Home improvement

Gardening is for the birds -- and lizards, squirrels and more. Your garden can become a buffet for wildlife. Learn how with director of horticulture Roger Sanderson. $15.

Philosopher Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation: A New Ethics for out Treatment of Animals, speaks on the Ethics of What We Eat. Info: Magdalena Grohman, 972-883-4940 or values@utdallas.edu.

For residents of Dallas, Addison, DeSoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Garland, Highland Park, Irving, Mesquite, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale, University Park and unicorporated Dallas County.  Bring your driver's license and utility bill as proof of address. Info:  214-670-4475

PLEASE BRING:

Chemical products for home use 

Paint and home repair products 

Automotive fluids & oil filters 

Lawn and garden chemicals 

Craft and hobby supplies 

Fluorescent light tubes 

Aerosol sprays 

Batteries of all kinds 

Cleaners and polishes 

Pool chemicals

DO NOT BRING:

Containers larger than 5 gallons 

Business or commercial waste 

Common trash or recyclables 

Explosives or ammunition 

Shock sensitive materials 

Radioactive materials 

Medications 

Smoke detectors 

Medical waste 

Construction debris

Green building authority Beth Johnson will give a slide presentation on how green homes are built better for people, pocketbook and planet as a guest speaker hosted by Plantation Homes/McGuyer Homebuilders, Inc. The event includes a tour of a LEED certified model home. Free.

RSVP: 972-772-7947 or jvalls@mhinc.com

Everything you need to know to live off-grid presented in a full-day class. Start with evaluating your energy usage at home, then use that audit in class to determine how & what is needed to “stand alone.” $30.

Outdoor living spaces have become the rage in new home building and renovations. Students will learn and discuss styles of outdoor living spaces, landscape suggestions to incorporate within and these spaces, patios, decks and paving illustrations, fencing and irrigation options.

Free. Info: 972-742-2296

The way we design, construct and manage buildings has a huge impact on the way resources are consumed in society. The impact is felt both by the environment in which the buildings exist, and by their occupants. This course will address the smart use of resources in design decisions, construction processes and building operation. $75.

How to conserve water in the urban environment is the focus of conference. While aimed at the irrigation specialist, talks include landscape design and management and plant selection for water conservation, which are of interest to the home gardener. The conference qualifies for CEU credits. Environmental Quality. 

$40/until Oct 18; $55/after Oct. 18. Lunch and handouts included. Info:  Billie Hammack at 817-884-1296 or blhammack@ag.tamu.edu

9 a.m.: Backyard Composting

Arlington Master Composters will demonstrate how to improve the quality of your soil and spend less time and money fertilizing and watering your landscape. 

10 a.m.: Irrigation 101
Arlington Utilities will discuss the basic parts of an irrigation system, typical maintenance issues, water scheduling techniques and water efficient technologies to save water and money.

Free.

Info: Dustan Compton at 817-459-6628 or dustan.compton@arlingtontx.gov

Two nationally respected conservationists will examine the impact of nighttime artificial lighting on physical, mental and spiritual health at a workshop and lecture. 

Cindy Luongo Cassidy will lead the 5-6:45 pm lighting assessment workshop, featuring a walk-around critique of installed lighting on the UTA campus. Following the Planetarium show "The November Night Sky," she and Paul Bogard will present a lecture and Q&A. 

Free but seating is limited. Register online to receive parking pass and directions.