Calendar
The 2021 Texas Land Conservation Conference will be held as a virtual event April 14-16 and will offer a variety of program content and learning experiences related to land and water conservation in the Lone Star State. This year’s event will also feature regional (outdoor, safe, and socially distanced!) in-person networking events on Thursday evening. As 2021 will be our 25th-anniversary conference, we will be raising a glass to celebrate this milestone!
With nearly 300 attendees and growing, the conference is the preeminent statewide meeting for anyone working in the field of land and water conservation, private landowners interested in conserving their land, government, business, and NGO agency partners, and any person interested in learning more about these important issues in Texas. This year’s event will be our first-ever virtual event and it will be jam-packed with fantastic sessions on a diversity of important land and water conservation topics. Please make plans to join Texas Land Conservation Conference for what is sure to be another excellent learning and networking opportunity!
Friday, Starting at 4 p.m. – TMS Member Shopping
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Public Shopping
All ages; no registration required.
Celebrate Earth Day with Mercer Botanic Gardens! April is the best month for planting and celebrating Mercer Botanic Garden planet! Pick out a new tree to fill out your yard or add some flowering shrubs like Hibiscus! Choose from a variety of choice plants including trees, flowering shade and sun perennials, shrubs, herbs, and more to fill out your garden beds!
Shop this online-only sale at https://themercersociety.square.site/ All orders are pickup only; plants cannot be shipped. Plant pickup is off-site at The Mercer Society’s Horticultural Propagation Center, located approximately one mile from Mercer at 3602 Hirschfield Road in Spring, TX. For more information, call The Mercer Society at 713-274-4166.
To become a TMS member, or to renew your membership, visit https://themercersociety.org/get-involved/membership/ today!
Trail maintenance, volunteer work crew, and garden group.
For information on volunteer opportunities at Kleb Woods, contact Megan Ahlgren
VMS CODE: RM: Kleb Woods
It’s time to volunteer again! You know you want to, but you know there are rules, right? So here they are:
- Only a certain number of people will be allowed in each garden area. Be prepared to grow where you’re planted (work where you’re most needed)!
- You must supply your own gloves and tools.
- Park at the education building, not in front of the office.
- If you are more comfortable wearing a face mask, you are more than welcome to.
- Limits on the number of people should allow for 6 feet social distancing. Be mindful of the distance.
- As always, bring adequate sun protection and water.
- If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please quarantine for 14 days before joining Texas Master Naturalists – Heartwood Chapter at the Forest.
Volunteer slots begin at 9 am and end at noon. Contact heartwoodvsp@gmail.com for the latest plans.
VMS: RM: WG Jones State Forest (Specify garden or nursery maintenance)
Senior adults are invited to a variety of natural history programs, leisurely walks and fun nature activities every 1st Friday of the month. Meet at the nature center.
Senior adults are invited to a variety of natural history programs, leisurely walks and fun nature activities every 1st Friday of the month. Meet at the nature center.
In 1996, a cross-section of stakeholders came together in Pittsburgh for the very first federally co-sponsored National Brownfields Training Conference. Now join National Brownfields Conference as we celebrate the 19th event from September 27th–30th, 2021, in Oklahoma City, OK at the Oklahoma City Convention Center!
Cosponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the National Brownfields Training Conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing formerly utilized commercial and industrial properties. Mark your calendars for three days of training, networking, and business development!
Climathon 2021 Kick-Off!
They envision a more prosperous, inclusive, climate-resilient economy, where finance flows to green projects and activities, and where motivated people are empowered with the skills and capacity they need to take action.
This progress can only be achieved through systemic change – change that includes innovation across business, investment, regulation, governance structures, values and mindsets. They invite you to leverage Climathon Houston as a way to start ideating and innovating a solutions in these areas, or to continue working on and engaging people in solutions you may already be developing, especially those that relate to:
Urban Transitions
- Promote retrofit and decentralized energy
- Create green, resilient cities
- Accelerate clean urban mobility
Sustainable Land Use
- Make agriculture climate-smart
- Transform food systems
- Nurture forests in integrated landscapes
Sustainable Production Systems
- Recast materials production
- Reduce industry emissions
- Reboot regional economies
Decision Metrics and Finance
- Mainstream climate in financial markets
- Democratize climate risk information
- Foster bankable green assets in cities
Schedule:
- 12:00-12:10 PM Welcome + Climathon Introduction
- 12:10-12:40PM Challenge Lightning Round
- 12:40-13:00PM Next Steps & Breakout Rooms
Challenge Leaders:Â TBA
Learn More About the Climathon and Sign-up to Participate:Â https://climathonhouston.com
Experience forest bathing, led by a certified guide, followed by practice of the Christian spiritual discipline of the Earth Examen. Forest bathing, a practice that originated in Japan, involves taking in, in all of one’s senses, the forest atmosphere. Not simply a walk in the woods, it is the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest. Forest bathing has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood and focus, enhance creativity, and lead to an increased sense of calm and altruistic behavior, in addition to other benefits such as boosting the immune system and lowering blood pressure. As Christians, we understand that God is present in God’s creation, and after our guided forest bath, we’ll spend some time considering the Earth Examen as we reflect both on our time spent forest bathing and on our relationship with all creation. This activity is for a small group and space is limited. Please register at www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/forest-bathing-earth-examen-tickets-291848535827. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
Join other Christians to celebrate Earth Day by participating in a streamed pre-recorded creation-focused worship service. Listen to the wisdom, song, and stories from our fellow Creatures, human and non-human. The Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos will share the message of the day. This 45-minute worship service is in English with full Spanish translation, and does not include communion. Observe Earth Day by praising the Creator and giving thanks for God’s good creation in worship on April 22! Register to participate at www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creation-focused-worship-for-earth-day-tickets-301138712997?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.