Community Notes 09-28-2011

1. Field Trip Grants. Target has a program that provides students with the opportunity to enhance their studies in the arts, math, science and social studies by providing grants to allow students to learn outside the classroom. As part of the program, each Target store will award three Target Field Trip Grants to K—12 schools nationwide—enabling one in 25 schools throughout the U.S. to send a classroom on a field trip. Each grant is valued up to $700. To apply for a field trip grant, visit http://sites.target.com/.
2. Education in Action’s 2011-2012 Call for Outstanding Student Nominations. 4th-8th graders will have the opportunity to join delegations of distinguished students at the Lone Star Leadership Academy, a week-long, TEKS-based, experiential leadership development program to Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston during spring break or summer. The Lone Star Leadership Academy provides opportunities for students to experience grade level curriculum during visits to historically, politically, scientifically, and environmentally significant sites with a focus on leadership throughout. The fall nomination is November 18, 2011, and the final nomination deadline is February 10. To nominate a student, visit http://www.educationinaction.org/educators/nominations.php.
3. 14th Annual Texas Recycling & Sustainability Summit. 14th Annual Texas Recycling & Sustainability Summit will be taking place from October 2nd-4th in Austin at the Omni Downtown. The summit will cover topics such as “Concepts and Current Realities of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR),” “How Far Can We Take Recycling/Sustainability,” and ” Organics and Composting.” To learn more about the summit, visit http://www.recyclingstar.org/summit/index.html.
4. Bird Watching in Woodland Park. Please join Friends of Woodland Park on Sunday, Oct. 2nd at 7 a.m. for a bird watching adventure in the park. Jason Bonilla will be leading the group. So far this year he has identified over 50 species of migratory and native birds within the Park. Bring your binoculars, scan the trees tops, and come see what you can find! For a complete survey of birds identified at the park, visit  www.friendsofwoodlandpark.org.
5. Free Behavior Change Workshop. October 12^th Pasadena Convention Center:  Come join over 2,500+ graduates nationwide who are saving over $2,700 and reducing their carbon dioxide emissions by 5 tons each year.  You will learn ways to save money, improve your resilience for the future, and help the environment through powerful behavior change methods.  To register email Susan@NurturedWorld.Org or call (512) 663-1496.  More information is available at http://www.nurturedworld.org/CalendarOfEvents.html.
6. National Public Lands Day results at Trinity River Refuge. Eleven Trinity River Refuge staff, Friends of Trinity River Refuge, and volunteers turned out for the Annual National Public Lands Day clean-up event. About 800 pounds of trash were picked up along the Trinity River at the Hwy 105 bridge for about 2 hours on 9-24-2011 as part of the nationwide event. It is always sad to see such a nice place trashed by folks who don’t care to take back what they bring. Ironically, only 3 pounds of aluminum cans were found in all that trash.
7. Berry Elementary plans for “Plug Into the Outdoors.” Berry Elementary Environmental Science Magnet School will be hosting a large community event to raise environmental awareness on December 10, 2011. This event is called Plug Into the Outdoors. Many different environmental agencies from around the Houston area will be setting up informational booths and doing different activities with our community. Berry Elementary invites environmental organizations to set up a table with a small activity for families to do and learn about your organization. Last year around 800 people came to the event and this year we are expecting double that because of our new LEED silver building that is finally finished! Please contact magnet coordinator Lori Kelleher at 713-696-2700 for more information.
8. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html
   • September 29: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone–Ozone levels could also “Moderate” on the east and northeast side of the Houston area.
   • September 30: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone–Depending on wind speeds, incoming background levels should be high enough for ozone to possibly reach “Moderate” levels on the south and southwest side of the Houston, area in the afternoon and early evening.
   • October 1: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone–Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels on the west and southwest side of the Houston.
   • On September 24, TCEQ issued an Air Pollution Warning – 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.