Calendar
“Christ wears two shoes in the world: Scripture and nature.â€Â (John Scotus Eriugena, Irish theologian, died 877)
You are invited to a 24-hour getaway in the beauty of God’s good creation at the Two Shoes Retreat. Join the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston (IENoH) at Cramer Retreat Center in Spring to celebrate Earth month, beginning Saturday morning, Apr. 14 and ending Sunday morning, Apr. 15. This retreat explores both scripture and nature as the “two shoes†revealing the Christ.  We ask: What does scripture teach?; What does our scientific understanding of nature teach?; How do these two support and reinforce one another and deepen our understanding of the divine?. In addition to the study, this retreat includes time for recreation, reflection, and service. Note that this event is specifically Christian; thus those of others faiths may disregard.
Retreat cost is $60 (+ ticketing fees), which covers meals and overnight lodging. To attend Saturday only, cost is $40 (+ ticketing fees). Space is limited, so please register early. The retreat is open to adults of all ages, and to youth 10+, when accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.
Pollinators help plants complete their life cycle by moving pollen from one plant to another. This is a very important process if you like any of the following things – chocolate, fruits, ice cream, and even tequila!
Celebrate these miracle workers during Pollinator Palooza. Learn about the different types of pollinators, pair pollinators with what they help produce, and learn how you can save pollinators in the wild!
This event is included in your Zoo admission and is free for Zoo Members. Buy your tickets via the link above, or upon arrival at the Houston Zoo.
Schedule of Events
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Games and activities at the Reflection Pool.
10:00 a.m. Pollinator Puppet Show in the Front Plaza.
10:00 a.m. Ladybug release at Pollinator Garden near South America Exhibit
10:30 a.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Bug House
11:00 a.m. Pollinator Puppet Show in the Front Plaza.
12:00 p.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Lemur Habitat in the Wortham World of Primates.
12:00 p.m. Pollinator Puppet Show in the Front Plaza.
1:00 p.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Bat Cave in the Natural Encounters Building (Sunday Only).
1:00 p.m. Pollinator Puppet Show in the Front Plaza.
1:30 p.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Bat Cave in the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo.
2:00 p.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Bat Cave in the Natural Encounters Building (Saturday Only).
3:30 p.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Lemur Habitat in the Wortham World of Primates.
Join us for a wild night at the Zoo and get the buzz on the fascinating world of pollinators! From seed dispersal to forest gardener, we could not live without them. We’ll learn about the unique life of bugs as we explore the new BIG BUGS exhibit and find out about other pollinators that may surprise you. Celebrate these miracle workers and discover how you can help them right in your own backyard!
Evening snack, a light breakfast, and next-day admission are included. We will be camping indoors in our Brown Education Center!
Pollinators help plants complete their life cycle by moving pollen from one plant to another. This is a very important process if you like any of the following things – chocolate, fruits, ice cream, and even tequila!
Celebrate these miracle workers during Pollinator Palooza. Learn about the different types of pollinators, pair pollinators with what they help produce, and learn how you can save pollinators in the wild!
This event is included in your Zoo admission and is free for Zoo Members. Buy your tickets via the link above, or upon arrival at the Houston Zoo.
Schedule of Events
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Games and activities at the Reflection Pool.
10:00 a.m. Pollinator Puppet Show in the Front Plaza.
10:00 a.m. Ladybug release at Pollinator Garden near South America Exhibit
10:30 a.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Bug House
11:00 a.m. Pollinator Puppet Show in the Front Plaza.
12:00 p.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Lemur Habitat in the Wortham World of Primates.
12:00 p.m. Pollinator Puppet Show in the Front Plaza.
1:00 p.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Bat Cave in the Natural Encounters Building (Sunday Only).
1:00 p.m. Pollinator Puppet Show in the Front Plaza.
1:30 p.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Bat Cave in the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo.
2:00 p.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Bat Cave in the Natural Encounters Building (Saturday Only).
3:30 p.m. Meet the Keeper Talk at the Lemur Habitat in the Wortham World of Primates.
Have you ever been curious about where animals live and build their homes? Join us as we hike around the Zoo looking for their construction zones! We’ll explore how native wildlife thrive by observing structures such as nests, ant colonies, and spider webs and discover how Zoo architects create special habitats for each of our animals. Use these ideas to create your own animal architecture or bio-inspired designs!
Evening snack, a light breakfast, and next-day admission are included. We will be camping indoors in our Brown Education Center!
Escape from the frenzy of the start of the “Christmas shopping season†on an intimate, 24-hour retreat in the beauty of God’s good creation at the Cramer Retreat Center in Spring. This retreat invites you to get ready for the coming of Christ by exploring familiar Advent themes: hope, preparation, joy and peace, with the reconciliation of heaven and earth in mind. Consider how all creation longs for the coming of Christ, and how we are called to witness the Incarnation in our care of all God’s created world and all God’s creatures. Enjoy a time of renewal, reflection, recreation, and restoration on this retreat. The retreat is open to adults, and to youth 10+, when accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.
On April 17, 2019, from 5-8 p.m., the City of Houston will host the 1st Annual Student Innovation Showcase at Houston City Hall. Mayor Sylvester Turner will visit with student teams that have been awarded an Eco-Rise Eco-Audit Grant Award and will speak about the city’s sustainability initiatives.
The AIA Houston Design Awards program recognizes design excellence in architecture, residential architecture, interior architecture, restoration/renovation, and urban design. Criteria to be used by the jury include quality of design, resolution of the program idea, sustainable responsibility, innovation, thoughtfulness, and technique.
Shell Educators’ Preview: Start your evening at 4 p.m. and earn one hour of CPE credit while viewing our newly renovated George W. Strake Hall of Malacology.
HMNS’ Educator Members will have an opportunity to speak to Tina Petway, the
Museum’s Associate Curator of Malacology, during the Shell Educators’ Preview.
As a special treat, all guests will also be able to visit our newest special exhibition,
Art of the Brick until 6:00 p.m.!
The Educator Event @HMNS: Continue your evening with us starting at 5 p.m.
and earn up to three additional hours of CPE credit depending on which
programming you attend. HMNS is featuring several ways to earn CPE credit from
attending workshops to taking a guided tour to seeing a show in our Planetarium.
Educators are able to earn a total of up to 4 hours of CPE credit while attending
HMNS’, An Evening for Educators!
Registration Information
Educators: Free
Non-Educators: $10.00
(Pricing includes entry to the George W. Strake Hall of Malacology and Art of the Brick)
Registration begins Tuesday, July 30th and ends Wednesday, October 2nd.
Please complete the online form at hmns.org/eveningforeducators to reserve your spot. For questions, contact educatorevent@hmns.org.
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.