Coalition Notes 02-18-2013

1. Texas Climate Issues. Did climate change help bring about the devastating Texas heat wave of 2011? In February, Texas State Climatologist John Neilsen-Gammon will walk through some of the science behind what has happening with our climate, particularly the 2011 heat wave that continues to impact The Woodlands vegetation and water resources. He will illustrate how researchers use computer models to better understand our climate and its changes. His lecture is part of the Going Green Sustainability Series organized and sponsored by The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. In cooperation with The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department. The lecture will be held at 7:00 pm, February 19, 2013, at the South Montgomery County Library. For more information, contact Cinda Hitchcock at (281) 363-2723 or www.thewoodlandsgreen.org.
2. Healthy Communities Indicators Symposium 2013. After a year of research on the indicators that measure the health of our region, Center for Houston’s Future will present its findings on February 22 at the 2013 Healthy Communities Indicator Symposium, at the George R. Brown Convention Center, hosted by Honorary Chair Dr. John Mendelsohn, along with prominent national and regional experts. Join policy makers, national experts, healthcare professionals, elected officials, and community leaders as we examine how the intersection of People and Place creates sustainable and healthy communities. Learn more at http://www.futurehouston.com/.
3. Houston Audubon Birdathon is back! Like birds, beer, and bikes? Just three ways to join the fun! Bird for conservation! Register online beginning March 1. Birdathon can be divided into two parts: “bird” and “athon.” The “bird” bit is a scavenger hunt challenge in which teams compete to see how many different bird species they can identify in 24 hours or less. The “athon” is the competitive fundraising portion in which each team competes to see how much money they can raise for Houston Audubon’s mission. Start a team or join one of our guided groups and have a blast while making a difference. Birding can be done anywhere in the state of Texas within the time period of March 17-May 5, as long as it is in a continuous 24-hour period or shorter. Learn more at www.houstonaudubon.org.
4. Texas Bottle Bill Petition. Texas Bottle Bill has an online petition asking people to sign, share, and call your legislator about establishing beverage container deposits and independent free standing redemption centers. Beverage container deposits have proven to be an effective incentive to return these materials to the market place and keep them out of our streams, creeks, bayous, bays, and gulf. Learn more at http://signon.org/, and by watching the Texas Bottle Bill team’s Street to Stream video on Youtube.
5. NatureFest. NatureFest at Jones Park will take place on March 2, 2013, 9am-3:30pm at 20634 Kenswick Dr in Humble. Enjoy a fun, educational day as noted speakers discuss topics such as birds, native plants, and nature photography. There will be guided nature walks, pontoon boat tours, live animals, and nature-related educational booths will be available. All ages are welcome! More at http://cechouston.org/.
6. Artist Boat – Coastal Heritage Preserve. Artist Boat is establishing a Coastal Heritage Preserve on Galveston Island and is looking for teachers interested in exploring by kayak with their students. The grant to acquire land (the Coastal Heritage Preserve) will be providing the financial resources to launch three years of educational programming. Any teacher that schedules an Eco-Art Workshop for $150 will be able to have an Eco-Art Kayak Adventure to the Coastal Heritage Preserve for $150. Space is limited to 50 classes of 25 students and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Artist Boat would love to schedule your workshop in your classroom during February or March and then schedule your kayak trip during March, April, or May. Book the kayak adventure in advance as only one adventure can happen a day. Contact LuAnne Ashley (lashley@artistboat.org or 409-770-0722) if you have any questions or to book the dates and times you want.
7. Kayak Certification Courses. Artist Boat is hosting an ACA Level 1 – 3 Coastal Kayaking Course (IDW/ICE) March 9-13, 2013. Learn to paddle correctly, perform rescues, maneuver kayaks and learn essential kayaking techniques. Upon successful completion participants will have an ACA Instructor Certification and professional kayak training. For more info, contact Kelly Cloughly at kcloughly@artistboat.org or by phone at (409) 770-0722.
8. 2040 Regional Transportation Plan (2040 RTP). The Houston-Galveston Area Council and its planning partners are in the early stages of developing the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan (2040 RTP) and are seeking public input. A survey is available to find out which transportation issues are important to you. The RTP is the blueprint for the transportation system in the eight counties of the Houston region and is developed every four years. The 2040 RTP describes how we respond to population and economic growth as well as changing commute patterns through the policies, programs and projects it embraces. Bold planning efforts taken now will create more economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for our residents. To learn more about the 2040 RTP and participate in its development, visit 2040plan.org. A survey and comment box are provided for your input. Want to stay involved? Sign up for emails and newsletters at www.h-gac.com/taq.
9. METRO Bike & Ride Plan. In an effort to improve connections between Houston’s bicycle and the transit networks, H-GAC and METRO are inviting citizens to influence their 2013 Bike & Ride Plan. Take the survey to help influence the planning effort to improve connections between bicyclists and the transit network in the METRO service area. Find the survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MetroBikeandRide.
10. Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition Clean-up & Tree Planting. Join the Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition and other committed volunteers for the second-annual North Reach Clean-up and Tree Planting Event in the Greenspoint area. In partnership with Harris County Flood Control District and Trees for Houston, participants will plant 25 trees and clean several miles of bayou on March 9th from 8am-noon. Learn more at http://greensbayou.org/.
11. Birdies for the Birds – GCBO Golf Tournament. The Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will hold a golf tournament “Birdies for the Birds” on Friday, March 22 at the Wilderness Golf Course in Lake Jackson. Individuals and teams encouraged. For details, go to website www.gcbo.org.