Calendar
The Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Roundtable’s mission is to “assist in the development of public policy initiatives to expand parks and natural areas in the 13-county H-GAC region for the improved quality of life, habitat, and water quality.” This group meets in a roundtable format, does not consist of a formal board, and is open to anyone interested in participating. For more information, and to register, visit www.h-gac.com/community.
Start your weekend by enjoying a leisurely Saturday morning 
breakfast drifting down the bayou on our pontoon boat, the “Bayou Ranger”. Observe wildlife searching for their breakfast on the bayou. This trip through the heart of the Nature Center presents an uncommon opportunity to watch and learn about bayou life. Enjoy pastries, juice and coffee while underway. Maximum 8 persons, ages 5 to adult. Adults must accompany children under 18 years old. Reservations are required by phoning 281-474-2551.
Mark your calendars to attend Nature Night’s “Living in Space” with Lisa Shore of NASA. She will talk to us about what it’s like to train for and then live and work in space onboard the International Space Station. Part of working in space includes taking occasional spacewalks to maintain the space station or support science experiments. It’s not as easy as it looks in the movies. She’ll explain the parts of the US spacesuit, the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), what it really takes to get your space suit ready to go out the hatch, and what makes spacewalks so challenging. There will be a full size training version of the EMU for demonstration purposes. Audience members will have the opportunity to touch and get pictures of real space suit hardware.
Activities begin with themed crafts and fun snacks at 6:30 pm, followed by a brief nature walk before a 7:00 pm presentation by a kid-friendly speaker. We wrap things up at 8:00pm. Advance registration required.
In this three-day workshop, Carol Burton, Kelly Karavias, Irene Nava, and Urban Harvest Garden Educators will provide classroom educators, parents and garden coordinators with hands-on experience that will help you use your Outdoor Classroom as an exciting educational tool! Explore lessons in gardening and basic cooking techniques that support TEKS objectives in earth science, social studies, health, nutrition, physical education and other core subjects. Use lessons in the garden to make learning memorable, and tasty too! The workshop cost includes transportation for a 4-hour field trip to other school gardens on the third day and lunch on Tues. and Weds.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8am-3pm
Thursday: 8am-noon
$100 (A $375 value generously underwritten by Sysco)
Limited to 25 participants maximum. CPE credits: 15
ALL ABOARD!
Interested in the latest developments regarding the Texas Bullet Train? Join Scenic Houston on Thursday, June 21st for a briefing from Texas Central on its latest progress and plans to build the first high-speed train in the U.S., right here in Texas. We want to share this opportunity to learn all about the bullet train with you and your organizations. Please join us.
WHAT: Texas Bullet Train update, presented by Texas Central
Lunch provided
WHEN: Thursday, June 21st – 12noon to 1:30pm
WHERE: Frost Bank Financial Center, 1700 Post Oak Blvd, 77056, 3rd Floor Conference Room — Click here for detailed directions.
WHO: Michael Moore, Regional Vice President, Texas Central Partners
HOW: RSVP to reservations@scenichouston.org by Wednesday, June 20th
We appreciate your RSVP to ensure seating and lunches
From the Texas Bullet Train website:
This project is a privately developed high-speed train system that will provide another choice for those traveling between the two largest economic powerhouses of Texas – Houston and North Texas. Together, these areas represent approximately half of the Texas population.
Once constructed, the train is scheduled to run every 30 minutes during peak travel times and hourly during off-peak times, with a midpoint stop on the 90-minute journey in the Brazos Valley. Connecting these regions with this safe, reliable and productive transportation option will provide Texans more great choice as they travel for work and play. Additionally, this important infrastructure positions the state for future growth and creates tens of thousands of new jobs for Texans.
As developers of this private project, Texas-based Texas Central continues to promote an open conversation with all parties about the high-speed train. With a project of this scale, there are naturally questions and concerns.
The 2018 ASHRAE Annual Conference will be held in Houston, June 23–27, 2018. The Technical Program along with Committee meetings, Registration, Bookstore, and Speakers Lounge will be held at the Hilton America’s hotel and the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Registration will open March 1, 2018.
For more information, visit ashrae.org.
What:Â Environmental Impacts to the Gulf Coast: What do we know, What can we do?
Who:Â Formal and informal educators of middle and high school students.
When:Â June 25-28th, 2018. Approximately 9am-5pm daily.
Price:Â $50 per registrant, lunch included daily and Monday night dinner at Moody Gardens.
Credit:Â 28-32 CPE hours, depending on final agenda
Daily Field Trips: Moody Gardens Aquarium to explore the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Exhibit, National Weather Service, Artist Boat’s Coastal Heritage Preserve for Eco-Art Kayak Adventure, and a tour of Port Houston aboard the MV Sam Houston.
What:Â Environmental Impacts to the Gulf Coast: What do we know, What can we do?
Who:Â Formal and informal educators of middle and high school students.
When:Â June 25-28th, 2018. Approximately 9am-5pm daily.
Price:Â $50 per registrant, lunch included daily and Monday night dinner at Moody Gardens.
Credit:Â 28-32 CPE hours, depending on final agenda
Daily Field Trips: Moody Gardens Aquarium to explore the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Exhibit, National Weather Service, Artist Boat’s Coastal Heritage Preserve for Eco-Art Kayak Adventure, and a tour of Port Houston aboard the MV Sam Houston.
  
The Houston Urban Conservation Summit will provide a unique opportunity to learn about the restoration, management, and monitoring of Houston’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife!
Location:Â Sheldon Lake State Park & ELS
What to bring: All participants should bring a reusable water bottle, notebook, and business cards.
Day-of-event contact:Â (281) 660-6683
Cost:Â $10 per person (includes lunch)
Rating: Intermediate to Expert
Registration: REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please find registration details at prairiepartner.org and HoustonPrairie.org or click here to register now
Mark your calendars to attend Nature Night’s “Freaky Frogs” with Eric Duran, Staff Naturalist and Educator at the Nature Discovery Center. Using live animals, specimens, models, and photos, Eric will show visitors the various common frogs of the Houston area, and will talk about their lives and habitats. Visitors will also learn and try to make some local frog calls.
Activities begin with themed crafts and fun snacks at 6:30 pm, followed by a brief nature walk before a 7:00 pm presentation by a kid-friendly speaker. We wrap things up at 8:00pm. Advance registration required.