Urban Sustainability

Women in the Environment is hosting is this tour of the only net-zero energy school in Texas and the largest net-zero energy school in the U.S. Meet at Spring Creek Barbeque, 3514 West Airport Freeway, irving, for lunch at 11:45. Meet at the Lady Bird Johnson Middle School, 3601 Pioneer Drive, Irving, at 1:15 p.m. Parking is in the front (south side) of the school. Enter through the main doors on the south side of the building. All visitors must bring valid photo ID (drivers license) to be processed through the school’s security system prior to the tour. For more information, contact Fran Witte at 972-742-2296.

Hosted by the city of Fort Worth. Bring proof that you are a Fort Worth resident (driver’s license or water bill) to LaGrave Field and get personal documents shredded; recycle tires, light bulbs, batteries and electronics; and pick up pre-ordered rain barrels and compost bins. This event is for Fort Worth residents only. Business or commercial waste cannot be accepted.

Event hosted by the Women in the Environment.

This meeting is hosted by the North Texas Renewable Energy Group. Topic: "Pecan Street, Incorporated."
Presenter: Chris Holcomb, Data Scientist with Pecan Street Inc.

Though this project has an unusual name (after the street on which the homes are located in Austin), it is truly solar energy and energy efficiency related, and of interest to everyone - whether you own or rent. The Pecan Street project is an ongoing study by the University of Texas, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and, Environmental Defense Fund to develop and test an integrated clean energy smart grid of tomorrow in the homes of today. It's an ambitious effort intended to not only "smarten" up the utility grid, but find true benefits that energy customers really want. For more information, see http://www.pecanstreet.org/projects/mueller/

"Water Matters: An Interfaith Conversation about the Environment in North Texas" is sposored by Fort Worth Interfaith Power & Light--the local affiliate of Texas Interfaith Power & Light--and Brite Divinity School. Water is an increasing concern for Texas. As the climate warms, we expect to have less water. Meanwhile, our population is growing. How can we work together to ensure that all Texans have access to adequate supplies of fresh, clean water--and what religious principles and practices might offer guidance along the way?

Simple sprinkler system repairs and converting spray irrigation systems to drip irrigation.

Slow Food Dallas Meetup reconnects people with the food they eat.

The First Friday of each month North Haven Gardens stays open an hour later for you to relax while you shop and enjoy complimentary local wines from Times Ten Cellars, Texas beer, refreshments, & light hors d'oeuvres.

Potato Potahto will be there from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. serving fresh baked potatoes for you to eat in front of their Tropical Greenhouse or take home to enjoy!

The Backyard Chickens Collaborative DFW North is exhibiting chickens at the Fall Trash Bash and Green Environmental Fair put on by Keep Flower Mound Beautiful in the Home Depot parking lot.

Two classes are scheduled to help new chicken advocates get started:

10:30 a.m.- Getting Started with Backyard Chickens, by Michelle Fischer.

Considerations to starting your backyard chicken flock. What you need to plan for and do to get started.

11:30 a.m. - Picking Chickens, How to Select Chicken Breeds, by Mark Glover.

Agenda:
• AP basics.
• Building a backyard IBC system.
• Winterizing your system.
• Open discussion.
• System tour.

Admission: $20.

Environmental Designer Heather Venhaus will present “Sustainable Landscape Site Design." Learn simple concepts to create beautiful, healthy home landscapes by following the principles of the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES). SITES is a voluntary, national system for sustainable landscapes developed by subject matter experts on soils, water, plants, sustainable materials and human health. This presentation will provide descriptions of solutions any homeowner can put into place in their own landscape to harness Mother Nature’s power to improve soil, clean water, provide natural habitat and create a healthy environment. Call 972-874-6165 to register. Free Admission.