Community Notes 08-24-2011

1. Free Texas Watersheds Stewards Training. The Texas Watershed Steward (TWS) program was initiated to provide science-based, watershed education to help citizens identify and take action to address local water quality impairments. Participants in the training will learn about the nature and function of watersheds, potential impairments, and strategies for watershed protection. The free training is on August 30th at the Baytown Community Center from 8am-4pm. For more information, visit http://tws.tamu.edu/.
2. Mussels at the Café. The Big Thicket Science Café this fall will feature Bob Boensch. Bob will present a program on freshwater mussels of the Neches River and Village Creek at 6 pm on Thursday, September 1, at the Logon Café, 3805 Calder Avenue, in Beaumont. Mr. Boensch is the Preserve Manager of the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary and a team leader in surveying mussels for the All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI), an effort by scientists and land managers to identify all living organisms in the Big Thicket region. These surveys are vital in helping Texas Parks and Wildlife monitor the status of freshwater mussels and the overall health of our waterways. No reservations or fees are required for the program. For more information, please call 409-951-6720.
3. Flower Garden Banks NMS Expedition Online. August 21-September 2, 2011 We’re heading out into the Gulf as you head back to school! Please please follow along with us for the Coral Connections Expedition on board the NOAA ship Nancy Foster. We’ll be exploring the benthic habitats from 110-150 feet deep at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, as well as quantifying the local fish populations. You can learn more about this in our Mission Summary at http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/science/nancyfoster2011.html. You can also follow along with our Daily Logs beginning August 23. Note: On August 18, NOAA upgraded the bleaching status of the FGBNMS from a watch to a warning.
4. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html
   • August 25: Orange–Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. If there is enough afternoon sunshine, light winds and high incoming background levels should help ozone to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on the southeast and east side of the Houston area.
   • August 26: Orange–Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. If there is enough afternoon sunshine, light winds and high incoming background levels should help ozone to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on the southeast and south side of the Houston area.
   • August 27: Orange–Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. Light winds and high incoming background levels should help ozone to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on the south and southwest side of the Houston area. 
   • On August 18. 19, and 24, TCEQ issued Air Pollution Warnings – Level Orange for unhealthy levels of ozone in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria areas. During a Level Orange warning, active children and adults as well as people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exposure.