Community Notes 12-03-2012

1. Breakfast with the Sandhill Cranes. Nature lovers throughout the region await the arrival of Sandhill Cranes every year. A number of these large, majestic birds have already been spotted on the west end, and many more will be on hand for the annual Breakfast with the Cranes on Dec. 8. Enjoy a light breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Galveston Country Club, 14228 Stewart Road, and meet Joan Garland of the International Crane Foundation, who will talk about cranes in Texas, the organization’s worldwide crane studies and conservation efforts. Then off to the pastures and sloughs that are hot spots for a bird’s eye view of the visiting Sandhill Cranes. Cars will leave for birding sites immediately after the presentation and return to the County Club around noon. Some 145 cranes were sighted during last year’s event. Breakfast with the Cranes event ticket prices are $20 for GINTC members and $25 for non-members. More at http://guidrynews.com/.
2. 2013 Tree Planting Competition. The 2013 Tree Planting Competition will be held on February 9th, 2013. The planting competition once again will be held in partnership with Harris County Flood Control District, and will take place at the 11,500 blk of Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77067. As in years past there will be Professional, Amateur and Youth Divisions, and HCFCD will till the site beforehand. Register for the event by downloading the form at http://cechouston.org/.
3. Webinar – The Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids: The Schoolyard Classroom. Texas Children in Nature is partnering with REAL Schools Gardens in Dallas/Ft. Worth and National Wildlife Federation to host a state-wide webinar on December 6th for Texas educators. The webinar, The Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids: The Schoolyard Classroom, will include the research supporting outdoor education, the importance of a team approach, outdoor classroom possibilities, instruction, professional development considerations and the components for long term success. Featured speakers include Irene Pickhardt of Texas Education Agency, Lisa Webber of STEMscopes at Rice University as well as educators from successful ISD programs across the state. The webinar is on December 6th, 4:00 p.m – 5:15 p.m. Central. Free! RSVP. More at http://txcinc.wordpress.com/.
4. Facebook: Japhet Creek Restoration Volunteers|Keep it Clean and Green! The Japhet Creek Nature Conservancy now has a Facebook page where it will post updates and links related to volunteering for creek clean-up events. If you already have a Facebook account, please go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/japhetcreekvolunteers/ and “like” the page!
5. Water and Land Management Workshops. Trinity Waters and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are hosting a second round of water and land management workshops in the Trinity River basin. The full news release can be read at AgriLife Today. The workshop dates are: December 12 in Corsicana, February 5 in Athens, and February 8 in Huntsville. Topics in this round of workshops include: Land Use and Ownership Trends in the Trinity River Basin; Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements for pesticide applicators; Land Management with the TRIMS mapping tool; and Developing a Water Quality Management Plan. The workshops will begin at 1 pm and end at 5 pm. Those interested in attending should contact Blake Alldredge at 979-845-0916 or balldredge@tamu.edu to RSVP and reserve a spot. To RSVP electronically, go to http://nrt.tamu.edu/schedule/ and look for “Cooperative Conservation in the Trinity River Basin” and the date and location of the workshop. Learn more at http://www.trinitywaters.org/events/.
6. Holiday Trees: Artistically Upcycled. Holiday trees decorated by local artists using recycled items will be on display from 9 am to 4 pm at 611 Walker, Mondays through Fridays, excluding holidays (December 5th-Deecember 28th). Free and open to the public. More at http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/.
7. TD Green Streets – Grants. TD Bank and the Arbor Day Foundation have announced the launch of TD Green Streets, a new grant program that will offer ten $20,000 grants in support of innovative urban forestry initiatives in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. Funding will support the purchase of trees, tree planting and maintenance, and educational activities. Up to 50 percent of the proposed funding can be used to purchase new trees. To be eligible for a TD Green Streets grant, qualified municipalities must be a current (2011 approved) Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA-designated community within TD Bank’s United States footprint. Proposed new trees must be planted in neighborhoods identified as low- to moderate-income. Municipalities are encouraged to apply in partnership with community partners such as nonprofit organizations, schools, businesses, etc. The deadline for proposals is January 31st. Learn more at http://foundationcenter.org/.
8. Five Star & Urban Waters Restoration Program. Learn about the grant program at http://www.nfwf.org/. Proposals are due February 7th. Competitive projects will include a focus on one of more of the following priorities:
   • Urban Forest Restoration: Projects focused on improving water quality in urban rivers downstream from forested lands through invasive species removal, forested habitat restoration and forest connectivity around urban waterways.
   • Education and Training: Develop educational programs to provide training to schools, businesses, community groups, and homeowners on how to implement tree plantings or other programs to reduce water pollution and stormwater flow or to promote low-impact design (LID) and/or green infrastructure practices.
   • Stormwater Management: Develop projects intended to control rain water through tree canopy interception and reduce stormwater flow, controlling flooding and slowing run-off into surface water.
   • Monitoring: Establish or advance a monitoring program, especially to those bodies of water used for subsistence fishing, drinking water sources, or human contact to identify areas of concern and possible places where restoration efforts can be effectively targeted.
   • Outdoor Recreation: Design community-based projects that promote access to urban waterways and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities.
9. Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities. Wells Fargo and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) are pleased to offer financial assistance through our new program, Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities, whose mission is to help communities throughout the United States create a more sustainable future through responsible environmental stewardship. Proposals are due on December 17th. Learn more at http://www.nfwf.org/.
10. 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:
    • Caribbean Connection
    • Lake Whitney State Park
    • Outdoor Info: Sighting Your Rifle
    • D Day +50
11. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • December 4: Green–Good. Moderate winds and/or low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • December 5: Green–Good. Moderate winds and incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • December 6: Green–Good. Moderate winds and incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.