Environment

Science Saturdays are held the first weekend of every month and feature numerous events hosted by BRIT’s botanists. Our botanists are on hand to answer questions and to identify those mysterious plants that grow in the backyards of Tarrant and Dallas counties that prompt homeowners to ask, “What the heck is this?”  

Science Saturdays include the following:

• Plant Identification Clinic – bring that mysterious plant that’s growing in your backyard and our botanists will tell you what it is.
• Demonstrations of BRIT’s digital herbarium.
• BRIT’s Plant Preservation Studio – See how scientists create herbarium specimens.
• BRIT Library reading room and Burk Children’s Library – visit two of the most renowned botanical libraries in the Southwest.
• BRIT Press publications will be on display and available for purchase.
• Saturday guided tours of the Herbarium and Library will be provided at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

BRIT will post a calendar of events on its website throughout the season. 

2012 Fall Master Composter Class
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Thursday, October 11
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friday, October 12
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, October 13

Training Locations (over three days):
Development Center (City Hall),
City Landfill, and Kirby Creek Nature Center

Pre-registration is required. Deadline is October 1.
$25 registration fee for Grand Prairie residents.
$40 registration fee for non-residents.

Participants will receive:
• Excellent training featuring nationally known instructor Larry Wilhelm
• Composting Book
• Compost Thermometer
• T-shirt and lunch on Saturday (October 13)

Class Registration (attendance at all three sessions highly recommended):
• Please call 972-237-8061 or email: composting@gptx.org
• Online registration available at www.gptx.org/composting

Courtney Blevins from Texas Forest Service will teach participants about the Texas Tree Trails program and how they can participate. Benefits of participating in the program include recognizing and promoting historic trees, encouraging tree diversity, accessing trees and tree trails using the Texas Trees Trails Web site, and viewing trees that are on private property virtually through the Web site. This adult workshop is best suited for ages 10 and up.

Space is limited, please RSVP to 817.860.6752.

Backyard composting doesn’t have to be just a mixture of leaves and grass. These browns and greens are the perfect source for carbon and nitrogen to make a “hot” pile, but there are other alternative sources for nitrogen, which will still create a hot pile. Most experienced composters have used and/or use a variety of manures to produce a rich, compost perfect for gardening. This class will examine the types of manures that should and should not be used in composting, as well as discuss the benefits of using worms in the composting process to produce vermi-compost.

*Part of Irving’s Urban Farming Lecture Series

Saturday, Sept. 1
9 to 11:30 a.m.
Max G. Greiner Environment Center
Southeast corner of Conflans and Gilbert roads

Speakers: Fran Witte, City of Irving

To register online click here. 

For more information, call the Office of Environmental Stewardship at (972) 742-2296.

Come learn about Delaware Creek water quality and the volunteer water monitoring program called Texas Stream Team. Watch water quality testing and data gathering at the water’s edge and learn how to keep an eye on water quality and our environment in Irving.  Registration is required.

Saturday, Aug. 18
11 a.m.
Bird’s Fort Trail Park (meet at the pavilion)
5756 Riverside Drive

1 p.m.
Jaycee Park
2000 W. Airport Freeway (meet at the low-water crossing)

2 p.m.
Centennial Park
444 W. Second St. (meet at the low-water crossing)

3 p.m.
Towne Lake Park
800 Esters Road (meet at the Gazebo)

To register online click here.

For more information, call the Office of Environmental Stewardship at (972) 742-2296.

North Texas Renewable Energy Group Meeting

Yup, that's right. Landfill means 'dump'. This is the second opportunity we've been given in the upcoming months to see what happens past our curbside pickup. If you consider yourself to be 'green' then you should get a good grip on the 'rest of the story' to quote the great Paul Harvey.

This event is being offered up in conjunction with the City of Dallas and the North Texas Council of Governments. Read on for the specific information.

The market is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon from mid-April to mid-September with a special Thanksgiving market in November.  Vendors include Holleman Farms for beef, chicken, pork and eggs, Stephanie’s Cookies, Joy Farms and Lucido Pastas.  Located on the parking lot between Celebration Restaurant and Market. 

Naturalist Bike Tour of the Refuge: Take a spin around the park with a naturalist and learn about the ecology and history of the area. This program is open to anyone who can ride a bike. Participants must provide their own bike and helmet. Orange safety vests will be provided. Participants must sign a liability release form. Route will be generally flat and cover about 10 miles; but participants may opt out early if needed.

Bring water and weather appropriate clothing. Pre-registration required. Meet at Refuge Service Center. FREE (with paid admission).

For more information or to register by phone, call 817-392-7410.