Community Notes 11-09-2011

1. Sheldon Lake Plant-a-thon volunteers needed. Volunteers are needed to help plant 2500 native coastal grasses at Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center on November 12, 2011, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm (lunch at noon). This event will aid efforts already underway to restore 400 acres of farmland to native prairie habitat and reestablish the diverse wildlife that it once had. For more information or to register, please e-mail sheldonlake@tpwd.state.tx.us.
2. 8th Annual Texas Beaming Bioneers Conference. A two-day Bioneers Conference will cover Issues That Matter: Environment & Nature, Health & Spirit, Social Justice and the Arts. The conference will take place November 11th and 12th at the Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church. The Bioneers Conference brings together brilliant corporate, scientific, and social innovators focused on practical and visionary solutions for developing sustainable organizations, reducing our ecological footprint, and healing our human communities. For more information, visit http://www.blackwoodland.org/bioneers/.
3. Get Involved in TCEQ Advisory Groups. Want to get involved with the TCEQ to help the environment? Find information on more than 40 advisory groups that help the TCEQ implement legislation, develop rules, and form policies. Learn how to participate in any of these TCEQ advisory groups.
   
4. America Recycles Day. On America Recycles Day, November 15th, local event organizers host events that inform millions of people on what is recycled in their community. Registration is open for organizers to create a local event. If you cannot host an event, but would like to participate, visit http://americarecyclesday.org/ to find an event near you.
5. The 2011 Drought Survival Symposium. The drought has changed the way of life for many, so the question becomes, how do we move forward in the changed environment? The 2011 Drought Survival Symposium will cover a variety of topics including water conservation to plants that can survive in the new climate. The symposium will take place on November 16th from 4-7pm at the United Way Building. For more information, visit http://ohbaonline.org/.
6. Cullinan Park Nature Photo Contest. The Cullinan Park Conservancy is holding a Nature Photo Contest. People are encouraged to enter photographs of landscape, animals, birds, insects, fish, and reptiles who call Cullinan Park at Oyster Creek their home. To enter, send an email, one per image, to cullinanparkconservancy@gmail.com, giving the title of the piece, the name, address, and phone number of the entrant, and attaching the image file. Find out more at http://cullinanparkconservancy.ning.com/.
7. Wilderness Stewardship Challenge. The National Forest Foundation has begun to accept proposals for its Wilderness Stewardship Challenge Matching Grant Program. The Stewardship Challenge calls for all congressionally designated Forest Service Wilderness Areas in the National Forest System to meet baseline management standards by 2014. The program offers one-year awards of up to $50,000. Little Lake Creek Wilderness, home to endangered red cockaded woodpeckers and part of the Sam Houston National Forest in northwest Montgomery County, qualifies for the challenge. More information at http://foundationcenter.org/.
8. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife.Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Seabrook, and on HCC. More info on the TPWD website. This week’s broadcast will cover:
   • Fisheries for the Future
   • Lone Star Land Steward: Temple Ranch
   • Guadalupe River State Park
   • Underground History of Texas state parks
   • Postcard From Texas – Palo Duro Canyon State Park
9. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html
• November 10: Green–Good–Moderate winds, cool temperatures, and low incoming backgrounds should keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
• November 11: Green–Good–Moderate to strong winds, cool temperatures, and low background levels should keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
• November 12: Green–Good–Moderate to strong winds and low background levels should keep air quality in the “Good” range.