Exploring Coral Spawning in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

June 2, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. ET

Take a virtual field trip into the depths of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary with expedition lead Dr. Sarah Davies of Boston University.

In 2019, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries partnered with Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration to expand our understanding of sanctuaries through deep-water exploration and research. Aboard the research vessel Manta, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration staff, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary researchers, and partner scientists ventured about 100 miles offshore of Galveston, Texas. There, they observed annual coral reproduction, known as spawning, on the deep reefs of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Learn about the highlights as lead scientist Dr. Sarah Davies recounts the expedition.

Exploring for Coral Reef Biodiversity and Connectivity in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

June 3, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. ET

Take a virtual field trip to the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico with expedition lead Dr. Joshua Voss, from Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.

In 2019, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries partnered with the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration to expand our understanding of sanctuaries through deep-water exploration and research. Aboard the R/V Manta, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration staff, Flower Garden Bank National Marine Sanctuary researchers, and partner explorers ventured into the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. There, they explored areas that have been proposed for sanctuary expansion and investigated the biodiversity and connectivity of mesophotic coral ecosystems. Join us to learn about the highlights from this expedition as lead scientist Dr. Joshua Voss recounts their exploration.

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Virtual Professional Development: How to Create a Community-Based Learning Experience for Students in Houston

Teachers, learn what’s outside your window, and how you can use it to engage kids in any subject. Gain an understanding of what’s affecting Houston’s prairies, forests and marshes. Discover resources to differentiate instruction for all learners, including tech options. Connect with local informal educators that are ready to help you.

Sign up in Eventbrite. Limited to first 20 participants. Three hours CPE and G/T credit available, with an option for six hours, through the Texas Association for Environmental Education.

Teachers, learn what’s outside your window, and how you can use it to engage kids in any subject. Gain an understanding of what’s affecting Houston’s prairies, forests and marshes. Discover resources to differentiate instruction for all learners, including tech options. Connect with local informal educators that are ready to help you. Join us virtually June 10 or June 15 (elementary and middle school) or June 11 (middle and high school). Sign up on Eventbrite; limited to first 20 participants. Three hours CPE and G/T credit available, with an option for six hours, through the Texas Association for Environmental Education.

Volunteers meet the second and fourth Thursday of every month to propagate plants from locally collected native seed. A typical workday may include seeding pots, bumping up trays into 1-gallon containers, separating seedlings, and weeding pots. They will also have special seed collecting trips, invasive species removal workdays, and planting events in restored prairies.

If you’re interested in volunteering for the Natural Resource Management Program, email kelli.ondracek@houstontx.gov or visit houstontx.gov/parks/naturalresources.html.

Virtual Professional Development: How to Create a Community-Based Learning Experience for Students in Houston

Teachers, learn what’s outside your window, and how you can use it to engage kids in any subject. Gain an understanding of what’s affecting Houston’s prairies, forests and marshes. Discover resources to differentiate instruction for all learners, including tech options. Connect with local informal educators that are ready to help you.

Workshop limited to first 20 participants. Three hours CPE and G/T credit available, with an option for six hours, through the Texas Association for Environmental Education.