Coalition Notes 12-14-2011

1. Reading Towards Sustainability. This event provides attendees with a list of books on the subject of sustainability. The speaker, Steve Stelzer, will present converging ideas and contrasts from a cross section of the books to give the audience an idea of the community effect of authors concerned about the state of the human race and what we need to do to keep it on track with the planet. This event will be held on December 15th at the City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center from 6-7:30pm. Please RSVP at Steve.stelzer@houstontx.gov or phone 832-394-9050. More at http://www.greenhoustontx.gov/gbrceducation.pdf.
2. Upper Texas Coast Dune Restoration Outreach Program. Artist Boat is providing an opportunity for students and teachers to engage as coastal stewards through planting a variety of native dune plants which include seaoats, bitter panicum, railroad vine, sea purslane, and marsh-hay cordgrass. This program will help restore the dunes in Follet’s Island in Brazoria County and Galveston Island from the devastating effects of Ike in addition to constant erosion from man and natural causes. These trips will be available until March 30th, 2012. To reserve a trip, call, fax, or email Kari Howard at 409-770-0722 (office), 409-770-0712 (fax), or khoward@artistboat.org.
3. GBF Seeks Comments Regarding Land Trust Accreditation. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. GBF is pleased to announce it is applying for accreditation. A public comment period is now open. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Learn more about the accreditation program and submit a comment: http://galvbay.org/conservation_landtrust.html. Comments on GBF’s application must be submitted by December 31, 2011.
4. Texas Christmas Bird Counts. The Texas Christmas Bird Counts will be held from December 14th to January 5th in various places throughout the Houston region. The bird counts are organized by the National Audubon Society, and open to birders of all skill levels. This all-volunteer effort takes a snapshot of bird populations to monitor their status and distribution across the Western Hemisphere. There is a $5 fee for each participant that helps fund the program and cover the costs of generating materials for compilers, producing an annual CBC summary issue, and maintaining the CBC website and database. To find a count in your area, visit http://www.houstonaudubon.org/.
5. Winter Camps for Kids. There are great opportunities for kids to learn about nature over the break. Katy Prairie is hosting a Winter Camp about Magical Nature from December 27th-29th. The camp will focus on the tricky, ingenious, and inventive creatures that make watching nature magical. More at http://www.katyprairie.org/events. The Houston Arboretum is also having a Winter Break Day Camp, held from December 27th-30th. This four-day camp will explore the different types of forests in the world and the plants and animals that live in each. More at http://www.houstonarboretum.org/wintercamp.asp.
6. KPC Great Grow Out. The Great Grow Out is a citizen-conservation project that enlists volunteers to grow plants at their home or as part of a scout group or garden club activity. Volunteer-grown plants are donated to KPC or local schools for prairie restoration efforts. Volunteers are highly encouraged to also keep some plants for their own use – hey, it’s part of the fun! KPC provides volunteers with the seeds and know how (see our handbook and videos provided on the link below); you provide the water, soil, pots, and time. Check out the Great Grow Out on KPC’s website so you can join our grass roots effort!
7. Parks for Pups Photo Contest. The Trust for Public Land is holding a photo contest through December 24th. Anyone who wants to enter should send a photo of a favorite four-legged friend enjoying a day at the park, and it will be uploaded to the TPL Facebook page. The snapshot with the most “likes” will earn TPL swag! Upload the photo at http://www.tpl.org/custom-forms/.
8. 2011 Winter Holiday Native Tree & Shrub Sale. The Houston Arboretum will be holding a native tree and shrub sale from December 10th to the 18th. This year, 16 different Texas native trees and shrubs will be available for sale, and quantities of each species are limited to less than 24 specimens each. Most of the plants are in 5 to 10-gallon sizes, ranging in price $30-$90. More at http://www.houstonarboretum.org/.
9. Buffalo Bayou Christmas Cruises. Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership in celebrating the holiday season with 30-minute pontoon boat rides along Buffalo Bayou served up with plenty of decorations, music and cheer! Capacity is 21 per ride. $7 adults and $5 children (4-12). Cash only. No reservations. Meet at Allen’s Landing, 901 Commerce Street, 77002; 713.752.0314 ext. 4. We recommend parking at Spaghetti Warehouse for a $5 fee or street parking, which is free after 6pm.  http://www.buffalobayou.org/boattours.html.
10. H-GAC Solid Waste Grants. H-GAC will be accepting applications for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Solid Waste Implementation Pass-Through Grants from November 14th to December 22nd. This deadline is for applications for grants for both 2012 and 2013. Eligible project categories include citizens collection stations and small registered transfer stations, education and training, household hazardous waste management, litter and illegal dumping cleanup and community collection events, local enforcement, local solid waste management plans/technical studies, and source reduction and recycling. More about the grants and the workshop at http://www.h-gac.com/community/waste/grant/default.aspx.
11. Bottle Bill News. Read about successes of the Texas Bottle Bill group in 2011 in their newsletter at www.texasbottlebill.com.
12. State of the Prairie Conference a big success. KPC once again played a leading role at this year’s State of the Prairie Conference in Houston from Nov. 18-19. Prairie managers, landowners, landscape architects, teachers, master naturalists, and others networked and were treated to some highly information and inspiring talks on Nov. 18 before talking to the field for trips on Nov. 19th to some of the best prairie remnants in town. Info from the conference is on the Coastal Prairie Partnership’s conference page.