By Julie Thibodeaux
Here's a look back at some of the top environmental stories in the Dallas-Fort Worth region in 2014.
JANUARY
WILD CHILD
The 80-acre wildspace, known as Oliver Nature Park, opens in Mansfield.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/oliver-nature-park-set-open-jan-25-mansfield
DOWN ON THE FARM
Urban Acres, a Dallas-based food co-op with 3,000 members across DFW, held a a ribbon cutting at their new expanded location in Oak Cliff.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/urban-acres-brings-farm-oak-cliff
VEG EDGE
Richardson-based author Carol Adams publishes Never Too Late to Go Vegan, aimed at encouraging the over-50 crowd to adopt a plant-based diet for health, environmental and ethical reasons.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/dfw-author-carol-adams-touts-sustainable-plant-based-diet-over-50-crowd
FEBRUARY
MATCH GAME
The North Texas Corporate Recycling Association and the Greater DFW Recycling Alliance held their first joint event in February. The two groups, which have similar goals and membership, tested a union in 2014 to see if they wanted to make it a longterm commitment. However, as of publication time, the two haven’t set a merger date yet.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/two-one-north-texas-recycling-associations-partner-2014
FREE BIRDS
Mean Greens for Animals, a student animal advocacy group led by GSDFW award winner Alexandria Beck, convinces the University of North Texas to boycott vendors that use battery cages for hens throughout its dining system.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/free-birds-unt-boycotts-battery-cages-hens
MARCH
GREEN QUEEN
Longtime environmental advocate and philanthropist Margie Haley accepts the Lifetime Achievement award at the Green Source DFW Sustainable Leadership Awards.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/sustainable-leaders-recognized-green-source-dfws-green-oscars
BAG GAG
Dallas City Council votes to initiate a bag fee for single use plastic bags to reduce waste and litter.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/dallas-bag-fee-aims-reduce-plastic-bag-litter
ROAD TRIP
The locally produced environmental documentary Cry Heard ‘Round the World, debuts in Dallas. The film, which follows Texans on journey to the DC climate rally, was funded by Dallas-based Dolphin Blue.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/film-follows-texans-journey-dc-climate-rally
APRIL
WINDY CITY
The day before Earth Day, 80 wind turbines are hoisted to the roof of El Centro College's historic nine-story building on Main Street in Dallas.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/wind-farm-tops-el-centro-college-downtown-dallas
DAY OF THE DOLPHIN
Dallas-based Dolphin Blue, launched by Tom Kemper in April 1994, celebrates 20 years selling eco-friendly office supplies and more recently household, children’s and pet items.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/dallas-based-dolphin-blue-celebrates-20-years-selling-green
MAY
FLOWER POWER
The Native Prairie Association of Texas hosts its State of the Prairie Conference in Fort Worth.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/wildflower-power-prairie-experts-gather-fort-worth
JUNE
VEG-INN
North Texas’ first all vegetarian B&B opens in Fort Worth.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/new-owners-turn-fort-worth-bed-and-breakfast-veg-inn
JULY
LITTLE CHAPTERS ON THE PRAIRIE
Following a successful conference in Fort Worth, the Native Prairies Association of Texas launches two new chapters in Dallas and Fort Worth to support local conservation efforts.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/state-prairie-conservation-group-launch-chapters-dallas-and-fort-worth
AUGUST
BEE-LIEVE
Area bee lovers hold a week of actions, culminating in a rally at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas to bring attention to the bee crisis. The event coincided with world-wide protests known as Bee Against Monsanto.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/dallas-activists-swarm-city-week-save-bees
FOREST FRIENDS
Great Trinity Forest watchdogs, led by Ben Sandifer, continued to keep an eye on the 6,000-acre green space in Dallas. In August, they spoke out when workers for two city contractors mistakenly drained a beaver pond near Big Spring, endangering wetland wildlife.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/north-texas-wild-whos-watching-out-great-trinity-forest-and-future-pemberton-hill
PHOTO OP
Green Source DFW founder and project manager Phillip Shinoda accepts the Green Media award at the North Texas Recycling Awards.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/green-source-dfw-founder-phillip-shinoda-honored-north-texas-recycling-awards
SEPTEMBER
GREEN REVIVAL
The city of Dallas revives its Green Fest, hosting it on the new Continental Avenue Pedestrian Bridge.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/dallas-green-fest-be-held-continental-avenue-pedestrian-bridge
OCTOBER
ENERGY BAR
Dallas Sierra Club hosts an Energy Summit in Addison that brought in national experts, including Al Armendariz, to speak on renewable and well as traditional energy sources.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/experts-deliver-mixed-outlook-energy-summit-addison
RUN WITH A VIEW
GreenSource DFW’s inaugural ‘Run for the Environment’ 5K at Cedar Hill State Park drew more than 100 entries and nearly 30 sponsors.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/gray-skies-dont-deter-greenies-green-source-dfw-run-environment
HERE COMES THE SUN
Fed Ex installs the largest solar array in North Texas.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/fed-ex-solarizes-its-facility-south-dallas
NOVEMBER
FRACK FLACK
Denton becomes the first city in Texas to ban fracking.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/denton-bans-fracking-challenges-almost-certain
LAST STRAW
Dallas-based Snappy Salads restaurant chain switches from serving plastic to eco-friendly paper straws.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/dallas-based-snappy-salads-opts-eco-friendly-paper-straws
DRIVE ECO-FRIENDLY
Fort Worth-based Go Green Smokeless Oil claims to have invented the world’s first green biodegradable motor oil.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/fort-worth-based-company-markets-world-s-first-green-automotive-oil
DECEMBER
SUN BLOCK
Despite an outcry from solar advocates, North Richland Hills passes an ordinance to restrict solar panel installation, citing aesthetic concerns. The new rule requires a special use permit for street-facing solar panels and ground-mounted systems.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/solar-advocates-say-north-richland-hills-rule-could-put-damper-sun-powered-technology
GREEN TEAM
Dallas Green Alliance, an environmentally themed political action committee, launches with the goal of electing green city council members in Dallas and stopping the Trinity Toll Road.
http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/dallas-green-alliance-wants-turn-dallas-city-council-green
Did you or your organization or business achieve a green milestone in 2014? Leave your comment below.
Julie Thibodeaux is the Managing Editor for Green Source DFW. Previously, she worked as an editor and writer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Contact her at Julie@greensourcedfw.org.
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