The Bayou Banner
June 2019 Edition
June 13, 2019 — The Texas Coastal Exchange, a New Conservation Tool
Join us on June 13 for a presentation by Jim Blackburn, environmental lawyer and planner, co-director of the SSPEED Center at Rice University, Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Rice, and author of A Texan Plan for the Texas Coast, November 2017, Texas A&M University Press.
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 June 19th meeting of the Bay Area Sierra Club consists of two videos. Nate Hagan’s Earth vs. the Amoeba is an eye opener because of such insights as this: contemporary economic theory leaves energy out of its equations, a fatal flaw that leads to the notion that infinite growth on a finite planet is possible.
Go here for more information.
Saturday, June 22, 2019, 6-8 pm, Houston Sierra Club and Serenity Studios, in the Heights, will celebrate a "Summer Social" to welcome visitors, members, and supporters. For all who like clean air and water, more parks, and a healthy climate!
Go here for more information.
In late March, Hermann Park announced a plan to transition to organic lawn and garden maintenance. The first areas in the Park to make this transition will be the McGovern Centennial Gardens and the Molly Ann Smith Plaza. Reportedly this will be the first Houston public park to undertake an organic approach rather than utilizing customary pesticide treatments.
Go here for more information.
The City of Houston is currently developing a Climate Action Plan. At our May general meeting, Lara Cottingham, the City's Chief Sustainability Officer, provided an overview of the process, goals, and some of the strategies that are being considered to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as preventative measures to address the negative outcomes of climate change.
Go here for more information.
Hi, I'm Arjumand Mubaarak, Chair of the Political Committee for the Houston Sierra Club (HSC).
I'm offering you the unique opportunity to influence and make history by joining the Houston Sierra Club Political Committee.
The Sierra Club advocates for the protection and maintenance of our environment and wildlife.
Go here for more information.
A number of U.S. cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle have made commitments to transition their municipal bus fleets to 100% zero emission electric vehicles; Los Angeles by 2030; Seattle by 2030; New York City by 2040. And a number of other U.S. cities are considering a similar transition and acquiring electric buses for specific routes, and as trials to adjust to the technology.
Go here for more information.
Neighbors across the Greater Houston area are working together to have solar panels installed on their homes. Non-profit Solar United Neighbors is working with groups in The Woodlands and in Central Houston to form solar co-ops. These bulk purchasing groups make it easy to save on having solar power installed on your home.
Go here for more information.
By Brandt Mannchen
Now, particularly in these days after Hurricane Harvey, we hear the word “Detention”, almost like a chant or mantra. Flood control experts, agencies, public officials, developers, and many citizens talk about “Detention” like it is the solution to our flood problems. They usually only envision two types of "Detention".
Go here for more information.
By Brandt Mannchen
When it comes to a mammal, humans are very interesting. We have large brains and good hand-eye coordination. We can look to the future and envision new things. However, we are not good at "learning from our mistakes". In "forgetting to learn" we approach our environment, which makes our lives possible, as a competitor or enemy that we must defeat.
Go here for more information.
By Cheryl Conley, TWRC Wildlife Center
The heat is on! Just like us, birds enjoy and need a clean drink of water and a cooling bath. You can do birds a great service by providing a birdbath where they can drink, bathe and preen. Here is some helpful information regarding birdbaths.
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.
Get Outdoors!
For current information on upcoming outings in the Houston area, check out our MeetUp site.
By Tom Douglas
Our group of 12, paddling both canoes and kayaks, met up at Cedar Hill Park. With sunny skies and a forecast high temperature in the mid-80s, we were thinking about finding shade.
Right away, we made a run to the west across Lake Charlotte, over to the mouth of Mac Bayou.
Go here for more information.