Water

Choosing Texas-friendly plants that are well-adapted to our area and weather conditions makes a big difference in the success of your landscape. Learn about soil preparation, which plants – groundcovers, shrubs, vines and perennials – work best in our clay soil and our North Central Texas climate. After the talk, join us for a stroll through our teaching garden to see the drought-tolerant, native plants up-close. Free.

If class is full, contact Gary Cocke at 972-769-4216 to be added to the wait list.

The annual even provides free entertainment and educational activities for the entire family. Master gardener booths at the festival will cover topics such as propagation, lawn care, designing a water-wise landscape, herb growing, worm composting and a dozen other topics. Seminars on gardening will be offered in classroom areas, including “Perennial Gardening” by Marilyn Simmons and “Transitioning from Sprinkler to Drip” by Patrick Dickinson.

 Live entertainment will be provided by the Flower Mound Community Orchestra, Voices of Flower Mound, Studio B Performing Arts Center, Texas Harmony Chorus (Sweet Adelines) and Dallas Tap Dazzlers. Vendors will offer hand-crafted items and information about maintaining a sustainable environment.

Residents with a residential Arlington Water Utilities account can attend a “Make a Rain Barrel” class at EcoFest Arlington and leave with their very own rain barrel. The reduced fee covers the cost of the 55-gallon rain barrel and materials.

Register today to learn how to design and install a rainwater harvesting system at your home. A total of 125 rain barrels will be given away and there is a limit of one rain barrel per residence. $10 for Arlington residents. $40 for nonresidents if space available.

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

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. Free.

Afternoon session:

Fantastic Plants for North Texas from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Using colorful photographs, Bonnie demonstrates the natural beauty of native and adapted plants that thrive in the North Texas region. Learn when, where and how to plant each of the recommended plants, their size and height at maturity, seasonal color, texture and more. This program provides information on trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, groundcovers and turf grasses. Free.

Landscape designer and author Bonnie Reese of Beautiful Landscapes will be the speaker at both sessions. Attendees at each session will receive a copy (hard copy or electronic version – limit one per household) of Ms. Reese’s book, “Common Sense Landscaping.” Attendees can also enter a drawing to win a bag of Green Sense organic fertilizer from Rohde’s Nursery and Nature Store. There will be 3 drawings per session.

Monthly environmental activities hosted by Trinity Environmental Academy, led by certified teachers and founders of Trinity Environmental Academy. Fun, hands-on activities for ages 4-10. Snacks and water provided.

This month's theme: Water, water everywhere.

Free. Info: 469-554-6320 or TriEA2015@gmail.com. 

READ THE GREENSOURCEDFW.ORG ARTICLE.

Donations can be made 6 a.m. to midnight to more than 1,600 certified nonprofits listed on www.NorthTexasGivingDay.org, including 56 local environmental advocacy groups. Donations of $25 and above will be amplified by $2 million in bonus funds and prizes.

See link for list of green North Texas nonprofits that are participating:

 https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/#npo-category/environment

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.  Free. Info: CoppellCommunityGarden.org.

The Texas Water Development Board created by Prop 6 will hold a public meeting to take comments on proposed rules to spend the State Water Fund. Those unable to attend can see the plan and submit comments before Sept. 14 at http://www.twdb.texas.gov/swift/involved/index.asp

Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife. During this outstanding hands-on workshop, participants will be provided with two curriculum guides filled with more than 150 easy to use educational activities. Incorporate powerful techniques and methods for teaching problem solving and decision-making skills to students. All activities are correlated to state educational standards. 6 hrs CPE available for teachers. Grade Level: K - 12,

$30. Info: LDunn@WetlandCenter.com or 972-474-9100.

Part of the Environmental Education Workshop Series. 

During this workshop, participants will experience the wetland classes taught at the Center. During Wetland Ecology participants will observe and collect data, determining water quality through biotic and abiotic parameters. Plants - Work Horse of the Wetland will give participants the opportunity to identify the key plants of the wetland, collect samples and learn how they function and their unique adaptations. Soil testing will help in determining if plants are doing their job. Each participant will receive a 330 page “Wonders of the Wetland” curriculum guide. Grade Level: 5th - High School. 6 CPE Credits available for teachers.

$30. Info: LDunn@WetlandCenter.com or 972-474-9100.