Community Notes 08-13-2012

1. Texas Coral Reefs: Today, Yesterday and Tomorrow. A public lecture, reception, and workshop will take place August 23rd-24th at the Baker Institute. The purpose of the Aug. 24 workshop on Texas coral reefs is to raise awareness of the reefs and banks on the Texas continental shelf with scientists and the public. At this event, scientists, policymakers and community leaders will take an integrated, interdisciplinary look at the past, present and future of these unique and uncommon features. Discussions will also address the reefs’ current and future condition over the next 50 years, in the context of global warming, ocean acidification, overfishing, general pollution and other possible environmental issues. Learn more and register at http://bakerinstitute.org/.
2. The Boomer. The Summer Edition of THE BOOMER, the quarterly newsletter of the Friends of Attwater Prairie Chicken Wildlife Refuge, is now available. Articles discuss the success of the Prairie Chicken Festival, a $42,000 grant with the USFWS Texas Coastal Program, intern Andrew Ludvick, information about a book featuring the Attwater Prairie Chicken and other grouse species, and decisions regarding changes to captive breeding and release programs.
3. America’s Great Outdoors: Connecting Youth to the Outdoors Grant Program. The National Environmental Education Foundation is seeking proposals for its America’s Great Outdoors: Connecting Youth to the Outdoors Grant Program. Proposed projects should maximize hands-on outdoor engagement opportunities on public lands, focused on the areas of education, recreation, and environmental stewardship. Deadline for proposals is September 19th. More at http://foundationcenter.org/.
4. Houston Sustainability Survey 2012. Take Rice University’s Shell Center for Sustainability survey to show what your business is doing to develop more green jobs in Houston. https://www.surveymonkey.com/.
5. United Way 2012-2013 Wage and Benefit Survey. The United Way of Greater Houston has launched the United Way 2012-2013 Wage and Benefit Survey. The only local nonprofit compensation study, the Wage & Benefit Survey provides a comprehensive overview of salaries and other benefits. Particpation deadline: Wednesday, August 22. Survey participants will receive a free copy of the printed report. More info at www.unitedwayhouston.org.
6. Harris County Pipeline Corridor at San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. On August 30, 2012, 9:00 am at TPWD headquarters in Austin, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) will consider a recommendation by staff to define the areal extent of an easement for an existing pipeline installed in 1969 at San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. Comment on the proposed transaction before the Commission takes action. More info at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
7. Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival. Commissioner Radack’s annual Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival at the Kleb Woods Nature Center, 20303 Draper Road at Mueschke Road in Tomball, will be Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This year’s event will feature hummingbird expert Sumita Prasad, who will be capturing and banding the small birds and giving patrons a chance to closely examine the unique creatures. Kleb Woods Nature Center naturalist Kendra Kocab will present a program on how to identify hummingbirds and how to document sightings. Gary Clark, a professor at Lone Star College-North Harris and the author of a weekly newspaper column on nature, will discuss local hummingbirds. His talk will be illustrated by his wife – professional photographer Kathy Adams Clark. Houston Audubon Society Education Director Mary Ann Weber will display live owls throughout the day and give patrons a chance to observe an Eastern Screech Owl, a Barred Owl and a Great Horned Owl. Kleb Woods Nature Center volunteer blacksmiths will also be demonstrating their skills on site and tours of the facility will be going on at the same time. Admission to the family-friendly event is free. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own drinks and snacks. None will be sold at the event. For more information, call (281) 357-5324.
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 Last Dance? Attwater’s Prairie-Chickens*
   • Hill Country State Natural Area
   • TPWD People: Amie Treuer-Kuehn
   • Flying Saucers – Shooting Sports
9. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
   • August 8: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” on the east and northeast side of the Houston area, with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.
   • August 2: Green–Good. Moderate to strong winds, low incoming background levels, and/or heavy cloud cover with precipitation should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
   • August 2: Green–Good. Moderate to strong winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
   • On August 7, TCEQ issued Air Pollution Warnings – Level Red for unhealthy levels of Ozone in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria areas. During a Level Red warning, everyone, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. The TCEQ also issued Air Pollution Warnings – Level Orange on August 7 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.