Community Notes 07-23-2012

1. Recycle-Bowl Competition. Recycle-Bowl is a competition between schools designed to establish new recycling programs within schools, increase recycling rates in schools that currently recycle, and provide teacher/student educational opportunities about recycling and waste reduction. The 2012 Recycle-Bowl registration database is now open. The competition will be held October 15th to November 9th. The first 1000 schools to register will receive a Recycle-Bowl coordinator toolkit, which will include Recycle-Bowl competition posters, lesson plans, a library book, and more. Learn more and register at http://recycle-bowl.org/.
2. Water-Wise Cities. The 12 most “water-wise” cities in the country were recently recognized by the 2012 National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Sponsored by the Wyland Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans, waterways, and marine life, the friendly competition among U.S. cities was supported by WaterSense and other public and private partners in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Houston, Sugar Land, and Kingwood all made the top ten in their respective categories, the only cities in Texas to do so. Visit http://www.mywaterpledge.com/top10 to view the results of the challenge.
3. National Parks for a New Century: Statement of Joint Principles. The National Parks Conservation Foundation invites us to support a statement of joint principals in preparation for the 2016 centennial of the National Park Service. The principals convey  support for the national parks community in support of America’s national parks and their owners, the American people. These principles demonstrate broad support for strong national parks and National Park Service programs and progress through advocacy, service, philanthropy and partnerships. The goal is to have 1,000 signatures by September 1st. To read to Statement of Principles and to sign, visit http://www.2016parksummit.org/.
4. Japhet Creek Major Improvements. There are many opportunities to volunteer at Japhet Creek. Groups wishing to take on a specific task or a long-term maintenance project are encouraged to apply. Specific tasks include a major improvement such as building over-look decks, bicycle racks, building nesting boxes or laying a new trail. Long-term maintenance projects include on-going removal of invasive plants, taking out invasive trees and log jams or “adopting” a stretch of existing trial. Eagle Scout and company volunteer projects can be negotiated. Japhet Creek will be holding Restoration/Clean-up Days on 9/22, 10/13, 10/27, 11/3, 11/17, and 12/1. Now look up The Japhet Creek Nature Conservancy on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/japhetcreekvolunteers/.
5. 2012 President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA). The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation’s natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation’s young people. One outstanding project from each region is selected for national recognition. Projects are developed by young individuals, school classes (K-12), summer camps, and youth organizations to promote environmental stewardship. Evaluation results consistently demonstrate that the experience is frequently a life-changing event for many of the young people and sponsors who attend. Encourage one or more students you know to apply for PEYA and see what a difference they can make for the environment with an award-winning project. Applications for the regional award are due by December 31 of each year. Learn more at http://www.epa.gov/peya/.
6. Direct Energy’s Reduce Your Use For Good Grant. Reduce Your Use For Good grants provide funding for nonprofits to purchase energy-efficiency products and services. The $2,500 grants can be used for any energy-efficient product or service that will help you save energy and the applications are available online at http://www.reduceyouruseforgood.com/. Step 1: Make a video. Step 2: Submit online at ReduceYourUseForGood.com. 3. Like it and Share it.
7. Gulf B-WET Funding. The National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Region is now seeking proposals under the Gulf of Mexico NOAA Bay-Watershed Education and Training (Gulf B-WET) Program. The program promotes locally relevant, experiential learning in the K-12 environment. Funded projects provide meaningful watershed educational experiences for students, related professional development for teachers, and help to support regional education and environmental priorities in the Gulf of Mexico. The deadline for application is October 19, 2012. http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/outreach/pdfs/NOAA-NMFS-SE-2013-2003461%20FFO%20Report.pdf
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:
   • Home Again – Desert Bighorn Sheep
   • Fort Boggy State Park
   • TPWD People: Ashley Summers
   • Memories of the Civilian Conservation Corps
9. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
   • July 24: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • July 25: Green–Good. Moderate to strong winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • July 26: Green–Good. Moderate to strong winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.