Green Living

While many North Texans may opt to stick close to home for the big eclipse on Monday, avoiding traffic jams and possible inclement weather, others will brave the forecast and crowded roads to share the experience with a few hundred others. Here are a few watch parties taking place at local parks, universities and green spaces that could be worth venturing out for.

The Irving home of Bill Byrom, part of the National Solar Tour, features groundbreaking urban sustainability innovations, including a 14.4 kW DC solar system, geothermal HVAC, rainwater collection, and zero-energy design.

The text provides eco-friendly ideas for fall gatherings, emphasizing the use of paperless invitations, sustainable decorations, and reusable or compostable dinnerware. It suggests natural party venues and green games, encourages meatless dining, and highlights local, eco-conscious products.

On a hot day at Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve in Arlington, dragonflies performed acrobatics, highlighting their role as natural pest control, consuming hundreds of mosquitos daily. Despite being resilient, habitat destruction, climate change, and pollutants threaten their survival, emphasizing the need for wetland preservation.

North Texans face extreme heat, with consecutive days over 100 degrees and a high heat index. This relentless heat impacts daily life, mental health, and the environment, leading to anxiety, grief, and health risks. Coping strategies include mindfulness, self-expression, and seeking climate-aware therapy to address these challenges.

Coyotes, common in Texas, pose occasional threats to pets. Experts advise against feeding them and recommend "hazing" to discourage interaction. These adaptable creatures, likened to "song dogs," coexist through sustainable practices, despite historical eradication efforts and cultural misconceptions. Relocation is largely illegal, highlighting the need for human adaptation.

Record-setting heat in Texas led to numerous ER visits for heat illnesses, especially in cities like Austin and Del Rio. June 2023 may become the hottest June ever recorded in parts of Texas. Deaths linked to heat include a utility lineman and a postal worker; some migrants have died near the U.S./Mexico border.

Dallas appoints Garrett Boone as the city’s first Greening Czar to transform vacant city-owned land into green spaces. Boone, a seasoned environmentalist, will lead this initiative, with an aim to create more parks and improve green space access for Dallas residents, enhancing neighborhoods across the city.

EarthX, the world’s largest green expo, returns April 21-23, 2023, at Fair Park, Dallas, after a pandemic hiatus. The free event features exhibitors, speakers, films, and conferences addressing environmental issues. Highlights include the NextGen Pavilion, Environmental Justice Conference, and specialized ticketed conferences.

The free Oak Cliff Earth Day on April 16 at Lake Cliff Park offers entertainment, environmental education booths, green vendors, and food trucks. Highlights include performances by Bandan Koro and local schools, and a proclamation ceremony honoring the West Dallas Gateway Pecan Tree. Hosted by Green Source DFW and the Memnosyne Institute.