You are invited to participate in a unique roundtable discussion about the progress of Hurricane Harvey and the implications the recovery has for Houston’s future. Discussions are structured in a “Talanoa” framework. Talanoa is a traditional word used in Fiji and across the Pacific to reflect a process of inclusive, participatory, and transparent dialogue. The purpose of Talanoa is to share stories, build empathy and to make wise decisions for the collective good. The process of Talanoa involves the sharing of ideas, skills and experience through storytelling. For more information, visit sccucc.org.

The Talanoa Dialogue series is produced with major support from the Meadows Foundation and additional support from several other sponsors. If you or your organization would like to sponsor the dialogues, please email Emma.Davis@texasimpact.org.

The Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center is situated on the central migration flyway where many different species of bird can be spotted while migrating north and south, making it a great location to observe migratory birds. Fall migration is a spectacle on the gulf coast and you can find thousands of birds of prey returning south for the winter. Join the Park’s crew as they collect data to learn more about the variety of raptors who use this flyway and the health of their populations.

Meet at the Pond Center Pavilion, the first building on your left off of the Park Road. Be sure to bring binoculars, or ask to borrow a pair!

Leader: Cin-Ty Lee

Houston Audubon is conducting a monthly survey at Hogg Bird Sanctuary. Surveys are normally scheduled for the third Saturday of the month. Everyone is welcome. Beginners, experts, or even if you’re just curious.

Everyone will meet at the parking lot at the dead end on the south end of Westcott Street at 7:30 a.m. If the gate is locked, you may park in the upper parking lot and then walk down to the lower parking lot to meet.

Leaders: Theo Ostler and Kelsey Low

Meet in front of the building at the Houston Arboretum.

The Third Saturday bird survey is a monthly event for experienced birders. It’s an opportunity for birders to help the Houston Arboretum keep a better record of the birds inhabiting the nature sanctuary throughout the year. Interested participants should bring binoculars, water, and their bird guides (if necessary).

Please RSVP to Theo Ostler so that he can let you know of any additional information prior to the survey.

The Bringing Back Main Street initiative offers local communities a place to share best practices and engage in a regional dialogue about revitalizing and supporting vibrant downtown spaces. Each quarter, community leaders gather for a roundtable on topics ranging from small business support to sidewalk infrastructure. These ongoing roundtables add to the knowledge shared during a 2015 workshop series.

For more information, visit h-gac.com.

Meet in front of the bathrooms near the parking lot off Eldridge.

Are you looking for a fantastic place to see an amazing array of birds? Join Houston Audubon on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Archbishop Fiorenza Park (Phase 2) between Eldridge and Highway 6 for the chance to see a multitude of species, get a good healthy walk in and enjoy the company of other outdoor loving folks. This park has miles of paved trails, wooded thickets, open grassy areas, large detention ponds with bird islands and much more. It is north of the Westpark Tollway and just north of the original Archbishop Fiorenza Park on Eldridge.

Email Mary Anne Weber at if you’d like to participate.

Adapting to a new Houston future; Removing carbon from the air and storing it in the Earth. RSVP to this event by emailing info@houstontomorrow.org. Free! – bring your lunch.

The Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center is situated on the central migration flyway where many different species of bird can be spotted while migrating north and south, making it a great location to observe migratory birds. Fall migration is a spectacle on the gulf coast and you can find thousands of birds of prey returning south for the winter. Join the Park’s crew as they collect data to learn more about the variety of raptors who use this flyway and the health of their populations.

Meet at the Pond Center Pavilion, the first building on your left off of the Park Road. Be sure to bring binoculars, or ask to borrow a pair!

Houston Audubon will hold their bird count at 7 a.m., starting off from the front parking lot of Armand Bayou Nature Center, dispersing from there. Please try and be here by 7 a.m. as gates will lock promptly at 7:05. If you plan on attending, feel free to shoot Andrew Hamlett an email or just show up!

As landfill space and raw materials become scarcer, recycling of used materials becomes a more cost-effective and sensible option. Periodically H-GAC hosts workshops to bring new ideas and knowledge to local governments on a wide range of recycling-related topics.

Regional Recycling Roundtable

The next roundtable will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, November 15, 2018, in H-GAC Conference Room A, Second Floor.

The topic is Composting as a recycling strategy. Presentations will include:

• Trends and Status in Commercial Composting
• Municipality Case Study
• Master Composter Overview

Registration is requested.

For more information about the roundtable, please contact Becki Begley at becki.begley@h-gac.com or 713-993-2410.