Education

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.

Nicole Gorretta transformed TCU's sustainability efforts since 2016. She initiated recycling programs, banned Styrofoam, and organized the campus's first Earth Day Fair, leaving a lasting impact on environmental stewardship. Her leadership inspired lasting institutional change, ensuring the university's commitment to sustainability endures beyond her graduation.

Eastfield College will host the free annual DCCCD sustainability summit on November 8, featuring Ian Garrett, who will discuss creativity in sustainability. Attendees can explore five learning tracks, including Social Equity and Resource Efficiency, to address various sustainability challenges. Lunch is provided, pre-registration requested.

Allen ISD's new STEAM Center, designed by VLK Architects, integrates arts into STEM education with indoor-outdoor learning spaces, sustainable design, and innovative facilities, promoting environmental education. It addresses a national STEM skills gap and offers diverse classes and real-world experiences, including ecological zones and a living laboratory pond.

UNT Prof. Rudi Thompson secured $7 million to study water conservation in Dallas through an Environmental Education Initiative, teaching Pre-K to 5th graders conservation techniques like building aquifers. This program saves $3 million annually and over 22 billion gallons of water. Thompson continues to promote sustainable habits.

Sustainability advocates from DFW gathered at UTA to launch the Regional Center of Expertise North Texas. The center, led by Meghna Tare, aims to advance sustainable education without implementing policies and will focus on the UN’s goals in education, health, and sustainable communities. Five committees will guide its initiatives.

A regional coalition uniting North Texas sustainability advocates has been approved by the UN. Spearheaded by Meghna Tare, the group focuses on education, health, and sustainable communities, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Katharine Hayhoe, a renowned climate scientist, addressed a sold-out audience in Dallas, emphasizing the personal impact of climate change. She highlighted Texas’ extreme weather events and urged for emissions reduction and adaptation. Stressing Texas’ potential for renewable energy, she advocated for dialogue on climate issues to enhance resilience.

Texas Christian University in Fort Worth offers Texas's first minor exploring human-animal relationships, directed by Dr. David Aftandilian. This interdisciplinary program investigates human superiority perceptions, animal roles in culture, and impacts on animals from various academic perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding through diverse coursework.