The SPARK School Program works with schools and neighborhoods to develop community parks on public school grounds throughout the Houston/Harris County area. This spring, the program is dedicating five new parks as part of its park desert initiative. The first will be at Channelview ISD’s Harvey Brown Elementary, 16550 Wallisville Road on May 17, 2018, at 1 p.m. For more information on all of the openings, visit sparkpark.org.

Every Thursday, rain or shine, from 2 pm to 6 pm (3 pm to 7 pm during Daylight Saving Time), Lake Houston Area residents visit Kingwood Town Center Park to pick up produce, fresh bread, homemade soaps, herbs, flowers, plants, Indian food, and more from Kingwood Farmers Market.

The Kingwood Famers Market makes our community stronger because shoppers have the opportunity to meet the faces behind their food and vendors get chance to meet and connect with the communities they nourish.

For information on becoming a vendor email Mike at mike@towncenterevents.com.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/kingwoodfarmersmarket/

Manta rays have long been a favorite for divers and a focal species for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. But, what do we really know about them? NOAA ONMS Nancy Foster Scholar and Associate Director of The Manta Trust, Joshua Stewart, will talk about his research on manta rays and what he has learned about the population that visits Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. What are they doing in the sanctuary? Why are they so small? What questions about mantas remain to be answered in the Gulf of Mexico?

In a total of 10 classes (25 hours of instruction), this series covers everything you want to know about growing vegetables. Topics include the advantages of organic and ecological approaches over chemicals; vegetable garden design; irrigation and drainage; soil fertility, mulches and composts; organic pest control; seeds, transplants, where to get them and how to plant them. The last half is a detailed discussion of selecting, growing and using the many varieties of vegetables, annual herbs, and melons.

Those who complete the class will become certified Organic Vegetable Specialists.

This is a series of ten classes and may not be taken individually. Assignments for the class include the reading of Dr. Bob Randall’s book, Year Round Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers for Metro-Houston. Cost of the book is $45.

SCHEDULE

Thursdays, 2018 from 6:30pm to 9pm

Class 1 – January 18

Class 2 – January 25

Class 3 – February 8

Class 4 – February 22

Class 5 – March 8

Class 6 – March 22

Class 7 – April 5

Class 8 – April 19

Class 9 – May 3

Class 10 – May 17

For an in-depth schedule, go to Spring 2018 class schedule and description.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

I-45 S, exit Cullen, go south, enter University of Houston campus, proceed through Elgin, Holman, Entrance 14 and Entrance 13, Cougar Place, turn left at Wheeler, take first right into driveway – park to the left of Lot 9C(although it says permit required, we have permission) Follow Urban Harvest signs back to Wheeler at Cullen. Walk north along Cullen, pass entrance 13 Cougar Village and follow the Urban Harvest signs to the classroom

For more classes by Urban Harvest, view their Upcoming Classes.

EARTHWORKS, one of several organizations working to reduce plastic pollution in the U.S., has organized a speaking tour with communities and stakeholders affected by plastics pollution in key locations across the country, including Texas. The tour seeks to dig deeper into the various processes where plastic pollution should be mitigated. In Houston, EARTHWORKS has teamed with t.e.j.a.s. Barrios and Texas Campaign for the Environment to host a panel discussion on May 17, 2018, from 7-8:30 p.m. at First Unitarian-Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin Street. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Michael Emerson, Provost and Professor of Urban Studies at North Park University in Chicago, and a Kinder Fellow at Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, and Kevin T. Smiley, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University at Buffalo, will discuss and sign their new book “Market Cities, People Cities: The Shape of Our Urban Future.”

On Friday, May 18, 2018 the City of Houston will celebrate Bike to Work Day with a 20 minute, 3-4 mile celebratory bike ride to begin and end at Hermann Square in front of City Hall. The ride will head east, utilizing Rusk, Walker, and the Columbia Tap off-street paved pathway then west on Polk and Lamar, utilizing the Lamar Cycle Track.

And for those who would prefer not to ride, the YMCA will offer a free yoga class! Please bring your own mat if you can.

Meet in Hermann Square at 7:00am to hear opening remarks and safety tips. The ride (and yoga) starts at 7:20am. There will be sponsor booths and activities taking place in Hermann Square both during and after the ride. Come out to enjoy the benefits of bicycling as a means to commute and help us celebrate biking in Houston!

Map of route

Have questions or interested in volunteering? There are two really fun ways you can get involved! One way is to be a bicycle wrangler, riding along with other riders to ensure their safety. Another way is to set up sponsor booths in Hermann Square. If you want to help please contact the Houston Bikeways Program at 832-395-2700 or bikeways@houstontx.gov.

An opportunity to participate in stewardship work for registered volunteers–if you are not already a volunteer, please check out Armand Bayou Nature Centers’ website for more information.

Help restore the prairie by potting and planting native plants and forbs every Friday, rain or shine. You do not need to attend every Friday.

Looking for a place to get your children outdoors? ABNC’s EcoClasses will allow your child to explore, discover and observe (STEM). Join them for some great nature experiences! Check out their website at abnc.org for details or call 713-274-2668 to reserve your spot.

EcoTots are for children 18-36 months with an adult every Friday.
EcoKids are for children ages 3-6 every Wednesday and Friday.
EcoSchoolers are for homeschool children ages 7-10 every Wednesday and Friday.    EcoAdventurers are for children ages 11-14 every Wednesday.

Please bring a Snack, Refillable Water Bottle, mask, closed toe shoes and dress for the weather.

Bring your little ones to listen to a story every Friday morning in the McGovern Centennial Garden’s Family Garden. After the reading, children are invited to participate in a fun activity like coloring a picture or planting a seed to take home. For more information, visit hermannpark.org.