Community Notes 02-11-2013

1. Civic Scientist Lecture featuring Sylvia Earle. National Geographer Explorer and Oceanographer Sylvia Earle will be speaking at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University on February 12, 2013, at 6 p.m. (registration is required). As Chair of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (at Texas A&M Corpus Christi), Dr. Earle will focus on the Gulf of Mexico and its tri-national management. Please visit the event link on the Harte Research Institute’s homepage at www.harteresearchinstitute.org.
2. Wanted: Coastal Ghost Busters. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is looking for volunteers interested in helping to remove abandoned crab traps — ghostlike killers of marine life — from their haunts along the coast from Feb. 15 through Feb. 24, 2013. For more information about the Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program and volunteering, contact Bill Balboa at TPWD: 281-534-0110. More at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/.
3. National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-School USA Workshop. The National Wildlife Federation is partnering with the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in its efforts (the Green School Challenge) to help green HISD campuses. The National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA program provides teachers with the perfect framework to guide their students greening efforts while meeting state required science learning objectives and by providing multiple opportunities to apply STEM teaching methods. Join NWF on Saturday, February 16, 2013, 8:30am-3pm, at Berry Elementary School for a workshop that will highlight project-based and inquiry learning as the path to a greener school, and greater student engagement and motivation in science. Teachers will receive a $75 stipend for attending the workshop. Schools with teams of 2-3 teachers represented at the workshop will be eligible to receive a $500 grant from NWF to help them with their school greening project. 6 hours of CPE Credit available. More at http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/.
4. Management of Urban Wildlife Workshop. The Managing Urban Wildlife: Best Management Practices Workshop will take place on February 21, 2013, 8 am-3 pm, at the Doubletree by Hilton at Bush Airport. This workshop was quickly developed in response to the urban wildlife issues that have been reported in the news here recently. One speaker is an urban coyote behavior expert whose information is based on years of researching urban coyotes in downtown Chicago. Other speakers will cover topics such as feral hog control, egret/heron rookeries, urban bobcats (often mistaken as mountain lions in our area), urban deer, and hawks/vultures. This workshop is being held in conjunction with the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society annual meeting. However, anyone can attend the Urban Wildlife workshop separately – you do not need to sign up for the entire annual meeting/conference. Register early at http://site.tctws.org/.
5. MountainFILM Telluride. MountainFILM is a film festival that is dedicated to educating and inspiring audiences about issues that matter, cultures worth exploring and environments worth preserving. The film festival is a two day event that is part ideas summit and part social gathering that features the best documentaries, powerful short films, avant-garde animation and guest speakers and panelists. The festival also features the Academy Award Nominated film, Chasing Ice, that documents our ever changing Arctic landscape. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit www.iceworthsustaining.org and www.mountainfilm.org to get a feel for what the Houston festival will offer. The festival will be in Houston February 22 and 23 at the Asia Society Building in the Museum District.
6. Recycling Cart Decorating Contest. The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management and Human Resources Departments have joined forces to host a unique art competition and exhibit consisting of decorating green, 96-gallon recycling carts with recycled materials and art supplies. The “Growing Up Recycling” contest challenge was accepted by twelve local high schools, who will decorate the carts in a recycling or environmental theme. These schools include Chavez, James Madison, Jones, Klein Forest, Long Hilz Middle School/High School, the Monarch School, Sam Houston, St. Thomas, Waltrip and Yates. The carts will be displayed and the winner announced at HISD’s “When I Grow Up” Expo, Saturday, February 23, 2013, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St, 77092. This career fair and expo is free, open to the public and geared towards students interested in learning about the many interesting careers in both the public and private sectors. http://www.houstongovnewsroom.org/
7. Missouri City Future Parks Projects Online Survey. Preserving Missouri City’s pristine parks and planning for future recreational green spaces is a priority for City Council, citizens and staff. As part of the City’s commitment to parks’ projects, staff is currently reviewing the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to identify areas for growth and development. Resident input is needed for the process. Please take a few minutes to honestly answer this survey about parks and recreation in Missouri City. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/. Read more at http://www.guidrynews.com/.
8. 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:
   • Hogs Wild
   • Wild Game Cooking: Feral Hog Tacos
   • Texas Paddling Trails
   • Outdoor Info: Geocaching State Parks
9. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
   • February 12: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • February 13: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • February 14: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.