Green Living

Texas State Parks mark their 100th anniversary with free entry during celebrations. Events highlight historic achievements and focus on future improvements while raising funds for park enhancements. Despite challenges, like the potential loss of Fairfield Lake Park and new ventures like Palo Pinto Mountains Park, the Centennial aims to engage more visitors statewide.

A prescribed burn was conducted by a fire team at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas to maintain a 1.5-acre urban prairie. The burn, a crucial ecological tool, prevents shrub overgrowth and enriches soil. Experts and professionals attended a workshop to learn about fire's role in sustaining healthy prairies.

Oak Cliff Earth Day, hosted by GreenSourceDFW and Memnosyne Institute since 2018, opens early booth registration. Featuring entertainment and environmental education, vendor spaces cost $60 by April 1. Sponsorships start at $100. Contact Lenora for vendor details and Wendel for sponsorships. Event: April 16, 2023, Lake Cliff Park, Dallas.

The Green Source DFW Awards returns on Dec. 4 at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, marking its in-person comeback. Established in 2012, this gala honors green leaders and will be held in a new venue. Tickets cost $25-$35, with additional options for exploring holiday exhibits.

Sam Kieschnick, a Fort Worth-based urban wildlife biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, has inspired many to use iNaturalist, a popular naturalist app. He's made over 100,000 observations, placing him among the top 10 observers worldwide, out of 2.4 million users.

The UTA Native American Student Association's 26th annual Scholarship Benefit Powwow returned this June after a two-year hiatus. Hosted in Arlington, the event attracted a diverse audience and featured Native American dancing, exhibits, and booths promoting social change. UTA announced a new scholarship and highlighted its Indigenous Land Acknowledgment.

The Dallas-based Climate Book Club, associated with Citizens’ Climate Lobby, has expanded due to a focus on hope, inspiring a Fort Worth club and hosting advocacy events. Despite initial COVID-19 challenges, the club continues to thrive, promoting environmental awareness and offering members educational, camaraderie, and hopeful experiences.

The "Big Bugs" exhibit at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, featuring David Rogers' sculptures made from forest materials, showcases giant insect sculptures. The exhibit highlights insects' ecological importance amid declining populations. It closes June 12, with admission details provided.

Fort Worth partners with the Texas Trees Foundation to develop its first Urban Forestry Master Plan. This initiative, supported by a $250,000 funding, aims to sustain and enhance urban forestry, engage stakeholders, and address tree conservation. The plan follows Fort Worth's historic green milestones and addresses illegal tree cutting concerns.