Gardens and Gardening

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, after introducing its first admission fee, will be managed by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. This partnership aims to boost attendance, enhance education and volunteer programs, and increase funding. The city retains land ownership, while BRIT will manage fees and memberships.

Jason shows you how easy it is to make treats out of mint.

Jason explains why now is the perfect time to start growing your own vegetables.

Organic strawberries at Storm Farms, Arlington, will ripen early this year. The farm, offering U-Pick strawberries and other crops, is located in Dalworthington Gardens. Proprietor Johanna Storm, adding new crops annually, emphasizes agricultural practices and community engagement. Visits are recommended via Storm Farms' Facebook or web page.

Free tours at Dallas's Native Texas Park begin Feb. 29, showcasing spring's early wildflowers, Blackland Prairie landscapes, and innovative water management. Located at the Bush Library, tours run every fourth Saturday. Parking is $5. Explore before visiting via the park's website or Instagram.

Texas botanists, led by Kim Taylor from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, are forming a seed bank to preserve native plant species threatened by urban sprawl, invasive species, and climate change. The project is urgent, focusing on rare species to prevent their extinction and restore Texas's natural ecosystems.

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.

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.

Rewilding urban areas, like Dallas-Fort Worth, revives biodiversity balance by integrating natural habitats into city landscapes, attracting wildlife like birds, bees, and amphibians. Sparse population density allows North Texas to leverage open spaces and watershed networks for rewilding. Efforts include minimizing mowing, enhancing cultivated landscapes, and restoring riparian zones.