| | Ready for Spring? As we enjoy spring across the H-GAC region, this issue of Regional Focus reminds us of many opportunities to improve the quality of life in our communities. Parks improvement, tree planting, and waterway cleanup are only a few of the ways citizens, businesses and local government can work together to enhance the communities we share. These activities have short and long term benefits. Most importantly, they remind us that we have a shared stewardship responsibility. Another benefit of community improvements of this kind is that our communities and our region become more attractive places to live and work. From any perspective, improving the resources we share makes good sense, now and in the future. Jack Steele
Executive Director |
River, Lakes, Bays N' Bayous Trash Bash® | Saturday, March 29, 2008
Rain or Shine
Once a year thousands of volunteers gather along the Texas waterways to do their part in cleaning up the environment and participate in the largest statewide event to educate the public about the importance of our water resources. Volunteer at any of 17 sites!
Free lunch
Entertainment
Door Prizes
T-shirts Click here to find a cleanup site near you! You do not need to pre-register for the event; however, all participants must complete a liability form. If you are bringing a large group please contact the site coordinator to let them know. In addition, you will want to have all liability forms complete before arriving to the site. For more information please visit www.trashbash.org, call 281-486-9500, or email swinformation@h-gac.com. |
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| Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Recreation Grants |  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department acts as a silent partner in hundreds of communities across the state through its grant, assistance, education, and outreach programs. From the largest metroplex to the smallest rural community, these programs help to build new parks, conserve natural resources, preserve historical sites, provide access to water bodies, develop educational programs for youth, and much more. Click here for a list of grant types and application deadlines. |
| TreePrint Workshop | Register Now! TreePrint Workshop - March 31, 2008
 The TreePrint workshop will provide decision makers with the tools necessary to quantify the economic benefits of urban forests and how trees can create and preserve a sense of place and boost the local economy. Register today for this two-day workshop to learn about the benefits of developing a community TreePrint project and incorporating tree plantings into new development projects, roadway expansion projects, and neighborhood parks. The program will be facilitated by Eric Douglas, Principal Consultant with Leading Resources, Inc.
TreePrint
March 31 and April 1, 2008
$25 for both days and lunch
TxDOT Training Facility
7600 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007 For more information or to register visit www.h-gac.com/treeprint or contact Michael Merritt with the Texas Forest Service at mmerritt@tfs.tamu.edu. |
| Montgomery County Transit Plan Public Meeting | 
The Houston-Galveston Area Council, in cooperation with Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Transportation Task Force and the Texas Department of Transportation, is hosting a public meeting to present findings and recommended solutions of the Draft Montgomery County Transit Plan, as well as to hear your opinions:
Montgomery County Transit Plan Public Meeting
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Lonestar Convention & Expo Center
9055 FM 1484 (Airport Rd)
Conroe, Texas 77303
Montgomery County has one of the premier express bus systems in the nation, which provides adequate commuter transportation for people traveling into Houston regularly. This transit plan addresses the urgent need for better public transportation options for other residents in the County who have different travel needs, including elderly, disabled, and low income individuals who are mobility limited. For more information regarding the plan, the public meeting, and the comment period, please click here. |
| Aerial Imagery | Since 1996, H-GAC has contracted for digital remote sensing and aerial imagery data on behalf of members of the regional Geographic Data Committee (GDC). This year, three remote sensing products are being acquired: Aerial photography data 
LiDAR data
Oblique photography data Aerial Photography data: The current contract provides for over 7,500 square miles of high resolution, traditional aerial imagery, cooperatively purchased with funds from participating GDC member organizations. Once acquired, the imagery will be made available to the general public, through H-GAC and the GDC. LiDAR and Oblique data: Along with traditional aerial imagery, the GDC is also seeking Light Imaging Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and oblique remote sensing data for many of the region's counties. LiDAR is point data collected by laser which allows the user to view elevation information for a region; LiDAR is used primarily to assist in flood mapping and planning. Oblique imagery is aerial imagery taken from an angle - which allows the end-user to view the sides of structures or buildings - and is most beneficial to homeland security, tax assessment and appraisal. This will be the first time that LiDAR and oblique data are acquired along with traditional aerial imagery. For more information about these remote sensing products, their delivery time frame, and other GIS products that H-GAC offers, visit GIS Products on the H-GAC web site. |
| Jeff Taebel Named Fellow of American Institute of Certified Planners |  Jeff Taebel, H-GAC's Community and Environmental Planning Director, has been chosen for induction into the 2008 class of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Jeff and 48 colleagues will be inducted into the College of Fellows on Sunday, April 27, 2008, at the APA National Planning Conference in Las Vegas.
AICP is the American Planning Association's professional institute, providing recognized leadership nationwide in the certification of professional planners, ethics, professional development, planning education, and the standards of planning practice. Certified planners use their skills to find solutions to community problems in ways that will carry the community toward its desired long-term goals.
Election to Fellow in AICP is one of the highest honors that the American Institute of Certified Planners bestows upon a member. This honor recognizes the achievements of the planner as an individual, elevating the Fellow before the public and the profession as a model planner who has made significant contributions to planning and society. Fellowship is granted to planners who have been members of AICP and have achieved excellence in professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research, public/community service, and leadership. Those chosen become members of the College of Fellows.
The College of Fellows is concerned with mentoring and future advancement of the profession of planning. As outstanding professionals in the field of planning, Fellows of AICP will address student organizations and/or state APA conferences or professional development programs. Click here to see the entire 2008 class of Fellows of AICP. |
| H-GAC Board of Directors | | The agenda and attachments for the Board of Directors meetings are posted on our web site at www.h-gac.com. The documents are posted the week before each meeting. Board meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month on the second floor at 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, Texas 77027. |
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