Coalition Notes 04-29-2013

1. Urban Harvest Market – Now Open on Sundays! Urban Harvest has opened a New Sunday Farmers Market at 3000 Richmond at Eastside Street (77098), the same venue for its Saturday market. The Sunday hours are noon to 4. Support Urban Harvest and find tasty, locally-produced fruits, vegetables, and farm products at their weekly Eastside Farmers Market.
2. Spring Environmental Educators’ Exchange Meeting. The Spring Environmental Educators’ Exchange Meeting will take place on May 1, 2013, 4:30-6:30pm, at The Last Organic Outpost. Get a guided tour of the Last Organic Outpost, and meet people with similar interests! The last part of the meeting is the traditional EEE Round-table Forum where members and attendees introduce themselves, their programs, make announcements and discuss challenges and successes in environmental education. The refreshments are pot-luck….bring something to share with one another. But, don’t let the fact that it is pot-luck deter you from attending! The meeting will be held outdoors, so dress according to weather. More at http://cechouston.org/.
3. Recycling Economic Impact Study Presentation. H-GAC’s Recycling Economic Impact Study Presentation of Results will happen on May 2, 2013, 9am-12pm, at Houston-Galveston Area Council, Conference Room A, 2nd floor. Did you know that the recycling industry is responsible for 10,259 jobs and over $3.4 billion in industrial output in the 13-county Houston-Galveston region? H-GAC recently commissioned a study to look at the economic impact of the recycling industry in the region, including the collection, processing, and end use of recycled materials; reuse and remanufacturing; and energy recovery/beneficial use. The study is now complete and results will be presented on Thursday, May 2, 2013. Join H-GAC to learn about the recycling industry as it is now, what it could be in the future for our region, and what this means to your community. This is a free event. Registration is required. For more information or to RSVP please contact Erin Livingston at 832-681-2525 or erin.livingston@h-gac.com.
4. Wildlife Response Training Workshop. The Wildlife Center of Texas is conducting an oiled wildlife response training workshop on Friday, May 3, 2013 sponsored by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. The workshop takes place at The Wildlife Center of Texas and will certify and train personnel that are interested in assisting The Wildlife Center of Texas Oiled Wildlife Response Team during a spill. Certification and training are required for anyone who may participate in any role during an oiled wildlife response. The workshop will cover topics such as the effects of oil on wildlife, initial intake and exam of oiled wildlife, an introduction to OSHA training, wildlife rehabilitation’s role in the Incident Command System and an actual hands on cleaning of oiled feathers in which participants will practice by washing an unoiled white duck. There is no cost for the workshop but space is limited. Please register via email at WildlifeResponse@WildlifeCenterofTexas.org or by phone at 713-861-9453 x 170. More at http://cechouston.org/.
5. Anything That Floats 2013. Rice Design Alliance is holding the Anything That Floats 2013 Competition on May 4, 2013 at 8am at Sesquicentennial Park along Buffalo Bayou. Anything That Floats challenges participants to build a device to float a short distance along Buffalo Bayou with discarded building materials provided the day-of by RDA. The competition is open to all! You don’t have to be a designer. This year will be derby-themed, so if you’re coming to watch wear your best derby gear. As a team member, you may also participate this year in a jockey costume contest for extra points! Learn more and register at http://ricedesignalliance.org/.
6. Basic Bird Watching for Beginners. Basic Bird Watching for Beginners at Willow Waterhole will be held on Saturday May 4, 2013. It will be conducted by one of the Audubon Society’s best Willow Waterhole experts. The tour will begin at 8 AM from the parking lot of the Gathering Place 5310 South Willow 77035. Willow Waterhole has become one of Houston’s best bird watching venues because the three existing lakes with their islands provide extensive shorelines bordered by wetlands that contain habitat for shore, wading and diving birds. More at http://cechouston.org/.
7. Launch of Houston History’s Spring Issue. Houston History invites you to the launch of its spring issue on May 6, 2013 at The Houston Garden Center, Hermann Park from 5:30-7:00pm. Houston History examines the region’s environmental activism, including the efforts of Terry Hershey and local organizations to conserve our natural habitats; the features of Galveston Bay that make it a life blood of our region; Spring Creek Greenway, the nation’s longest urban forested greenway; and TEJAS, Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services, that holds government and business accountable for a cleaner environment. RSVP to dzharwell@uh.edu or call 713-743-3123. Review spring issue articles at www.houstonhistorymagazine.org. More about the event at http://cechouston.org/.
8. GCBO Birds and Bottomlands Blitz. Wildflowers of the Prairie and Bottomlands; leader is Flo Hannah Flo is a native plant expert, is the proprietor of Hannah Native Grasses and is a die-hard advocate protecting our native coastal prairies. She is also the Urban Sanctuaries Manager for Houston Audubon Society. Learn from the expert to identify native flowers that will still be in bloom, some lasting all summer and into fall. The importance of the plants and grasses in the Bottomlands ecosystem will become obvious. May 11, 2013, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the GCBO. More information is available at www.gcbo.org.