Julie Thibodeaux

Fort Worth-based turtle expert Andrew Brinker says if you find a turle in the middle of the street, you should carry it across the road in the direction it was going. That’s because, most of the time, it knows where it’s headed.

GSDFW's 50th Earth Day celebration moved online due to coronavirus. Features include interviews with Denis Hayes, local history, and green tips. Highlights cover reflections and Earth Day's evolution, plus digital activities like selfies, a performance by Montopolis, a reading of "The Giving Tree," and a new environmental podcast.

Austin's Montopolis performed "The Legend of Big Bend" at the Green Source DFW Awards, blending music, imagery, history, and poetry. The taped performance is now available for viewing. The "Living Coast" show, originally set for March, is postponed to June 15 due to a stay-at-home order.

The first Earth Day in 1970 saw active participation in North Texas, with schools organizing events like recycling drives, speeches, and teaching sessions. Students were engaged in projects raising environmental awareness. Denton and Arlington hosted activities such as teach-ins and symbolic demonstrations against pollution, while Dallas saw significant student participation in environmental efforts.

"Be Green in Quarantine!" offers eco-friendly tips for home health, food, and gardening during the coronavirus lockdown. It includes advice on eco-friendly cleaners and home air filters, highlights local veg takeouts, gardening tips, and discusses virtual nature education. It also covers event cancellations and postponed eco-festivals.

Join our virtual Earth Day celebration by sharing selfies and videos as many events are canceled. Submit content with #GSDFWEarthDay on Facebook, expressing good wishes, green tips, or eco-friendly activities. Videos should be under 10 minutes and include your name and city. Email submissions to Julie@GreenSourceDFW.org.

Environmentalists, including Texas activists, objected to the Trump Administration’s policy easing environmental compliance for polluters amidst the coronavirus crisis, citing public health risks from increased toxic emissions.

EarthX cancels its Earthx2020 Expo due to COVID-19, but will hold the Earthx2020 Conferences and Film Festival virtually with National Geographic Society. Most events, including the 50th Earth Day Celebration, are set for livestreaming, with some live events scheduled for the fall.

Oak Cliff Earth Day, initially slated for April, is on hold due to potential city restrictions. Updates will be provided to vendors and sponsors. Meanwhile, Earth Day features will appear mid-April online. The event may be rescheduled later in the year. Stay safe and green!

The Austin-based band Montopolis has rescheduled "The Living Coast" multi-media environmental performance at the Texas Theatre in Dallas to June 14, 2020. Originally set for March, the show was postponed due to COVID-19 guidelines. Tickets were refunded, and updates will be shared on Facebook.

Joan Meeks, a Fort Worth recycling business owner, seeks Texas women collaborators to co-author a sustainability book for Earth Day's 50th anniversary. Each contributor writes a 2,000-word essay with a call to action. Interested writers should contact Meeks.

Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs initiate climate actions following campaigns by activists Molly Rooke and John MacFarlane. Fort Worth ISD formed a Sustainability Committee, while Dallas ISD approved an Environment and Climate Action Resolution, aiming for sustainability, electric buses, renewable energy, and waste reduction.