Conservation

Dr. Sula Vanderplank, BRIT's Biodiversity Explorer, is one of the co-authors on this recently released publication, Plant Guide: Maritime Succulent Scrub Region, Northwest Baja California, Mexico. She will be providing a brief look into this magnificent wildflower guide.

The Plant Guide: Maritime Succulent Scrub Region, Northwest Baja California, Mexico is a bilingual wildflower guide designed to reach a broad audience of botanists, conservationists and lay people. But the Guide is more than a mere wildflower identification book; it also is an educational resource for beginners with a brief introduction to plant evolution and a quick guide to plant families. Beautifully illustrated with numerous drawings and color photos, the Guide covers over 210 plants in 44 families and includes the most common plants encountered in the area.

Light refreshments will be provided. Free

Barney Lipscomb, the director of BRIT's Press, will be discussing the hidden jewels that lie within BRIT's collection. After his presentation, participants will have time to visit the research exhibit to learn more about this impressive natural history collection as well as have an opportunity to see the rare book collection in the BRIT library.

Light refreshments will be provided. Free.

Rich Jaynes will present: Into the Prairie: A Celebration of Native Prairie Grasses. This presentation gives an overview of the role of native grasses in contributing to the high biodiversity of native tallgrass prairies. Experiences with native prairie surveys and prairie restoration efforts in the Connemara Meadow Preserve are used to illustrate approaches to helping visitors to better appreciate the central role of the tallgrass prairie in the ecological and cultural history of north central Texas. The “miracle” of the native prairie that is part of the Old Frankford Cemetery will be highlighted. We will discuss basic terms that botanists use to describe and differentiate one grass species from another and will review some distinguishing morphological features and ecological attributes of 10 famous native grasses of the Blackland Prairie.

A free, family-oriented event, helps build a sense of community, stimulates environmental awareness, and promotes stewardship across North Texas. Free.

 The Texas Environmental Leadership Awards recognize true stewards of environmental change in Texas – individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses developing and maintaining programs involving recycling, composting, sustainable materials management, public education and outreach, special event recycling – and so much more. Applications are due Friday, August 28th by 5pm. Award winners will be honored at a special ceremony in Austin in November.

Why Should You Apply for STAR's 2015 Environmental Leadership Awards?? We'll Give You 6 Reasons...

1. You work hard every day to increase recycling rates across Texas. You should get credit for that! We know that your job can be demanding and often times, thankless. Well, we're here to thank you! You should feel good about what you do and we want to play a part in making that happen.

2. Winning awards helps to boost morale. If you have an office full of stellar employees who have been working especially hard on a project, nominate them for an award! They will feel appreciated and grateful that you recognized their efforts.

Learn about rainwater harvesting and build own barrel. Find out how to collect and direct the rain in ways that create backyard beauty, lessen the dependence on using city water in the garden and reduce runoff.  

Info: 972-547-7335, Green@McKinneyTexas.org.

Does your rain just run off? Divert it, save it, use it!! Come learn the basics and benefits of rainwater harvesting and the effects stormwater has on the environment. Participants will learn how to collect and utilize rainwater at home and have the opportunity to construct their very own 55 gallon rain barrel.

$50 per barrel. Register on website.

Water slower, deeper and more efficient with every drop. Convert your spray heads and watch your sprinkler system save you money from our hands on drip conversion class. You will learn how to install drip irrigation tubing from your faucet or how to convert an existing zone to drip. Drip irrigation is the most efficient irrigation method and essential to sustainable landscapes. Drip irrigation for foundation watering will also be covered.

Free. Register on website.

Awards recognize people in Dallas, Fort Worth and other Sierra Clubs across the state plus other organizations who are doing extraordinary work for the environment.

Info: Rita Beving, rita.beving@gmail.com or 214-557-2271

Emily Leftwich, community outreach coordinator for the city of Fort Worth, will talk about all aspects of recycling in Fort Worth. Learn about the free rewards program through Recyclebank. Get answers on common recycling questions. Free.