Green Building / Renovation

Geoff (Jeff) Lawton has made an excellent teaching DVD. He covers everything from sustainable strategies for urban gardening to water tanks to aquaponics to rocket stoves to mini-swales to urban design and more! Just as Permaculture is intensive gardening, this video is intensive teaching. Since 1985, Lawton has undertaken a large number of jobs consulting, designing, teaching and implementing Permaculture systems in over 30 different countries around our planet. He certainly knows his Permaculture and how to teach it. 

Video is slightly over 90 minutes long.

Meeting & Dinner of the Sustainable East Meetup Group -

We will go more into Transition, plan the DVD showing combined with a seed exchange, the sustainability salon and maybe even a homesteading class for January, then just enjoy each other's company.

Square Pointe Grille has amazing avocado enchiladas and a few other vegetarian selections plus plenty of meat choices.

The restaurant is located on the square in downtown Rockwall. Exit I-30 at Hwy 205 and turn left from Dallas, right from Greenville. Stay on Hwy 205 until you reach the square. Square Point Grille is on your left at Hwy 66 west which is one-way to your left. You can park behind the building.

Dr. Dotty Woodson, Extension Program Specialist - Water Resources will be teaching this class and will provide participants the opportunity to construct a 55 gallon rain barrel as well as discuss installing an efficient irrigation system. The rain barrel* is yours to take home!

Cost: $50.00 each barrel (covers cost of rain barrel and materials)

*Rain barrels measure 24 inches in diameter and 36 inches tall. Please bring a vehicle large enough to haul your rain barrel(s) home.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center
Whitehurst Atrium
17360 Coit Road
Dallas, Texas 75252

Please complete the form below to RSVP for the Making a Rain Barrel class.

THIS CLASS IS OPEN TO CITY OF MCKINNEY RESIDENCE ONLY

The City of McKinney Office of Environmental Stewardship is hosting a rainbarrel making class taught by Dr. Dotty Woodson, Extension Program Specialist - Water Resources.  This class and will provide participants the opportunity to construct a 55 gallon rain barrel as well as discuss installing an efficient irrigation system. The rain barrel* is yours to take home!

Cost: $50.00 per barrel

*Rain barrels measure 24 inches in diameter and 36 inches tall. Please bring a vehicle large enough to haul your rain barrel(s) home.

Please register with Martha Cavazos Fipps, Environmental Education Coordinator by email green@mckinneytexas.org or by calling 972.547.7335. 

Please complete the form below to RSVP for the Making a Rain Barrel class.

Transform your property into a sustainable, food producing and eco-friendly habitat! Our workshops feature some of the best and brightest eco-minded enthusiasts in the DFW area. By the end of an Urban Sustainable Ecosystem workshop, students should be able to apply what they have learned on their own homestead. Our students’ successful application of these principles will enable a healthy individual, family, community and planet.

For your convenience, we have three workshops planned for early next year:
Fair Park: Texas Discovery Gardens, January 21st & 22nd
Dallas Eco-Op: February 11th & 12th
Coppell Town Center: February 25th & 26th

The USE workshops are designed for beginning and advanced gardeners and/or eco-friendly homeowners who seek solutions to move their homestead to the next level of sustainability.

This is one of several training experiences offered by Water Demo Training - TAMU AgriLife Urban Solutions Center in 2012.  Visit http://urbansolutionscenter.tamu.org to see the complete listing.

The Urban Water Program at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas has several water conservation and water quality demonstrations and programs for use at schools, organizations or any educational event.  Demonstrations include the Stream Trailer, EnviroScapes, Rainfall Simulator, Irrigation Equipment, Dual Flush Toilet and a Rainwater Harvesting system. Programs include the Incredible Water Journey and Freddy the Fish. Demonstrations and Programs are available by reservation at no cost.  Participants will also get the chance to visit the Center's resources efficient landscape, rainwater harvesting systems and rain garden.

Open information meeting for prospective members of the North Texas Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, including a short program, a question-and-answer session and a showcase projects and activities. RSVP not necessary.  

Learn about our urban forester, the fox squirrel, and how to provide an alternative nest for the mother-to-be squirrel in your landscape other than in your attic! You will build your own squirrel nest  box to take home with you during this workshop at River Legacy Living Science Center. Best suited for ages 10 and up. Space is limited, please RSVP to 817.860.6752. Cost is $15 and covers materials to create your nest box.

The City of Arlington Master Composter volunteers hold composting classes the second Saturday of every month at the composting display in the Science Center's parking lot area. The class includes demonstrations of proper pile building, and a worm compost bin. Attendees will receive a free book. No need to register, just show up. Dress for the weather. For more information, call 817.459.6778 or visitwww.arlingtontx.gov.

Free.