Water

Arlington Water Utilities will discuss the basic parts of an irrigation system, typical maintenance issues, water scheduling techniques and water efficient technologies to save water and money. Free.

Tues thru Nov. 20. 6-8pm. Arlington Water Utilities, in cooperation with the Arlington Library, is offering this three-class series on the principles of landscape design, xeriscaping and recommended plants for Arlington. RSVP at dustan.compton@arlingtontx.gov. Free.

Maps and refreshments will be available at 8:30 a.m. at Helping Hands Garden. This is a self-guided tour of Coppell landscapes and gardens, featuring drought-tolerant native and adapted plants that require minimal irrigation. The tour will showcase five Coppell homes and the two Coppell Community Gardens. Volunteers and homeowners will be available on site to answer questions about gardening using SmartScape techniques. Come see what you should plant now for beautiful blooms next year from the homeowners of some of the most unique landscapes in Coppell. This free tour is easily biked and is a great reason to get out and enjoy the fall weather. Bike route map will be included.

For more information, contact Jen Ferguson at jferguson@coppelltx.gov.

Dallas Interfaith Power & Light will be hosting a screening and round-table discussion of the Nova documentary Power Surge. This film looks at the state of "green energy" in the United States and the potential impact of technology on softening the blow of global climate change. In addition, participants of this new faith-based initiative will be presented with an opportunity to comment on the draft mission and principles.

Texas State Geologist Scott Tinker will speak following the free showing of his film about energy solutions

Are you watering wisely or irrigating irrationally? When you hear "soak cycle," do you think of your washing machine? Are you trying to figure out how to keep that sprinkler head from spraying your fence? Then this is the class for you. Learn how and when to water your plants, how to make simple sprinkler repairs and where to go for help. Cost: free.

Free class hosted by the city of Plano. Drip irrigation is 90 percent efficient, promotes healthier plants and is usually inexpensive and easy to install. Learn about types of drip irrigation and the basics of how to install it at this free class. Registration of 8 people is required in order to hold the class.

Fracking: How Will It Impact DFW’s Air, Land, and Water? The educational panel presentation regarding natural gas fracking will be moderated by BJ Austin, reporter for KERA 90.1 radio.

The panel discussion will include a member from the city of Dallas Drilling Taskforce along with air, water, and natural gas experts to discuss the problems the region has faced with fracking-related issues.

The Dallas City Council is considering several major changes to our local gas drilling ordinance as to where and how drilling may take place in relation to homes, businesses, schools and parks. Come learn about the fracking process and its possible effects on the region’s air and water, the economy, impacts on human health and the environment.

The panel discussion is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters (Dallas, Irving, Plano, Richardson), the Memnosyne Foundation and the Dallas Sierra Club.

Reservations are being taken for Tarrant County Master Gardener’s fall regional conference, which is open to the public. The all-day conference includes talks on weather trends, native and adapted plants, landscaping with drought-tolerant plants, harvesting rainwater and rain gardens and coping with wildlife and bugs. Demonstrations on drip irrigation and copper rain chains as well as tours and make and take activities. For more information and registration form, go to www.tarrantmg.org or contact Billie Hammack at 817-884-1296 or blhammack@ag.tamu.edu. Registration fee is $45 and includes lunch.

Yard Smart is a free seminar, featuring experts from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, designed to provide effective, beneficial ways to use water wisely in the landscape. Topics vary by season and have included butterfly gardening, landscape watering, container gardens, perennials, trees and much more. This semi-annual seminar is offered each spring and fall. See website for fall seminar topics. Spring seminar topics will be posted in spring. No pre-registration is required.