Green Notes - July

Back by popular demand, Houston Audubon’s “nocturnal” camp will keep your kids up at night investigating the world of owls, bats, and other nighttime creatures. Come prepared for fun and learning. We’ll provide the flashlights. Campers provide the imagination. Camps are held at Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center.

Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center (SBUNC) is a picturesque 1.1-acre sanctuary located in historic Park Place on the original channel of Sims Bayou. The center contains a log cabin, barn, gazebo, gardens, pond with native plants, boat dock and seasonal wetland trails that afford a unique opportunity to experience nature in a dense urban setting. It is located next to Charlton Park and the Glenbrook Golf Course. The address is 3997 River Drive, Houston.

The date is August 3-7, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Ages 8 to 12 as of June 1,2009. Fee is $100/wk for members and $125/wk for non-members. Contact Mary Anne Weber by e-mail or telephone at 713-640-2407. www.houstonaudubon.org.

Experienced gardeners know that a great fall garden begins with preparation now. Learn what varieties to plant and when, soil preparation, seed germination and transplanting.

This class is taught three times: 1) Saturday July 25, 9:30am-noon Dr. Bob Randall and Diana Liga; 2) Thursday July 30, 6:30am-9:00pm Diana Liga and Ray Sher; 3) Saturday Aug 8, 9:30am-noon Gary Edmondson. The Price: $20 members, $30 nonmembers. Location is the Urban Harvest Classroom 2311 Canal St. To register call Urban Harvest at 713-880-5540 during office hours, 11am-6 pm M-F. Please register at least three business days before the class.

Each year the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) sponsors a fund raising bowl-a-thon called ‘Bowling For Rhinos’ (BFR). Since 1990, BFR has raised over $3 million, entirely through the volunteer efforts of over 60 AAZK chapters from across the nation. The Greater Houston Chapter of AAZK (GHCAAZK) has contributed over $74,000 since 1991.

The event is scheduled for Saturday July 25th at 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Palace Bowling Lanes 4191 Bellaire Blvd. Register now! Registration deadline is Saturday July 25th at 6:00 pm. Call 713-667-6554. www.houstonzoo.org

Join us for a half-day trip down Buffalo Bayou and learn about the history of Houston’s most unique natural asset. We are planning monthly trips to explore this special urban ecosystem. The focus of these trips is education and conservation. We will discuss important conservation issues currently facing our Bayou on each trip. Our trip leader will be expert guide Don Greene, award-winning conservationist and educator.

Trips are on the third Saturday of each month starting at 1 p.m. and concluding between 5 and 7 p.m. There is a mandatory pre-trip meeting at the Arboretum the Thursday before each trip at 7 pm. Saturday, July 18 - Pre-trip meeting is July 16, 7 p.m.; Saturday, August 15 - Pre-trip meeting is August 13, 7 pm; Saturday, September 19 - Pre-trip meeting is September 17, 7 pm. Ages: 16 and up. Route: Put in at the I-610 bridge and Woodway Drive; take out at Memorial and Shepherd Drive. call 713-366-0379 for more information. www.houstonnaturecenter.org

The George Observatory, located about one hour’s drive south of Houston in the attractive Brazos Bend State Park, is a satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Saturday evenings, 3-10 pm. Exhibit area and gift shop open at 3 pm. Tickets go on sale at 5 p.m. on a first come first served basis. Viewing through the telescopes starts at dusk. Saturday ticket prices are $5 per person for the 36”, 14” and 18” telescopes. Members receive a 10 % discount. HMNS members enjoy free member nights at the Observatory quarterly; check the Member Newsletter for dates and details. No reservations in advance for Saturday evening viewing. Tickets go on sale at 5 pm. www.hmns.org.