Conservation

Annual Leaf Reunion at Autonation. Free charging and light lunch provided.

 Renewable energy sources or RES capture their energy from existing flows of energy; from on-going natural processes, such as sunshine, wind, wave power, flowing water (hydropower); biological processes such as anaerobic digestion; and geothermal heat flow.

The most common definition is that renewable energy is from an energy resource that is replaced by a natural process at a rate that is equal to or faster than the rate at which that resource is being consumed. Renewable energy is a sub-set of sustainable energy.

This class will help students understand renewable energy, with an emphasis on solar and wind, as it relates to the residential sector and will provide resources for further exploration. Free. Info: 972- 742-2296.

Participants will learn how to maintain their landscape with minimal water usage during the hottest part of the year. Students also will learn basic indoor and outdoor water practices what will help cut back on the summer water bill. Speaker: Barry Allen, City of Irving, Water Utilities Department. Free. Info: 972- 742-2296.

This month's guest speaker is Derek Broman, Urban Wildlife Biologist, DFW Metroplex
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Cedar Hill State Park.

The last couple of years have seen the Dallas environmental scene blossom and mature. Now many of us want to take the next step by forming a city-wide “Dallas green alliance.” We plan on creating a 501(c)3 arm and a 501(c)4 or even a PAC that will have the political power to build it, election by election.

Author and permaculture expert Nate Downey will host the all-day workshop, focusing on harvesting rain water in storage tanks. Downey, who has been designing and installing cistern systems for two decades, will talk about the components of a successful system that can turn storm water into an actual resource. $99.

Author and permaculture expert Nate Downey will speak on the water-harvesting industry as an economic engine that will drive the country toward real sustainability. Part of DCCCD's Clean economy series. $10. 

Downey will also host an all-day workshop on June 28.

Patrick Dickinson, urban water program coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas, will present a general overview of various water conservation methods including drip irrigation; new water conserving technologies; cycle and soak; lawn care during drought; foundation watering; tree watering; irrigation scheduling; and rainwater harvesting. Learn how to conserve water in your landscape and lower costs. The program is open to the public. Free. Registration is requested. Info: 972-874-6165 or fmpl@flower-mound.com

Fifth annual conference hosted by  Coastal Prairie Partnership and Native Prairies Association of Texas. This year's conference will focus on challenges to conserving, restoring and educating about prairies.

Audience: Resource professionals, private landowners, volunteers (including Texas Master Naturalists), educators, landscape architects. 

Cost: Field experiences (May 29) - $30 each; Indoor Presentations (May 30 & 31) $150; $75 for students. Free post-conference field experience also available.

Topics: Prairie restoration, prairies and water/energy production, prairies and climate change, managing for biodiversity, prairie bird conservation, social media and conservation, conservation agreement for landowners, teaching about prairies, creating grassroots campaigns, and more.

Field Experiences (May 29 and June 1): This year's conference will include a varied mixture of free and paid field experiences throughout the DFW area.

Indoor Presentations (MAY 30 AND 31) at Fort Worth Botanic Gardens:

Regular gathering with representatives from local environmental groups. Topics to be discussed at  meeting:

• Trinity Toll road and upcoming deadline for comments

• "Earth, Wind, and Fire Energy Summit" - new details on speakers and more re: this fall Energy conference

• Keystone pipeline - report on the the DC "Reject and Protect" event, updates on Julia Trigg Crawford and more

• Boy Scout Hill at White Rock - what's new with this develop putting a restaurant at the park?

• Fracking, earthquakes and disposal wells - what was discussed at the hearing in Austin -- the SMU study and where it is today

RSVP if you are coming so organizer can gauge handouts. The public and all environmental groups are welcome to attend and talk about what they are working on.

Info: Rita Beving, Dallas Sierra Club, 214-557-2271 or antiquerita@aol.com.