Community Notes 01-14-2013

1. 2013 OHBA Summit. The Organic Horticulture Benefits Alliance (OHBA) hosts their annual OHBA Summit on February 9, 2013. The organic education conference will be held at the United Way Building, located at 50 Waugh Dr, Houston TX, 77007 from 7:30 AM- 4:45 PM. OHBA Summit is a valuable and intense series of educational seminars for elite horticulture professionals. Attendees are encouraged to create a personalized agenda for the day, to leave the Summit with solutions specific to one’s professional and personal needs. Five of the most respected and influential educators in the field of Organics have been chosen to present proven results along with break-out Round Table Discussions to provide interactive, solution-based exchanges in a smaller setting. Learn more and register at http://www.ohbasummit.org/.
2. The Urban Houston Framework Project. The Urban Houston Framework project is looking at “urban centers” and developing a framework for urban areas that encompasses regional sustainability principles. The framework developed from this study, with the help of your provided participation, will be used to assist the City in revising and/or developing new policies and a toolbox for each tier – large, medium and small – that promotes urban centers which encourage combined activity of “live, work and play.” Recommendations from this 5-10 min poll will help provide housing choices for everyone; promote more walkable, bikeable areas with a balance of housing and jobs; and provide safe, reliable and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health. Take the poll at http://www.urbanhouston.metroquest.com/.
3. Texas Natural Resources/Environmental Literacy Summit. Join education, environmental, and natural resource leaders in advancing natural resource/environmental literacy as the new Texas Natural Resource / Environmental Literacy Plan is presented at the Summit. The Natural Resource/Environmental Literacy Summit Committee is proud Mrs. Laura Bush, Former First Lady, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Summit. The program will also feature special guest speakers Carter Smith, Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife; Bora Simmons, Director for the National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education and Jose”Pepe” Marcos-Iga, North American Association for Environmental Education Board President. The summit will be held on January 25th, 8:30am-4:00pm, at the TriPoint in San Antonio. Pre-registration ($35) ends on January 17th. More at http://txcinc.wordpress.com/.
4. 2013 Tree Planting Competition. The Houston Area Urban Forestry Council and Harris County Flood Control District are once again sponsoring the Texas Urban Forestry Council’s Regional Tree Planting Competition to be held in conjunction with local Arbor Day celebrations. This event is a regional competition and the 3 fastest planting times will be forwarded to the State as Regional winners where their times will be included in the finals for the State Competition. Each team will consist of 10 planting members and a non-working captain and scoring will be based not only on time, but also on correct hole depth/width, mulching, planting techniques, etc. The Houston Area Urban Forestry Council will be supplying the judges and timers for the event and again, the 3 top times will be sent to the TUFC for consideration in the State Award for best time. The competition will be on February at the HCFCD Retention Basin. More at http://cechouston.org/. Contact Mickey Merritt, 713-688-891 or Matt Weaver, 713-688-8932 for more information.
5. Piney Woods Wildlife Society Meeting. The January 15 meeting of the Piney Woods Wildlife Society will feature members Jane and Steven Stones and their 2012 trip to Australia and Tasmania. They will share photos of the unique wildlife and birds they saw and experiences they had during a trip to visit friends in Melbourne and explore Tasmania. Meeting time has changed 30 minutes earlier to 7 p.m. at the Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center at 1300 Riley Fuzzel Road following a social time that starts at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge for this program and HAS members are more than welcome!
6. 2013 Gulf Guardian Awards. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program partnership developed the Gulf Guardian awards as a way to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals, and organizations that are taking extraordinary steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. There are 7 categories: Business & Industry, Environmental Justice/Cultural Diversity, Civic/Non-Profit Organizations, Partnerships, Youth Environmental Education, Individual, and Bi-National partnership efforts. To complete a nomination application for 2013, go to the Gulf of Mexico Program’s web site at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo. Email your nomination to gulf.guardian@epa.gov by March 8, 2013. If you have any questions, or require further information or assistance, please contact The Gulf of Mexico Program Office at (228) 688-3726.
7. 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:
   • Saving the Southern Plains Bison
   • Parks & Wildlife People: Shawn Gray
   • Franklin Mountains Bike Trails
   • Gateway to the Desert
8. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
   • January 15: Green–Good. Moderate winds, cold temperatures, and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • January 16: Green–Good. Moderate winds, cold temperatures, and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • January 17: Green–Good. Moderate winds, cold temperatures, and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.