Water

Former mayor of Austin, Will Wynn, will speak at the first of a four-part series. Contact: Brandy O'Quinn at 817-905-5200 or b.oquinn@urbanstrategiestx.com.

Green Corps hosts this workshop that aims to teach skills needed to promote social and environmental change. Contact: Lisa Trope at 301-318-3892 or Lisa@greencorps.org.

Texas Master Naturalist Chad Etheridge will discuss the natural and cultural history of the Trinity River in this adult workshop. Suited for ages 10 and up. RSVP requested. Free. Donations accepted.

The South-Central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource, a partnership of energy efficiency industry stakeholders committed to the accelerated adoption of advanced building systems and energy efficiency products and services in the south-central U.S., is hosting two workshops:

9am to Noon -- Commercial Building Diagnostic Tools and Lighting Technologies.
1-4pm -- Commercial Building Operators-Evaluating Common Opportunities and HVAC Economizers. Cost: $20/per workshop, $30/both workshops. Lunch provided. See website for directions, parking info.

Learn about the volunteer water monitoring program called Texas Stream Team and learn how to monitor water quality. Registration required.

At 11 a.m., Bird’s Fort Trail Park (meet at the pavilion), 5756 Riverside Drive. At 1 p.m. Jaycee Park
2000 W. Airport Freeway (meet at the low-water crossing). At 2 p.m., Centennial Park, 444 W. Second St. (meet at the low-water crossing). At 3 p.m., Towne Lake Park, 800 Esters Road (meet at the Gazebo). Register: http://www.ci.irving.tx.us/begreen/geo/geo.asp

Green business professionals and environmentally minded residents meet monthly to network and learn about sustainable living. NOTE: The January is meeting is cancelled.

Learn how to use gray water to grow edible foods and irrigate your landscape. Register for course here: http://workingwithnature.org/graywaterworkshop.html. Address will be emailed.

Meeting explores how permaculture can solve water shortage issues in the future.

Speakers to discuss the state of Texas' energy. Speakers include: Mark Armentrout, Former ERCOT chairman, CEO of Texas Technology Partners; Maria Richards, SMU Geothermal Lab Coordinator; Al Armendariz, PhD, Former Region 6 EPA Administrator, Sierra Club Texas Campaign Director; James Smith, PhD, Maguire Chair, Oil & Gas Management; and Jim Duncan, Solar Design Specialist, North Texas Renewable Energy Group. Sponsored by the Memnosyne Foundation, SMU and the Sierra Club.

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