Coalition Notes 11-26-2012

1. EVs for Trees Program. Deadline: December 1, 2012. 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/.
2. Houston Green Film Series: The Last Mountain. The Houston Green Film Series will continue on November 28th, 6:30-9pm, at the Rice University Media Center (2030 Entrance 2 Dr). The film, The Last Mountain, documents the battle over protecting our health and environment from the destructive power of Big Coal. The mining and burning of coal is at the epicenter of America’s struggle to balance its energy needs with environmental concerns. Nowhere is that concern greater than in Coal River Valley, West Virginia, where a small but passionate group of ordinary citizens are trying to stop Big Coal corporations, like Massey Energy, from continuing the devastating practice of Mountain Top Removal. The event starts with a meet-and-greet, followed by the film. A expert panel discussion will be held after the showing. Light dinner kindly donated by Dr. Pat Speck and Dry Bones Cafe. A $5 donation is suggested and greatly appreciated. More at https://www.facebook.com/.
3. Sierra Club Workshop: Meeting With Decision Makers 101. Join Sierra Club Lonestar Chapter for lunch and a workshop on December 1st, 11am-1:30pm, at The Chatham Center at St. Stephen’s (1800 Sul Ross Street). Participants will learn how to effectively speak with decision makers to drive your cause forward! The workshop is open to all who are interested in learning how to create change in their communities. It’s a great way to get involved in Houston. There will be opportunities in the week following the workshop to meet with actual Houston decision makers and implement what you learn. To RSVP, please click here. Join the event on Facebook! Please direct all questions to Tansy Stobart at tansystobartsc@gmail.com.
4. Countdown to Christmas Bird Counts. Experience the magic of birding and Christmas Bird Counts with Houston Audubon in this fun event for the entire family. There will be a showing of the HBO movie, Birders: The Central Park Effect, which looks at the wide array of wild birds that come in and out of Central Park throughout the year, as well as the New Yorkers who track and observe them. No need to bring binoculars! We’ll supply checklists for those who wish to test their ID skills. After the movie, there will be a discussion about Christmas Bird Counts – a time to ask questions about CBCs and share war stories. In the movie one of the birders recites his seven reasons why he loves birding. Make your own list and compare! http://www.houstonaudubon.org/
5. 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./
6. 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.
7. Air Alliance Houston – Earth Day Contest. After five years in elementary and middle schools, this year Air Alliance Houston’s Earth Day Art Contest will include works by high-school students. Students in the third through twelfth grades in the Houston area should enter their artwork by Thursday, January 31, 2013. Earth Day celebrates our planet’s wonders. Show what you see when you think of clean air, water, and land. Show your vision of how we can honor, celebrate and protect our environment.
   • Works must be two dimensional on an 11” x 14” sheet of paper.
   • Acceptable media are acrylics, oils, water colors, pastels, chalk, charcoal, pencils, ink, crayon, collages, and computer-generated art. Chalk, pastels, and charcoal must be affixed.
   • Put your name, grade, school, and teacher’s name on the back.
   • Mail or deliver the art to: Art Contest – Skyline Art Services/6955 Portwest Drive, Suite 160/Houston, Texas 77024.
8. 2012 Christmas Cruises Along Buffalo Bayou. Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership in celebrating the holiday season with 30-minute pontoon boat rides along Buffalo Bayou served up with plenty of decorations, brightly colored lights, song and cheer! The cruises will be held on December 1, 8, and 15 from 5-8pm (weather permitting). Boat landing and pick up location is at downtown’s Allen’s Landing (Commerce and Main Street) on the other side of Main Street Bridge from the Spaghetti Warehouse. No reservations are taken, and tours are on a first come – first serve basis. Limited capacity of 21 persons per trip. The cruises are $7 for adults and $5 for children (ages 4 -12) no strollers please (cash only). Check the website at www.buffalobayou.org for cancellations due to weather. Private tours are also available – call 713.752.0314 ext. 4 for reservations.