Community Notes 02-07-2012

1. Drought Symposium. Texas Forest Service and Texas Forestry Association are holding a symposium on February 8th from 8am-3pm in Diboll, Texas. The symposium will cover the impacts of a drought and how to prepare for the future. There will be a range of speakers from forestry, agriculture, and natural resources agencies. RSVP by contacting Shane Harrington at (936) 546-1470. More at http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/.
2. Monofilament Mania Clean-Up. On February 18, come out and help support the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program. This program, initiated in 2004, works to keep monofilament fishing line out of the marine environment. 8:00 am to noon. Monofilament line is another name for single-strand, high-density nylon fishing line that is used on fishing reels. Used line can be harmful to boat motors and marine wildlife. Birds and animals cannot see discarded monofilament fishing line, so it is easy for them to become tangled in it and starve, drown or lose a limb.South Jetty East End Lagoon, Boddecker Rd., Galveston.Refreshments will be provided. More at http://mrrp.tamu.edu/ or
3. The Texas Watershed Steward Workshop. The Texas Watershed Steward Workshop is a FREE one-day event to help residents in the watershed improve and protect water resources by getting involved in local watershed protection and management activities. Workshop will be held at the Galveston County AgriLife Extension offices in Carbide Park, La Marque at 4102 B Main St. (FM 519) on February 22nd from 8am to 4pm. More information at http://mokabayousalliance.org/ or Facebook.com/MoKaBayousAlliance. Agenda and pre-registration is available at http://tws.tamu.edu/workshops/online-registration or call 979-862-8070.
4. REEF Offers Fish ID Webinars. Fish ID Webinars teach you the finerpoints of identifying fish found in many parts of the world. The webinars are short and free. They are great for anyone who wants to learn more about marine life. To learn about the different seminars and to register, visit http://www.reef.org/resources/webinars.
5. Keep Texas Beautiful Awards. Keep Texas Beautiful recognizes the efforts made by individuals and groups to enhance their community and protect the Lone Star State’s environment. Applications are due February 17 and can be submitted online at http://ktb.org/.
6. TogetherGreen Grants. TogetherGreen, a conservation alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota, is accepting applications for Conservation Fellowships and Innovation Grants. The Conservation Fellowships program encourages individuals to create positive environmental change in their communities and organizations. Applications for the fellowships will be accepted until March 5th. The Innovation Grants program enables Audubon groups and others to engage diverse audiences in conservation actions. The deadline for the grant application is April 2nd. More at http://foundationcenter.org/.
7. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Seabrook, and on HCC. More info on the TPWD website(* indicates a segment about the Houston area). This week’s broadcast will include:
   • Lost Maples State Natural Area
   • Monarch of the Marsh – American Alligator
   • TPWD People: Debra Borrego
8. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
   • February 8: Green–Good–Moderate winds, cool temperatures, and/or low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • February 9: Green–Good–Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • February 10: Green–Good–Moderate winds, increasing cloud cover, and/or low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.