Conservation

Lecture by author and permaculture expert Nate Downey. $10.

Lecture is followed by an all-day workshop on Oct. 26.

Nate Downey is author of “Harvest the Rain: How to Enrich Your Life by Seeing Every Storm as a Resource”. He is an expert in both passive and active water harvesting systems as well as wastewater harvesting and community water harvesting techniques.

For over a decade, Downey has spoken, taught and written about permaculture practices. He owns Santa Fe PermaDesign, a landscape-design firm whose projects emphasize beauty, function and ecology.

All day workshop: $175.

Introduction to the New Water Economy Lecture Friday, Oct 25, 7 pm to 9 pm. $10.

http://greensourcedfw.org/events/dcccd-introduction-new-water-economy-dallas

Grand opening of the Clearfork Main Street Pedestrian Bridge. Ribbon cutting @ 9:30 a.m. Trail Party and Evening Stroll 6-8 pm. Enjoy refreshments, music and special presentations by artists Devon Nowlin and Tommy Fitzpatrick. Do the "Oxbow Stroll," a casual, two mile run/walk/bike to the heart of the ranch and back.

Volunteers to ‘treasure hunting’ along the shores of Lake Grapevine in search of sparkly jewels that are hidden in the trash.  A multi-city, community sponsored effort to beautify the shoreline of Lake Grapevine.

There will be speakers, demonstrations and exhibitors covering all areas of sustainability.

The first meeting of Mean Greens for Animals is being held this month. The new group focuses on promoting a vegetarian lifestyle and animal welfare.

Bring work gloves and your favorite lopper, hand saw, gardening tools or litter picker upper. Water and snacks will be available.

Learn about the latest alternative energy vehicles at expo featuring exhibitors, vehicles, test drives.

Thursday: Propane Engine Fuel Summit. $25/advance. Register online.

Friday: Fleet & Industry Conference. $35/advance. Register online. 

Saturday: General Programming, Ride & Drive and Expo. Open to the public. 9am-4pm. Free. 

Info: Pamela Burns: pburns@nctcog.org

A number of events are planned for the dedication including park tours, fishing, geocaching demonstrations as well as free food. Hot dogs, chips and refreshments will be available to all in attendance.

The nature preserve has been open to the public for a number of years but it was virtually undeveloped with rudimentary trails and no parking. Improvements to the park include a boardwalk into a pond for fishing, small amphitheater for educational programming, new parking accommodations and picnic areas. The preserve’s gates are currently open from 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. Activities such as camping, camp fires, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, swimming and boating are all prohibited.

For more information about the Southwest Nature Preserve, or any city park, check out the department’s new website park finder page at http://naturallyfun.org/parks/finder.

Free screening of Gasland Part II with appearance by the director Josh Fox.  Donations of any amount to help offset expenses are welcomed. Special appearances by Gasland stars Deborah Rogers, Calvin Tillman and Steven Lipsky.

In this explosive follow-up to his Oscar-nominated film Gasland, filmmaker Josh Fox uses his trademark dark humor to take a deeper, broader look at the dangers of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the controversial method of extracting natural gas and oil, now occurring on a global level.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Event starts at 7 p.m. 

Meet and greet reps from local environmental organizations. See clean energy demos and plug-in vehicles on display. Popcorn and full bar available starting at 6 pm. Bar-style seating in theater

Event is sponsored by Working Films Reel Power, Earthworks’ Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Texas Drought Project, North Central Texas Communities Alliance, FWCANDO and director Josh Fox.