Duke University Press Description of Book:  “Based on fieldwork among state officials, NGOs, politicians, and activists in Costa Rica and Brazil, A Future History of Water traces the unspectacular work necessary to make water access a human right and a human right something different from a commodity. Andrea Ballestero shows how these ephemeral distinctions are made through four technolegal devices—formula, index, list and pact. She argues that what is at stake in these devices is not the making of a distinct future but what counts as the future in the first place. A Future History of Water is an ethnographically rich and conceptually charged journey into ant-filled water meters, fantastical water taxonomies, promises captured on slips of paper, and statistical maneuvers that dissolve the human of human rights. Ultimately, Ballestero demonstrates what happens when instead of trying to fix its meaning, we make water’s changing form the precondition of our analyses.”

CELF Citizen Science: Inquiry to Action is a semester-long program that engages educators and students in project-based STEAM learning outside of the classroom. Tailored to each school and community location, we offer professional learning workshops for teachers paired with on-site support to implement a project-based learning module that  connects students to real-world challenges in their own neighborhoods. The program culminates in a Spring 2020 Student Symposium, bringing together all participating schools to present their findings and pollution-prevention plans to community members and real-world policy makers. The program combines the development of 21st century skills with the motivation and creativity generated by solving a problem in one’s own community.

Participants in the program will:

• Implement a project-based STEAM learning unit.

• Participate in professional learning workshops paired with on-site educator support.

• Collect data with AirBeam monitoring technology combined with HabitatMap crowd-sourced data sharing platform.

• Focus on air-quality while learning pedagogical principles that apply to a range of citizen science learning opportunities.

• Engage with local concerns through student-led inquiry.

This opportunity is grant-funded. Join one of the workshops, connect with our educators for on-site support, and come together with other classes implementing this program at our 2020 Spring Student Symposium.

If you attend one of two professional development opportunities you can attain 2-hours of Continuing Professional Education credit, receive an air quality monitor, connect with local environmental partners, and enjoy a free lunch with fellow educators. You will also gain access to the 2020 Student Symposium, the culminating event for the program.

Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series. In January, Jaime Gonzalez, Houston Urban Conservation Programs Manager for The Nature Conservancy, will highlight a variety of local environmental issues, and how local people/organizations are coming together to address them. He will explain tools used for environmental action mapping that make collective action more effective. And, he’ll speak about how all of us can work together to create positive environmental change in Houston. Join us online for this insightful talk! Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions about this talk.

Nature lovers of all ages are invited to discover local environmental organizations, outdoor activities, native plants, and wildlife. This family-friendly event includes pontoon boat tours, guided walks, live animals, and a catch-and-release fishing tank.

Raise funds for the Lawther-Deer Park Prairie Education Program, honor Susan and Peter Conaty, participate in auctions, and test your prairie knowledge with this fun program.

Get excited for Birdathon 2020! Join Houston Audubon at the Kick-off Workshop to learn all about Birdathon and birding at their wonderful log cabin at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Meet other birders and nature enthusiasts, and maybe even sign up for a team! This workshop is free and open to the public.

WHAT IS BIRDATHON?

Birdathon is the birder’s equivalent to a walkathon, but better (because you get to look at birds all day). Teams of 2 or more (typically 4-5) compete to count as many bird species as possible in a consecutive 24-hour period. Birdathon is primarily a fundraiser, so teams also compete to raise the most money for the best cause: bird conservation. The birding and fundraising period is followed by a fun awards celebration with prizes for the most birds identified, most funds raised, best story, best team name and more! Birdathon is a great way to enjoy spring migration and support Houston Audubon at the same time.

Whether you can identify 2 species or 2,000, birders of all experience levels are welcome to participate in Birdathon! Please contact us if you’d like to be placed on a team.

For more information visit houstonaudubon.org/
Questions? Contact Zineera Seth at (713) 932-1639 ext. 106 or zseth@houstonaudubon.org.

New to the EcoRise Eco-Audit Grant Process and want to learn how to walk students through a student written grant process to get their sustainability ideas funded? Join us for this one-hour introductory webinar!

EcoRise will:

-Review the curriculum/resource platform

-View examples

-Discuss facilitation ideas

EcoRise will use Zoom video platform. Please be sure your camera and video are working in advance of the webinar. Use the link below to log into the meeting. It takes about 1-2 minutes to get set up before the meeting.Join us via laptop at: https://zoom.us/s/9624181171

**Webinar is for PreK-12 teachers only. Please respond to confirmation email to secure your spot.

Already an EcoRise teacher and need some one-on-one guidance? Schedule an Eco-Audit Grant Check In:

https://calendly.com/ecorisekristi/15min

Presenter: Houston Public Works
Houston Public Works is currently a host of Project WET (Water Education for Teachers)! This educator workshop will help teach all levels, formal and informal, on diverse water topics that educators can use to reach children with objective, experiential, science-based water education. Project WET is a world leader in developing interdisciplinary, hands-on activities to integrate knowledge of water resources and issues into K-12 classrooms, using simulations and critical thinking skills at the core of Next Generation Science Standards. Learn more, https://www.projectwet.org. ********************************************************************* The workshop will also provide a sneak peek to the Houston Botanic Garden in Southeast Houston. The Houston Botanic Garden will be an oasis of horticultural beauty showcasing Houston’s biodiversity in a beautiful and serene setting. Through outstanding displays and enriching programs, the Garden will inspire all who visit to become environmental stewards as they learn more about plants and the vast natural world. ************************************ For information please contact: Alondra Hernandez, Administrative Coordinator at alondra.hernandez@houstontx.gov or (832) 395-3780