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December 3, 2012

Houston Environmental News Update December 4, 2012

CEC NOTES

  1. CEC seeks Executive Director
  2. New Website & Calendar

COALITION NOTES

  1. 4th Annual State of the Prairie Conference
  2. GCBO Birds and Bottomlands Blitz: Mini Christmas Bird Count
  3. Special Hourly Program: Wildlife Diversity Program
  4. KPC Unplugged Adventure: Dog Days
  5. HANC Winter Native Plant Sale
  6. “Now What” Community Meeting About Houston’s Bayou Greenways
  7. 2012-2013 Texas Christmas Bird Counts
  8. 2012 Christmas Cruises Along Buffalo Bayou
  9. Save the date: The 13th Annual Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Breakfast with the Sandhill Cranes
  2. 2013 Tree Planting Competition
  3. Webinar – The Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids: The Schoolyard Classroom
  4. Facebook: Japhet Creek Restoration Volunteers–Keep it Clean and Green!
  5. Water and Land Management Workshops
  6. Holiday Trees: Artistically Upcycled
  7. TD Green Streets – Grants
  8. Five Star & Urban Waters Restoration Program
  9. Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities
  10. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
  11. Air Quality Forecast

NEWS HEADLINES

  1. Builder Boasts Most Energy Efficient House First Built In Houston (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News, 11/29/2012)
  2. Energy Conservation Project Pays Off Big (Guidry News, 11/30/2012)
  3. Ground-breaking Law: Air Pollution Can Be a Crime and Affected Citizens Crime Victims (Larry R. Soward – Air Alliance Houston, 11/27/2012)

GREEN JOBS

  1. CEC seeks Executive Director
  2. NEW! The Mercer Society seeks Executive Director
  3. NEW! Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) seeks Administrative Assistant
  4. Texas Coastal Watershed Program (TCWP) seeks Graduate Student Intern
  5. Texas Coastal Watershed Program seeks Wetland Program Assistant
  6. The Mercer Society seeks a Grower
  7. Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens seeks Conservation Botany Intern

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS

CEC NOTES

  1. CEC seeks Executive Director. The Citizens Environmental Coalition is seeking an Executive Director with a passion for environmental issues and strong community involvement and fundraising talents.  CEC works with organizations serving all facets of the environmental community with the mission of fostering dialogue, education, and collaboration on environmental issues in the Houston/Gulf Coast region.  We are seeking a person with strong independent work habits and the ability to connect with the breadth of the environmental community.  For more information visit cechouston.org or contact our interim ED, Shawn McFarland, at shawn@cechouston.org. Please send a cover letter and resume to helen.oconnor@live.com, Board President, by January 1, 2013.
  2. New Website & Calendar. The CEC has a new website! Well, it has a great new look with all of the same great content it has always had. The calendar has much more functionality–help us fill it up!  cechouston.org.

COALITION NOTES

  1. 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.
  2. GCBO Birds and Bottomlands Blitz: Mini Christmas Bird Count. Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (103 Hwy 332 W. Lake Jackson, TX) will be holding a Mini Christmas Bird Count with Tom Morris, Jerry Eppner, and Tom Taroni on December 8th, 9-11am. The leaders will discuss more details of a Christmas Count, lead participants in a search for birds and compile results after a tour of short nature trails. If you have binoculars, please bring them. If not, a limited amount of binoculars will be available. You do not have to be knowledgeable about birds, as there will be volunteers to help you identify the birds seen. A list of the wintering birds to be expected will be given to all participants. More at http://www.gcbo.org/.
  3. Special Hourly Program: Wildlife Diversity Program. The Houston Sierra Club and the Houston Audubon Society are jointly hosting a special hourly program on December 12th at 7pm at the Hermann Park Garden Center (1500 Hermann Dr). John Davis, Wildlife Diversity Program Director, will speak about current wildlife diversity issues, how the Wildlife Diversity Program is funded, and most importantly, what is needed in the future to truly do a good job of stewarding wildlife diversity in Texas. Contact: Evelyn Merz at 713-644-8228 or elmerz@hal-pc.org. More at http://www.houstonaudubon.org/.
  4. KPC Unplugged Adventure: Dog Days. Katy Prairie Conservancy is hosting an event centered around our canine friends. Come out with your pooch on a leash on December 15th, 10am-noon, for a dog’s day on the prairie. There will be demonstrations of the amazing skills of hunting dogs and the graceful skills of agility-trained dogs. This event is free! Please contact info@katyprairie.org or call 713.523.6135 to register. More at http://www.katyprairie.org/.
  5. HANC Winter Native Plant Sale. The Houston Arboretum will be holding its Winter Native Plant Sale from December 8-16, 9am-4pm, at 4501 Woodway Dr. Over 90 species of native plants will be available, including Baldy Cypress, Beatyberry, Coral Honeysuckle, Gulf Coast Muhley, Indigo Bush, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Sassafras, Sweetbay Magnolia, and White Oak. Find a complete list here: http://www.houstonarboretum.org/.
  6. “Now What” Community Meeting About Houston’s Bayou Greenways. ParksByYou and the Houston Parks Board will host a short one hour community meeting entitled: “Now What” at the United Way at 50 Waugh Drive Houston, TX 77007 on December 20 from 11am until noon. Drinks will be provided during a short PowerPoint presentation demonstrating where construction will begin on Houston’s Bayou Greenways during the first few months of 2013. But ParksByYou still needs your help in fundraising and friendraising. So bring a friend and hear about the next steps in the most transformative project in Houston, and one of the largest trail projects in the nation. RSVP here: jen@houstonparksboard.org and check out www.houstonbayougreenways.org for more information on the trails and parks.
  7. 2012-2013 Texas Christmas Bird Counts. The 113th annual Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for December 14, 2012 to January 5, 2013. Organized by the National Audubon Society, this all-volunteer effort takes a snapshot of bird populations to monitor their status and distribution across the Western Hemisphere. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels. Novices are placed in groups with more experienced birders. New to CBCs? Join in the fun! Discover new areas to bird which may not be normally accessible and take advantage of this great opportunity to bird with some of our foremost birding experts. Be part of a long-standing holiday program that ultimately helps protect our extraordinary birds! As of 2012, there is NO FEE to participate in Christmas Bird Counts! The annual CBC report will be an online publication and Nation Audubon will rely on donations for funding. Check out the schedule at http://www.houstonaudubon.org/.
  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 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.
  9. Save the date: The 13th Annual Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale. Mark your calendar for this once a year fruit-tree-fest. The 13th Annual Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale will be held on Saturday, January 19th, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until sold out, at Houston Community College, 5601 West Loop South, just south of Hwy 59. This sale brings together far more types and varieties of fruit trees than can be found anywhere else in the greater Houston area. Best fruit trees are available only during the winter at this sale.

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Breakfast with the Sandhill Cranes. Nature lovers throughout the region await the arrival of Sandhill Cranes every year. A number of these large, majestic birds have already been spotted on the west end, and many more will be on hand for the annual Breakfast with the Cranes on Dec. 8. Enjoy a light breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Galveston Country Club, 14228 Stewart Road, and meet Joan Garland of the International Crane Foundation, who will talk about cranes in Texas, the organization’s worldwide crane studies and conservation efforts. Then off to the pastures and sloughs that are hot spots for a bird’s eye view of the visiting Sandhill Cranes. Cars will leave for birding sites immediately after the presentation and return to the County Club around noon. Some 145 cranes were sighted during last year’s event. Breakfast with the Cranes event ticket prices are $20 for GINTC members and $25 for non-members. More at http://guidrynews.com/.
  2. 2013 Tree Planting Competition. The 2013 Tree Planting Competition will be held on February 9th, 2013. The planting competition once again will be held in partnership with Harris County Flood Control District, and will take place at the 11,500 blk of Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77067. As in years past there will be Professional, Amateur and Youth Divisions, and HCFCD will till the site beforehand. Register for the event by downloading the form at http://cechouston.org/.
  3. Webinar – The Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids: The Schoolyard Classroom. Texas Children in Nature is partnering with REAL Schools Gardens in Dallas/Ft. Worth and National Wildlife Federation to host a state-wide webinar on December 6th for Texas educators. The webinar, The Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids: The Schoolyard Classroom, will include the research supporting outdoor education, the importance of a team approach, outdoor classroom possibilities, instruction, professional development considerations and the components for long term success. Featured speakers include Irene Pickhardt of Texas Education Agency, Lisa Webber of STEMscopes at Rice University as well as educators from successful ISD programs across the state. The webinar is on December 6th, 4:00 p.m – 5:15 p.m. Central. Free! RSVP. More at http://txcinc.wordpress.com/.
  4. Facebook: Japhet Creek Restoration Volunteers|Keep it Clean and Green! The Japhet Creek Nature Conservancy now has a Facebook page where it will post updates and links related to volunteering for creek clean-up events. If you already have a Facebook account, please go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/japhetcreekvolunteers/ and “like” the page!
  5. Water and Land Management Workshops. Trinity Waters and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are hosting a second round of water and land management workshops in the Trinity River basin. The full news release can be read at AgriLife Today. The workshop dates are: December 12 in Corsicana, February 5 in Athens, and February 8 in Huntsville. Topics in this round of workshops include: Land Use and Ownership Trends in the Trinity River Basin; Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements for pesticide applicators; Land Management with the TRIMS mapping tool; and Developing a Water Quality Management Plan. The workshops will begin at 1 pm and end at 5 pm. Those interested in attending should contact Blake Alldredge at 979-845-0916 or balldredge@tamu.edu to RSVP and reserve a spot. To RSVP electronically, go to http://nrt.tamu.edu/schedule/ and look for “Cooperative Conservation in the Trinity River Basin” and the date and location of the workshop. Learn more at http://www.trinitywaters.org/events/.
  6. Holiday Trees: Artistically Upcycled. Holiday trees decorated by local artists using recycled items will be on display from 9 am to 4 pm at 611 Walker, Mondays through Fridays, excluding holidays (December 5th-Deecember 28th). Free and open to the public. More at http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/.
  7. TD Green Streets – Grants. TD Bank and the Arbor Day Foundation have announced the launch of TD Green Streets, a new grant program that will offer ten $20,000 grants in support of innovative urban forestry initiatives in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. Funding will support the purchase of trees, tree planting and maintenance, and educational activities. Up to 50 percent of the proposed funding can be used to purchase new trees. To be eligible for a TD Green Streets grant, qualified municipalities must be a current (2011 approved) Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA-designated community within TD Bank’s United States footprint. Proposed new trees must be planted in neighborhoods identified as low- to moderate-income. Municipalities are encouraged to apply in partnership with community partners such as nonprofit organizations, schools, businesses, etc. The deadline for proposals is January 31st. Learn more at http://foundationcenter.org/.
  8. Five Star & Urban Waters Restoration Program. Learn about the grant program at http://www.nfwf.org/. Proposals are due February 7th. Competitive projects will include a focus on one of more of the following priorities:
    • Urban Forest Restoration: Projects focused on improving water quality in urban rivers downstream from forested lands through invasive species removal, forested habitat restoration and forest connectivity around urban waterways.
    • Education and Training: Develop educational programs to provide training to schools, businesses, community groups, and homeowners on how to implement tree plantings or other programs to reduce water pollution and stormwater flow or to promote low-impact design (LID) and/or green infrastructure practices.
    • Stormwater Management: Develop projects intended to control rain water through tree canopy interception and reduce stormwater flow, controlling flooding and slowing run-off into surface water.
    • Monitoring: Establish or advance a monitoring program, especially to those bodies of water used for subsistence fishing, drinking water sources, or human contact to identify areas of concern and possible places where restoration efforts can be effectively targeted.
    • Outdoor Recreation: Design community-based projects that promote access to urban waterways and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities.
  9. Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities. Wells Fargo and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) are pleased to offer financial assistance through our new program, Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities, whose mission is to help communities throughout the United States create a more sustainable future through responsible environmental stewardship. Proposals are due on December 17th. Learn more at http://www.nfwf.org/.
  10. 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:
    • Caribbean Connection
    • Lake Whitney State Park
    • Outdoor Info: Sighting Your Rifle
    • D Day +50
  11. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • December 4: Green–Good. Moderate winds and/or low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • December 5: Green–Good. Moderate winds and incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • December 6: Green–Good. Moderate winds and incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.

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ECONOTES

Featured News Articles–For dozens of additional headlines, visit the CEC website. (You can let us know about articles, too. E-mail news@cechouston.org).

  1. Builder Boasts Most Energy Efficient House First Built In Houston (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News, 11/29/2012)
    HouZE, a Houston-based company, has built two affordable zero-energy homes in the historic Independence Heights neighborhood in north Houston. These homes feature amenities that will produce more energy than they consume. HouZE plans to build 30 homes, priced between 120 to $200,000 dollars in the neighborhood, and will expand to 35 cities over the next 2 years.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/
  2. Energy Conservation Project Pays Off Big (Guidry News, 11/30/2012)
    In 2010, the City of Sugar Land received a $770,000 Department of Energy grant for a program to decrease electric consumption at Sugar Land’s largest facilities. McKinstry Essintion, Inc. was hired to design and construct improvements that primarily included interior and exterior lighting changes at nine of the City’s largest facilities as well as building automation enhancements at Sugar Land’s police and municipal courts facility. This project saved taxpayers more than $85,000 last year.
    http://www.guidrynews.com/
  3. Ground-breaking Law: Air Pollution Can Be a Crime and Affected Citizens Crime Victims (Larry R. Soward – Air Alliance Houston, 11/27/2012)
    Although not receiving much attention, a long-running air pollution case in federal court in Corpus Christi is breaking new ground in environmental enforcement litigation. Citizens affected by air pollution can now be considered crime victims, and are entitled to rights under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, including giving testimony during the sentencing phase and full and timely restitution.
    http://airalliancehouston.org/

GREEN JOBS

Tell them you heard about it from us! Job listings can be found at CEC’s Green Jobs page.

  1. CEC seeks Executive Director. The Citizens Environmental Coalition is seeking an Executive Director with a passion for environmental issues and strong community involvement and fundraising talents. CEC works with organizations serving all facets of the environmental community with the mission of fostering dialogue, education, and collaboration on environmental issues in the Houston/Gulf Coast region. We are seeking a person with strong independent work habits and the ability to connect with the breadth of the environmental community. For more information visit cechouston.org or contact our interim ED, Shawn McFarland, at shawn@cechouston.org. Please send a cover letter and resume to helen.oconnor@live.com, Board President, by January 1, 2013.
  2. NEW! The Mercer Society seeks Executive Director. The Executive Director (ED) of The Mercer Society (TMS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is responsible for the operation and administration of the organization. The main mission of TMS is to raise funds for Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. The ED’s main duties include ensuring that TMS is run in an efficient manner that meets the fiscal goals and overall objectives of the Board of Directors; processing all payments through fundraisers, events, and daily operations including the gift shop; updating TMS website and creating e-newsletters; facilitating fund-raising both independently and with others; managing the TMS staff in accordance with the TMS Employee Handbook; insuring compliance with all state and federal reporting obligations; being responsible for insuring TMS Bylaws, the Contract with Harris County and all policies and procedures are adhered to; serving as a spokesperson for TMS; and serving as liaison to the staff of Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens (MABG). To apply, send cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: The Mercer Society/Alan Raymond/msociety@hcp4.net.
  3. NEW! Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) seeks Administrative Assistant. The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF), located in Webster, Texas, seeks a full-time Administrative and Database Assistant. The primary duties of this position include providing administrative assistance to GBF’s President; providing assistance to the development team, as needed, in the areas of membership, marketing, and general development; entering data into GBF’s database; and providing general administrative duties including greeting visitors to the GBF office, answering phone calls and transferring accordingly, ordering office supplies, and operating basic office equipment. Candidates should possess an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree or be currently enrolled in a college or university undergraduate or graduate program; have previous experience with data entry and/or database management; be proficient in use of Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, and Outlook and have proficient typing skills; and possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. This is a full-time position with benefits. For a full job description, please see http://galvbay.org/aboutus_jobs.html. To apply, email resume to csmith@galvbay.org by Friday, January 11, 2013.
  4. Texas Coastal Watershed Program (TCWP) seeks Graduate Student Intern. This fall the Texas Coastal Watershed Program (TCWP) will be hiring a graduate student intern. TCWP is a program of Texas A&M University that works on projects concerning wetland restoration and wetland education. The program is located in Houston, TX. Graduate students in wetland ecology, wetland restoration and wetland education are encouraged to apply. Interns will assist with several ongoing projects, focusing on the development of an Operations and Maintenance plan for restored wetland habitat at Sheldon Lake State Park. This task is to be completed in cooperation with Texas Park and Wildlife staff. This primary task will involve technical writing, research, numerical analysis, and some field work, and will require solid organization and writing skills. Internship will begin in early January and will conclude by the end of summer term 2013. Compensation is hourly, and the position is 20 hours per week. Employment will be at our office in Houston. Applicants should submit a resume, a 1-page cover letter, and a 2-page (max) writing sample. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate studies program at the time of hire. Application packets or questions about the positions can be sent to m-sipocz@tamu.edu, subject line: tcwp internship. Visit agrilife.urbannature.org; wetlandteam.ning.com
  5. Texas Coastal Watershed Program seeks Wetland Program Assistant. The Texas Coastal Watershed Program (Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University) is seeking applications for a Wetland Program Assistant to work directly on existing restoration projects at Sheldon Lake State Park. Responsibilities include working collaboratively with the Wetland Restoration Team during Team workdays, completing other potential wetland restoration sites, and conducting wetland restoration monitoring (e.g. weekly water level monitoring and quarterly vegetation and photopoint collection). The Wetland Program Assistant must be a self-starter with a positive attitude and be able to work comfortably with volunteers and other staff. The ability to speak in public is a must, as well as, good writing and editing skills. A Bachelors of Science in Ecology or natural resource science is preferred, as well as knowledge and experience working in wetland education or restoration. Extensive experience may substitute for a degree. For more information contact Marissa Sipocz at: m-sipocz@tamu.edu. Send letter of interest and resume by e-mail only.
  6. The Mercer Society seeks a Grower. The Mercer Society is seeking a Grower. The Grower of The Mercer Society (TMS) is responsible for all routine aspects of maintaining the greenhouses used by volunteers, currently primarily the Northside Greenhouse Compound (NGC). This person propagates and grows plant material to be used for TMS fundraising plant sales, monitors facility maintenance, and supervises volunteers. The Grower needs to be able to work independently and manage their time effectively. The grower reports to The Mercer Society office staff and works with Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens’ (MABG) Horticultural Operations Coordinator. As a TMS employee, the Grower is expected to assist the organization and attend their other major events. More information at http://www.getnurserygreenhousejobs.com/.
  7. Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens seeks Conservation Botany Intern. Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens is advertising a full time (possible part time) paid internship through the Student Conservation Association (SCA). This internship will focus on plant conservation efforts at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens and restoring wild populations of endangered native plants in the Houston metro area. The intern will assist with formulating a restoration and management plan for a rare native plant preserve in the Houston metro area. The intern will assess the viability of Mercer’s frozen seed bank for three of the major rare prairie plant species in Houston metro area as well as assist collections of other rare species for the Center for Plant Conservation National Collection of Endangered Plants. Interested persons should contact the SCA directly at http://mysca.force.com/ and search for the position: 00192580. More about the SCA at http://www.thesca.org/.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

If you attend one of these events, please let them know you heard about it here! Visit the new calendar at cechouston.org.

ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

This weekly update is brought to you by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, established as a 501(c)3 in 1971. CEC is a coaltion of over 100 environmental organizations dedicated to fostering dialogue, education, and collaboration on environmental issues in the Houston / Gulf Coast region. Visit the CEC on line at cechouston.org.

Do you know of something great going on? News? Events? Accomplishments? Jobs? Let us know! Send submittals to news@cechouston.org. If possible, send information by Friday for inclusion the following Tuesday. We especially like short paragraphs, catchy titles, third person, and links to more information, but we will work with whatever you send us. Calendar items can be submitted up to two years in advance. We are always looking for volunteers to help keep our calendar up to date.

Donate Now!

CEC and other leading environmental organizations participate in payroll contribution plans at many Texas workplaces through Earth Share of Texas. Find out how you can support CEC at 800-GREENTX or www.earthshare-texas.org.

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CEC agencies receive donations when you choose Green Bank. Visit www.greenbank.com for more information about the program.

Shawn McFarland, Interim Executive Director
Rachel Powers, Volunteer Editor-in-Chief
Page Slocum, Newsletter Editor
Rachel Tardiff, Calendar Editor
(713) 524-4232
news@cechouston.org