Coalition Notes 09-21-2011

1. Getting to Go: Sustainable Transportation Strategies. H-GAC is hosting Getting to Go: Sustainable Transportation Strategies luncheon and workshop Friday, September 30, 2011, from 10:30 to 3:30 at Embassy Suites in the Houston Energy Corridor. Participants will hear from prominent local and national experts who will share their successful strategies, including bicycle/pedestrian planning, livable centers projects and Commute Solutions. A networking expo will follow. For more information and to register ($25), visit www.h-gac.com/go/sustainabletransportation or contact Meredith Dang at 713-993-2443 or meredith.dang@h-gac.com.
   
2. Memorial Park Trees. Foresters have estimated that over 30% of the trees in Memorial Park have died and expect more to die over the next several years as a result of the drought.  Memorial Park Conservancy (MPC) and Houston Parks and Recreation Department have taken emergency measures to rent watering trucks to save as many trees as possible. Also, fire mitigation work is underway to remove underbrush to create fire breaks in the event of a wildfire.  These short-term measures will help but will not be enough to save most of the trees.  Even before this crisis, MPC initiated a Forestry Study concluding that the forest was in serious decline. This work is now more urgent than ever. To learn how you can help support emergency watering, fire mitigation work, the forestry study, and future replanting, visit www.memorialparkconservancy.org.
3. 350.org Moving Planet Campaign Bike Ride & Party. In a city dominated by the car, the bike ride and campaign can demonstrate that if bikes can take over the road in Houston, then we’re serious about getting our climate back into shape. Moving Planet will be a day to put our demands for climate action into motion marching, biking, skating—calling for the world to go beyond fossil fuels. On Friday, September 23rd, there will be a party at Houston City Hall (901 Bagby) from 7pm-12. On Saturday, September 24th, there will be a bike ride through the city. To learn more visit http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org and http://www.moving-planet.org.
   
4. National Estuaries Day. National Estuaries Day, a time to celebrate the importance of estuaries – those places where rivers meet the sea, which also are called bays, sounds, or lagoons. Join Galveston Bay Foundation in celebrating National Estuaries Day with a morning of trash clean-up, invasive species removal, and mangrove planting on Saturday, September 24 from 8:30am-1:00pm. Participants 10 years old and up can participate. All participants must pre-register to participate in this event. To learn more about the event or to register, visit http://galvbay.org.pdf or contact Julie Mintzer at jmintzer@galvbay.org.
   
5. Texas Stream Team: Meeting of the Monitors. Texas State University’s Texas Stream Team and Houston-Galveston Area Council have organized the Meeting of the Monitors from September 29th to October 1st at the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake. The three day event is designed to encourage communication and networking between regulatory agencies, community members, volunteer monitors, and other stakeholders; provide opportunities for citizen monitors to expand their skill-sets as citizen scientists by participating in many hands-on workshops; recognize and reward citizen water quality monitoring efforts; and, provide educational and professional development opportunities. To view a detailed schedule, and to register, visit http://www.rivernetwork.org/events/texas-stream-team-meeting-monitors.
   
6. 2011 Guardian of the Bay Award Luncheon. The Galveston Bay Foundation’s 2011 Guardian of the Bay Award Luncheon will be held on September 28th, at the Hotel ZaZa. The Guardian of the Bay Award exemplifies leaders who have shown remarkable distinction through substantial work and commitment for the betterment of Galveston Bay. They are proud to announce that the 2011 award recipients are: Shell (Industry), Ann Hamilton (Community), and City of Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker (Government). For more information and for instructions for a table and ticket purchase, visit http://www.galvbay.org/events_luncheon.html.
7. Certified Green Painter Course. New Living has resumed their Certified Green Painter Course this fall. Participants will learn to identify sustainable paint and coating products as part of the green building industry. Additionally, the course promotes education and general awareness of green painting practices. Heidi Massin will be the trainer for the course, and interested parties can contact her at 832-488-5418. Those who register and complete the course will be able to redeem $50 towards paint and coating purchases at the Green Painter store. To learn more about New Living, visit http://www.newliving.net/.