Coalition Notes 11-12-2012

1. What is the Future of Our Region? H-GAC Think 2040 Survey. In less than 30 years, our region is expected to add 3.5 million people. The Houston-Galveston Area Council and partners are working on a Regional Plan for Sustainable Development to help local governments prepare for this growth. You are invited to take a 10-minute survey about four alternative futures: Current Course, Less Time on the Road, Greener Region, and Competitive Workforce. Please contribute your thoughts about these alternatives and the tradeoffs involved with each of them. Then, pass on the survey to others! You can find out more about the planning process and take the survey at www.ourregion.org. The survey ends on November 16. Survey respondents will be entered in a drawing for one of four $25 Amazon.com gift certificates to be given away each week.
2. EVs for Trees Program. The EVs for Trees Program provides drivers with an added incentive to test drive an electric vehicle (EV). When Houstonians test drive a 100% electric Mitsubishi “i” or Nissan LEAF between now and December 1st at a participating EVs for Trees dealership, the dealer will donate $25 to Trees for Houston. Additionally, if the driver is a Green Mountain Energy or Reliant customer, these companies will donate an extra $25. Throughout the program, EVs for Trees test drive vouchers will be available for download online at http://www.evsfortrees.com/. No purchase is necessary; drivers can simply take the voucher to a participating dealer and test drive an electric car to generate a donation to Trees for Houston, which will provide funding to care for distressed trees and plant new trees. To find participating dealerships and for more information on the EVs for Trees program, visit www.greenhoustontx.gov/, http://www.evsfortrees.com/ or contact Lisa Lin at lisa.lin@houstontx.gov or 832.393.0850. You can also watch the EVs for Trees Video featuring special guest appearances from Mayor Annise Parker and organizations in Houston at http://www.youtube.com/.
3. NRPA Congress and Exposition Call for Program Proposals. The NRPA Congress and Exposition is the flagship event of the park and recreation community. The three-day conference brings together more than 8,000 attendees from all across the United States and Canada and is the single greatest gathering of park and recreation professionals, citizen advocates, partners, supporters and suppliers. The Congress provides attendees with opportunities for education, networking, exploring and debating national issues, and provides a showcase of goods and services of nearly 400 exhibitors relating to the field of parks and recreation. The City of Houston will welcome the arrival of the NRPA Annual Congress and Expo on October 8-10, 2013 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Right now, NRPA is accepting proposals for concurrent sessions, which take place in 1.25 hours, 2.25 hours and 3.25 hours time blocks. All interested speakers are invited to submit an education session proposal for the annual conference, seminars, online webinars, and/or online chats. Fill out the Education Session Proposal Form at https://s3.goeshow.com/. Deadline is November 16th.
4. Orchids of the Big Thicket. Did you know that out of the 54 species of wild orchids found in Texas, the majority – 36 species – are found in the moist woodlands of East Texas? Come to a talk at a Science Cafe led by orchid expert, Joe Liggio, to learn more about these beautiful and unusual flowers. Mr. Liggio has been studying and photographing wild orchids for over 30 years, and he and wife, Ann Orto Liggio, authored the book Wild Orchids in Texas. Orchids are often considered species of the tropics. However in Texas these unique flowers can be found in the Big Thicket’s swamps, ponds, bogs and meadows. Meet at the Logon Cafe, 3805 Calder, Beaumont, TX 77706. More at http://www.btatx.org/.
   
5. 2012 White Oak Bayou Association Annual Meeting. The Annual White Oak Bayou Association meeting will take place on November 14th, 6-7pm, at the Historic Heights Fire Station (W 12th St). Come out to promote the mission: “To promote greater public awareness, appreciation, and enjoyment of White Oak Bayou, its tributaries and environs by advocating the preservation, restoration, and maintenance of the natural wildlife habitats thereof, while promoting compatible educational and recreational opportunities within the area.” More at http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/.
6. America Recycles Day! November 15th is America Recycles Day, and there are many ways to get involved! You can join Texas Bottle Bill in their statewide call-in to the Texas legislators to ask them to sponsor “refundable deposits on beverage containers,” which will dramatically reduce Beverage Containers Pollutants from our waterways. You can also celebrate by taking a recycling pledge. The national recycling rate has increased every year since 1980. The current recycling rate is 34%. Learn more and take the pledge at http://americarecyclesday.org/.
7. Kayaking Courses. Artist Boat is offering advanced kayak courses this fall and spring break. The first course is ACA Quickstart for paddlers wanting more knowledge on paddling and safety skills. This 4-hour course will be held on November 17th and December 1st. The second course is for people wanting to become certified kayak instructors. All classes are limited in size. To learn more, contact Kelly Cloughly at 409-770-0722 or download the flyers at http://www.guidrynews.com/.
8. TWRC Wildlife Center: Intensive Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Course. The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council will offer a Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Course in Houston this December for those looking to add to their formal wildlife rehab education. The IWRC is a non-profit organization that offers training and support to professional wildlife rehabilitators from large non-profit organizations to individual home rehabilitators. This is an introductory course with lecture topics that include: intro to wildlife rehab, basic anatomy and physiology, calculating drug dosages, handling and physical restraint, thermoregulation, stress, basic shock cycle, initial care and physical examination, nutrition and associated diseases, standards for housing, zoonoses, euthanasia criteria and release criteria. It includes a half-day lab to practice techniques in: gavage (tube-feeding), physical restraint, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, physical exams, limb immobilization and weighing. Full course earns 15 Continuing Education Credits. The class will be held at the TWRC Wildlife Center Houston, TX on December 1st and 2nd. Cost: IWRC Members $125 Non-members $159. REGISTER ONLINE TODAY TO HOLD YOUR SPOT: www.theiwrc.org. Want to register by phone? Call 866-871-1869 or email office@theiwrc.org. More at http://www.twrcwildlifecenter.org./
9. 4th Annual State of the Prairie Conference. Coastal Prairie Partnership and Native Prairie Association of Texas are proud to invite you to the 4th Annual State of the Prairie Conference to be held in Kingsville, TX from Dec. 6-9, 2012 at the both the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Center and Texas A&M Kingsville. This year’s conference includes two of days of highly informative field trips to prairie remnants in the greater Corpus/Kingsville area and prairie plant grow out centers. There will be presentations and field experiences that focus on the economics of prairies and prairie restoration, cattle production, restoration after oil/gas drilling and landowner rights, biodiversity, prairie wetlands and more. So whether you are a private landowner, rancher, conservationist, landscape architect, educator, naturalist, or just curious about building prairies, this event is for you! $125 for indoor presentations on Dec. 7 and 8 (student rate available), includes lunch and dinner, $30 for Field Experience on Dec. 6 or 9. Single-day rates available. Full details and registration available at www.prairiepartner.org.