Community Notes 03-23-2011

1. Hill Classic Golf Tournament. Marsha Hill was the TCEQ Region 12 Director before she passed away last year. She was a wonderful lady whose memory is being honored through the tournament and scholarship. Several of her colleagues are arranging the April 12, 2011, memorial tournament to raise funds for a scholarship in Marsha’s name. The Air & Waste Management Association–Gulf Coast Chapter will administer the scholarship. The Air & Waste Management Association is an independent, non-profit organization which raises and manages private gifts to benefit and promote environmental studies. More information is available at http://www.awma-gcc.org/MHC/MHC.htm.
2. 2011 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative. Houston is one of the forty-five communities to participate in the The Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, the Bank of America Foundation’s signature philanthropic program. The program is designed to recognize, nurture, and reward community-based organizations, local heroes, and student leaders working to improve their communities. To learn more, visit http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=331300020.
3. Save Our Gulf. The seven Gulf Coast Waterkeepers created a website called Save Our Gulf. The website was developed to support the Gulf Waterkeepers directly impacted by the BP oil disaster. Check out the website at http://saveourgulf.org/.
4. Grassroots Grants. Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is offering grants for community gardens and green spaces. Grants of up to $1,500 in monetary and in-kind support will be given to nonprofits and related groups working on garden and green space beautification projects that incorporate the involvement and engagement of neighborhood residents and foster a sense of community spirit. For more information, visit http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=331900026.
5. Chimney Swifts. The Driftwood Wildlife Association is following the movements of the Chimney Swifts over the next few months as they return from their wintering grounds in South America. The plotted movements will be posted at http://www.chimneyswifts.org/.
6. Texas Nature Challenge. The goal of Texas Nature Challenge is to get families and kids outdoors by visiting as many participating parks and nature areas in Texas as they can this summer. The contest calls for families to visit designated nature sites across the region in which they live, completing missions at each site. The families who complete the most missions are eligible for a grand prize. The contest begins on April 2nd. To learn more, visit http://naturechallenge.tamu.edu/.