The Bayou Banner
August 2019 Edition
August 8, 2019: Reforming the Education System via Urban Gardens
Join us on August 8 for a presentation by Victor Kopic of Vox Culture Houston.
Can urban gardens be created at schools to help carry out genuine reform? With a little artist driven creativity, an eye towards innovation via the support of green technology startups, and various contributions of ingenuity of dedicated individuals and groups, Vox Culture (in partnership with the Rotary E-Club of Houston) set out to create a case study model at Wisdom High School in the Alief area.
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.
The program for the August 21 meeting is an update on Harris County Precinct 2 Flood Control Projects, presented by Jeremy Ratcliff, Precinct 2 Coordinator for the Harris County Flood Control District. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and make comments.
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Election time is near for Houston Sierra Club (HSC) members! In December, yearly elections for our Executive Committee (ExCom) will occur. The ExCom is the governing body for the HSC, sets conservation and other policy for our Group, operates and maintains the HSC, and consists of 9 members, who serve staggered, two-year terms.
Go here for more information.
By Ken Kramer
According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, a "water column" is "a vertical section of water from the surface to the bottom of the sea, a lake, a river, etc." However, "The Water Column" is a new monthly feature of the Bayou Banner written by me, the volunteer Water Resources Chair for the Lone Star (Texas state) Chapter of the Sierra Club.
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Summary of Items:
Houston recycling sent to landfills. "Clothes the Loop" clothing and shoe recycling. Cigarette waste - new solutions for world's most littered trash. Efforts in the Texas Legislature to address plastic pollution were unsuccessful, but positive developments to curb plastic pollution in other states.
Go here for more information.
The Houston Sierra Club has participated in many ecosystem restoration projects. These projects include planting saltmarsh grass, planting Longleaf Pine trees, cutting woody plants on prairies, planting freshwater wetland plants, and controlled burns. These ecosystem restoration actions are needed to restore native ecosystems in the Houston Area. Perhaps the one ecosystem restoration action needed most right now to protect forest ecosystems is burning.
Go here for more information.
About 10 years ago, the Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT) bridge, across the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, in the Magnolia Section (between FM 2025 and FM 945/Butch Arthur Road), was damaged by a flood. Since that time, the bridge has been closed and hikers must wade across the East Fork. If there is high water or dangerous conditions, no hiking is possible.
Go here for more information.
By Brandt Mannchen
In the Houston Area, our "Mother River" (River) calls. Our River is in danger. But can we hear her and help? I am not talking about the 710-mile long Trinity River, the 840-mile Brazos River, or the San Bernard, Neches, and Colorado Rivers. I am talking about the 5,600 square mile, 70-mile long, San Jacinto River.
Go here for more information.
Welcome, tell us a little about yourself
I was born into a farming family. Your typical "Old McDonald had a farm" environment, i.e., pigs, chickens, cows, horses, and dogs (not the edible ones, LOL). I was a nerd in high school.
I wanted to work in highway construction, like my oldest brother. But my dad gave me a choice to become a doctor or engineer.
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Recently, Warren Oja, District Ranger for Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF), retired from the U.S. Forest Service (FS) after working more than 45 years as a public servant. Warren spent time in Alaska and California before he came to Texas in the autumn of 2006 to assume the responsibilities of SHNF District Ranger.
Go here for more information.
By Cheryl Conley, TWRC Wildlife Center
One of our Facebook followers recently posted that this bird "has a face only a mother could love." Do you know what bird she was talking about? She was referring to the vulture. Vultures have no feathers on their heads or necks and have a hooked beak so this does make them look a little odd. Whether you agree or not, one thing is for certain—this is a very valuable and underappreciated bird.
Go here for more information.
The Houston Group of the Sierra Club is looking for help in the following areas:
Outings Leaders, Volunteer Coordinator, Climate Change Chair, Political Committee, Membership Chair, Audio / Video Coordinator, Forestry.
Help to make a difference for the Sierra Club!
Click the link to see new opportunities to help.
Go here for more information.
Get Outdoors!
For current information on upcoming outings in the Houston area, check out our MeetUp site.