Community Notes 10-27-2010

1. Progressive Forum Lecture with Richard Leaky. On Thursday, October 28, the lecture series continues with Richard Leaky, the world’s most famous paleoanthropologist. He’ll discuss climate change, conservation, evolution, wildlife, human rights, and more. For more information, visit http://progressiveforumhouston.org/.
2. Annual monarch butterfly migration underway. Tens of thousands of monarch butterflies are migrating across Texas on their annual journey to Mexico. The first sightings were reported Oct. 3 and the flights have continued in periodic waves since then. Nearly all of the monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains travel south through Texas each fall to spend the winter in one spot in the Mexican mountains.  Additional information may be found on the TPWD Web site http://www.archive.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/monarchbutterfly/.
3. Duck Stamp benefits Gulf Coast refuges. For every dollar you spend on Federal Duck Stamps, ninety-eight cents goes directly to purchase vital habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge in Brazoria County recently received money to acquire and additional 288 acres for protection of a wetland complex that provides winter, migration and resident habitat for waterfowl, wading birds and neotropical migratory birds. More information at www.duckstamp.com.
4. Gulf Guardians Awards. The Gulf Guardians Awards recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals, and organizations that are taking extraordinary steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. To complete a nomination application for 2011, go to the Gulf of Mexico Program’s web site at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo.
5. Keep Texas Beautiful Awards. Awards season is around the corner. Now is the time to begin organizing your event photos, gathering statistics from community groups and agencies, and developing a timeline for creating your supplemental notebook(s)! Applications for Keep Texas Beautiful Awards (http://www.ktb.org/programs/awards/keep-texas-beautiful-awards.aspx), Governor’s Community Achievement Awards (http://www.ktb.org/programs/awards/governors-community-achievement-awards.aspx), and Youth & Educator Awards (http://www.ktb.org/programs/awards/youth-and-educator-awards.aspx) are available online.
6. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.ghasp.org/air-quality-aqi/ or http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html
   • October 28: Green–Good. Moderate winds, cool morning temperatures, and low background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • October 29: Green–Good. Moderate winds, cool morning temperatures, and low background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • October 30: Yellow–Moderate Background levels may be high enough and winds light enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” levels along the coast in Southeast Texas and the Coastal Bend area in the afternoon and early evening.