Community Notes 04-09-2012

1. Public Input Sought on Proposed Devils River State Natural Area Public Use Plan. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will hold the first of five public meetings on April 10 in Houston to receive feedback on the Public Use Plan portion of the proposed General Management Plan for Devils River State Natural Area in Val Verde County. The meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Houston Zoo’s Brown Education Hall. More at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
2. National Mayor’s Conservation Challenge. From March 31 –April 30, the City of Houston is joining cities from across the country to compete in the National Mayor’s Challenge. Mayors nationwide will challenge their residents to conserve water, energy, and other precious natural resources through simple, easy-to-use online pledge. Cities will compete to see who can gain the most participation. Perhaps more importantly, participants will see real results based on simple actions they can do to save water and energy at no cost the city, and with little or no additional demands on city resources or staff. They will also learn about great resources in their area to take their commitment of conservation even further, from regional water and energy resource issues to cost-saving tips at home. Visit http://www.mywaterpledge.com to take the pledge and support your city. The challenge will conclude during the City of Houston’s Water Week Event. Information about participating and exhibiting cabe be found at www.houstonwaterweek.org.The deadline to register as an exhibitor is April 13, 2012.
3. Drought Survival Symposium II. The Drought Survival Symposium II will take place on April 12th from 4-7pm at The United Way Building (50 Waugh Drive). The symposium will focus on how to prepare landscapes to survive and thrive in the harsh Texas summers by minimizing water requirements and maximizing plant health and landscape beauty. Learn more and register at http://www.ohbaonline.org/.
4. Three Minutes with the Mayor. Every quarter, Mayor Annise Parker travels to a different neighborhood to talk to Houstonians who are unable to bring their questions and concerns to her at city hall. On April 14th, she will travel to Spring Branch and meet at Hillendahl Neighborhood Library (2436 Gessner Rd) from 1-4pm. This is an opportunity to meet one-on-one with the mayor on a first-come first-served basis. It is recommended that attendees prepare ahead as each conversation will be limited to no more than three minutes. For more information, call or email the Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance office at 713-803-1062 or ruben.vela@houstontx.gov. More at http://www.houstontx.gov/.
   
5. Trinity River National Wildlife seeks Input. The Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is seeking public comment on a draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA). The final plan will guide management decisions and set forth goals, objectives and strategies needed to accomplish refuge purposes and establish the Service’s best estimate of future needs for the next 15 years. Public comments on the draft CCP/EA will be considered for the formulation of the final plan. The CCP/EA is available at:http://southwest.fws.gov/refuges/texas/trinityriver. Comments will be accepted up to 4:30pm (Mountain Standard Time), Friday, May 4, 2012.
6. Funding for Volunteer Groups Serving Public Lands. The National Environmental Education Foundation is offering Every Day Grants to nonprofit organizations working to improve and promote responsible use of public land sites in the United States. Applicants will have to describe a needed and well-planned project that contributes to the long-term sustainability of the organization and serves the public land site. Applications are due May 25th. Visit http://foundationcenter.org/ for more information.
   
7. Pulling Together Initiative. The Pulling Together Initiative, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, provides funding for programs designed to help control invasive plant species, mostly through the work of public/private partnerships such as cooperative weed management projects. The programs must prevent, manage, or eradicate invasive and noxious plants through a coordinated program of public/private partnerships and increase public awareness of the adverse impacts of invasive and noxious plants. Pre-proposals are due May 18th. More 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 (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). This week’s broadcast will include:
   • The Pronghorn Puzzle
   • Outdoor Info: Get Started Camping
   • Call of the Wild – Hunting Dogs
9. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
   • April 10: Yellow–Moderate–Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher on the east and northeast side of the Houston area with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.
   • April 11: Yellow–Moderate–If there is enough afternoon sunshine, winds will be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels on the north and northwest side of the Houston area.
   • April 12: Green–Good–Moderate to strong winds, low incoming background levels, and/or heavy cloud cover should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • On April 6, TCEQ issued an 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.