Coalition Notes 06-08-2011

1. Water 2040: Blue is the new Green. The Center for Houston’s Future is hosting a Summer Salon Series of informative breakfast discussions to engage the public in a dialogue on issues critical to the sustainability and competitiveness of the greater Houston region. The first session, called Water 2040: Blue is the new Green, will be held on June 16th at Canopy on Montrose at 9am. Please RSVP by June 14. Visit http://www.futurehouston.com/cfhf.cfm?a=cms,c,156,4,23 for more details.
2. H-GAC Regional Plan for Sustainable Development.H-GAC is forming workgroups to shape the Regional Plan for Sustainable Development by recruiting residents, business owners, and community leaders. The topic areas include transportation and infrastructure, housing, environment, economic development, and healthy communities. To learn more, visit http://www.h-gac.com/community/sustainability/default.aspx.
3. Healthy Green Book Club. Environmental Educators’ Exchange is starting a new book club at Green Planet Sanctuary for adults interested in reading and learning about nature, nutrition, and the environment. The group will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7-8pm. Jeannine Perrot will facilitate the meetings. For more information, contact her at japerrot@gmail.com or 281‐630‐3652.
4. $3.31 Million in Trails Grants. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission today approved $3,318,450 million to fund 21 National Recreational Trail Grant projects in communities across the state, and $485,000 in re-allocated trail funds to underwrite trail improvements in seven state parks and three local communities. To read more about the grants, visit http://www.austin360.com/blogs. Among the areas to receive grants were:
   • Fort Bend – City of Sugar Land, $144,443, to build a new half-mile crushed granite trail and parking lot and install a water fountain and benches.
   • Harris – Greater Houston Off-Road Bicycle Association, $36,120, to improve various mountain bike trails in Houston parks.
   • Waller – Katie Prairie Conservancy, $200,000, to add a new 1.4-mile crushed graniteand boardwalk extension to the Indiangrass Preserve Trail System, and install signs.
5. Gator Tales. The Wetlands Center announced that it will be holding a one hour pre-school nature program for young children and their parents. The free program will take place at the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education Center on Wednesdays from 10 to 11am through August.
6. Bay Gazer Photo Contest Winners. The Galveston Bay Foundation recently announced the winners of the 2011 Bay Gazer photo contest. To view the top photos, visit http://www.galvbay.org/photo_contest.