The Bayou Banner
July 2018 Edition
July 12, 2018 — Second Helping of Wild Summer with Wildlife — Dolphin Time!
Continuing our focus on local wildlife this summer, our spotlight will be on our local favorite marine mammal: the Galveston Bay bottlenose dolphins. Kristi Fazioli, research associate with the Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, will be our speaker.
The event is free and open to the public at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1805 West Alabama, Houston. Main program starts 7:30 PM. Doors open 7:00 PM.
Bill Wyatt, owner of Grace Outdoors, an organic landscape and fertilization nursery, will speak about trees.
Bill Wyatt is partnering with nature to give you a healthy and safe landscape.
Go here for more information.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a community meeting on June 5, 2018, to update the public on progress toward removal of the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site (SJRWPSS). About 85 people attended the meeting.
Go here for more information.
The Basel Action Network is a nonprofit organization started in 1997 to stop the export of toxins in e-waste to developing nations. The name derives from the United Nations’ Basel Convention, a landmark agreement for environmental justice that was adopted in 1989.
Go here for more information.
On June 11, 2018, Colonel Lars N. Zetterstrom, Commanding Officer at the Galveston District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, granted a 75-day public comment period for the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will be released at the end of September 2018. This study will cover the entire Texas Coast and will look at storm surge protection and ecosystem restoration alternatives.
Go here for more information.
The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas (NFGT), as managed by the U.S. Forest Service (FS), consist of four national forests, Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, Angelina, and Sabine, and two national grasslands (NGs), Caddo and Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ). The two NGs total 38,186 acres with 17,873 acres in Caddo NG (Fannin County) and 20,309 acres in LBJ NG (Montague and Wise Counties). These NGs are managed for grazing, watershed protection, recreation, mineral development, and wildlife. They deserve our protection and visitation. We need to know about their importance. Texans and all United States (U.S.) citizens are fortunate to own these important conservation lands.
Go here for more information.
In late June the Texas Supreme Court struck down Laredo’s single use plastic bag ban, deciding that it violates state law. This ruling effectively makes all local plastic bag ban ordinances in Texas unenforceable. Supporters of reducing the use of single use plastic bags must now turn to the next session of the Texas legislature to try to get state law amended to allow for local ordinance options.
Go here for more information.
The first time I felt a strong affinity to nature was when I went on my first trip to Big Bend National Park. I loved all of the scenery and the experiences I gained as I hiked with my 8th Grade classmates through trails such as Windows, South Rim, and Chisos Basin. I loved the feeling of freedom and fresh air as I hiked the trails, and the views were always worth the strenuous journey there.
Go here for more information.
By Cheryl Conley, TWRC Wildlife Center
Who doesn’t enjoy seeing squirrels scamper from tree to tree? Everyone loves seeing birds at their feeders. Who doesn’t love seeing the does with their fawns? We live side by side with wildlife. Is it any wonder that conflicts arise between humans and the animals?
This is baby season for raccoons.
Go here for more information.
Houston Sierra Club members often ask how they can help the Houston Sierra Club. They want to know how they can participate in the good work that the Houston Sierra Club does. There is a very simple answer.
Throughout Houston and the surrounding counties there are many opportunities to do volunteer outdoor service work.
Go here for more information.
On September 3, 1964, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed “The Wilderness Act” (TWA) into law. Administratively, wilderness existed as early as 1924, when Aldo Leopold convinced his superiors in the U.S. Forest Service to designate the Gila Wilderness Area.
Go here for more information.
Get Outdoors!
For current information on upcoming outings in the Houston area, check out our MeetUp site.
By Tom Douglas
On Saturday morning, June 2, we launched our boats from the east bank of the Trinity River (referred to during the 1600s as the “River of Canoes”) at the Interstate 10 bridge. This choice of launch site was fortunate, since the 10-15 mph winds from the SSW to SSE would have made for disturbed conditions on Lake Charlotte, especially at the alternative Cedar Hill Park launch site.
Go here for more information.
By Brandt Mannchen
Nine Sierrans met and visited the Outdoor Nature Club’s Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary (LTNS) in San Jacinto County on June 9, 2018. We were welcomed by Sergio Henao, 78 years young, who showed us incomparable hospitality as we hiked the trails and roads of the Sanctuary.
Go here for more information.