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:
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.
Up to Top
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
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.
Up to Top
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.
Up to Top
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.
Up to Top
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 areas 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.
Up to Top
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 .
|