general meeting: 

Join us at our next monthly program: Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Our May program: "The Tao of Everest." This special event features distinguished climber Ian Woodall, sharing the triumphs and tragedies of climbing Mount Everest. Ian is one of a select few to have climbed the world's highest mountain by both its south and north sides; and his wonderful story telling abilities make for a funny, poignant story of personal inspiration, that is suitable for the whole family. Join us May 10 for this rare treat - meeting someone who has stood on the "top of the world!" (Social period 7:00 PM. Main program begins at 7:30 PM.)   Location: Pecore Hall of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1805 West Alabama (at the corner of West Alabama and Woodhead).  Houston, TX. Ample parking is available behind the church. For our June 14 program, get ready for some "good news!" On June 14, we will discuss one of the bright spots in America's energy sector - Combined heat and power. Combined heat and power (CHP) is "the concurrent production of electricity and thermal energy (heating and/or cooling) from a single source of energy. CHP is a type of distributed generation, which, unlike central station generation, is located at or near the point of consumption. Instead of purchasing electricity from a local utility and then burning fuel in a furnace or boiler to produce thermal energy, consumers use CHP to provide these energy services in one energy-efficient step. As a result, CHP improves efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions." Join us May 10, as we present Ross Tomlin (a Researcher with the U.S. Department of Energy Gulf Coast Clean Energy Application Center) and learn firsthand about this very welcome trend in our nation's energy production. (Social period 7:00 PM. Main program begins at 7:30 PM.)

All Sierra Club events are open to members and visitors alike.   Please join us.

Outings note: The leaders of our trips are serving in a volunteer capacity and assume no responsibility above that of trip organizer. Please respect the wishes of your leader. If you have any medical requirements, it is your responsibility to inform the leader before the trip. While our trip leaders are not paid professionals, they are encouraged to participate in training to increase their skills. All outings officially begin at the trailhead. Leaders cannot assign carpools but may help coordinate ride sharing to conserve energy and to promote camaraderie. Some outings require advance reservations at the destination site as well as from the participant. If you must cancel, inform the leader promptly.

* The events marked with an asterisk are not sponsored by the Sierra Club Houston Group, but are presented here as a courtesy to our members and friends.  The Sierra Club Houston Regional Group makes no representations nor assumes any responsibility for these activities.

Quick Links:

local meetings and special events:

May 12 (Sat) - Annual Yard Sale 2318 Waugh Dr. at Fairview Planning to do some spring cleaning? Don't forget the Sierra Club yard sale, and you can 'recycle' those unneeded items. The sale will take place Saturday, May 12, from 8am-4pm at "CORAZON Fair Trade", 2318 Waugh (at the corner with Fairview). We will gladly accept most saleable items, including clothing, knickknacks, furniture, books, etc. We also need help the day of the sale, particularly for the morning set up and the afternoon knock-down. To donate items, either bring them to the General Meeting on May 10, or you may drop off items at CORAZON (713-526-6591, call for current hours), during the week immediately prior to the sale (but NOT before Saturday, May 5). The web address for CORAZON is http://www.corazonfairtrade.com/ Please bag or box up smaller items. Large objects such as furniture would be best delivered to the site on the morning of the sale. If you have workable appliances, electronics, etc. to donate, securely attach an index card that describes the condition of the item, and any information a potential buyer would need to know. This is important! If we don't know the workability of an item, we are forced to sell it for far less than its potential value. Please DO NOT BRING broken or obsolete computers, computer peripherals, or nonworking electronics. Those items should go directly to an e-waste recycling facility. This event is one of the Houston Group's annual fundraising efforts. All proceeds go to support the Houston Group and its local conservation and educational programs. To volunteer, contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com or 713-528-2896.

May 16 (Wed) - Galveston Bay Area Sierra Club Houston Monthly Meeting - Program: PARTY TIME! - For this meeting we will take a break from the normal meeting setting and convene at Molly's Pub 902 Ramada (Clear Lake). Patsy Gilliam will give us an update on the Texas Bottle Bill. We will invite some folks running for public office, and there may be a surprise or two. Please come and mingle with other Sierra Club members starting at 6:30 pm followed by presentations at 7:00 pm. For more info, please contact Grace Martinez (281-732-1201 or gracemartinez7@earthlink.net ) or Diane Neustadter ( DiNproducer@yahoo.com ).  Meetings are held at The Bay Area Community Center, located across from Clear Lake in Clear Lake Park: 5002 NASA Road 1; Seabrook 77586.  

June 20 (Wed) - Galveston Bay Area Sierra Club Houston Monthly Meeting - Program: SEA LEVEL RISE AND CLIMATE CHANGE - John B. Anderson, professor of oceanography at Rice University will discuss the effects of sea level rise and climate change on the upper Texas coast. The Galveston Bay Keeper joins us in hosting this program. Please come and mingle with other Sierra Club members starting at 6:30 pm followed by presentations at 7:00 pm. For more info, please contact Grace Martinez (281-732-1201 or gracemartinez7@earthlink.net ) or Diane Neustadter ( DiNproducer@yahoo.com ).  Meetings are held at The Bay Area Community Center, located across from Clear Lake in Clear Lake Park: 5002 NASA Road 1; Seabrook 77586.  

Up to Top

classes:

TBD - Outings Leader Training - Dates: Arranged with participants; no cost - Have you enjoyed outings or trips put on by the Houston Sierra Club? Would you like to see more outings offered? If so, have you considered playing a role yourself? We are always looking to maintain and expand our leader pool. We'll soon organize another training session for those interested in being outings leaders or trip coordinators. Our leader training provides participants with the background requirements for leading a Sierra Club outing in the field. This class is a qualification to become an asst. leader or leader on our air/bus trips, or to sponsor local day or weekend outings. The trip coordinator class will cover all the steps involved in planning one of our air/bus trips. The trip coordinators are the ones who decide on a destination and are then responsible for the overall planning and organization. This includes choosing group leaders, making air/bus arrangements, publicizing the trip, etc. (One can assist with trip coordinating without having to lead a group in the field). Besides gaining rewarding personal experience, our group leaders and trip coordinators make an invaluable contribution to the Sierra Club. Their efforts create unique opportunities for others to experience and enjoy the natural world. And some trips serve as a source of revenue for the Houston Group, helping to support local conservation activities. In order to compensate somewhat for their time and energy, group leaders and trip coordinators can receive discounts on the air/bus trips that they lead. If you have interest in either of these classes, contact Frank Blake, frankblake@juno.com or 713-528-2896. Each class is approximately 2 hours long, and dates are coordinated with the interested participants.
.

Up to Top

committee meetings:

May 8 (Tue) - Inner City Outings (ICO) - Houston ICO meets the second Tuesday each month at 7:00 p.m. at a place to be determined.  Please contact Angie Langolf at 713-467-6875 or outdoor.girl.01@gmail.com for more information.

May 21 (Mon) - Outings Committee - usually the third Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at the Whole Foods store on Bellaire near Weslayan.    Help us plan regional day outings, weekend trips, and air/bus trips to exciting outdoor destinations across the country.  Please call to confirm meeting date.   Frank Blake, 713-528-2896, frankblake@juno.com

May 15 (Tue) - Conservation Committee - third Tuesday monthly, 7:00 PM. Call for new location. Contact Evelyn Merz, 713-644-8228, elmerz@hal-pc.org

May 16 (Wed) - Air Quality - third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., at 5431 Carew.

April 26 (Thu) - Houston Group Executive Committee - fourth Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Houston Clayton Library, 5300 Caroline.  Contact Jim Williams at ezz@pdq.net.

For more information on committee activities, click "get involved" on the nav bar.

Up to Top

social gatherings:

Ongoing:  every Saturday - Sierra Walkers - Clear Lake Area - We meet every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. across the street from the Nassau Bay Post Office on Upper Bay Road, just south of NASA Rd. One. After a 3-mile walk, we have breakfast at a nearby deli. Some just come for breakfast. Join us! For information, call Richard or Betty Armstrong at 281-333-5693.   Sierra Walkers have been active for 18 years!

Up to Top

outdoor events:

Service Projects

Saturday, April 28, 10:00am-1:00pm - Beach Cleanup - NORTH JETTY BEACH CLEAN UP - The Houston Group has adopted this stretch of beach as part of the Texas "Adopt-A-Beach Program". The North Jetty is a popular ?shing, crabbing, and birding spot on the Bolivar Peninsula just south of the Audubon Society's Bolivar Flats Sanctuary. Because this site is heavily used, trash and litter have become a problem. Much of the trash, such as discarded ?shing line and plastics, are hazards to area wildlife. From Galveston we will take the ferry to Bolivar, watching for birds and dolphins on the way. After the clean up, those interested can visit the Bolivar Flats Audubon Sanctuary or Anahuac NWR depending on the route back to Houston. We plan to return to Houston by late afternoon. We may have a rendezvous point for those wishing to carpool from central Houston. For meet up times and complete details, contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com or 713-528-2896 (e-mail preferred).

May 5 (Sat) - MARSH MANIA 2012 BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER - We would like to organize a group of Sierrans to assist the Galveston Bay Foundation with Bay wetlands restoration. This year's Marsh Mania event, sponsored by the GBF will take place at the Baytown Nature Center on Saturday May 5, from 8:30am -12:30pm, and is suitable for all ages. Typically the project involves planting smooth cordgrass, plugs of seagrass, or other plant material. The goal of Marsh Mania is to involve local citizens in hands-on wetlands restoration activities while increasing their awareness and appreciation of wetland habitats and functions. The first Marsh Mania was held in 1999. If you would like to participate in this event, or want more info, contact Jake Anderson at jake.anderson.07@gmail.com or 339-364-0450. We may have a carpool rendezvous point in central Houston if there is interest.

May 5 - MARYSEE PRAIRIE WORK DAY - The Marysee Prairie is one of the last remnants of tallgrass prairie in the Big Thicket region. Come assist the Big Thicket Association in this ongoing effort to revive and maintain the native grasses and wildflowers on this site near Batson, Texas. Work tasks vary by month, but usually involve controlling the regrowth of woody species, and keeping the prairie clear for mowing. Tools and gloves provided. For more info, contact Tom Maddux at 936-697-3425, or Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com or 713-528-2896.

May 12 (Sat) - Come Pitch-in at Pine Brook Wetlands Service Outing - On Saturday, May 12, 2012, the Houston Sierra Club will conduct a service outing at Pine Brook Wetlands to remove non-native invasive plants from the wetlands. Pine Brook Wetlands is a neighborhood project that has resulted in the restoration of a native prairie pothole wetland. The restoration effort has been ongoing for about four years and the wetland has become a beacon for birds and other wildlife. For more information about what has been done go to http://www.pinebrookwetlands.com.   If you have a lopper or small hand saw bring it along with a pair of work/garden gloves. We will work for about 3-4 hours and then enjoy lunch at a neighborhood eatery.    Bring your daypack, hat, plenty of water, binoculars, hiking shoes, camera, field guides, and clothes to fit the weather. We will meet to carpool/caravan at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot just west of Starbucks (look for Becks Prime) in Meyerland Plaza. Starbucks fronts the 4700 block of Beechnut (south side of Beechnut, near the West Loop South). Look for a Silver Honda Civic with lots of bumper stickers.  If you want to meet us at 9 a.m. at Pine Brook Wetlands take Interstate 45 South to FM 2351 (Clear Lake Blvd.). Turn left onto FM 2351 and go east about 5 miles. Just past El Dorado Blvd. look for Park Center Drive and turn right. On your left is Pine Brook Neighborhood Park and about a block down Park Center Drive is Pine Brook Wetlands. There are parking spaces and picnic benches in the park.   Contact Brandt Mannchen at 713-664-5962 or brandtshnfbt@juno.com and leave your name, address, phone number, and email. In case of trip cancellation Brandt will either email or call you.

May 19 (Sat) - Trail Work: WINTERS BAYOU - We will conduct a late spring trail maintenance hike on the Winters Bayou Section of the Lone Star Hiking Trail. This service hike will take us across Winters Bayou and its Palmetto covered floodplain. Bring your daypack, two quarts of water, lunch, hiking shoes, hat, insect repellent, and clothes to fit the weather. And don't forget to bring your sense of camaraderie, humor, and adventure! Meet at 8:00 am. See the How to Meet box on page 2. Contact Jane Prentiss at 713-201-5755 for additional details. Please supply your name and contact information in case we need to make changes.

Up to Top

Day Trips

Saturday, May 5 - Forest Walk - LSHT Tarkington Section - Enjoy an 8 mile late spring hike on the Tarkington Section of the Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT). This is one of the few places in Sam Houston National Forest where you can see Longleaf Pine trees as the trail winds its way along Tarkington Bayou. If you are interested in camping after the hike please contact Jane Prentiss and let her know. Bring your daypack, three quarts of water, lunch, hiking shoes, hat, and clothes to fit the weather. And don't forget to bring your sense of camaraderie, humor, adventure! Meet at 8:00 am. See the How to Meet box on page 2. Contact Jane Prentiss at 713-201-5755 for additional details. Please supply your name and contact information in case we need to make changes.

Sunday, May 6 - Canoe/Kayak the Cypress Wonderland - Experience the maze of lakes and shaded, winding bayous deep within the heart of the largest cypress forest on the Texas coast. This is one of the most scenic paddling destinations in this part of our state, and it is located only 30 miles east of Houston. Depending on the water and weather conditions, we will focus on one or more of the area's many features: wildlife, river processes, Texas history, and the impact of human interventions. Participants must provide their own canoe or kayak, life jackets (required), and paddles. The trip leader can help you with advice regarding gear rentals from Houston area outfitters, if needed. Paddling time: 4-5 hours, plus breaks for sightseeing and lunch. Difficulty: moderate to strenuous. Recommended donation to the Houston Sierra Club: $10. Trip size is limited. To register, contact Tom Douglas at baymail@sbcglobal.net or 713-869-6026. A detailed trip information sheet will be sent by email to registered participants.

Sunday, May 27, 2012 - Bike Ride: HEIGHTS/FIRST WARD/DOWNTOWN BIKE TOUR - The itinerary for this ride will include various bike trail segments in the Heights, the First Ward, and connecting trails to downtown. New pieces of Houston's growing bike trail network are being constructed in this area. We'll check on construction progress and tour sights in the nearby neighborhoods. The tour will begin at 9am and last approximately 3 hours, taking a leisurely pace. Participants will need to bring a helmet and bike lock. For meeting point and other details, contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com or 713-528-2896 (email preferred).

Up to Top

Weekend Trips are also listed on our Outings page

Mid June or Mid July. - Car Camping Trip To Yellowstone, OR? -    We are planning a week long car camping trip during June or July to Yellowstone NP, Mt. Rainer NP, or possibly the Maine Coast. When plans are confirmed, details will be posted here. This trip will feature a variety of day hikes to explore the chosen destination. Typically we fly to a city near our destination, then rent mini-vans for our ground transportation. Leaders for the trip are Frank Blake, frankblake@juno.com or 713-528-2896 and Lorraine Gibson, raineygib@aol.com or 281-384-4104

July 14-22, 2012 (tentative). - OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK -    This trip will be car camping with a variety of day hikes. Olympic National Park is noted for its dramatic Pacific coastline, temperate rainforests, and glaciated alpine peaks, sometimes referred to as "three parks in one." The Park protects over 60 miles of wild coastline, featuring a variety of beaches, tide pools, and sea-stacks, as well as magnificent old growth forest. In 1909 Teddy Roosevelt established Mount Olympus National Monument to protect the Olympic elk, and in 1938 it became a National Park. We will fly to Seattle and travel by mini-van, camping at various locations around the Olympic Peninsula. For more information, contact Frank Blake, at frankblake@juno.com or 713-528-2896 and Lorraine Gibson, raineygib@aol.com or 281-384-4104

August 4-12, 2012 - Durango 12 Backpacking Trip - Weminuche Wilderness - Join us in August to visit the Weminuche Wilderness northeast of Durango, in the southwest corner of Colorado. The beautiful scenery, combined with the extensive amount of open country that lies above timberline, creates wonderful hiking conditions for this weeklong trip. The circuit is considered strenuous because of the elevation gains and the time spent at high elevation (two days above 12,000 ft). You may want to arrive to Durango one or two days earlier to acclimate yourself. Most days the distance hiked with backpacks will be around 7 miles, but we plan a layover day for day hikes or for resting by the campsite. On August 4th we will meet at the airport in Durango, rent vans, drive to the trailhead and start this adventure. On 8/11/12, the last day in the wilderness, we will drive back to Durango and spend the last night in town. Return home will be on Sunday, August 12th. The total price will be determined soon, and will include ground transportation, fuel and permits, if any. It will not include food, hotel or air transportation to and from Durango. For more details, itinerary, etc., contact Gus Cei at 713-962-5813 or guscei@yahoo.com.

Longer Trips are listed exclusively on our Outings page

Last updated:  12/24/2011.   Content © 1999-2011 by the Sierra Club.