Gulf Coast Master Naturalists,

THORSDAY REPORT – 060323

CHAPTER MESSAGES

ZUESDAY CHAT If anyone else still wants to respond to last week’s Zuesday Chat about the relocation of the Chapter meeting, please send your response to Keith Crenshaw at [email protected] He and his committee will be sending out the results of the “Moving the location of the Chapter Meeting” when he returns. INTERNATIONAL COMPOST AWARENESS WEEK May 7, 2006 to May 13, 2006

The theme for 2006 is The Possibilities are Endless ... Compost!

Here is another opportunity for our Master Naturalists to get together and put together a mini- project for this week. If you need any help networking with other members, please contact THOR. (Hey, Ray Wallace (our certified TMN expert on composting), this would be right up your alley. – THOR) CONTACT: Compost Awareness Week website for more information

Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition, (TWRC) is looking for volunteers to help staff the wildlife shelter and help care for orphaned and injured birds admitted into the Baby Bird Program. For more information about requirements and training classes call the shelter at 713-468- 8972 or email [email protected]. (Click here to see information on current class.)

GRANT The application for the $17K HP Technology grant has been submitted. We will be informed of the results by April 22.

INDEX The THOR report now has an index where members can readily go to the different sections or articles by clicking on the title. (Thank you, J Kolenovsky, for the suggestion. THOR)

Index (place cursor on title, press Ctrl + click to follow link or just scroll down): OPPORTUNITIES - REMINDERS

Flood Control Workshop Trash Bash Sea Turtle Workshop in Galveston Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition – Orientation Class Piney Woods Wildlife Society – The Big Thicket of Texas Field Trip Texas Amphibian Watch APRIL POM - Clean up of Buffalo Bayou LET'S GROW - Grow-Out Planting Day “Gardening with Nature” - Karen M. Breneman Plant Identification and Biology – Dr Carol Brouwer

Award/Grant Opportunities

2006 MANTIS AWARDS Fiscal Year 2006 EPA Sustainability Grants Grant Wrangler Funding Directory

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!!!!

The Native Plant Society of Texas, Houston Chapter – Field Trips Earth Day Celebration Saturday Trailcrew Workday Beach Cleanup Flying Wild Workshop Farm Pond Management for Aquaculture Systems – Peter Woods Fundraising Seminar Pecan Growers’ Workshop and Grafters Seminar Earth Day Event Yardwise Course Spring Migration Birding Tour An Introduction to Permaculture Piney Woods Wildlife Society – Galveston Island Field Trip Permaculture & The Sustainable Society Introduction to Wetlands – Dr. John Jacobs Boy Scout Jamboree Bellaire Earth Day Celebration Nature Quest 2006 Workshop on grasses Piney Woods Wildlife Society – Sabine Woods Field Trip Exploring Houston's Backyard 2006 Piney Woods Wildlife Society – Watson Pinelands Preserve Field Trip Wildlife Photo Shoot Overabundant White-tailed Deer in Texas Carnivorous Plants Workshop MAY 20 - POM Lone Star Regional Native Plant Conference

FYI

Bayou City Farmers' Market Freeway Construction Closures TSU Conference on Katrina's Environmental Impact Help Save Texas Parks A Hundred Thousand Fish, Behind a Pane 2 Feet Thick The importance of wetlands Global Warming Is Rapidly Raising Sea Levels, Studies Warn Dragonfly Migration Tracked With Tiny Radio Tags

Interesting/Helpful Websites

Dyeing with Plants 6 Steps for Bird Safety The Ultimate Bird Guide Purple Martin Dog Poop: The Next Biofuel? OPPORTUNITIES - REMINDERS

Flood Control Workshop Bellaire Civic Center 7008 S. Rice Bellaire, Texas Saturday, March 25, 9AM – 3PM

It looks like we are going to have a crowd at the "Community Flood Control Begins at Home" …I am suggesting that people come early and bring a brown bag lunch. Joe Smith of UT Health Science Center will video tape the proceedings, Charlotte Goldberg will tape some interviews with the speakers, and Carlos Aguilar will put it all together and edit it for future reference. I am looking forward to seeing you all. Hana N. Ginzbarg [email protected]

If it rains in Houston, it floods. This workshop makes the home gardener aware of the problems increasing urbanization has on the watershed and stormwater management. “…controlling the water on your own property will go a long way to reducing our flooding risk”. Speakers include Kevin Shanley, Chairman of the Bayou Preservation Association; Dr. Mindy Vanderford, green engineering principles; Kevin Topek, permaculturist; Dr. John Jacob, compost; Chris LaChance, Watersmart Landscaping; Cath Conlon, cisterns For reservations CONTACT: Hana N. Ginzbarg 713-664-4320 or at [email protected] Mary Ellen Withworth, Bayou Preservation Association at [email protected]

Trash Bash Saturday, March 25, 8:30AM-1:30PM Once a year thousands of volunteers gather along the Texas waterways to do their part by cleaning up the environment and participate in the largest statewide event to educate the public about the importance of our water resources. For more information and registration CONTACT: 281-486-9600 or visit www.trashbash.org Greetings all - “Recovering monofilament fishingline” I'm writing to request your assistance. On Saturday, March 25, 2006, the Annual River, Lakes, Bays N Bayous Trash Bash will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. There will be eleven areas, some with multiple locations designated for this event 1. Armand Bayou; 2. Dickinson Bayou (Hwy 3 @ boat ramp); 3. Galveston Bay (O'Quinn corridor/Virginia Point, 4. Galveston Bay (Hwy 146 Boat Ramp in Seabrook); 5. Galveston Bay (TX City Dike); 6. Greens Bayou (Greenwood Park); 7. Lake Conroe (Cagle Recreation Area); 8. Lake Houston (Lake Houston Marina); 9. Little White Oak Bayou (Moody Park & Little Thicket Park); 10. Simns Bayou (Reveille Park, Glenbrook Park &Sims Woods); 11. White Oak Bayou North (Ermel Elementary School).

I have ordered 12 monofilament recovery and recycling bins to be located at some of these sites. I'll need a volunteer(s) to help coordinate and spread the word that there will be collection bin for either monofilament collected during the clean up or brought from home. I have already committed to help man one site. If you could spread the word among your Master Naturalists, so that they can spread the word I would be grateful.

If you have a Master Naturalist or volunteer wishing to man one of the collection bins, please have them contact me directly. I plan to develop some news releases to let the public know, but it would be helpful to know in advance which sites will be manned, so I can have a bin located at that site.

Any help will be appreciated! Be sure to check out the Texas Monofilament Recovery and Recycling website at mrrp.tamu.edu. CONTACT: John P. O'Connell, M.S, County Extension Agent-Marine, Texas Cooperative Extension - Texas Sea Grant College Program at 979/245-4100 or [email protected]

Sea Turtle Workshop in Galveston Last year's Sea Turtle Saturday in Galveston was such a success, this year we decided to try it again! Over 300 students, volunteers, and lay people attended the seminar at Texas A & M at Galveston, where some of the nation's premier experts on sea turtles presented a half-day course on the biology and conservation of sea turtles in Texas.

This year, we are having a Sea Turtle Saturdays on March 25, 2006 at the NOAA Fisheries facility at 4700 Avenue U in Galveston. The seminar will last about 4 hours starting at 9:30 a.m., and a sea turtle barn tour will be held for the attendees at the end of the course. In this workshop, you can expect to learn:

Basic Sea Turtle Biology, especially of the Kemp's ridley Conservation and Habitat Protection Efforts How to patrol the beach for sea turtles and nests!

The workshop is limited to 50 people, reservations are necessary. For more information and a reservation form, please see http://symposium2006.savetexasseaturtles.org/index.html

CONTACT: Carole Allen, Gulf Office Director Phone/FAX 281-444-6204 Sea Turtle Restoration Project-TEXAS HEART (Help Endangered Animals-Ridley Turtles) P. O. Box 681231 Houston, TX 77268-1231 Websites: www.ridleyturtles.org www.seaturtles.org

(Additional website – THOR): Marine Turtles - National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), under the U.S. Department of Commerce - MISSION Statement: Stewardship of living marine resources through science-based conservation and management and the promotion of healthy ecosystems

Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition – Orientation Class 595 Wycliffe Houston, TX 77079 Saturday, March 25, 9:30 to 11AM – Volunteer Orientation Class, Noon to 1:30PM – Admissions 101 Class A Volunteer Orientation Class will be held on Saturday. Following at noon is the hour and a half seminar: Admissions 101. To participate in the Admission 101 Class, volunteers must be at least 18 years old and complete 24 hours of shift work. Invite some friends and enjoy a nice lunch nearby at one of several excellent restaurants between the two programs. CONTACT: Email or call 713.468.8972 to sign up. Website: TWRC

Piney Woods Wildlife Society – The Big Thicket of Texas Field Trip (Meet at) Mama Jack’s Restaurant 215 N. Pine St (409-246-3450) Kountze, TX Saturday-Sunday, March 25-26

We will begin our Birding & Butterfly field trip at the Roy E. Larsen Sandylands Sanctuary just west of Silsbee on FM 327. It will be led by Carlton Collier. Overnight accommodations can be found in Woodville, and campsites can be reserved at Martin Dies State Park. There are two hotels in Woodville, Woodville Inn (409-283-3741) and Willis Motel (409-283-2597). We may be walking and exploring on rough terrain, so wear sturdy shoes. Be sure to bring a hat, plenty of water, sunscreen and lunch and binoculars (close focus are best). If you plan to participate or want more information about accommodations please email. CONTACT: Carlton Collier at [email protected]

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN THE TEXAS AMPHIBIAN WATCH?

9 Attend a Texas Amphibian Watch volunteer training where you’ll learn songs of local frogs and toads, find out about challenges facing amphibians worldwide, practice collecting amphibian population data, and select a wetland site for monitoring.

9 Collect amphibian population data throughout the year, send your data to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and receive an annual report detailing amphibian monitoring efforts across the state.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING REGISTRATION SHEET

Spring 2006 Texas Amphibian Watch Training Sessions

Hermann Park Conservancy 9 Where: 6201 A Golf Course Drive, Houston, Texas 77030 (in Herman Park across from the Houston Zoo) / 713-524-5876 9 When: Monday, March 27, 2006 from 6pm-9pm 9 Cost: $5.00 for materials

Brazos Bend State Park

9 Where: 21901 FM 762, Needville TX 77461 / 979-553-5101 9 When: Saturday, April 8, 2006 from 3pm-8pm (Participants responsible for own dinner, 5pm-6pm) 9 Cost: $5.00 plus park admission $4.00

Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center

9 Where: 15315 Beaumont Highway (Business 90) @ Park Road 138, Houston, TX 77049 / 281-456-2800 9 When: Saturday, May 6, 2006 from 3pm-8pm (Participants responsible for own dinner, 5pm-6pm) 9 Cost: $5.00

Name:______

Address:______

______

Telephone Number:______

E-mail Address:______

Are you in the Texas Master Naturalist Program? † Yes † No

Please mail this registration sheet to Jaime González at 7675 Phoenix Dr., #409, Houston, TX 77030. If you have questions about training sessions or the Texas Amphibian Watch Program please e-mail Jaime González at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in this valuable program!

Return to Index

APRIL POM - PROJECT OF THE MONTH

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 9AM

APRIL POM -Clean up of Buffalo Bayou- Our April project will be cleaning up the Bayou from the Eldridge bridge crossing the bayou to the Highway 6 bridge crossing the bayou. City Parks and Corps of Engineers are excited about getting this completed. There will be ample opportunity to enjoy the bayou birds, vegetation, wildflowers, and butterflies. Please wear work clothes, long pants, boots or hiking shoes, and hat and bring water. The city will supply the trash bags and tell us where to drop them off for pick up. We plan to get together for this POM on April 8th at 9:00am. To join us at this project, please call Sarah Smith at (713)690-4360 or e-mail me at [email protected]. I will e-mail you the directions. By the way, this project was actually instigated by Neil Modinger, a member of our newest spring class; show your support for our newest students by giving us all a hand.

CONTACT: Sarah Smith at (713)690-4360 or e-mail me at [email protected]

LET'S GROW - Grow-Out Planting Day 4103 FM 1960 Road East Humble, Texas 77338 Saturday, April 8th, 8:00 a.m. till

Chevron-Texaco along with the Texas Forest Service need volunteers to help plant 5,000 hardwood seedlings into containers. Last year over 500 volunteers planted trees during the morning hours. We need help again this year.

These trees planted will be made available next year for community plantings, urban events, etc - John R. Warner, CF Urban District Forester

CONTACT: David Feldman, Chevron, Houston at 832-854-6598 and let him know if you can help by March 28th.

“Gardening with Nature” - Karen M. Breneman Doss Community Center 2500 Frick Road. Thursday, March 30, 10 AM A lecture will be given by our own Certified Texas Master Naturalist and published author, Karen Breneman. There is no charge; however, they do like people to register ahead of time. CONTACT: 281-893-3726.

Plant Identification and Biology – Dr Carol Brouwer Houston Garden Center 1500 Hermann Dr Houston, TX Friday, March 31, 6:30PM-8:30PM Dr. Carol Brouwer is with the CEA-Horticulture Harris County Office - Houston. This lecture is part of the series of the Master Urban Rancher program offered by the Texas Cooperative Extension and Harris County. Space is limited and there are a few spots open. If you are interested in attending, please make your reservation as soon as possible. There is a fee of $5 for lunch. Click here for directions to the Garden Center. For more information visit Master Urban Rancher CONTACT: Diana Todd at 281-855-5614

Award/Grant Opportunities 2006 MANTIS AWARDS Mantis proudly announces its expanded 2006 Award Program in support of charitable and educational garden programs that enhance the quality of life in their host communities. In partnership with Mantis, the NGA will select 25 gardens to receive prizes: 20 will receive Mantis Tiller/Cultivators (each complete with border edger and introductory video); five (5) will receive ComposT-Twin dual-chamber composting systems. We welcome applications from all nonprofits — past winners include community gardens, schools, ministries, colleges, master gardening groups, and hospices. In addition to the application, candidates are asked to send a photo of the garden and a diagram of garden layout and dimensions. View application criteria http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/mantis-criteria.asp Application deadline: March 31, 2006.

Fiscal Year 2006 Environmental Protection Agency Collaborative Science and Technology Network for Sustainability Grants The Environmental Protection Agency intends to fund projects in two eligible areas under the Collaborative Science and Technology Network for Sustainability (CST) Program Grant. Two million dollars is available to fund projects that emphasize learning rather than the application of established environmental solutions in the following two areas:

o Communities and the Built Environment o Industrial Ecology and Organizational Behavior

GIS technology and geospatial information can be used as the central support and product of a CST application or can be one of a number of analytical tools used in a project.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants include public and private not-for-profit organizations and state, local, and tribal governments.

Deadline to Apply: May 17, 2006

Grant Wrangler Funding Directory Grant Wrangler is a free grants listing service that makes it easy for teachers to find funding. To see the full list of funding opportunities, and to subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter, visit the Grant Wrangler Web site.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!!!!

The Native Plant Society of Texas, Houston Chapter – Field Trips

Three NPSOT-H field trips are scheduled for Spring 2006. All three trips will be on Sundays and led by Dr. Larry Brown. Field trips originate at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway. Please wear appropriate footwear for walking through wet or dry fields, bring drinking water, bug spray, and a packed lunch. Field trips normally end after the picnic lunch. If the weather is drizzling rain, we proceed, but if it is a gully-washer, we still gather at the Arboretum and then cancel. We meet at the Arboretum between 8 and 8:30 am, and depart promptly at 8:30.

Sunday, April 9, Dwight D. Eisenhower Park south of Lake Houston will be our main destination. Eisenhower Park contains almost seven hundred acres of forest and water, mainly palmetto-oak flood plains and backwaters. Several trails lead through the center of the park, with more leading to the backwaters of the San Jacinto river. Deussen Park is nearby where more plants can be observed and has a picnic area. Magnolia Gardens, a subdivision to the southeast of Eisenhower, is another site with unusual plants.

Sunday, May 7, the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge southwest of Sealy and the roadsides on the way will be the focus of the trip

CONTACT: visit our website at www.npsot.org/houston or email: [email protected].

Earth Day Celebration Brazos Bend State Park 21901 FM 762 Needville, TX 77461 Saturday, April 1, 9AM-5PM A full day of family fun all aimed at educating you on what we can do to protect the Earth. We will have exhibits, hand-on activities, rock climbing wall and demonstrations from local, state and national conservation and environmental groups. We will also be offering guided nature hikes, educational programs, historical interpretation and games. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; please check our web page for more details at http://www.bbspvo.org CONTACT: (979) 553-5101

Saturday Trailcrew Workday Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center 3997 River Drive Saturday, April 1st We work in the gardens and do other trail maintenance at the sanctuary. CONTACT: Flo Hannah, 713 932-1639, ext. 14.

Beach Cleanup Bolivar Flats Saturday, April 1st, 9AM Drinking water, garbage bags, and gloves will be supplied. Winnie Burkett will oversee the event. Meet at the vehicular barrier at 9 am. CONTACT: Winnie Burkett, 713 932-1639, ext. 16.

Flying Wild Workshop Moody Gardens One Hope Blvd Galveston, Texas Saturday, April 1, 9AM.-4 PM Flying WILD, a companion piece to Project WILD, explores bird conservation through classroom activities and stewardship projects. During the six-hour workshop participants will receive an educator's manual, sample activities and explore guidelines on how to implement school bird festivals and conservation projects. Teachers, informal educators and youth group leaders may take the training. Pre-registration required CONTACT: Jennifer Lamm at [email protected] or (800) 582-4673 Ext. 4231.

Farm Pond Management for Aquaculture Systems – Peter Woods Houston Garden Center 1500 Hermann Dr Houston, TX Friday, April 7, 6:30PM-8:30PM Peter Woods is the Extension Aquaculture Specialist at Bay City. This lecture is part of the series of the Master Urban Rancher program offered by the Texas Cooperative Extension and Harris County. Space is limited and there are a few spots open. If you are interested in attending, please make your reservation as soon as possible. There is a fee of $5 for lunch. Click here for directions to the Garden Center. For more information visit Master Urban Rancher CONTACT: Diana Todd at 281-855-5614

Fundraising Seminar 3015 Richmond Houston, TX Saturday, Apr 8th, 8:30 am to 4 pm

The Gulf Coast Institute and the Texas Urban Forestry Council are sponsoring a fundraising seminar. The seminar will cover grant writing, corporate giving, government grants - including EPA Supplemental Environmental Projects grants - and event fundraising.

CONTACT: the Gulf Coast Institute or the Texas Urban Forestry Council for a registration brochure.

Pecan Growers’ Workshop and Grafters Seminar Varner-Hogg Plantation SHS 1702 N. 17th St. West Columbia TX 77486 Saturday, April 8, 9AM-Noon Discuss and learn about the techniques of grafting, planting and caring for pecan trees. Graft wood will be available for $1. Event is in coordination with the Brazoria County Agricultural Extension Office. 9 a.m.-noon; fees free Texas State Parks Pass members, $1 non-members; for more information CONTACT: (979) 345-4656

Earth Day Event The Woodlands Saturday, April 8 The Woodlands will be hosting their Earth Day event and are seeking people interested in a setting up a booth. CONTACT: Diana Foss at [email protected] or (281) 456-7029.

Yardwise Course Mercer Arboretum 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd Humble, TX 77338 Saturday, April 8, Full Day The “YardWise” program is a FREE annual course available to all Harris County residents interested in learning more about environmentally responsible yard care. For more information CONTACT: (713) 290-30000 or visit www.cleanwaterclearchoice.org/hhw/yardwise.asp

Spring Migration Birding Tour Fennessey Ranch April 8, 15, 29, 2006 - 7:30-3 p.m

This annual birding tour, on 4,000 acres of habitat, racks up 400 species or more including warblers, buntings, marsh birds, ibis, least and American bittern, anhinga, rails and swallow tailed kite. Guided by experienced birder and ranch guide; fees include lunch, $47.95 Texas State Park Pass members, $49.75 non-members; reservations required; for more information CONTACT: view http://www.fennesseyranch.com or call (361) 529-6600

An Introduction to Permaculture Leisure Learning Unlimited Building 2990 Richmond Ave Houston, TX Tuesday, April 11 7PM-11PM This class is being offered FREE by the Permaculture Guild of Houston. Permaculture is the most advanced design concept for creating gardens, landscapes, and ecosystems. For more information go to their website at http://www.urbanharvest.org/permaculture/index.html CONTACT: [email protected]

Piney Woods Wildlife Society – Galveston Island Field Trip Galveston Island Saturday, April 15

Spring migrants, easy walking on short trails, and lead by John Laner. Permaculture & The Sustainable Society Leisure Learning Unlimited Building 2990 Richmond Ave Houston,TX Tuesday, April 18, 25, May 9, 23 7PM-9:30PM Sunday, April 30 9:30AM-5PM This class is being offered by the Permaculture Guild of Houston. This class explains the permacultural perspective on how we can get a more sustainable society while creating a vastly more satisfying life for all. ($70 + $25 materials & food) For more information go to their website at http://www.urbanharvest.org/permaculture/index.html CONTACT: [email protected] Introduction to Wetlands – Dr. John Jacobs Houston Garden Center 1500 Hermann Dr Houston, TX Friday, April 21, 6:30PM-8:30PM Another one of our favorite lecturers, Dr. John Jacobs (Extension Wetlands Specialist – Houston) will be here. This lecture is part of the series of the Master Urban Rancher program offered by the Texas Cooperative Extension and Harris County. Space is limited and there are a few spots open. If you are interested in attending, please make your reservation as soon as possible. There is a fee of $5 for lunch. Click here for directions to the Garden Center. For more information visit Master Urban Rancher CONTACT: Diana Todd at 281-855-5614

Boy Scout Jamboree Houston Saturday, April 22 TPWD will be hosting a booth at the Boy Scout Jamboree in Houston to target the youth of Houston and would like volunteers to help us talk about TPWD State Parks and living with wildlife. CONTACT: Diana Foss at (281) 456-7029 or e-mail at [email protected]

Bellaire Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 22, 9:30AM-Noon TPWD will be hosting the See, Touch, and Feel booth to show the public what wildlife there is to see. Keith could use help. CONTACT: Keith at (281) 456-7029 or e-mail at [email protected]

Nature Quest 2006 Concan, Texas Tuesday-Sunday, April 25-30 May 1-2, Images for Conservation 2-Day Intensive Nature Photography Workshop

Nature Quest has a reputation of being an intimate festival, really more like a gathering of old friends to share their passion for all things in nature. At the Saturday night Fiesta! Dinner, we are excited to announce our special guest Bobby Harrison "Obsessed with the Ivory-billed Woodpecker" will be on hand to entertain you with his life-long search, discovery, and conservation efforts for this bird thought previously to be extinct. Naturally Curious will again have their bookstore set up at House Pasture Cattle Company Wednesday afternoon through Saturday night and there will be a free Nature Quest Author’s Book Signing before the dinner.

During Nature Quest you’ll enjoy learning about native plants, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, fishes, insects, birds, bats and and other mammals, river ecology, geology, archeology, native and pioneer peoples, ethnobotany, star gazing, and more. Enhance your artistic skills with our many offerings in nature art, photography, and journaling classes. Don't miss out on the special opportunity to work with internationally acclaimed ICF Pro Tour photographers in the May 1-2 workshop intensive!

Join us for our 7th annual birding and nature festival offering over 100 expert-led field trips, seminars, workshops and evening activities that explore the natural wonders of the Texas Hill Country River Region, located 90 miles west of San Antonio, Texas. Headquartered in Concan, Texas, the festival is an exciting opportunity to get acquainted with scenic Uvalde County. - Sage Kawecki, Executive Director, Texas Hill Country River Region

CONTACT: Call 1-800-210-0380 or email [email protected] today to receive a free festival guide or visit www.thcrr.com to view the information and download a registration form. Workshop on grasses Mercer Arboretum Saturday, April 29, 10AM-2PM Heartwood Master Naturalist Chapter will sponsor a workshop of the terminology needed for grasses plus a field study to be given by Flo Hannah. CONTACT: Teri MacArthur at [email protected] Piney Woods Wildlife Society – Sabine Woods Field Trip Sea Rim State Park Saturday, April 29

Easy walking on short trails.

Exploring Houston's Backyard 2006 Jones State Forest FM 1488, Conroe/The Woodlands May 1-5, 8:30AM till 2PM Breakfast snacks/Lunch/water are provided daily Each day over 250, 5th graders from intercity schools in Houston will be presented a program about the forest, wildlife, water, insects/disease, products... 6 + volunteers are needed each day to help be an interpretive tour guide. Meaning, help guide the teacher and class between stations and just visit with them if they have any questions about what they are seeing. There are 6 station per day around 30 minutes long with a 5-10 walk between each stations. If someone would like to volunteer, please CONTACT: Robin Baxter or John R. Warner (Urban District Forester) at 936/273-2261 as soon as possible.

Piney Woods Wildlife Society – Watson Pinelands Preserve Field Trip Big Thicket National Park Saturday, May 13

Neotropicals, blooming orchids, trails poor, will be led by David Henderson.

Wildlife Photo Shoot – DATE CHANGE (April 1 – cancelled) Fennessey Ranch May 13 + 14th 2006

Fennessey Ranch and Sean Fitzgerald team up for a full day of wildlife photography in the field. Fitzgerald has won the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest on the Fennessey Ranch the last two years. Blinds placed in rookeries, on game trails and watering holes let you photograph wildlife while Fitzgerald gives you tips on composition, techniques and equipment. Daylight.-dark; fees $155 Texas State Parks Pass members, $165 non-members; reservations required; for more information visit http://www.fennesseyranch.com CONTACT: (361) 529-6600

Overabundant White-tailed Deer in Texas Impacts on People, Communities, and the Land Texas State University San Marcos, Texas Thursday, May 18, 7:45AM-5PM White-tailed deer are a valuable natural resource providing enjoyment for thousands across Texas and are very adaptable to life near people. However, when deer numbers escalate and they become overabundant, deer can threaten wildlife and plant diversity as well as cause economic, health and safety concerns. Some Texas communities are currently confronting these issues and others soon will be. This seminar will allow attendees to hear about the experiences of communities as well as hear from nationally recognized experts currently working with overabundant deer issues.

* How did we get this many deer in Texas and what does the future hold? * Impact of overabundant deer populations * Current management tools * What has and has not worked * Overabundant deer as a planning issue * Building consensus among stakeholders

Early registration fee - $35 * Good until April 1, 2006! After April 1st, registration is $50. Registration is limited. Fee includes all refreshment breaks and lunch on day one. Pre-registration by May 1st required for a guaranteed lunch! Limited sponsorships available.

CONTACT: (to register) Helen Holdsworth at the Texas Wildlife Association 1-800-TEX-WILD or 210-826-2904, x. 120

Carnivorous Plants Workshop Saturday, May 20 10am -3pm Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center Carnivorous Plants: Local species and their kin - Identification and Cultivation Mike Howlett, local carnivorous plant specialist, has been named as the Regional Head Grower for the North American Sarracenia Conservancy, a newly formed nonprofit dedicated to the conservation, cultivation and reintroduction of North American Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia). He will be conducting a Carnivorous Plants program that is open to everyone (including the public) Saturday morning at 10 a.m. The goal, with the follow up workshop from 1 to 3PM, is to develop a core of volunteers who will help at the Jones Park's greenhouse to grow out these plants. The workshop will demonstrate cultivation methods for Sarracenia in particular, but methods for other CPs will be reviewed as well. Currently, about 2,000 seeds of the native Texas Pitcher Plant have been head- started and these will be the majority of what the workshop attendees will be working with.

It is asked that attendees devote at least a few hours monthly to helping raise the plants in Jones Park's greenhouse. As these volunteers demonstrate proficiency in growing these plants, they may be allowed to take some home for growout. These seedlings will be distributed for reintroduction and other conservation measures

CONTACT: Reservations requested by email to Teri MacArthur at [email protected]

MAY 20 – SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED - THE CHAPTER’S POM

Lone Star Regional Native Plant Conference Hosted by the SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center Nacogdoches, TX Wednesday-Sunday, May 24-28, 2006

Visit: http://pnpc.sfasu.edu/ for detailed agenda and registration information

CONTACT: Elyce Rodewald : erodewald at sfasu.edu Dr. David Creech: dcreech at sfasu.edu Peter Loos: info at ecovirons.com

FYI

Bayou City Farmers' Market - Every Saturday 8-12 3000 Richmond between Kirby & Buffalo Speedway (Back parking lot of NE corner of Eastside Street) Saturday, 8AM-Noon

Buy Local! Buy Fresh! A Real Farmers' Market in Your Backyard! Bayou City Farmers' Market is a Project of Urban Harvest For more information: www.urbanharvest.org or call 713-880-5540

Katy Freeway Public Information Office I-610/WEST LOOP NORTH BOUND TRAFFIC CHANGES

"Post Oak Entrance to I-610 Northbound Closed Until December 2006"

(Houston) - Effective Thursday, March 23 at 9 PM, the I-610/West Loop northbound frontage road between Post Oak and Woodway will be switched to new pavement. This traffic switch will trigger four primary traffic changes in the Uptown Houston area.

1) The I-610 northbound entrance ramp from Post Oak will be closed until December 2006. 2) The I-610 northbound frontage road between Post Oak and Buffalo Bayou will be reduced to one lane. 3) Post Oak eastbound at the I-610 southbound frontage road will be re-striped to allow two right- turn lanes southbound. 4) The I-610 southbound to northbound U-turn at San Felipe will be re-striped to allow the U-turn a dedicated northbound lane to access the I-610 northbound entrance ramp. To view map of the designated detour routes for accessing I-610 northbound from the Uptown Houston area please use the webpage link http://www.katyfreeway.org/I-610NB/I- 10_WestLoop_323.html . For more information on the Katy Freeway Reconstruction Program, including up to date information regarding other lane closures along the I-10 corridor, please visit the Katy Freeway website at www.katyfreeway.org or contact the Katy Freeway Public Information Office at 281-589- 5924.

TSU CONFERENCE ON KATRINA'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Texas Southern University - Thurgood Marshall School of Law 3100 Cleburne Avenue Friday, Mar 31, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

The Environmental Law and Justice Center will host a conference, Hurricane Katrina: Environmental Impact and Lessons in Public Health & Justice. The day-long seminar is free and open to the public. The conference chair, associate dean L. Darnell Weeden, said, "Anyone who cares about how environmental issues impact the disenfranchised should attend this conference. It has relevance everywhere - if you look at the sources of pollution, the nearby neighborhoods look like the 9th Ward. You can see the effects of race, class, and gender when you look at the pictures of Katrina showing that many of the victims were black women with children." This symposium will present an in-depth analysis of various implications of Hurricane Katrina; with topics such as: Toxic Torts and Katrina; An Intersection of Public Health and Environmental Protections: Lessons from Katrina; Environmental Justice and Katrina; and New Orleans: The Ultimate Brownfields Project. CONTACT: Register on line at .

HELP SAVE TEXAS PARKS University of Houston-Downtown Houston, TX Fri, Apr 7 A day-long forum about the chronic underfunding of Texas state parks and possible long term funding options will be held on this day. In addition to speakers who will explain the current financial and political situation impacting Texas state parks, there will be speakers from Arkansas and Florida explaining how parks in those states resolved their short-term funding problems and gained the support of state officials and voters to implement long-term funding solutions. The event is sponsored by the Houston Regional Group/Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Texas Coalition for Conservation, in cooperation with the University of Houston-Downtown. To register, send the $28 registration fee (covers continental breakfast, lunch, snack, and booklet) to Houston Sierra Club, P.O. Box 3021; Houston, TX 77253-3021. For more information CONTACT: Evelyn Merz at (713) 644-8228 or at .

A Hundred Thousand Fish, Behind a Pane 2 Feet Thick - A review of the new $290 million Georgia Aquarium Return to Index

The importance of wetlands - Rebuilding New Orleans will require rethinking role of wetlands (BBC article calls wetlands the first line of defense against flooding - It may turn out that the first line of defense for coastal cities isn't the levee in your backyard, but that marsh in your backyard that developers built on top of.) Return to Index

Global Warming Is Rapidly Raising Sea Levels, Studies Warn – National Geographic News Return to Index

Dragonfly Migration Tracked With Tiny Radio Tags – National Geographic News (Dragonflies fitted with tiny radio transmitters may aid scientists' efforts to track where the insects buzz off to on their southward migrations) Return to Index

Interesting/Helpful Websites:

Dyeing with Plants – a neat website with all sorts of information about plant dyeing from the National Gardening Associations Kids Gardening section Return to Index 6 Steps for Bird Safety - 6 steps to turn your backyard into a sanctuary for birds Return to Index

The Ultimate Bird Guide - Explore Duncraft’s - The Ultimate Guide to Birds, a free and fun search engine! Return to Index

Purple Martin - data on the Purple Martin from Duncraft, a little commercial, but contains good information (Ron Chambers is our certified TNM expert on Purple Martins – THOR) Return to Index

Dog Poop: The Next Biofuel? – National Geographic News Return to Index

Good Night, THOR

Please send any questions, requests, comments, ideas or suggestions to the chapter office at [email protected] and write THOR (THURSDAY Office Reports) in the subject line.

Photo by Hilary McMullen from Dearborn Heights, Michigan – Duncraft Squirrel Photo Contest