Coalition Notes 10-20-2010

1. Forests, Oceans, Climate, and Us. This October 23 event is to raise awareness about how lands are connected to the oceans. Healthy Forests protect our seas. This is a partnership between NOAA, the National Forest Service, and Wyland Foundation. There will be 1,000 tree saplings given away, Aztec Dancers, and fun Mascots from the Forest service. Artist Boat will host two kayak trips at East End Lagoon and there will be a tour of the sculpted trees in Galveston. For more information, visit http://www.gulfmex.org/events.htm.
2. KPC First Annual Wildflower Planting & Seed Stomp. On Saturday, October 23, Katy Prairie Conservancy will be planting more than 800 volunteer-grown wildflowers and grasses as well as spreading wildflower seeds along the trails. Volunteers are encouraged to participate. For more information, visit http://www.katyprairie.org/.
3. The 2040 Forecasts. Dr. Dmitry Messen, Socioeconomic Modeling Program Manager of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, will discuss the Houston area’s 2040 demographic forecasts. To register online, visit https://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6239/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=25009&utm_source=Houston+Tomorrow+Growth+News&utm_campaign=f3475d7937-Livable_Houston_Initiative_Dmitry_Messen_101510&utm_medium=email.
4. ELMNS Work Day. There will be a work day at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary on October 23. This will be a morning of gardening and sanctuary maintenance. Activities include trail maintenance, filling bird feeders and baths, litter pick-up, native gardening, and invasive species removal. For more information, visit http://www.houstonaudubon.org/default.aspx/MenuItemID/809/MenuGroup/Volunteer.htm.
5. The Weeks Bay Principles for Gulf Recovery. On October 4-6, 2010, ninety-five people representing forty six community, local, regional, national and international environmental, social justice, and fishermen’s groups met at the Beckwith Camp and Conference Center on Weeks Bay, Alabama. Among them were several CEC member organizations including Galveston BayKeeper, Gulf Restoration Network, and the Surfrider Foundation. Together, they drafted a set of goals and principles that they believe must guide the recovery and restoration of the Gulf of Mexico, our coast and our communities in the wake of the BP drilling disaster. More at http://healthygulf.org.
6. Name that Boat! Because of the many generous donors who contributed to The Osprey boat fund, Buffalo Bayou Partnerhsip has been able to order a replacement pontoon tour boat. In the meantime, BBP invited you to recommend a catchy name for the new vessel, to be unveiled in November. The top five bayou-friendly and creatively-inspired tour boat names that were submitted are:
   • Buffloat
   • Bayou Bobber
   • Bayou Beacon
   • Bayou Bliss
   • Spirit of the Bayou

   Please let us know your favorite by e-mailing tsmith@buffalobayou.org. The winner of the boat naming contest will receive a complimentary chartered pontoon boat trip this fall. Deadline for choosing your favorite is October 22, 2010.

7. First Three Sections of Rosemont Bridge Successfully Installed. “The first three sections of the Rosemont Bridge were completed ahead of schedule and we’re very happy that Memorial Drive was able to re-open Saturday evening,” said Joe Turner, Director Houston Parks and Recreation Department. “We’re looking forward to the completion of the project and the new safer route it will providefor pedestrians, bicyclists and joggers who would like to cross Memorial Drive near Montrose/Studemont Drive.” The Rosemont Bridge’s anticipated completion date is January 2011. When completed the new bridge will give neighborhoods north of Memorial Drive easy access to the Bayou and provide access to the new Memorial Drive jogging trail which runs from Sabine Street to Spotts Park. For more info, visit www.houstonparks.org.