Lifestyle

This program will discuss the basics of rainwater harvesting, related irrigation techniques and the benefits it can provide to a residential property. A demonstration on building a 50-gallon rain barrel and material parts list to build your own barrel will be provided. No barrels will be sold at this event. You will also learn the basics of planning, planting and maintaining a vegetable garden. Hands-on vegetable plantings will occur. Presented by Arlington Water Utilities and Arlington Men’s Garden Club. Free.

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

Learn proper soil preparation, native and adaptive plant selection and how to design and plan a small or large project. A recommended plant list will be provided. Dotty Woodson, water resources extension program specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will be the speaker. Free. 

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

Why water and mow what you can’t eat. Utilizing areas in your landscape to grow edibles is a way to add food on your table and reduce your grocery bill. This program teaches you how to incorporate edible plants into your home garden and landscape. You will learn how herbs, fruits and vegetables can add to the colors and textures of your permanent landscape combining both aesthetics’ and functionality. Patrick Dickinson, urban water program coordinator with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, will be the speaker. Free. 

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

Volunteers needed to participate in beautification projects at neighborhood parks. Activities include: litter/debris pickup, weeding, mulching. Sign up by March 16 at website or call 214-670-8483.

The North Texas Electric Auto Association’s goal is to support local EV enthusiasts and to promote and educate the public regarding the benefits of electric vehicles.

All monthly meetings are free to attend and open to the public.

Through this collaborative effort of local jurisdictions, utilities, industry representatives and interested parties, NCTCOG hopes to use this program to achieve more streamlined and standardized solar practices, resulting in measurable improvements to the North Texas solar market.

This meeting is intended to introduce the Solar Ready II program to local governments and interested parties.

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Establishing solar obstacles and goals in the DFW Region;

• Prioritizing areas of focus; and

• Implementing strategies to streamline solar implementation.

Info: NCTCOG.org/Solar or contact Marissa Fewell, transportation planner, at MFewell@NCTCOG.org or 817-695-9226.

Mike Renner and his family live in a grid-connected home, yet they use no power from the utility company. Sixteen months ago, they made the decision to turn off their main circuit breaker and live exclusively with solar energy. Why did they make this choice? What steps did they take to go "off-grid"? How do they feel about living in an exclusively "solar" home .. especially when they know they've got utility power right there at the meter, available at the flip of a switch? 

In this update presentation, Mike will discuss the rewards and challenges of total off-the-grid living.

Free.

Fort Worth entrepreneur Joan Meeks, president of Commodity Recycling Solutions, will be speaking about the importance of recycling for the health of the environment.

Annual spring plant sale, featuring native and adapted flowers, shrubs and trees. Parking is behind Montgomery Street Antique Mall along the I-30 access road. This lot is adjacent to the Plant Sale Grove area.

Meet other green folks at the monthly mixer. Free.