Community Notes 11-03-2010

1. The Nat’l Urban Wildlife Conference call for abstracts. The Urban Wildlife Management and Planning Conference will bring urban planners, architects, wildlife biologists, researchers, educators, and municipalities together to share innovative strategies to plan and design urban communities that provide natural green space that mutually benefits people and wildlife. Responsible urban planning is crucial for sustaining land, air, and water quality for future generations. The conference will take place May 22-25 in Austin, Texas, but abstracts are now being accepted for technical paper and poster sessions. For more submission guidelines, visit http://urbanwildlife2011.tpwd.state.tx.us/submission.php.
2. The Story of Electronics. A new film is being released on November 9th that explores the high-tech revolution’s collateral damage—6 billion tons of e-waste and counting, poisoned workers and a public left holding the bill. The film includes a call for a green ‘race to the top’ where designers compete to make long-lasting, toxic-free products that are fully and easily recyclable. Fore more information, visit http://www.texasenvironment.org/storyofelectronics.cfm.
3. The Sam Houston Trails Coalition. The Sam Houston Trails Coalition is a nonprofit organization of diverse outdoor enthusiasts working together to plan, develop, preserve, and promote nature’s playground in the Sam Houston National Forest. The public is invited to attend their next meeting on December 4th from 10am-12pm at U.S. Forest Service, 394 FM 1375 West in New Waverly. For more information, visit http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=800735.
4. Texas School Buses. TCEQ announced that applications are being accepted statewide to retrofit eligible diesel-powered school buses with emissions-reduction technology. A total of $9 million is available for this cause. The funds for each school district are limited and applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served bases. For more information, visit http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assistance/clean-vehicles/school-buses.html.
5. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.ghasp.org/air-quality-aqi/ or http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html

• November 4: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
• Novermber 5: Green–Good. Moderate daytime winds and low background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
• November 6: Yellow–Moderate–PM2.5. If background levels are high enough, ozone could reach “Moderate” levels on the northeast and north side of the Houston area and in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area in the afternoon and early evening.