Coalition Notes 08-20-2012

1. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping. On August 20, 2012, the University of Houston, Air Alliance Houston, and the American Lung Association, Plains-Gulf Region launched the Houston Clean Air Network website and the first real-time ozone map designed to reach a wide range of users at a local level. This groundbreaking resource promises to change the way Houston-area resident view ozone and individual exposure. Visit the website to learn more: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com. You check the weather when you go out…now you can check the air quality, too.
2. Houston Green Film Series: Minds in the Water. The Houston Green Film Series continues with Minds in the Water, an award winning documentary following the quest of professional surfer Dave Rastovich and his friends to protect dolphins, whales, and the oceans they all share. Through Dave’s journey—a five-year adventure spanning the globe from Australia to the Galapagos, Tonga, California, Alaska and Japan—we see one surfer’s quest to activate his community to help protect the ocean and its inhabitants. The film will be shown on August 22nd at 6:30pm at the Rice Media Center (6100 Main Street), followed by an expert panel discussion. A light dinner will be served. A $5 donation is suggested and very appreciated. Learn more at http://www.hpjc.org/.
3. Solid Waste Grant Funding. The FY13 Solid Waste Grant application is now posted to the H-GAC website at www.h-gac.com/go/swgrants. Just over $168,000 will be available for solid waste implementation grants during this second round of FY13 funding. Eligible projects will be limited to the purchasing of recycling equipment, tire collection events, or BOPA events (batteries, oil, paint, and antifreeze). All projects must be able to be fully implemented between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2013.
4. Transitions – An Exploration of Recycled Art. The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) and The Center for Recycled Art invite the public to view the art exhibit, Transitions – An Exploration of Recycled Art. The exhibit features local artists that specialize in using recycled material in their work, some of which came from the SWMD’s own facilities The Reuse Warehouse and the Environmental Service Center South. The exhibit can be seen at the Bob Lanier Public Works Building, 611 Walker, Ground Level Lobby, through August 24, 2012. The exhibit is free. More at http://www.houstontx.gov/ and http://www.facebook.com/.
5. Mini Wonders Celebration at Children’s Museum of Houston. The Children’s Museum of Houston has fun-filled week of problem-solving activities and idea-discovering at the exclusive Tot*Spot exhibit (for children 35 months and under) and throughout the entire Museum. This exciting week starts on August 23rd and runs through the 29th. There are many opportunities for kids to learn about going green with activities like making necklaces from recycled materials, sorting items into a reduce, reuse or recycle bin at the EcoStation, and playing the “Go Green Game.” Learn more at http://www.cmhouston.org/.
6. H-GAC’s Draft Public Participation Plan. The Houston-Galveston Area Council invites you to comment on the Draft Public Participation Plan for transportation. The comment period will end on August 22nd at 5pm. More info is available at www.h-gac.com/taq/public_info.
7. Clean Waters Initiative: Local 319 Grants. The next Clean Waters Initiative Workshop will take place on August 23rd from 1:30-4pm at Houston-Galveston Area Council, Conference Room A (3555 Timmons Lane). The workshop will cover the Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program of the Clean Water Act. Projects to be presented include Sheldon Lake State Park, City of Dickinson and League City, Armand Bayou Campus Wetland at the University of Houston Clear Lake, and City of Houston projects. Register at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/.
8. 2012 Wildscapes Workshop and Native Plant Sale. Don’t miss the 2012 Wildscapes Workshop and Native Plant Sale at the Houston Zoo’s Brown Education Center on September 8th from 8:30am-3:30pm. The topic of the Wildscapes Workshop: Landscaping with Native Plants to Attract Wildlife. This event features a wide variety of hard-to-find native plants that support butterflies and birds. Pre-registration is required. Lunch, refreshments, and entry to the zoo are included in registration ($35 per person; $30 for NPSOT members). Learn more at http://npsot.org/Houston/.
9. Save the Date: 2013 Fight for Air Climb. American Lung Associations annual event will be on April 6, 2013. More information is available at www.lung.org.