Coalition Notes 02-07-2012

1. Sustainable Communities Regional Plan Community Meetings. Around 4 million additional residents are expected to move to the Houston Galveston region in the next 30 years. Therefore, the Houston Galveston Regional Plan is important for ensuring sustainability. The 13- county plan explores opportunities to improve the region’s most important resources, including clean air and water, good jobs, safe and attractive neighborhoods, affordable housing, transportation choices, and open spaces and parks. In February and March of 2012, meetings will take place in different parts of the region to discuss the plan and allow residents to provide input. To find a meeting, visit http://www.ourregion.org/events.html.
2. 2012 Community Indicators Symposium. The 2012 Community Indicators Symposium introduces the most recent of the peer-reviewed reports. Symposium guests will enjoy breakfast during a discussion featuring Dr. Renu Khator (Chancellor, University of Houston System), Dr. Steve Murdock (Professor of Sociology, Rice University), Ramon Gonzalez (Principal of MS 223: The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology, South Bronx), and Bryan Hancock (Partner, McKinsey & Company). To register, visit www.houston.org.
   
3. Birds and Bottomland Blitz. Join Warren Pruess for the February Birds and Bottomland Blitz at GCBO on Saturday, February 11th from 9-11 am. The monthly program is a joint effort by the Cradle of Texas Master Naturalists and GCBO to raise awareness of the importance of the Columbia Bottomlands to birds. This month’s focus will be Lichens and Mushrooms of the Bottomlands. Come learn about the Columbia Bottomlands from the experts. The leader is a long-time GCBO volunteer and the go-to guy for all plant identification questions. You are sure to enjoy learning everything about bottomlands lichens and mushrooms from him! www.gcbo.org (979-480-0999)
4. Select Local Grow Together. The Select Local Grow Together lecture series allows professionals to teach the community about local green building practices. This month, the topic is green roofs. Green roofs are roofs that are completely or partially covered in vegetation, which helps to absorb rainwater, provide insulation, and more. This lecture is on February 15th from 6:30-8:30pm at Green Building Resource Center (1002 Washington Ave). For more information, visit http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/.
   
5. Northwest Harris County Habitat for Humanity Sale. Support Deconstruction and ReUse and get a great deal in the process! The Northwest Harris County Habitat for Humanity is moving and everything must go! Come treasure hunting to supply your next building or home-improvement project at the huge sale from Feb 15-18 at 13572 Texas 249, Houston, TX 77086. The NWHC Habitat for Humanity ReStore keeps items out of landfills through deconstruction of homes in the Houston area and through donations of new and gently used building materials and housewares. The sale items include doors, windows, trim, appliances, hardware, flooring, lighting fixtures, fans, furniture, sinks, toilets, cabinets, carpet, household items and SO MUCH MORE! For more information, call (281) 820-2307 or visit http://www.habitatnwhc.org/restore/restore.
6. It’s Great Backyard Bird Count Time! The 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count will be conducted February 17th through 20th, 2012. You can count birds wherever you are, including your backyard, off your balcony, at a local park, or even at GCBO. People of all ages and bird-watching experience are welcome. For details, see the GBBC website.
7. Crab Trap Removal Event. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be holding a crab trap removal event from February 17th to the 26th. During this period, all Texas bays will be closed to crabbing with crab traps, and any traps left in the bay will be presumed to be abandoned and considered litter under state law, thus allowing volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find. Abandoned crab traps are hazardous to wildlife and plants and problematic for fishers and boaters. Volunteers are needed for this event. If interested, contact Julie Mintzer at jmintzer@galvbay.org to volunteer or visit http://galvbay.org/events_trap.html for more information
8. Volunteer for Houston Audubon. The Houston Audubon Docent Guild and the Houston Audubon Society need new volunteers. Volunteers can work restoring habitat in sanctuaries, leading children’s nature programs, helping visitors at High Island during spring migration, staffing festival and outreach booths, assisting in the office, and working on fundraising projects. An overview of volunteer activities will be provided in a free orientation session on February 25 at the log cabin in the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary from 9am-noon. Preregistration is required: call 713-932-1639 or e-mail jperkins@houstonaudubon.org to reserve a spot. For more information, visit http://www.houstonaudubon.org/.
9. Gulf Coast Water Conservation Symposium: The Business Case For Water Conservation. The Gulf Coast Water Conservation Symposium will cover cost-effective approaches to water conservation, cost-effective approaches to water conservation, strategies to start and develop an effective water conservation program, and how to incorporate water conservation into long-term water supply plans. The symposium will take place on March 2nd from 8:30am-3pm at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center Ballroom (300 West Walker Street, Leaugue City, TX 77573). Register at http://www.texaswater.org/.