Urban Sustainability

Have you heard the term “New Urbanism” but are unsure exactly what it stands for? Local experts Patrick Kennedy and Monte Anderson will explain its history and core principles, identify common misperceptions about it, show some examples of successful implementation and explain how its principles inform the debate about Dallas’ future.  Learn about key concepts – the Transect, building to the human scale, organic growth/adaptive re-use, “complete streets” – and the reforms needed to make it all possible. First session is free. Series continues Oct. 26 and Nov. 23.

The goal of the event is to provide education, examples of waste diversion best practices and networking opportunities for anyone that works in or with the healthcare industry and is involved with waste diversion, sustainability, asset management or purchasing.

Objectives are to share:

·          City of Dallas Zero Waste Plan goals and how those goals will impact how hospital’s will manage their waste streams

Bill Dougherty, co-owner of Trinity Haymarket, will teach a free class on raising backyard chickens. Topics to include: origin, best breeds, proper housing, supplies, nutrition, surviving extreme weather patterns and overall benefits. RSVP appreciated: 214-202-2163.

Native plant sale benefitting Molly Hollar Wildscape. Sale features large variety of plant species grown organically at the Greenhouse by Wildscape volunteers.

 This self-guided tour showcases Coppell homes and community gardens that feature drought-tolerant native and adapted plants that require minimal irrigation. Come see what you should plant now for beautiful blooms in the spring from the homeowners of some of the most unique landscapes in Coppell!  Maps will be available 8:30-10:30am at Coppell Town Center, 255 Parkway Blvd, Coppell, TX, 75019.  Free.

The City of Fort Worth is undertaking one of the largest green initiatives yet with the development of a comprehensive solid waste management plan.

The plan will serve as a blueprint for how waste is handled and managed in Cowtown for the next 20 years. The previous plan -- created in 1995 -- addressed a number of issues, including ensuring adequate landfill space. This time around, the city is looking to involve all residents of Fort Worth to answer tougher questions:

• What is waste, and what part of waste is a resource?

• Which resources can we recapture for value, and what’s the best way to do that?

• What behaviors are Fort Worth residents and businesses willing to adopt to make a greener city?

Goals

• Evaluate and address all waste produced within the City not just the residential waste.

Landscape designer and author Bonnie Reese will be the speaker at both sessions. Ms. Reese has more than 20 years experience designing, installing and maintaining landscapes in North Texas and is the owner of her own landscape design and consulting company - Beautiful Landscapes (BeautifulLandscapes.net). First-time seminar attendees at each session will receive a copy of Bonnie’s book, “Common-Sense Landscaping” (limit one per household). Attendees can also enter a drawing to win a bag of Green Sense organic fertilizer from Rohde’s Nursery & Nature Store (BeOrganic.com). There will be 3 drawings per session.

Water-Wise Landscape Design 101

9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Whether you have a new landscape or plan to update an existing area, it is critical to begin with a good design. This program teaches the principles of landscape design with an emphasis on how to create a beautiful landscape that will save resources - natural and financial!

Fantastic Plants for North Texas

1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

TCU began construction of a 36,500 square-foot addition to the Annie Richardson Bass Building in March 2013. It will open this fall and includes classrooms, faculty offices, enhanced technology for its students and a minimum of a LEED Silver certification. In addition, the existing 52,000 square-foot space has been renovated to complement the addition.

The Annie Richardson Bass Building is located on the southeast corner of the academic side of campus. Join us as we tour this building that is not only built sustainably, but also provides students with state-of-the-art instruction and direct hands-on learning opportunities.

Register online. $10-$35. TCU Harris College of Nursing Students/free.

Tony O'Sullivan will talk about the city of Dallas' goal of zero waste by 2040 through recycling, reusing and composting. Free. Info: 972-699-1687. KirkMiller@DallasSierraClub.org.

The Master Composter Program is a 3-day course offered in conjunction with the City of Fort Worth’s Code Compliance Department and the Garden’s Education Program.

Next class:  (must attend all 3)

Thursday, Sept. 10      6 – 9 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 11          6 – 9 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 12     8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

The most in-depth education on home composting!

This program is an avenue to educate residents about composting, so they can educate and encourage their friends and family to compost. The course consists of attending 3 classes (Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday).  

Registration fee is $40 for Fort Worth residents and $55 for non-residents.  (Fort Worth school teachers can apply to receive a scholarship.) 

Participants will receive:

- Excellent training featuring nationally known instructor Larry Wilhelm

- Rodale Book of Composting

- C.E. Shepherd Compost Bin (if attended class all 3 days)

- Saturday Lunch