Author/Photographer Charles Kruvand will present his new book about the Neches River: Riverwoods: Exploring the Wild Neches. Spending many days canoeing the river and nights camping on the banks of the Neches River, Charles was drawn to the complicated allure of the Neches river and woods. Once common across the southeastern United States, the Neches bottomland forests exemplify an ecosystem that has almost passed out of existence.

The Herb Society’s upcoming evening meeting is at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion in Hermann Park.  Hosts are Julie Fordes and Andi Leger. The program, “Moringa – A Nutritional Powerhouse in Your Backyard,” is presented by Tommy Garcia-Prats, founder and general manager of Small Places, LLC. Bring your plate and napkin and a dish to share.

Come learn about the Miracle Tree. Also known as the Tree of
Life, Mother’s Best Friend, and Nebedaye (which
means “never die” in many African languages),
Moringa oleifera may well be the world’s most
important plant. As one of the most nutrient-dense
plant foods known, moringa is being promoted as
a potential solution to world-wide malnutrition. It
was also named a Top Wellness Trend of 2018
and is an excellent source of complete plant
protein for vegetarians and vegans. And if that’s
not enough, this easy-to-grow tropical/subtropical
plant actually thrives in the Houston climate. So, if
you don’t already know about moringa, it’s time
you did.

You can learn about this life-saving “superfood”
when you join us for the January 16, 2019 Evening
Meeting of the South Texas Unit of The Herb
Society of America. The program is free and open to the public. We
meet in the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500
Hermann Drive, where it T-intersects with
Crawford Street. There is free parking adjacent to
the Pavilion. Members gather at 6:15 pm, and the
public is welcome to join us at 7:15 to enjoy the
program.

Presentation: The Upper Texas Gulf Coast provides a variety of habitats that attract winter waterfowl and other water birds such as loons and grebes, making it a wonderful birding destination during the fall and winter months. Identification of these birds can be somewhat tricky, however. This interactive presentation will cover the different family groups and provide information about behavior, habitat, and plumage that can aid in identification. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and everyone is encouraged to come early to share about recent outings and sightings.

Field Trip: Jan. 19, 2019, 8:30 a.m. – Noon, @ Moody Gardens south Aquarium Parking lot, 1 Hope Blvd

Meet at Moody Gardens as a starting point and give everyone the game plan for the trip. Attendees can consolidate into carpools. Narration broadcast will be available on an FM radio channel for caravan options.

Speaker: Michael J. Turco, General Manager, Houston-Galveston and Fort Bend Subsidence Districts

Topic: The Past, Present and Future of Subsidence in Houston Area

Registration and networking will be from 11:20 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. A buffet luncheon will be available and announcements will be made between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. The speaker presentation will begin at 12:15 p.m. and end at approximately 1:00 p.m.

You are invited to join the Houston Audubon education staff for a fun and educational presentation about local owls, meet three live rehabilitated owls in the Bayou Barn at Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center and take a hike through the woods in search of wild owls. Popular for all ages and especially for owl enthusiasts. Space is limited; register today.

Zach Weiss, founder of Elemental Ecosystems, explores how to work with nature’s forces to create healthy, productive, and resilient landscapes. This presentation provides both the context and theory for the larger ecological issues at hand, as well as real world examples of the solutions and approaches that can affect change. Highlighting projects from a variety of different contexts, scales, and climates leaves participants equipped with a fundamental understanding of the key elements, and introduces the incredible possibilities for restoration and regeneration.

Zach Weiss, founder of Elemental Ecosystems, explores how to work with nature’s forces to create healthy, productive, and resilient landscapes. This presentation provides both the context and theory for the larger ecological issues at hand, as well as real world examples of the solutions and approaches that can affect change. Highlighting projects from a variety of different contexts, scales, and climates leaves participants equipped with a fundamental understanding of the key elements, and introduces the incredible possibilities for restoration and regeneration.

There is a 35-person limit. RSVP to della_barbato@texasprairie.org.

Join Transition Houston for their first meeting of 2019, “Climate Change: It’s Warming, It’s Us, We’re Sure, It’s Bad, We Can Fix it!” The meeting will feature a presentation and Q&A by Dr. Larry Kremer from the Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Dr. Kremer will present the findings of the Fourth National Climate Assessment report, which draws a direct connection between the warming atmosphere and the resulting changes that affect Americans’ lives, communities, and livelihoods.

Socializing will start at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting will soon follow at 7 p.m.

Save the date for H-GAC’s first Parks and Natural Areas Summit and Awards Ceremony from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, February 8, 2019, at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor. The Summit will include presentations about various H-GAC programs that can provide goods, services, technical assistance, and funding for parks and natural areas projects.

The event will also include the annual Parks and Natural Areas awards recognition ceremony. These projects serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. Projects will be honored in three categories: Planning Process, On-the-Ground Projects Over $500,000, and On-the-Ground Projects Under $500,000.

A light breakfast will be served. Registration will open in late December or early January. Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the H-GAC program showcase at 9 a.m. The awards program will be followed by networking with H-GAC staff and other parks professionals.

The Summit will include presentations about various H-GAC programs that can provide goods, services, technical assistance, and funding for parks and natural areas projects. These projects serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. Projects will be honored in three categories. The event will also include the annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards recognition ceremony. The awards program will be followed by networking with H-GAC staff and other parks professionals.