Coalition Notes 11-16-2011

1. LEED 2012 What You Need to Know. The third part of a LEED lecture series will take place on November 17th from 6-8pm at Nino’s Restaurant (2817 W Dallas St, Houston, TX 77019). The presentation will provide background on the LEED process, discussions that are ongoing and areas that you need to watch as the comment period continues. It will also include the latest updates on Regionalization Credits and the result of the second comment period. To learn more, visit http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org.
   
2. Blueprint Houston Candidate Forum. Blueprint Houston has invited candidates Helena Brown, Brenda Stardig, Alvin Byrd, Jerry Davis, Andrew Burks, Kristi Thibaut, Jack Christie, and Jolanda Jones in a discussion of the role of a General Plan in Houston. We will look at such questions as: How do we accommodate the expected doubling of population over the next decade? What should be Houston’s contribution to the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning process now underway? How do you see the implementation of ReNew Houston.in planning for Houston’s future infrastructure needs?  Moderating the forum is Mustafa Tameez, Founder and Managing Director of Outreach Strategies, LLC. Thursday, November 17, 2011, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Upper Kirby District Building, 3015 Richmond at Eastside. www.blueprinthouston.org.
3. 3rd Annual State of the Prairie Conference. The 3rd Annual State of the Prairie Conference will be taking place November 18th-19th at the Houston Zoo’s Brown Education Center. The conference will include presentations and field experiences that focus on prairies and cattle production, landscaping with prairie natives, ecotourism, biodiversity, prairie wetlands and more. It is designed to to spark lively conversations and provide practical, real-world solutions to restore, conserve, and educate about local prairies for multiple uses. More information at http://www.coastalprairie.org/.
4. Houston History Archives Environmental Collections. Houston History Archives at the University of Houston announces the opening of several environmental collections. To view the collection inventories of Sarah and Army Emmott, Hana Ginzbarg, and The Park People, visit http://info.lib.uh.edu and scroll to the bottom left. Note that other environmental collections currently open to the public include Bayou Preservation Association, Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Joseph M. Heiser, Outdoor Nature Club, and Scenic Houston. For more information about these collections contact Dr. Teresa Tomkins-Walsh at 713-743-9991 or tomkinswalsh@uh.edu. An article describing the UH-Houston History Archives is available at http://houstonhistorymagazine.org/.
5. Sundance Theatre Pre-Opening to Benfit Galveston Bay Foundation. Join GBF at an exciting pre-opening event on Tuesday, November 22 at Sundance Cinemas Houston@ Bayou Place, 510 Texas Ave., Houston, TX, 77002 for a 5:30 PM reception and an 8 PM movie you can chose that evening from a broad range of currently running releases. Purchase your tickets at www.galvbay.org.
6. H-GAC Solid Waste Grants. H-GAC will be accepting applications for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Solid Waste Implementation Pass-Through Grants from November 14th to December 22nd. This deadline is for applications for grants for both 2012 and 2013. There will be a grant application workshop on November 18th (rescheduled from November 9) from 9am-12pm at the H-GAC offices. This workshop provides applicants with the opportunity to ask any questions about filling out the application or project ideas. More about the grants and the workshop at http://www.h-gac.com/community/waste/grant/default.aspx.
   
7. Water Is Not an Option: Texas’ Broken Promise to Future Generations. Laura Huffman, The Nature Conservancy of Texas’ State Director will be speaking at the prestigious Baker Institute November 30. The presentation is: Water is Not an Option: Texas’ Broken Promise to Future Generations. Laura Huffman takes the global challenges to a local level, beginning with a unique approach that combines science-based strategies with innovative legislation tools and practical partnerships. RSVP to Gianna Leggio at gleggio@tnc.org or 281-407-3251. Visit http://www.nature.org/ for more information.