The Bayou Banner
May 2019 Edition
May 9, 2019 — Houston's Climate Action Plan
Join us on May 9 for a presentation by Lara Cottingham, Chief of Staff & Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Houston Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department.
After three 500-year floods in as many years culminating with the largest rain event in North American history, climate change is an unprecedented challenge for Houston. Sustainability and resiliency go hand-in-hand and this plan is essential to the health and economic vitality of Houston's future. The time for bold action is now.
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.
Go here for more information.
At our Bay Area Sierra Club's monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 15, we will have a panel discussion of the Green New Deal. Panelists are the following: Steve Allen, Doug Yazell, and Linda King. Panel chair is Dr. Peter Bowman, longtime Sierra Clubber and Environmental Management Instructor. Comments from the audience will be welcome.
Go here for more information.
As always, the April 13th annual Lone Star Chapter Awards Celebration in Austin is a festive occasion. However, this year the Houston Regional Group has special reasons to celebrate. Three of the recipients have performed their award-winning work in the Houston region.
Go here for more information.
For Sierra Club members, a free "Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Workshop" will be held on August 3, 2019, noon to 5 pm. The workshop is at Pecore Hall, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1805 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77006.
Go here for more information.
After a suspension of two years, curbside glass recycling has resumed in the City of Houston. Bottles and jars made from clear, green and brown glass can again be recycled curbside. In 2018, the city signed a 20 year recycling contract with a new recycling contractor, Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, Inc. (FCC), which has built a new municipal recycling facility with expanded, up to date sorting technology.
Go here for more information.
The American Wind Energy Association will sponsor the WINDPOWER Conference in Houston, Texas on May 20-23, 2019. The Conference will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Downtown Houston (1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, 77010).
Go here for more information.
Put on your hiking boots and hit the trails on National Trails Day, June 1, 2019. The Houston area has many interesting trails, from meandering short walks to long hikes.
The Houston Sierra Club will hike some of the trails to mark National Trails Day.
Go here for more information.
By Brandt Mannchen
On March 27, 2019, tragedy occurred on Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF). A contracted helicopter used for prescribed burning (Eurocopter AS350) crashed near Bethel Road and FM 149, in northwest Montgomery County.
Go here for more information.
By Cheryl Conley, TWRC Wildlife Center
A concerned citizen who came across a nest on the ground with eggs in it and an injured mama nearby contacted us via Facebook. The lady wanted to know what she could do to help. She posted pictures to help us identify the bird. Not being familiar with the hundreds of bird species we have here, I reached out to our former Executive Director who not only identified the bird but also shared some interesting information about the species.
Go here for more information.
The Houston Group of the Sierra Club is looking for help in the following areas: Membership Chair, Data Coordinator, Audio / Video Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, Publicity Chair, and Forestry.
Help to make a difference for the Sierra Club!
Click the link to see new opportunities to help.
Go here for more information.
By Brandt Mannchen
The most ambitious conservation proposal since 1980, which protects public national wildlands in the U.S., has been introduced in our Congress. The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA) in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington would:
Go here for more information.
Get Outdoors!
For current information on upcoming outings in the Houston area, check out our MeetUp site.
By Brandt Mannchen
The parking lot was filled with cars. Over 20 by my last count. There is no doubt that the beautiful weather, sunny and in the 60's to 70's, and the lure of a great wildflower display had done the trick.
Go here for more information.