Coalition Notes 11-17-2010

1. LTNS Open House Weekend. The Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary (LTNS) comprises 655 acres of wilderness with trails and flowing creeks through quiet forests of huge magnolias, towering pines, holly, and dogwood. This weekend, November 20-21, LTNS will be having an open house and performing trail maintenance. The public is invited to use the day to plan or camp in The Cove (primitive camping). November 20th is Trail Maintenance Day, so bring gloves and loppers and adopt a trail. For more information, visit http://www.outdoornatureclub.org/.
2. Family Owl Prowl. Friday, Nov. 26 Looking for something to do with the family the day after Thanksgiving? Bring them for a guided moonlight hike in the Arboretum to look and listen for owls, flying squirrels and other nocturnal creatures. Wildlife Rehab & Education will give a short presentation with live owls. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. Ages 7 and up. http://www.houstonarboretum.org/family_owlprowl.asp.
3. Waste Accepted. We CAN Recycle Inc. is now able to accept e-waste at no charge up to December 15th through a STAR grant. Materials can be dropped off all day at 723 N. Drennan St. Materials accepted include PC’s, TV’s, CRT’s, and most other small electronics. For more information on We CAN Recycle Inc., visit http://wecanrecycle.org/.
4. HANC Whooping Cranes trip. Dec. 4 & 5. Once numbering only 15 individuals, the Whooping Crane population has grown to almost 300 due to joint efforts of the U.S. and Canadian governments. This majestic bird breeds in Canada and winters on the Texas coast at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Bill Eley, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center’s program development director, will lead this trip which includes transportation, hotel, breakfast and a boat tour of the marshes in Aransas. Space is limited; register before Nov. 23. http://www.houstonarboretum.org/whoopingcrane_fieldtrip.asp.
5. GBF Advocates for Stronger Freshwater Inflows to Galveston Bay. Freshwater flowing down the Trinity and San Jacinto rivers is the lifeblood of an estuary like Galveston Bay, providing for the proper salinity in the bay and bringing in vital nutrients and sediments.  For years, the Galveston Bay Foundation has been hard at work advocating for protective freshwater inflow standards. See GBF’s latest efforts in the Galveston County Daily News op-ed, GCDN editorial, and an editorial in the Houston Chronicle. You can learn more by visiting GBF’s environmental flows webpage.