Julie Thibodeaux

Fort Worth painter Jim Woodson, inspired by the 'magic' of nature, showcases his work in "Time Enfolded" at Valley House Gallery, Dallas, until June 8. His 33-piece exhibit reflects the enchanting high desert landscape of New Mexico, where he connects his internal experiences with the external world.

GoodWork, an eco-conscious coworking space in Dallas, promotes its sunny brand through a rooftop billboard and community outreach. Renovated by Gary Olp, the space offers eco-friendly features, supports solar power, and hosts creative professionals. It thrives on networking and a strong social media presence.

Groundwork Dallas and Trinity Park Conservancy host a canoe clean-up on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River on June 9. The Environmental League of Dallas holds the Trash Dash 5K on May 11 at Harry Moss Park, where runners either exercise or drop litter at stations along the route.

Dallas seeks resident input for its Climate Action Plan, with public meetings through May 9 and an online survey until May 23. The city aims for an inclusive, equitable plan focusing on emission reductions and climate impact mitigation, prioritizing community concerns, especially from vulnerable groups.

EarthX, founded by Dallas philanthropist Trammell S. Crow, is a large Earth Day festival held April 26-28 at Fair Park, Dallas. It features eco-exhibitors, conferences, the EarthxFilm festival, the Tiny House Village, the Vegan Village, and new additions like the EarthX app and EarthxLeague.

DFW is competing globally in the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge April 26-29, observing wildlife. Led by biologist Sam Kieschnick, participants photograph species in North Texas, with top observations contributing to the DFW count. iNaturalist data helps track species and ecosystem health, engaging amateur naturalists worldwide.

Fort Worth launched a pilot residential composting program, a North Texas first. For an annual $20 fee, residents receive composting supplies and access to collection sites. The initiative aims to reduce landfill waste and methane emissions while creating valuable gardening products. Over 200 participants joined in the first week.

The state Sierra Club chapter honored North Texans for environmental contributions during the 2019 Lone Star Sierra Club Awards in Austin, including Mark Stein for leadership in fundraising, and Temeckia Derrough for activism. Green Source DFW received an Environmental Reporting Award.

The fifth annual Green Source DFW Run for the Environment took place on April 15, 2019, with Alberto Trevino winning first place and Karen Benitez as the fastest female. The event, benefiting Green Source DFW, was part of Oak Cliff Earth Day and featured sunny weather at Lake Cliff Park.

Texan by Nature, a conservation nonprofit founded by Laura Bush, announced its 2019 Conservation Wranglers, recognizing innovative Texas projects. Honorees include initiatives for paddling trails, wetlands restoration, water conservation, oyster recycling, reef restoration, and grassland recovery. Each will receive tailored support to enhance their conservation efforts.

Nuclear waste opponents, including Adrian Shelley, are protesting Texas bills SB 1021 and HB 2269, backed by Waste Control Specialists, fearing potential expansion of nuclear waste dumps in Texas. Shelley and allies seek a ban on high-level waste, citing safety risks to Texans and urging legislative action.

A Texas bill, SB 1993, threatens environmental protests by making civil disobedience at critical infrastructure sites a second-degree felony. Opposed by various local groups, the bill also holds organizations liable for member actions and could affect various protests and property rights, infringing on First Amendment rights.