Avery Oliver

The Sustainability Coalition of Texas (SCOT) introduces sustainability through networking and education in North Texas, founded by environmental professionals. SCOT emphasizes networking events to boost sustainability awareness. Planning for growth, SCOT envisions expanding state-wide, guiding Texans toward a greener future through collaboration.

Forest Bridge, a for-profit LLC in Dallas, focuses on planting native trees in urban areas. Co-founded by Marianna Verlage Archibald and Jillian McFarland, its mission is to add green spaces and counter the heat island effect. They target sustainable brands and innovate with marketing efforts like geofencing.

A Dallas-based logistics company, MW Logistics, partnered with Georgia-based Lazer Logistics to offer sustainable EV transportation options. EVs are healthier, safer, and cheaper to maintain than diesel vehicles, supporting clients’ sustainability goals and reducing environmental impact. MW Logistics is optimistic about the adoption of these sustainable practices.

On Feb. 28, 2025, a new trail was opened at Dallas's Kiest Park Conservation Area. Funded by a $75,000 WFAA grant, the WFAA Creekside Trail adds three miles of trails with new features. The area, donated by Edwin Kiest, underwent upgrades for conservation efforts and further enhancements are planned.

A local performance group, Watering Hole Collective, is presenting "I Am an Island," a surrealist dark comedy addressing global warming. The play follows May's journey to raise awareness of her sinking island through political demonstration. Nonprofit partners host post-show discussions, with play proceeds supporting these organizations.

Sisterhood Hikes and Such, founded by Tamara Pickering in 2021, offers safe outdoor activities for women in the DFW metroplex. Focusing on hiking and community, the group emphasizes authentic connections and nature appreciation. Activities cater to various fitness levels, enforcing Leave No Trace principles. Join via Facebook for upcoming events.

The Trinity River Crew offers Dallas teens paid, hands-on environmental experience, focusing on restoration, data collection, and education. Launched in 2021, the program targets underserved youth, providing both economic mobility and ecological awareness through partnerships with Trinity Park Conservancy and Greenspace Dallas.

Harold Simmons Park along the Trinity River in Dallas, after 25 years in planning, will break ground this year. The 250-acre park, funded by a $50 million donation, includes various features in and outside the floodplain, focusing on sustainability, green spaces, and community engagement.

Cedar Hill's new 'Library in a Park' features a 42,000-square-foot facility within a 7-acre Signature Park, including nature trails and a concert venue. Opening on April 27, the library integrates outdoor elements, offers a rooftop deck, a podcast studio, and houses the Cedar Hill Museum, embracing community input and green design.

The Coppell High School Eco Club will host its first public event, the Sustainability Summit, on Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. The event, supported by the Dallas Sierra Club and Meaningful Movies Project, will feature a screening of *The Story of Plastic* and a panel discussion on plastic usage and reduction.

The city of Dallas will develop 15 new parks on vacant city properties as part of the Green Initiative to improve park equity. Led by Dallas Parks and Recreation and The Trust for Public Land, the project engages communities in designing parks with desired amenities, supported by $2.5 million in funding.

North Texas school districts emphasize environmental education through diverse curricula. Dallas ISD incorporates conservation, eco-friendly practices, and subjects like Aquatic Science. Fort Worth ISD focuses on renewable resources and environmental impacts, with initiatives like the Trinity River Turtle Survey and school gardens.