counts.htm
+ GCBO Bird Banding at Lake Jackson Sanctuary (Third
Saturdays)
http://www.gcbo.org/default.aspx?act=EventsShow.aspx&myID=17&MenuGroup=Home
+ Bolivar Bird Count (Third Saturdays 8:00 am to 11:00 am)
http://www.houstonaudubon.org/index.cfm/MenuItemID/534.htm
+ Willow Waterhole Bird Survey (Third Saturdays 8:00 am,
7:00 am in summer)
http://www.houstonaudubon.org/index.cfm/MenuItemID/637.htm
+ Houston Audubon Field Trip (fourth Saturday 8:00 am,
generally)
http://www.houstonaudubon.org/default.aspx/MenuItemID/545/MenuGroup/Birding.htm
+ GCBO Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza Open House (8:00
am to Noon, Saturdays in Sept.)
http://www.gcbo.org/html/enewsAug09.htm
o Farmers Markets
+ Bayou City Farmers Market--Urban Harvest (Saturdays
8:00 am to noon)
http://www.urbanharvest.org/
+ Farmers Market at LaCenterra (Saturdays 9:00 am to noon)
http://www.farmersmarketatlacenterra.com
<http://www.farmersmarketatlacenterra.com/>
+ Midtown Farmers Market (Saturdays 8:00 am to noon)
http://www.tafia.com/mfm.html
+ Houston Farmers Market (Saturdays 8:00 am to noon)
http://www.houstonfarmersmarket.org/
* Sundays
o Guided Nature Tour and Free Family Fishing at Sheldon Lake
State Park (11:00 am)
http://www.foslsp.org/things-to-do.php
o Open Trails in the Katy Prairie (First Sundays 1:00 pm to
5:00 pm)
http://www.katyprairie.org/events.html
o Central City Co-op's Green Market (noon to 4:00 pm except
August)
http://www.centralcityco-op.com/greenmarket.html
* Mondays
o Monday Morning Birding at Jones Park (Third Mondays, no
later than 7:30 am)
http://www.hcp4.net/jones.
o ONC Ornithology Group Program & Meeting (First Mondays at
6:30 pm)
http://www.ornithologygroup.org/
o Baytown We Care Mentoring (Mondays 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm)
http://www.baytown.org/parks/special-events/programs-activities.htm
o Baytown Bucket List Club (Third Mondays at 6:30 pm)
http://www.baytown.org/parks/special-events/programs-activities.htm
o Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)
http://www.houstonhabitat.org/restore/index.php
* Tuesdays
o Prairie Restoration at Sheldon Lake State Park (Tuesdays
10:00 am to noon)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/calendar/?calpage=s0149
o Houston Farmers Market (Tuesdays 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm)
http://www.houstonfarmersmarket.org/
o West 11th Street Park Bird Survey (Third Tuesdays 8:30
am--7am in summer)
http://www.houstonaudubon.org/index.cfm/MenuItemID/531.htm
o Piney Woods Wildlife Society monthly meeting (Third Tuesdays
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm)
http://pineywoodswildlifesociety.org/
o Baytown Fit Kids (Tuesdays 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
http://www.baytown.org/parks/special-events/programs-activities.htm
o Baytown Messy Mitts (Tuesdsays 10:00 am to 11:00 am)
o Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)
http://www.houstonhabitat.org/restore/index.php
* Wednesdays
o The Inquisitive Naturalist Lecture at the Nature Discovery
Center (First Wednesdays 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm)
http://www.naturediscoverycenter.org
<http://www.naturediscoverycenter.org/>
o Kleb Woods Bird Walk (Wednesdays 8:30 am)
http://www.pct3.hctx.net/parks/klebwoodsnaturepres.aspx?calendar
o Humble Farmers Market (Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
http://www.humbleareachamber.org/
o Story Time at the Nature Discovery Center (Wednesdays 4:00 pm)
http://www.naturediscoverycenter.org
<http://www.naturediscoverycenter.org/>
o Aquarium Fish Feedings at Sea Center Texas (Wednesdays 10:30 am)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/seacenter/calendar/
o NDC Family Friendly Summer Talks (First Wednesdays 7:00 pm)
http://www.naturediscoverycenter.org/
o Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)
http://www.houstonhabitat.org/restore/index.php

------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECONOTES

* Eco Notes will resume soon.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION
This Update is brought to you by The Citizens Environmental Coalition,
founded in 1970. CEC is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving
the quality of life and health in the Houston/Galveston region through
education, dialogue, and collaboration regarding environmental issues.
Visit the CEC on line at http://www.cechouston.org.

Donate Now!
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CEC and other leading environmental organizations participate in payroll
contribution plans at many Texas workplaces through Earth Share of
Texas. Find out how you can support CEC at 800-GREENTX or
www.earthshare-texas.org <http://www.earthshare-texas.org>.

Earth Share Logo <http://www.earthshare-texas.org/>

CEC Agencies Receive Donations When You Choose Green Bank. Visit
http://www.greenbank.com/resources/programs-for-non-profits for more
information about the program.

Katie Molina, Office Manager
(713) 524-4232
news@cechouston.org

6420 Richmond Avenue, Suite 658
Houston, TX 77057 US

___________________________________

Livability News - Houston Tomorrow
(note the original file contains links that get eliminated in the text file)

Subject: Emmett, Parker ready to work together - Livability News, Feb 15, 2010
From: "Houston Tomorrow" <jay.crossley@houstontomorrow.org>
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:35:49 -0500

COMING EVENTS
Houston Area Table Panel on Inter-Governmental Collaboration
Tues, Feb 16th
11:30 am - 1 pm
United Way
50 Waugh
Houston TX, 77007 (map)

Chris Bell, Chair, Mayor Parker’s Inter-governmental Relations Transition Committee, City of Houston
Nancy Powell, Economic Development Director, Harris County
Alan Clark, Director, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Houston- Galveston Area Council
Laurie Glaze, Executive Director, One Voice Texas

The panel, moderated by Houston Tomorrow’s Jay Blazek Crossley will discuss opportunities and obstacles for better governmental cooperation for the benefit of all Houstonians.

Brown bag lunch. Invite a friend. Free to attend. RSVP

H-GAC Regional Transit Study -
Open Houses
The Woodlands
Tues, Feb 16
5:30 - 7:30 pm
George & Cynthia Woods-Mitchell Library, 8125 Ashlane Way
The Woodlands, TX (map)

Houston
Thurs, Feb 18
5:30 - 7:30 pm
United Way of Houston
50 Waugh Drive
Houston, TX (map)

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is working on a Regional Transit Framework Study, and is inviting the public to give input on long term transit needs and plans for the Houston region.

Livable Houston Initiative:
Peter Brown

On running for Mayor and what the future holds for Houston
Architect and planner Peter Brown, who ran for Mayor of Houston last fall after serving for four years as a City Council member, will relate his experiences doing that, and will talk about his concerns and ideas for the City's future.

Free and open to the public.
Bring your own lunch.
RSVP

Wed, Feb 24, 12-1:30pm
H-GAC, 3555 Timmons Ln
2nd Floor
Houston, TX
View HoustonTomorrow's profile on slideshare
About | Donate | Forward this newsletter

February 15, 2010
NOTABLE QUOTES
"Our constituents rightly expect Harris County and the City of Houston to work together whenever possible to eliminate duplication and to provide higher levels of efficiency. For Harris County, that spirit of cooperation goes beyond the City of Houston. It extends to the other 33 incorporated municipalities and even to surrounding counties, because so many of the needs and issues transcend city limits and county boundaries."
- Harris County Judge Ed Emmett at his State of the County Address, following his warm introduction by fellow Rice alum, City of Houston Mayor Annise Parker.

REGIONAL NOTES
Judge Emmett calls for improved infrastructure,
transportation, and cooperation in the region
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett delivered a State of the County address in which he asked the audience to evaluate the county in human terms.

Region’s stimulus money falling into place
The Houston region has approved $584 million in stimulus transportation projects, including $106 million for transit and $15 million for Livable Centers.

Report: Houston ranks near bottom for walking, biking
Only 4.5 percent of all trips in Houston are done by walking, tying the city with Louisville as the worst in the nation.

High-speed rail vision shows early Houston line
The US High Speed Rail Association, an advocacy group, released an expanded high-speed rail vision, including routes from Houston to Dallas and Dallas to Austin to San Antonio as priorities in the first phase of development, which they envision running as early as 2015.

Harris County joins high-speed rail group
Commissioners Court decided to join the Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation in hopes of influencing if and where a system would be built.

NOTES FROM PUBLIC MEETINGS
Harris County Commissioners Court - Feb 9, 2010

MEGAREGIONAL NOTES
Poll: 41% of Texans would cut
highway funding to balance budget
A Houston Chronicle/San Antonio Express-News poll shows that Texans would use cuts in highway funding as their primary option in balancing the state budget.

Fort Worth approves extensive new bike plan
Bike Fort Worth, which was adopted unanimously, aims to triple the number of bicycle commuters, improve bike safety, and gain national recognition.

COMMENTARY
David Crossley
Is spending less on roads a popular idea?

Kaid Benfield
Experts agree: era of sprawl is over

Neal Peirce
US cities look abroad for successful models

Froma Harrop
There's more to cities than population growth

NOTES FROM OTHER PLACES
T4America: Senate jobs bill leaves out transit
The Senate has not set aside any money specifically for transit, even though a recent study shows that transit projects are more effective at creating jobs than road spending.

Many experts think vehicle miles traveled fee is inevitable
Many experts and government officials believe that the gas tax will not be sustainable in the future as people drive less or choose more fuel-efficient cars.

AARP, NAHB announce livable communities awards
The awards 'recognize builders, developers, and architects who make residential living more comfortable for people of all background and abilities.'

______________________
Prepared by Vilas Bhuchar; edited by Jay Blazek Crossley. News and commentary are published daily on the Houston Tomorrow website. This newsletter is published on Monday evenings, except when Monday is a holiday, and is a compilation of items published earlier. To stay abreast of the news as it is published, check the website at houstontomorrow.org, and/or subscribe to our rss feed
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or signed up in person at an event to receive occasional email newsletters from Houston Tomorrow, formerly the Gulf Coast Institute.

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