Calendar
Nature & Structure
Play is an essential activity across the lifespan, for all people. Active outdoor play in and with nature has benefits for our physical and emotional well-being, and also helps us to strengthen our relationships with nature and the planet we call home. With increases in urbanization, concerns with safety, and changes in the climate and environmental conditions in the US and globally, people are spending more time indoors. Educators have responded with renewed focus and determination to support nature-based play and learning in the outdoors. In this session we will discuss the historic roots of ‘nature play’ in Froebel’s kindergarten, and the contemporary movements that support nature play (Nature Based Learning Initiative; Louv, 2019). We will review the current research on the benefits of nature for health, wellness, and a connectedness to nature (Bratman et al, 2012; Cosco, Moore & Smith, 2014; Hughes, Richardson & Lumber, 2018; Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; Schweighardt, 2015; Ulrich, 1993; Zylestra et al, 2014) and share ideas on how to design a built environment that works with nature to support the benefits of active outdoor play & learning using Universal Design principles to support children of all abilities. The session will cover an assessment tool for outdoor learning environments (POEMS: Preschool Outdoor Environment Measurement Scale, 2005/2014, DeBord, Hestenes, Moore, Cosco & McGinnis) and feature case studies of successful design features of outdoor play and learning environments for all ages & abilities. This interactive session will involve active participation and dialogue among participants.
This free, monthly workshop addresses the basics on how to install and operate a solar system. It covers topics such as solar array types, costs of equipment and labor, permitting, energy savings, and reliability. The instructor, Bill Swann, is an expert in solar energy and has built many of his own solar systems. This workshop is ideal for all people; Bill can answer the simplest and most technical of questions. If you want to learn more about solar, this is the workshop for you. For more information, contact Bill Swann at william.swann2@gmail.com.
Street parking available. This workshop occurs on the last friday of every month, except December.
Join Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center for activities that can be used toward completion of the Scouts BSA Bird Study Merit Badge. This program is open to the public. Attendance on both days is required to meet Scouts BSA requirements. Close-toed shoes and face coverings required.
Every spring and fall, billions of birds migrate through the US, mostly under the cover of darkness. This mass movement of birds must contend with a dramatically increasing but still largely unrecognized threat: light pollution.
What BirdCast needs you to do:
- Join BirdCast by committing to turn lights off from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. during critical migration periods.
- Talk with friends, businesses, elected officials, schools, and other stakeholders and get them to join the movement, too!
- Share your support for the cause via social media and with local media.
This free, monthly workshop addresses the basics on how to install and operate a solar system. It covers topics such as solar array types, costs of equipment and labor, permitting, energy savings, and reliability. The instructor, Bill Swann, is an expert in solar energy and has built many of his own solar systems. This workshop is ideal for all people; Bill can answer the simplest and most technical of questions. If you want to learn more about solar, this is the workshop for you. For more information, contact Bill Swann at william.swann2@gmail.com.
Street parking available. This workshop occurs on the last friday of every month, except December.
The Nature Discovery Center Naturalists offer weekend Meet the Animals sessions aimed to give you a more in depth introduction to Nature Discovery Center animals. Come learn about their behavior and ecology as well as the characteristics that make them unique in an interactive program with both live animals and natural history specimens.
Limit: 10 people to allow for better social distancing. Please bring and wear your masks as social distancing may not always be possible on the trails.
Days, Dates, Times & Topics:
Saturday, January 16 at 1:00 pm – Fuzzy Mammals
Saturday, March 20 at 1:00 pm – Reptiles
Saturday, May 15 at 1:00 pm – Insects and Inverts
Cost: $5 / person
Meet: Behind the Center at the Pavilions.
Advance registration is required. This is not a drop off program. All children must be registered and accompanied by registered adults.
Register Online Now: https://naturediscoverycentertexas.z2systems.com/eventReg.jsp?event=436&
Note: This program is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or due to changes in the status of the pandemic and corresponding city, county and state regulations.
This free, monthly workshop addresses the basics on how to install and operate a solar system. It covers topics such as solar array types, costs of equipment and labor, permitting, energy savings, and reliability. The instructor, Bill Swann, is an expert in solar energy and has built many of his own solar systems. This workshop is ideal for all people; Bill can answer the simplest and most technical of questions. If you want to learn more about solar, this is the workshop for you. For more information, contact Bill Swann at william.swann2@gmail.com.
Street parking available. This workshop occurs on the last friday of every month, except December.
Because Breathing is Living!
Gather your friends, family and coworkers and join American Lung Association of Texas at this year’s LUNG FORCE Walk. American Lung Association of Texas are coming together to celebrate their power to make a difference in a people’s lives.
American Lung Association of Texas is getting ready for a morning of fresh air, healthy fun, and healthy lungs, and American Lung Association of Texas would love to see you there. It doesn’t matter whether you stroll, saunter or power-walk, everyone is welcome, regardless of age or athletic ability.
Register today and save your spot at the LUNG FORCE Walk – Texas on June 5, 2021 at 8:00 AM (CT). Help American Lung Association of Texas achieve their vision of a world free of lung cancer and lung disease.
This professional development is designed for middle and High School science teachers who want to integrate climate science into their curriculum.
This Professional Development workshop is sponsored by the NOAA Bay-Watershed Education Training program, NOAA Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, and Artist Boat.
Professional Development Workshop
- Live panel discussions with scientists from NOAA and other Environmental agencies
- Workshop will cover: Linking extreme weather to climate change, how climate change leads to sea level rise and ocean acidification, how to plan a meaningful watershed educational experience on your campus, interpreting scientific data through art, and much more!
- 4 hour Kayak Adventure with Artist Boat’s professional scientist and artist.
- Hands on activities weekly.
- Receive NOAA tools and resources for your classroom.
- 5 hours of independent learning time weekly with access to a message board to communicate with scientists and other like minded educators.
When: July 7th – July 1st, 2021
Where:Â Zoom from anywhere!
Who: Middle and High School Science Teachers
Cost: Free
For more information, call: Karissa Laffey @ 409.632.0388
Email: klaffey@artistboat.org
Time:Â 10:30 to 12:00 pm
Parking:Â City Lot H
Location:Â The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park (105 Sabine St.)
Enjoy a free walking tour in Buffalo Bayou Park highlighting the landscape and ecology of 19th century Texas that created Houston, as well as the importance of prairies in rebuilding this astonishing and all but vanished ecosystem.