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Conservation

Goodbye to a prairie: Richardson meadow slated for development

The imminent destruction of Beck's Creek Prairie, a rare Blackland Prairie remnant in Richardson, prompts mourning from advocates like Eric Reed, who fought to save it. Despite its ecological significance, city government apathy and development pressures prevail, threatening this historic ecosystem with residential zoning and high-dollar home construction.

Native plant sales fill fall calendar

Native plant sales in North Texas enrich fall gardening calendars, promoting native plants that thrive in the Texas heat and support local wildlife. The Native Plant Society of Texas, established in 1981, leads these efforts, with various Texas chapters hosting sales events throughout September and October.

Dallas Sierra Club launches speakers program

The club now provides speakers on environmental topics for free.

Sept. 4, 2018

Looking for a speaker for your garden club or youth group? Dallas Sierra Club members want to share their expertise on ecology and the outdoors.

That’s why the local conservation group launched a new outreach speakers program to supply local schools, civic clubs, churches and nature groups with eco-friendly presentations. 

New botanical lab in Fort Worth to aid plant conservation

The Botanical Research Institute of Texas is unveiling the George C. and Sue W. Sumner Molecular and Structural Laboratory in Fort Worth to enhance plant conservation efforts. The facility will enable DNA analysis of plants, supporting research on plant relationships, rarity, and conservation by BRIT, universities, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Fort Worth marketing mavens dive into water education

Arianne Shipley and Stephanie Zavala launched their Fort Worth-based public communication company Rogue Water last fall. Photo courtesy of Rogue Water.

July 31, 2018

Two Tarrant County marketing consultants are making a splash in North Texas as experts in water education.

Best friends Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley each had 10 years’ experience as public education specialists for municipal water utilities when they found themselves working together for the city of Mansfield in 2015. 

East Texan spins prairie wisdom on grassland tour

People & Prairies is a three-part series highlighting people making a difference in prairie preservation.

In this second installment, we meet a philosophical cattle rancher in Hopkins County. Photos by Stalin SM.

July 24, 2018

Karl Ebel doesn’t look much like a Taoist philosopher. Tall and lanky, with a deep drawl that slows time, his jeans are torn and dirty, skin is tanned to umber, and his shredded leather boots sport manure. 

Tenacious Texan preserving family's Terrell prairie

People & Prairies:​ This three-part series highlights people making a difference in prairie preservation. Photo by Amy Martin.

In this first installment, we meet a woman whose passion for Texas and its history saved a prairie from urban encroachment. 

July 16, 2018

Arlington activists put light pollution in spotlight

The Arlington Conservation Council highlighted light pollution at Arlington’s 4th of July Parade, earning Best Non-Commercial Float for their "Turn on the Night" entry. Using scavenged materials, they aimed to promote the Dark Sky movement, advocating for reduced artificial lighting to preserve night skies and benefit the environment.

Monarch gardens give wings to classroom lessons in Denton

STEAMGrown Gardens, a Denton nonprofit founded by Jen Bailey, aims to bolster monarch butterfly habitats at underfunded schools while aligning with Texas's STEAM curriculum. The initiative involves grants and volunteer support for creating wildflower gardens that serve as educational tools and help boost student engagement and ecological knowledge.