general meeting: 

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.

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special events:

December 10 (Thu) - Annual Auction - Volunteers and Donations Needed - We will hold our fundraising "Live and Silent Annual Action" along with our Holiday Gathering at our December monthly General Meeting, Thursday, December 10, at 6:30 p.m. This is one of the club's biggest fundraising events. All proceeds will be used to support our local conservation and educational programs including the printing and mailing of our newsletter. We had many successful auctions in the past years, thanks to all our donors, volunteers and bidders, and we are looking forward to another successful event. We are beginning to accept donations for the auction. An early response is needed so we can publish the auction items in the upcoming issues of our Bayou Banner. Suggestions for donations would be rentals for cabins, rooms, sailboats, canoes, bicycles, etc.; gift certificates or gift cards for services, performances, merchants or restaurants; and goods such as camping equipment, crafts, artwork, or autographed books. We need volunteers prior to the event to help solicit for auction items, pick up donated items or help promote and advertise the event. Additionally we will need many volunteers on the day of the event to help with our refreshment table and setting up the event. To donate, volunteer or for more information about the auction contact Arlene Diehl at 281-252- 4639 or arlenediehl@peoplepc.com.

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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.
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committee meetings:

November 16 (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

November 18 (Wed) - Air Quality - third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., at 5431 Carew.

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.

December 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 on.the.go@sbcglobal.net for more information.

December 9 (Wed) - Conservation Committee - second Wednesday of each month, 7:00 PM, at the CEC Conference Room, 3015 Richmond, 2nd Floor. Call first to confirm date and topics. Contact Frank Blake, 713-528-2896, frankblake@juno.com.

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

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social gatherings:

December 10 (Thu) - Join Fellow Sierrans for Dinner Before the Meeting - In addition to our usual refreshments and social time at 7:00 PM prior to the meeting, why not join your fellow Sierrans for dinner at 5:30 PM at the nearby Collina's Italian Cafe at 3835 Richmond. The cafe is located in a strip shopping center about two blocks away from the meeting near the corner of Richmond and Weslayan. Come and meet some people who care about the same things you do.

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.

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outdoor events:

service projects

November 21 (Sat) - November Trail Maintenance on Huntsville Section of Lone Star Hiking Trail - On Saturday, November 21, 2009, the Houston Sierra Club will conduct trail maintenance on the Huntsville Section of the Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT), in Sam Houston National Forest. The weather should be cool so it should be great time to hit the trail and give back by trimming it so that all can enjoy fall's splendors.  Bring a lopper, machete, swing-blade, saw, or similar tool to trim branches and low growing vegetation. If you do not have a tool we have extra ones. Bring a daypack, two quarts of water, hat, lunch, and hiking shoes. Long pants are highly recommended!!!  Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot behind the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) at I-45 North and Greens Road. Look for a green Nissan mini-van.  To get to the parking lot, enter the feeder off I-45 North via the Greens Road exit and then pass through the traffic signal at Greens Road. Turn right into the first strip center you come to (look for Brown Sugar's Barbecue) and drive to the end of the strip center. The parking lot behind IHOP is on the right.    Call Jane Prentiss at 713-201-5755 or email her at lshttrailboss@yahoo.com for additional details. Please supply your name and contact information should we need to make changes.

December 5 (Sat) - Marysee Prairie Work Day - First Saturdays. - 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 removal of tallow seedlings, and controlling the regrowth of woody species. Tools and gloves provided. For more info, contact Susan Schinke atsruth@consolidated.net or 936-829- 5204, or Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com or 713-528-2896.

December 12 (Sat) - December Wetlands and Prairie Restoration Service Outing at Heron Park, Pot-luck, and Sylvan Beach - On Saturday, December 12, 2009, the Houston Sierra Club will participate in a service outing to restore wetlands and native prairie habitats in Heron Park in the City of Shoreacres. We will be cutting and piling woody shrubs and small trees to make room so that prairie grasses, wildflowers, and wetland plants can grow. Heron Park is located next to Taylor Bayou and is a great place to bird watch. We will be looking, for sure!  After we finish our service work we will enjoy a pot-luck lunch overlooking Galveston Bay at the home of Charlotte Wells, President of Galveston Baykeeper. Charlotte has a great front porch with a beautiful view of Galveston Bay. You can regularly see Brown Pelicans, Osprey, and many kinds of terns and gulls from her porch. Bring your binoculars and bird books for a bit of birding. After lunch we will visit Sylvan Beach (one of the few public access points on northwest Galveston Bay) in nearby La Porte and see a historic pavilion and a re-nourished public beach.   The Houston Sierra Club invites all bay lovers to come, whether members or not. We particularly encourage our Clear Lake and Galveston Area members to come and enjoy the bay and give back via this conservation service project.  For those who live in Houston and want to carpool/caravan to Heron Park meet at 8 am in the parking lot just west of Starbucks (look for Becks Prime) in Meyerland Plaza. Starbucks fronts the 4700 block of Beechnut (near the West Loop South). Look for a blue Plymouth Neon with lots of bumper stickers. For those who want to drive directly to Heron Park call Brandt Mannchen at 713-664-5962 or email him at brandtshnfbt@juno.com for directions.

January 16, 2010 - January Trail Maintenance on Winters Bayou Section of the LSHT - On Saturday, January 16, 2010, the Houston Sierra Club will conduct trail maintenance on the scenic Winters Bayou Section of the Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest.  Bring at least two quarts of water, lunch, daypack, and suitable foot wear. Long pants are recommended. If you have a lopper or saw bring it. We have extras for those who do not have these tools.  We will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot behind the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) at I-45 North and Greens Road. Look for the green Nissan mini-van!  To get to the parking lot, enter the feeder off I-45 North via the Greens Road exit and then pass through the traffic signal at Greens Road. Turn right into the first strip center you come to (look for Brown Sugar's Barbecue) and drive to the end of the strip center. The parking lot behind IHOP is on the right. Call Jane Prentiss at 713-201-5755 or email her at lshttrailboss@yahoo.com so that your name and phone number can be taken. The information will be used in case the hike is canceled due to inclement weather.

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Day Trips

November 14 (Sat) - November Forest Walk Visits Columbia Bottomlands - On November 14, 2009, the Houston Sierra Club will celebrate fall by visiting and hiking in the Columbia Bottomlands of Brazoria County. The Columbia Bottomlands is a unique coastal forest of Live Oak, Pecan, Shumard Oak, Burr Oak, Water Oak, Hackberry, Green Ash, and many other tree species. The Columbia Bottomalnds is a very different forest from the Piney Woods we are used to visiting in East Texas.  Bring your daypack, water, snacks, hiking shoes, cameras, bug repellant, sunscreen, field guides, and clothes to fit the weather. Long pants are highly recommended!   We will meet to carpool/caravan at 7:30 am in the parking lot just west of Starbucks (look for Becks Prime) in Meyerland Plaza. Starbucks fronts the 4700 block of Beechnut (near the West Loop South). Look for a blue Plymouth Neon with lots of bumper stickers.  If you want to go call Brandt Mannchen at 713-664-5962 or email him at brandtshnfbt@juno.com and leave your name, address, phone number, and email. In case of trip cancellation Brandt will either email or call you.

November 21 (Sat) – Canoe/Kayak Double Bayou - Observe wildlife and hear tales of history along Double Bayou as you enjoy a day-long paddle on the east side of Trinity Bay. Visit waters that have stood silent witness to pirates’ exploits, pioneer settlements, and the birth of a future Texas governor. We will see a rich variety of habitats, from forests to wetland marshes. There is also an active harbor and a conveniently located county park. 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: about 4 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.

December 6 (Sun) – 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: about 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.

January 2, 2010 (Sat) - New Year's Hike in Big Creek Scenic Area - On Saturday, January 2, 2010, join the Houston Sierra Club for a wonderful winter hike in Big Creek Scenic Area. We will enjoy the splendor of the winter forest in the lovely beech, magnolia, and white oak covered Big Creek Watershed. Bring at least two quarts of water, hat, lunch, hiking shoes, and clothes to fit the weather.  We will meet at 8:00 am in the parking lot behind the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) at I-45 North and Greens Road. Look for the green Nissan Mini-van. To reach the parking lot, enter the feeder off I-45 North, via the Greens Road exit, and then pass through the traffic signal at Greens Rd. Turn right into the first strip center you come to (look for Brown Sugar's Barbecue) and drive to the end of the strip center. The parking lot behind IHOP is on the right.   Contact Jane Prentiss at 713-201-5755 or lshttrailboss@yahoo.com for additional details. Please supply your name and contact info should we need to make changes.

January 9 (Sat) - January Brings Katy Prairie Adventure - On Saturday, January 9, 2010, join the Houston Sierra Club on a trip to bird, enjoy the cool winter weather, walk, celebrate, and see great things that are ongoing via the Katy Prairie Conservancy's (KPC) land acquisition/management actions on the Katy Prairie. We cannot guarantee it but Bald Eagles, Snow Geese, White-fronted Geese, Sand-hill Cranes, White Pelicans, Northern Shoveler Ducks, Great Blue Herons, White-faced Ibis', White-tailed Kites, Northern Harriers, and Red-tailed Hawks are just some of the visitors that will be on the Katy Prairie this winter. Who knows who we will see?  Bring your daypack, hat, water, lunch, binoculars, spotting scope, hiking shoes, camera, bug repellant, field guides, and clothes to fit the weather We will meet to carpool/caravan at 7:30 am 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 blue Plymouth Neon with lots of bumper stickers.  If you would like to meet us on the Katy Prairie, we will meet at the KPC Field Office at 9 am. Directions to the Field Office are: Go Interstate 10 (I-10) west and exit at Pederson Road and turn right. Go north on Pederson road about 1 mile and turn left (west) onto Highway (HWY) 90. Go about ½ mile on Hwy 90 and turn right onto FM 2855. Go 6 miles to FM 529. Continue past FM 529 and the road turns into Morrison Road. In about a mile make a sharp left turn and continue another mile until you intersect with Pattison Road. Turn right (north) onto Pattison Road and go 3 miles. Pattison Road ends so turn left (west) on Hebert Road and drive about 1 mile. Look for the KPC Field Office sign on the left (31950 Herbert Road, Waller, Texas). Turn left through the gate, drive, and park near the office. If you want to go call Brandt Mannchen at 713-664-5962 or email him at brandtshnfbt@juno.com and leave your name, address, phone number, and email. In case of trip cancellation Brandt will either email or call you.

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Weekend Trips are also listed on our Outings page

January 22-24, 2010 (Fri-Sun) - Enchanted Rock SNA Camping - Join us for our annual camping trip to Enchanted Rock in the Texas hill country. The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome that rises 425 feet above ground. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States. We plan to have both a backpacking and a base camping group. This outing is family friendly and well behaved dogs are ok with permission of the leader. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Lorraine Gibson at 281-384-4104 or raineygib@aol.com .

Longer Trips are listed exclusively on our Outings page

Last updated:  11/13/2009.   Content © 1999-2009 by the Sierra Club.