Coalition Notes 12-15-2010

1. New Member: The Center for Recycled Art. CEC would like to welcome The Center for Recycled Art as a new member. Their mission is to reduce the amount of waste going to Houston’s landfills, to promote environmental awareness, to stimulate creativity, and to provide opportunities to create recycled art. Check out their website at http://www.recycledarthouston.org/.
2. Documentary: The Heartbreak Turtle Today. A new documentary, The Heartbreak Turtle Today, is now available through the Gulf Office of Sea Turtle Restoration Project and HEART (Help Endangered Animals-Ridley Turtles). The documentary is the updated story of the struggle of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico. Funding for the new documentary was made possible by Houston Endowment Inc., the Houston Zoo, the Hershey Foundation, ERM, the Trull Foundation, Meadows Foundation, several other foundations and individuals. A copy of this 30 minute documentary can be obtained with a donation of $5 for postage and handling (Check payable to STRP) at STRP/HEART, P.O. Box 681231, Houston, Texas 77268.
3. Volunteer with The Woods Project. The Woods Project, a Houston-based organization focused on developing life skills and mindsets in low income high school youth to prepare them for college and beyond, is seeking volunteers/mentors to take part in spring backpacking and camping trips in the Houston area, and two-week summer backpacking trips in Glacier National, Donner Pass, and Yosemite National Park. If you are interested, you can learn more at The Woods Project website.
4. KPC Survey. The Katy Prairie Conservancy is deciding on the classes, workshops, field trips, and other events that will bring people out to the prairie next year. The organization would like to tailor their programs to the interests of the public. They are asking people to take a few moments to fill out a survey, which can be found at http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e36r42rkghex82go/a012kghqd1p9q/questions.
5. HANC Winter Holiday Native Tree & Shrub Sale. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will be selling over 30 different species of hard to find native trees and shrubs. The sale lasts from December 11 to 19, from 9am to 4pm each day. For more information, visit http://www.houstonarboretum.org/nativeplantsale_wintersale.asp.
6. Texas Christmas Bird Counts. The 111th annual Christmas Bird Count, which is organized by the National Audubon Society, is scheduled for December 14, 2010 to January 5, 2011. Many bird counts will be taking place in the Houston area. To find a count nearby, visit http://www.houstonaudubon.org/default.aspx/MenuItemID/827/MenuGroup/CBC.htm.