Julie Thibodeaux

The Earth, Wind and Fire Conference, hosted by the Dallas Sierra Club at Brookhaven Campus on March 1, will convene experts on local land, air, and water issues. Topics include Texas's electric grid, DFW’s water supply, and air quality.

My husband and I put up a screech owl box hoping for owls, but bees moved in instead. Ryan Giesecke from the Texas Association of Professional Bee Removers explained that it's common for honeybees to occupy these boxes in Texas. Leaving the bees can be safe if they are out of the way, offering educational and pollination benefits.

Wild Ones DFW, a new native plant group in North Texas, held a meet and greet at the Flower Mound Library. Led by Kristina Dunn, this group focuses on advocating for native plants and is the only Wild Ones chapter in Texas. They aim to collaborate, not compete, with the Native Plant Society of Texas. Dunn hopes to expand to other Texas regions due to ecological diversity.

Over a decade ago, environmentalists warned about a nuclear waste facility in West Texas. Now, the U.S. Supreme Court will review a case regarding the site's high-level radioactive waste storage plan. Despite state opposition and legal battles, Interim Storage Partners aims to store 40,000 metric tons there.

The National Solar Tour, held Oct. 4-6, features homes in Texas with renewable energy technology, including locations in Fairview, Irving, Waco, and Austin. Hosted by the American Solar Energy Society, the tour promotes solar energy adoption and provides an opportunity to discuss features with homeowners.

The Native Plant Society of Texas annually honors entities advancing its mission. This year’s awardees include Amy Martin, Cecil Carter, Kim Conrow, Betsy Farris, Kyle Cowart, Barney Lipscomb, and Lingleville ISD PTO. These individuals are recognized for contributions to conservation, research, and education in Texas native plants.

Visit the Westbrook House in Fairview during the National Solar Tour on Oct. 5, to explore its pioneering energy efficiency and eco-friendly features, built by Paul Westbrook. The house uses passive solar design, geothermal systems, and rainwater collection, showcasing sustainable living and hosting public tours to inspire similar initiatives.

Liveable Arlington, alongside Greenpeace Paris and Stop Total, protested Total Energies' fracking expansion in Arlington, Texas, citing health risks and environmental injustice. Total, operating nearly 200 wells in Arlington, faces local pushback, especially near schools and daycares, with plans to add 10 new wells.

The Air Sensor Summit on Sept. 19 in Dallas, hosted by city partners, will discuss low-cost air sensors. It features speakers from EPA and academia. The city has installed 24 sensors through D-CAMP to supplement existing monitors, addressing local air quality concerns. The free event includes lunch.

The Arlington Conservation Council, a long-time environmental advocate, partnered with UTA in 2022 to launch an endowment supporting environmental scholarship and research. The fund, managed by UTA, supports student projects like sustainable urban planning and Vehicle to Grid technology.

Liveable Arlington will premiere a short film by Michael Rowley on Saturday, July 27, at 4 p.m. at UT Arlington, highlighting fracking impacts and grassroots advocacy. The 12-minute documentary and subsequent discussion with Rowley aim to raise awareness of urban drilling dangers and mobilize community opposition.

The Reptile Appreciation Workshop on Aug. 3 in Garland, hosted by the North Texas Master Naturalists and Texas Parks and Wildlife, educates about reptiles' benefits and debunks myths. Experts will speak on various species, including snakes, alligators, anoles, and red-eared sliders. The workshop costs $40, including lunch.