Coalition Notes 07-06-2011

1. Bike Around the Bay. Bike Around the Bay (“BAB”) registration is OPEN! BAB is a fully supported two-day, 150-mile bicycle ride around Galveston Bay showcasing the natural beauty of Galveston Bay and benefiting the Galveston Bay Foundation. The ride starts in Anahuac, Texas at Fort Anahuac Park and continues along a scenic route that includes many fascinating sights and highlights. Riders will spend the night in Galveston where they will enjoy an informal dinner with other cyclists and friends and family. Day 2 will bring the riders north along the west side of Galveston Bay where they will ultimately finish outside of Baytown, Texas. More information can be found by visiting www.bikearoundthebay.org.
2. Galveston Bay Conservation Assistance. The TCEQ is requesting grant applications for Galveston Bay Conservation. Wetland loss is a high priority problem in Galveston caused by subsidence and erosion. There is a growing importance to preserve the wetlands as they serve as habitats for diverse plants and animals as well as provide shoreline erosion control, floodwater retention, sediment trapping, and storm water retention and treatment. Applications for grants are due by 3pm on July 15th. For more information, contact Lindsey Lippert at 281-486-1243.
3. The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil. Rice University Environmental Club, Houston Tomorrow, Transition Houston, and the Emerging Professionals of the Houston USGBC, in partnership with Talento Bilingue de Houston present the following documentary: The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil. Cuba, an isolated island nation, rebuilt its quality of life following the collapse of cheap oil, supplied by the former Soviet Union. This fascinating and empowering film shows how communities pulled together, created solutions, and ultimately thrived in spite of their decreased dependence on imported energy. Following the movie, there will be an expert panel to discuss the implications of Peak Oil in a city like Houston. Tuesday, July 12, 6:30 to 9:00 pm. More at http://www.facebook.com/event.
4. Master Naturalist Fall Classes. The Texas Master Naturalist program will be holding fall courses to train natural resource conservation volunteers across the state. As a Master Naturalist, volunteers are expected to give 40 hours of service and pursue at least 8 hours of advanced training in areas of their choice. The next training session begins this fall. There will be a class in Houston that starts on August 27th. Registration ends August 15th. Call 713-721-7773 or email pgcook@gmail.com. For a full list of training classes, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
5. Sheldon Lake Observation Tower. The more than 60,000 annual visitors to Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center, just 15 miles east of downtown Houston, will now have a way to get a bird’s eye view of the distant lake and surrounding parkland thanks to this week’s opening of John Jacob Observation Tower. The 82-foot-tall tower, funded by $1.5 million in private donations, features three levels that can be accessed by a solar-powered elevator. Jacob, a retired Anheuser-Busch executive and longtime civic leader, joined current and former Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners and other TPWD officials for the Thursday morning dedication. The National Audubon Society marked the occasion by announcing the kickoff of a joint capital campaign with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to raise $6.25 million to build a new Audubon Center. More about the park at http://www.foslsp.org/.
6. Baryonyx Wind Farm – Potential Disaster for Millions of Migratory Birds. Baryonyx Corporation recently submitted a permit application to build a 500 turbine farm off the Lower Texas Coast. This farm could impact millions of birds that migrate through the area and that feed there year round. It is critical that the project be thoroughly examined and an Environmental Impact Statement prepared. For more information about the project, and to find out how to voice your concern, visit http://www.houstonaudubon.org/.