Jump to content

trymahjong

Full Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    2,170

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

 Content Type 

Posts posted by trymahjong

    Help Migratory Birds-- turn off your lights.

    in Community Announcements

    Posted

    3352c70e-9aaa-4552-96c6-f19c84c06c6e.jpg
     
    WMBD poster art by Augusto Silva, courtesy Environment for the Americas
     
    Turn your lights off at night to help birds during migratory season
     
    by Eduardo de la Garza
    CEC Newsletter Editor
     
    Half of North American bird species migrate in the spring and the fall. Typically, they travel north during the spring — peak season is late April through early May — for more food and longer days in which to nest; when the weather turns cold or resources dwindle, they migrate south with peak fall migration occurring in late September to early October. Distance travelled can be negligible or can be the thousand-mile plus sojourns of birds flying south from the United States and Canada to South America.
     
    It's a treat for birdwatchers, or anyone, to see birds taking breaks along the way. It lets scientists and researchers get up close and personal to study migratory behavior. And it lets conservationists work to protect birds because the journeys can be treacherous.
     
    World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), observed this year on May 13, began as International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) celebrated by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center in 1993. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation took over the logistics of the day in 1995 before passing its celebration to Environment for the Americas (EFTA) — whose mission is to connect “diverse people to nature and to the protection of birds and their habitats” — in 2007. IMBD became WMBD in 2018.
     
    “We celebrate World Migratory Bird Day to raise awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them,” said Kyle Carlsen, communications specialist for EFTA. “It offers an opportunity for all of us to come together and get outside, learn about birds, and commit to taking action to protect and conserve birds and their habitats.”
     
    One way to protect birds during migration season is through the Lights Out, Texas campaign. Spearheaded by Houston Audubon as a response to a 2017 incident in which nearly 400 warblers and orioles hit the American National Insurance Co. building in Galveston because birds travel mostly at night and are attracted to lights, the campaign urges townships, buildings, and citizens to turn off nonessential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
     
    “Birds will fly towards any light they see, and this can either pull them off track for migration or cause them to fly into windows if the light is behind a window,” said Gabriel Durham, program manager for Houston Audubon. “We and our partners organize Lights Out to literally save lives. One billion birds die per year due to window collisions and getting lights out can reduce significant numbers of these deaths without having to retrofit buildings. Long story short, the night is supposed to be dark and keeping the lights on is making the entire planet less healthy.”
     
    The City of Houston, the City of Galveston, downtown Houston, and 40 buildings have pledged to turn their lights out during the migratory season. Anyone who wants their organization to participate by making a pledge to turn out their lights should contact Kathy Sweezey at ksweezey@houstonaudubon.org.
     
    “We also have Collision Monitors checking for birds that have hit windows in downtown Houston each migration to gather data about the success of buildings that do agree to turn off the skyline lights,” Durham said.
     
    The theme for this year’s World Migratory Bird Day is a common one. In fact, this year’s Earth Day shared it. One might get the idea that water is a pretty important resource.
     
    “Water is fundamental to sustaining life on our planet. Migratory birds rely on water and its associated habitats — lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, swamps, marshes, and coastal wetlands — for breeding, resting, refueling during migration, and wintering,” Carlsen said. “Yet increasing demand for water, along with climate change, pollution and other factors, are threatening these ecosystems.”
     
    Beyond pledging to turn off your lights to create safe passage for birds, there are other ways to get involved in WMBD. The website migratorybirdday.org, through EFTA, offers more information, event listings and resources to use in classrooms — or just to learn. Houston Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Communities educates on the best way to help birds, not just during migratory season but throughout the year.
     
    “Birds teach us to love and care for our shared natural world,” Carlsen said. “They are all around us, accessible to everyone, and show us that everything is connected. Conserving birds means conserving habitat and natural resources, which directly helps other species, as well as people.”
    • Thanks 1

    Art Bike Parade and festival

    in Community Announcements

    Posted

    SATURDAY, MAY 13
    10am - 1pm: Houston Art Bike Parade & Festival
    MacGregor Park, 5225 Calhoun, Houston, TX 77021
    Students, youth groups, families, and individuals are invited to both participate in the parade and cheer on hundreds of art bikes as they roll through MacGregor Park. Enjoy live music, community activations, food & drinks, and art bikes! 

    6pm - 9pm: Houston Art Bike Festival & Concert featuring MonoNeon
    Orange Show World HQ, 2334 Gulf Terminal Drive, Houston, TX 77023
    Head to the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art for more Art Bike fun! Enjoy opportunities to transform your bicycle into an illuminated Art Bike, experience hands-on interactive workshops and art activities, and stay for an incredible concert from acclaimed bassist and former Prince collaborator

    9pm-11pm: 50th Annual Moonlight Ramble
    Starts and Ends at Orange Show World HQ, 2334 Gulf Terminal Drive, Houston, TX 77023
    Hop on your Art Bike and join us as we present the 50th Annual Moonlight Ramble, a Houston tradition and 10-mile evening bike ride through Houston's East End. We'll start out at the Orange Show World HQ and with a police escort in tow, ride to Saint Arnold Brewing Company for a rest, a beer, and some music. Together, we'll ride back to the Orange Show through downtown, showing off to the city our creativity and love of biking! $20 REGISTRATION FEE - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Registration includes a complimentary beverage at Saint Arnold and a special illuminated bracelet.

    • Like 1

    Montrose Collective: Office Building With Retail At 888 Westheimer Rd.

    in Montrose

    Posted

    Cinco de Mayo party today

    ACFE9ABB-2204-4B7E-895D-92305C8FC59F.jpeg

    On 2/13/2023 at 6:33 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

    The Chelsea opens in a few weeks at 888 Westheimer Rd, Suite 119. 

    The hospitality team behind Houston's Lincoln Bar and Pour Behavior joins forces with Dallas-based Syn Group for the seafood restaurant and oyster bar. This will be one of the latest dining options to open this year at Montrose Collective.
     

    Finally a menu

    72F971E4-E5E7-4058-B8D0-2705549A785B.jpeg

    • Like 2

    Getting a "missing" traffic sign replaced

    in Traffic and Transportation

    Posted · Edited by trymahjong
    Misspellings

    The no left turn traffic sign  at Crocker and Westheimer was replaced 48 hours after notifying

    3-1-1-.

    it had been missing since Montrose was completed a year or so.

    I kept thinking it would be replaced since a left hand when going east on Westheimer then turning left on to Crocker has HUGE NEGATIVE impact on an already snarled traffic situation! Anyone trying to go west on Westheimer there gets white knuckled at how bad it backs up each evening.

    Now to try and replace the no left turn sign that prevents left hand turns from Crocker to go east on Westheimer.

    1546EA4A-CACB-4799-B0FB-D07E2FB24D7F.png

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    Lower Westheimer Road Construction

    in Traffic and Transportation

    Posted

    1 hour ago, wilcal said:

    Normal cars are wider than the lanes on Westheimer. It is kind of crazy to me to think that an agency as big as Metro would buy a bus specific for one section of one route that is slightly narrower than allowed. 

    Especially when the plan is to remove that substandard sized lane. 

    Hmmm once that section of laser Westheimer went from 3 to 4 lanes in the 80's plus the growing ridership of that line.....then yes Metro purchasing buses that were not so wide would have sense. Who knows what positive impact Metro kicking the widest buses out for that line; could have had on traffic accidents.

    I think this each time a wide Metro bus seems to nudge my car into oncoming traffic in the 700 and 800 block of Westheimer.

     

     

     

    Giant Utility Poles

    in Traffic and Transportation

    Posted

    District C council Kamin spoke about COH does not approve where these poles are located-state of Texas does. Also property owner was informed by Centerpoint of impending pole placement but then that person sold property without advising new property owners.

    Montrose TIRZ

    in Montrose

    Posted

    Council District C Kamin spoke of Montrose TIRZ stepping up to finish improvements to Alabama street- returning it to 3 lanes- middle lane is a turn lane. These lanes would have already been painted as turn lanes but COH is short staffed on painters.

    • Thanks 1

    Lower Westheimer Road Construction

    in Traffic and Transportation

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Amlaham said:

    It's crazy to me how such a major project isn't funded yet some of the smaller local streets are. I know its not how it should be prioritized, but I already thought major streets should get priority over local/ neighborhood streets that get less traffic. Hopefully this can move forward soon. 

    IMO

    Somekind of something happened at COH right after Hurricane Harvey-- Lower Westheimer improvements were completely paid for- a committee was set up- plans were drawn-- an animated video of what the improvements would like =>POOF after Harvey, the Lower Westheimer project is connected to rest of Westheimer and suddenly neither project has any funds...............

    • Like 1

    Armand Bayou Center invites public to explore houston waterways.

    in Community Announcements

    Posted

    618820b7-f276-4011-af4b-b357e6062cd6.jpg
     
    Tributary
     
    9 a.m. - 2 p.m. April 29
    Armand Bayou Nature Center
     
    Tributary is a community event to connect to and honor the waterways and communities we advocate for. The event will take place at Armand Bayou Nature Center, where attendees can explore the Center’s wetlands, bayou, and prairie habitats through bayou safari tours, kayaking, and pontoon tours.
     
    Learn of Armand Bayou's natural history and the Akokisa people who previously inhabited this watershed through educational demonstrations. Join Bayou City Waterkeeper as we pay tribute to our waterways and community.
     
    • Like 1

    Houston Environmental News spotlights Urban Harvest To Houston Citizens

    in Community Announcements

    Posted

     
     
     
    Urban Harvest
     
    Each year, Urban Harvest's Youth Education program teaches hands-on gardening to more than 5,000 Houston-area students. Their Community Gardens program provides resources and education to almost 200 gardens – supporting communities in growing their own food and creating sustainable greenspaces.
     
    Urban Harvest strives to create a healthier city where all have access to fresh, nutritious food harvested from sustainable community gardens and farms. Their mission includes addressing food insecurity and inequality. They invest in evidence-based strategies, staff training, and collaborations with community champions to apply a racial equity lens to their work. 
     
    S.gif
    5075140c-e463-4a5b-9f32-08a22d590ade.jpg

    Houston Environmental News spotlights Urban Harvest To Houston Citizens

    in Community Announcements

    Posted

     
     
     
    Urban Harvest
     
    Each year, Urban Harvest's Youth Education program teaches hands-on gardening to more than 5,000 Houston-area students. Their Community Gardens program provides resources and education to almost 200 gardens – supporting communities in growing their own food and creating sustainable greenspaces.
     
    Urban Harvest strives to create a healthier city where all have access to fresh, nutritious food harvested from sustainable community gardens and farms. Their mission includes addressing food insecurity and inequality. They invest in evidence-based strategies, staff training, and collaborations with community champions to apply a racial equity lens to their work. 
     
    S.gif
    5075140c-e463-4a5b-9f32-08a22d590ade.jpg
×
×
  • Create New...