On Jan. 26, from 9:45-11 a.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church will host a presentation by Dr. Stephen Long, a public health physician, on the EAT Lancet Commission on Food, Planet & Health: Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems report. This study, compiled by 37 scientists and other experts from 16 countries, aims to establish a global food economy that could combat chronic diseases in wealthy nations like ours and provide better nutrition for poor ones, all without destroying the planet. For more information, see the Facebook event.

H-GAC’s Parks and Natural Areas Summit and Awards Ceremony will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, February 14, 2020, at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor. The Summit will include presentations on trends and topics related to parks and natural areas.

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 and breakfast begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by topic speakers at 9:30 a.m. The awards program will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by networking until noon.

Agenda
9:00 a.m.    Registration and Breakfast
9:30 a.m.    Presentation – Claire Hempel, Design Worskshop, Equity In Parks
10:00 a.m.  Presentation – Katie Coyne, Asakura Robinson, TBA
10:30 a.m.  Parks and Natrual Areas Annual Awards Ceremony
11:30 a.m.  Networking

The Parks and Natural Areas roundtable serves as a forum for discussion of issues related to parks and natural areas and promotes the Parks and Natural Areas awards program. The roundtable facilitates information exchange and planning efforts between various stakeholders and collaborators to protect and preserve parks and natural areas across the region.

Join the Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Roundtable on Monday, March 9, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at H-GAC Conference Room A, Second Floor.

Attendees will learn about the Nature and Eclectic Outdoors’ Healthy Outdoor Communities initiative and Exploration Green, an award-winning parks and natural areas project in the region. They’ll also discuss the time and date for the spring field trip.

The PNA Roundtable meets the second Monday of January, March, May, July, September and November and is open to anyone interested in participating.

Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2020 is The Wonders of Nature.

Lady beetles, or ladybugs, have long been recognized as one of the best biological controls for many insect pests in both home gardens and agri-business. The diversity in this family of insects has been well-characterized yet they have largely been represented by only a few select species which have been introduced in the U.S. via different methods. So, who are our native lady beetles? What are their dietary preferences and habitat needs? This presentation is an introduction to some of the native lady beetles in the greater Houston area and an overview of their biology and habitat needs. Additionally, the presentation will explore threats to lady beetle populations, how iNaturalist can be used as a tool to discover who our native lady beetles, and some of the misconceptions about these fascinating insects. Join this conversation with Rebecca Lloyd, Texas Master Naturalist, as we wonder at Texas Lady beetles! Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions about this talk.

Jubilee for the Earth
2020 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m., online

Join with Christians of all traditions in a Jubilee for the Earth, an observance of the 2020 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This ecumenical service, hosted by Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston, will be a time to pray, to praise, to profess our faith, to confess, and to leave empowered to lead transformed lives.

To join this service, use this link:
https://ctkelc.us14.list-
manage.com/track/click?u=fc688c254497a823dbdfd13b9&id=ab685b6ecf&e=8d08aaba44

For more information, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com

You’re never too young to learn about the natural world around you! Join Trails As Parks naturalists as we explore a “hole” new world looking for animal burrows found in our backyards and local parks. This program is designed for our little, beginner naturalists, ages 5-10. Face coverings are required.

Scientists tell us that we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030. That may seem like a very high hurdle. But, it translates to only a 5%/year reduction. Participants in this course will leave with a plan for at least their first 5% reduction, and knowledge of how to find the other 40%. Many participants have found easy, cost-effective reductions of more than 20%. The course was developed in response to the Walk on Earth Gently multifaith statement presented at the COP23 UN Climate Change Conference. Walk on Earth Gently invites you into a journey of Living the Change that the world needs. The journey is inspired by religious teachings to turn away from consumerism & to seek balanced relationships with all people and the planet we share as our common home. This 12-week program focuses on making personal lifestyle changes in three areas: transportation, energy, and food. The facilitator will tailor the course as needed for participants. Join us in accepting the Walk on Earth Gently invitation and committing to a sustainable lifestyle, via a weekly online discussion group. Can’t make it every week? Join us as you are able. A detailed schedule is given below. All participants will receive a copy of Living the Change materials. Are you ready to commit to a more sustainable lifestyle? Then join us on this journey to Living the Change by registering on www.eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.

Feb. 22: Introduction & Transport, week 1

Mar. 1, Mar. 9 & Mar. 22: Transport, weeks 2, 3 & 4

Mar. 29, Apr. 5, Apr. 12 & Apr. 19: Energy, weeks 1, 2, 3, & 4

Apr. 26, May 3 & May 10: Food, weeks 1, 2 & 3

May 17: Food, week 4 & closing

Join Jim Blackburn, Professor in the Practice in Environmental Law at Rice University, who will discuss his new book, Earth Church, which he co-authored with artist Isabelle Scurry Chapman. Earth Church is a book about Earth-based spirituality, a subject that will become much more prominent in a future defined by a changing climate and the creation of a new economic system that is circular rather than linear. At the center of Earth-based spirituality is the Earth itself, that wonderful planet without which we would not be.  Blackburn will weave a narrative around the poetry and art of Earth-based spirituality. Time for interactive discussion with the speaker will be provided.  Please register for this talk on www.eventbrite.com. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

Scientists tell us that we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030. That may seem like a very high hurdle. But, it translates to only a 5%/year reduction. Participants in this course will leave with a plan for at least their first 5% reduction, and knowledge of how to find the other 40%. Many participants have found easy, cost-effective reductions of more than 20%. The course was developed in response to the Walk on Earth Gently multifaith statement presented at the COP23 UN Climate Change Conference. Walk on Earth Gently invites you into a journey of Living the Change that the world needs. The journey is inspired by religious teachings to turn away from consumerism & to seek balanced relationships with all people and the planet we share as our common home. This 12-week program focuses on making personal lifestyle changes in three areas: transportation, energy, and food. The facilitator will tailor the course as needed for participants. Join us in accepting the Walk on Earth Gently invitation and committing to a sustainable lifestyle, via a weekly online discussion group. Can’t make it every week? Join us as you are able. A detailed schedule is given below. All participants will receive a copy of Living the Change materials. Are you ready to commit to a more sustainable lifestyle? Then join us on this journey to Living the Change by registering on www.eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.

Feb. 22: Introduction & Transport, week 1

Mar. 1, Mar. 9 & Mar. 22: Transport, weeks 2, 3 & 4

Mar. 29, Apr. 5, Apr. 12 & Apr. 19: Energy, weeks 1, 2, 3, & 4

Apr. 26, May 3 & May 10: Food, weeks 1, 2 & 3

May 17: Food, week 4 & closing

Scientists tell us that we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030. That may seem like a very high hurdle. But, it translates to only a 5%/year reduction. Participants in this course will leave with a plan for at least their first 5% reduction, and knowledge of how to find the other 40%. Many participants have found easy, cost-effective reductions of more than 20%. The course was developed in response to the Walk on Earth Gently multifaith statement presented at the COP23 UN Climate Change Conference. Walk on Earth Gently invites you into a journey of Living the Change that the world needs. The journey is inspired by religious teachings to turn away from consumerism & to seek balanced relationships with all people and the planet we share as our common home. This 12-week program focuses on making personal lifestyle changes in three areas: transportation, energy, and food. The facilitator will tailor the course as needed for participants. Join us in accepting the Walk on Earth Gently invitation and committing to a sustainable lifestyle, via a weekly online discussion group. Can’t make it every week? Join us as you are able. A detailed schedule is given below. All participants will receive a copy of Living the Change materials. Are you ready to commit to a more sustainable lifestyle? Then join us on this journey to Living the Change by registering on www.eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.

Feb. 22: Introduction & Transport, week 1

Mar. 1, Mar. 9 & Mar. 22: Transport, weeks 2, 3 & 4

Mar. 29, Apr. 5, Apr. 12 & Apr. 19: Energy, weeks 1, 2, 3, & 4

Apr. 26, May 3 & May 10: Food, weeks 1, 2 & 3

May 17: Food, week 4 & closing