Design

Tanner and Layce Smith of Fort Worth replaced their old Nissan Altima with an affordable, used Chevrolet Bolt EV, named Olaf. Enthusiastic about the benefits and cost-efficiency of electric vehicles, they join a growing trend in Dallas-Fort Worth, where used EV prices are dropping amidst rising EV popularity.

Lady Bird Johnson Middle School in Irving, Texas, opened in 2011, was the state’s first net zero school and the nation’s largest at the time. It combines solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems for energy efficiency. Educational tours and activities emphasize its eco-friendly features.

Dr. John Haley, a Dallas ophthalmologist, adopted solar energy early, installing panels at his home and office to mitigate Y2K concerns. The upgrades significantly cut energy costs—by up to 70% at his office—and highlight the environmental benefits and financial incentives of solar power adoption.

Earlier this month, Terry Lantrip, owner of the Lake Dallas Tiny Home Village, welcomed residents to the first in-town neighborhood built exclusively for tiny houses in North Texas. Now five tiny homes are snuggled into a one-acre field that was once part of a historic farm.

Texas A&M AgriLife in Dallas unveiled its renovated campus, featuring eco-friendly technologies and new facilities. Highlights include the Urban Agriculture Building, greenhouses for research, the Water and Land Resources Building, the Gardens, and the Benny J. Simpson Ecopark, all promoting sustainability and educational outreach.

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s 10,000-square-foot Rainforest Conservatory has quietly reopened after being closed since 2016 due to maintenance and safety issues. Repairs included glass replacements and mechanical overhauls. A grand opening is planned for early 2020, supported by varied funding sources amid ongoing renovation needs.

Habitat Suites in Austin, Texas, ranks fourth on Expedia's Top Ten Eco-Friendly Stays list. The solar-powered hotel, owned by Eduardo Longoria, features organic amenities, eco-friendly practices, and offers a vegetarian and vegan breakfast. Rates are moderate, and each suite includes organic cotton bedding and eco-friendly toiletries.

A Dallas-based landscape architect has some wild ideas about urban planning. According to Kevin Sloan, a city planning expert and UT Arlington professor, Dallas-Fort Worth could be transformed into a first-of-its-kind urban/rural hybrid, where people, bees, birds, butterflies and bobcats all thrive together.

The 28th annual Tour of Ponds, hosted by the North Texas Water Garden Society, will be held on June 8-9, showcasing diverse backyard ponds across North Texas. The event offers a self-guided tour of 40 ponds, welcoming gardening and pond enthusiasts for a unique, educational experience. Participants can purchase a tour guide book for access.

Harvard professor Daniel Nocera, inspired by the Grateful Dead's ethos of sharing, will discuss his artificial leaf, a technology for creating fuel and fertilizer from sunlight, at the Harvard Club of Dallas on May 2. Aimed at global accessibility, the event's admission is $35.