Urban Sustainability

Eight sessions of gardening for second, third and fourth graders. Cost: $30/residents, $40/nonresidents.

Learn to make eco-friendly, handmade gifts for the holidays, including beauty products, decor, greeting cards and more. Free.

Volunteers needed to help remove invasive plants at the 5-acre nature center located in Oak Cliff. Bring gardening tools. Workday will be cancelled if raining. info@twelvehills.org.

Volunteers needed to help remove invasive plants at the 5-acre nature center located in Oak Cliff. Bring gardening tools. Workday will be cancelled if raining. info@twelvehills.org.

Learn about professional home energy audits, energy retrofits and renewable energy. Tour the Environmental Ed. Center, Plano's only LEED platinum-certified building. Free.

Get answers to questions about renewable energy -- from solar panels to wind turbines to geothermal heating. Free.

Learn what happens during a home energy audit from auditors. Hear what homeowners say about their energy audits. Learn about rebates for energy efficient retrofits. Free.

Learn techniques for making your home more energy efficient. Plano residents receive an energy efficiency tool kit. Free.

Dr. Fouad Jaber, asst prof and water resources mgmt specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, will discuss water conservation and alternative water sources, including rainwater harvesting, grey water and air conditioner condensate reuse. For more information, contact Kirk Miller: 972-699-1687 or KirkMiller@DallasSierraClub.org.

Course held eight weekends Nov. 17 - March 3, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Topics include community, green building, growing food and food forest, homesteading, sustainable living, permaculture, renewable energy, soils and water. Most classes held in Greenville. Outside projects held in Hunt County, Rockwall, East Dallas and Collin County. Cost: $275/in advance for all 16 days; $50/weekend; $30/day. Five scholarships will be given to young farmers who don't have access to land yet.