Community Notes 05-18-2011

1. First Statewide Eco-Enterprise Summit. The Texas Black Expo, the Houston Area Urban League, and the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce have joined forces for the state’s first Eco-Enterprise Summit: Making Green, Going Green. Mr. LaVerne Williams, green architect and former CEC Board Member will be honored with the “The Greenpreneur of 2011” Award. The event will be held on Friday, May 20th at the George R. Brown Convention Center. For more information, visit www.houstonblackexpo.com.
2. New Website: Bumblebees of Texas. While most everyone has heard at least something in the news about declining bees, most press coverage has been directed toward the plight of the (non-native) European honeybee. Very little attention is directed towards native bees, like bumblebees. Over the past few decades a substantial body of research has identified declines in bumblebee populations in Europe and North America. Learn more about the issues facing bumblebees, how citizens can contribute to learning more, and–how can you resist this–all about the ‘variable cuckoo bumblebee.’ More at http://texasbumblebees.com/.
3. 2011 Internship for Educators. Texas A&M University at Galveston will be sponsoring free summer internships for school teachers, counselors, administrators, and other individuals involved in education. Each internship is a week long. To learn more, visit http://www.tamug.edu/seacamp/eduintern.htm.
4. The Coastal America Awards Program. The Coastal America Awards Program recognizes efforts in protecting, preserving and restoring the nation’s coastal resources and ecosystems. Organizations can apply for awards at http://www.coastalamerica.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1052&Itemid=141. Applications are due by August 1st.
5. International Urban Wildlife Management and Planning Conference. The conference brings together wildlife biologists, wildlife researchers, wildlife practitioners, architects, urban planners, policy makers, and urban residents to explore ways to design cities that include nature, rather than excluding it. The conference will take place in Austin from May 22-25. To learn more, visit http://urbanwildlife2011.tpwd.state.tx.us/.
6. Saving Family Lands Seminar. Can your heirs write a multi-million dollar check to the IRS in order to save the family farm or ranch? Attend the Saving Family Lands seminar on June 22 in Houston to learn how to keep your land intact for future generations and potentially save millions in taxes. Led by Steve Small, author of the IRS conservation easement tax code and the nation’s TOP expert in helping farmers/ranchers save money and plan for generational succession, this seminar is geared towards landowners, lawyers, appraisers, and accountants. Attendees will receive step-by-step instructions on how to file with the IRS, a copy of Mr. Small’s book Preserving Family Land, ample time for Q&A, and much more. This seminar is all the more timely due to some tax incentives that expire at the end of the year. Incentives for conservation easements have NEVER been better and may not be this good for years to come. Price = $75 for non-MCLE credit and $100 for 3 MCLE credit hours. This event is brought to you by the, Texas Agricultural Land Trust a Texas non-profit that was created for farmers and ranchers by farmers and ranchers. Learn more about us and register on-line at www.txaglandtrust.org.
7. Battle of the Buildings.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program launched the 2011 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. Teams from 245 buildings around the country are going head-to-head to improve energy efficiency and determine who can reduce their energy use the most. Nearly five million commercial buildings in the United States are responsible for approximately 20 percent of both the nation’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion annually. Through energy efficiency improvements, competitors are working to save energy, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and protect the health of Americans. The building with the largest percentage reduction in energy use will be recognized as the winner in November. Local contestants include Lakewood Church and Wells Fargo Plaza. More at http://www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings.