Zach Weiss, founder of Elemental Ecosystems, explores how to work with nature’s forces to create healthy, productive, and resilient landscapes. This presentation provides both the context and theory for the larger ecological issues at hand, as well as real world examples of the solutions and approaches that can affect change. Highlighting projects from a variety of different contexts, scales, and climates leaves participants equipped with a fundamental understanding of the key elements, and introduces the incredible possibilities for restoration and regeneration.

Zach Weiss, founder of Elemental Ecosystems, explores how to work with nature’s forces to create healthy, productive, and resilient landscapes. This presentation provides both the context and theory for the larger ecological issues at hand, as well as real world examples of the solutions and approaches that can affect change. Highlighting projects from a variety of different contexts, scales, and climates leaves participants equipped with a fundamental understanding of the key elements, and introduces the incredible possibilities for restoration and regeneration.

There is a 35-person limit. RSVP to della_barbato@texasprairie.org.

Join Transition Houston for their first meeting of 2019, “Climate Change: It’s Warming, It’s Us, We’re Sure, It’s Bad, We Can Fix it!” The meeting will feature a presentation and Q&A by Dr. Larry Kremer from the Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Dr. Kremer will present the findings of the Fourth National Climate Assessment report, which draws a direct connection between the warming atmosphere and the resulting changes that affect Americans’ lives, communities, and livelihoods.

Socializing will start at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting will soon follow at 7 p.m.

Save the date for H-GAC’s first Parks and Natural Areas Summit and Awards Ceremony from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, February 8, 2019, at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor. The Summit will include presentations about various H-GAC programs that can provide goods, services, technical assistance, and funding for parks and natural areas projects.

The event will also include the annual Parks and Natural Areas awards recognition ceremony. These projects serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. Projects will be honored in three categories: Planning Process, On-the-Ground Projects Over $500,000, and On-the-Ground Projects Under $500,000.

A light breakfast will be served. Registration will open in late December or early January. Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the H-GAC program showcase at 9 a.m. The awards program will be followed by networking with H-GAC staff and other parks professionals.

The Summit will include presentations about various H-GAC programs that can provide goods, services, technical assistance, and funding for parks and natural areas projects. These projects serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. Projects will be honored in three categories. The event will also include the annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards recognition ceremony. The awards program will be followed by networking with H-GAC staff and other parks professionals.

This Monday meeting will be about climate change, its impact on the world and Houston, and what we can do about it. Speaker Dr. Daniel Cohan is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University. His research specializes in atmospheric modeling to inform environmental decision-making. In addition to his peer-reviewed publications, he writes for The Hill, The Conversation, and Houston Chronicle. Dr. Cohan received a B.A. in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University, a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Chemistry from Georgia Tech, and served as a Fulbright Scholar to Australia. He is a recipient of an NSF CAREER award and was a member of the NASA Air Quality Applied Sciences Team.

The Galveston County Audubon Group (GCAG) of the Houston Audubon Society was organized in 1998. Conceived by Houston Audubon members, the goal was to provide local birders with access to speakers and activities without the need to travel to Houston.

In addition, they hold monthly meetings jointly with the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council (GINTC). The meetings are held in the Wortham Auditorium on the first floor at the Rosenberg Library, 7 – 8 p.m. Guests are welcome to come at 6:30 p.m. to visit with other birders about their recent outings and sightings before the meeting. Membership is free and meetings and field trips are open to the public. GCAG encourages membership in Houston Audubon Society, but it is not required.

Field Trip: Feb. 23, 2019, 8:30 a.m. – Noon @ Moody Gardens south Aquarium Parking lot, 1 Hope Blvd

Meet at Moody Gardens as a starting point and create the game plan for the trip. Attendees can consolidate into carpools with likely stops at the Galveston Island State Park, Lafitte’s Cove Nature Preserve and Jim Stevenson’s house near Indian Beach.

You are invited to join the Houston Audubon education staff for a fun and educational presentation about local owls, meet three live rehabilitated owls in the Bayou Barn at Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center and take a hike through the woods in search of wild owls. Popular for all ages and especially for owl enthusiasts. Space is limited; register today.

Join H-GAC for the next Clean Waters Initiative Workshop to discuss Funding Sources for Water and Wastewater-Related Infrastructure. After presentations by several funding agencies, attendees will have an opportunity in the third hour to ask questions and further delve into the topic area with presenters, including the Texas Water Development Board, in an open-house style setting.

Maybe you don’t want to know. If you do, this session is for you. Manufacturers and everyone utilizing manufactured items put chemicals in the air, water, and the very goods they sell or dispose of. Some of these chemicals are dangerous to life and create unintended consequences.

This event is free and open to the public. RSVP to Steve Stelzer at 832-394-9050.