Coalition Notes 03-02-2011

1. Saving the Bay. GBF and the Houston Green Scene will be hosting a preview screening of the documentary, Saving the Bay. Producer Ron Blatman will be at the screening to provide introductory remarks. The one hour screening will be followed by a panel of local experts discussing restoration efforts in Galveston Bay. The preview will take place on March 3 at 6 pm at the George R. Brown Education Center Auditorium at the Houston Zoo. For more information, visit http://www.galvbay.org/.
2. Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center NatureFest 2011. This coming Saturday, March 5 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, come to Jesse H.Jones Park & Nature Center and enjoy NatureFest 2011, a fun, education day as noted speakers discuss birds, butterflies, native plants, reptiles and more. Take a guided nature walk and pontoon boat tour, see and touch live animals, and learn more about other nature-related topics. More at http://www.hcp4.net/jones/index.htm.
3. Great Texas Birding Classic. The deadline for registration for the Great Texas Birding Classic is March 7th. The Classic has events for the casual and the expert birder and everyone in between! All age groups and skill levels are welcome. Winning teams will designate which coastal habitat conservation projects will be funded by this year’s event. To register, visit http://www.birdingclassic.org/.
4. Public Lecture with Dr. David Archer. The Center for the Study of Environment and Society, the Shell Center for Sustainability and Green Team America are hosting a public lecture called The Long Thaw: How humans are changing the next 100,000 years of Earth’s climate. The presenter is Dr. David Archer of the University of Chicago, Department of Geophysical Sciences. The lecture will take place on March 8th at 7:30pm at the McMurtry Auditorium at Duncan Hall of Rice University.
5. Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium. USGBC is promoting an event called Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium. The symposium will talk about a bold vision of bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on Earth. The event is on March 5th from 9am-3pm at the Green Building Resource Center (3300 Main Street). For more information, visit http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/calendar.asp?show=826&calid=711.
6. GTBC Online Auction. The Gulf Coast Bird Observatory is hosting an online auction to raise money for the Great Texas Birding Classic. The auction will remain open until midnight on April 15th. Visit http://www.gcbo.org/default.aspx/MenuItemID/288/MenuGroup/Home.htm to check out the art, books, and other nature related items in the auction.
7. Nature Notes. The Outdoor Nature Club has announced that the Mar/Apr issue of Nature Notes is now available. To access the notes, click http://www.outdoornatureclub.org/Nature_Notes_archive/NN_0311.pdf.
8. Congratulations to Artist Boat. Artist Boat was awarded $70,994 from the NFWF Shell Marine Habitat Program in January of 2011. This grant will result in the planting of 14 acres or 10 miles of sand dune habitat on Follet’s and Galveston Island through an outreach program with 4th through Gray participants. Artist Boat will partner with the Brazoria County Parks Department, the US Fish and Wildlife Coastal Program, Texas Master Naturalists, and area elementary and high schools to deliver 88 restoration events and two larger restoration events. To read more, visit http://galvestondailynews.com/story/214570.
9. “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” There will be a performance of one of Shakespeare’s funniest comedies, “The Merry Wives of Windsor” on March 3rd followed by a wine and cheese reception. Tickets are $25. The performance will benefit the Nature Discovery Center. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.naturediscoverycenter.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=123862