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Public Policy

Local watchdog group recruiting students for community organizing school

Members of the Bois D'Arc Patriots, a group of activists, and the East Dallas Tenants and Small Homeowners' Alliance, circa 1970s. Dallas native John Fullinwider, an original member of the Patriots, is one of nine guest lecturers participating in Downwinders at Risk's College of Constructive Hell-Raising, a continuing ed course on community organizing beginning in January. Courtesy of Downwinders at Risk.

Nov. 8, 2016

Fort Worth City Council to consider proposed fee for Botanic Garden

The Fort Worth City Council is considering an entrance fee for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden to fund infrastructure repairs and enhancements. The garden faces financial challenges, with $1.5 million unmet operational needs yearly and $15 million in capital repair delays.

State permit for pesticide use over Texas waters takes public comment

July 13, 2016

It almost went by under our radar – if not for a Metroplex doctor who has long kept an eye on environmental changes that could affect her town and family. When public notice of the state’s renewal of its General Permit for pesticide use landed in her mailbox two weeks ago, she looked closer. Then she put out an alert to several environmental organizations and two reporters.

Former Fort Worth rep relaunches local environmental group

Former Fort Worth state representative Lon Burnam is reviving the Tarrant Coalition for Environmental Awareness, initially founded by his parents in the 1980s. The group, now led by Joan Meeks, seeks to unify environmental activists and address pressing local issues like nuclear waste transit and air pollution.

Dallas City Council backs air quality resolution sponsored by DFW CAN

Members of the DFW Clean Air Network celebrate after the Dallas City Council approved a measure that urges action to improve air quality. Front row: Marilyn Hamaker, Chris Guldi, Cherelle Blazer and daughter and Tammy Bounds​. Back row: Corey Troiani, Richard Guidi and Lon Burnam. 

June 21, 2016

#ExxonKnew protest puts Dallas activists in national spotlight

The Dallas chapter of Code Pink was one of a dozen regional organizations represented at last week's #ExxonKnew rally. Photos courtesy of Linda Cooke.

May 30, 2016

On Wednesday, North Texans rallied outside ExxonMobil’s annual shareholder meeting in downtown Dallas while inside shareholders’ efforts to hold Exxon accountable for its role in climate change made small progress – one resolution won, of 9.  

Flower Mound resident documents solar growth spurt in North Texas

Jay Squyres' home in Flower Mound above and below. Aerial views show extensive solar panels, but also show that most of the project is shielded from street view.

May 10, 2016

When Jay Squyres installed his first solar rooftop array in 2009, the homeowner’s association in his Flower Mound subdivision went ballistic. Alarmed that the shiny panels on Squyres’ roof would somehow degrade values or mar the aesthetics of the affluent, treed and master-planned Wellington community, his HOA sued him. Twice.

Protested Big Bend pipeline now closer to approval

A sign opposing the Trans-Pecos pipeline hangs in a neighborhood near where the pipeline could run near Alpine. Photo by Cooper Neill/Texas Tribune.

Texas Tribune

Jan. 6,  2016

A coalition of ranchers, environmentalists and disgruntled landowners has suffered a major setback in its battle to block a proposed pipeline that would carry natural gas beneath 143 miles of largely untouched Big Bend-area land.