Julie Thibodeaux

DFW secured second place globally in the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge, with participants documenting over 2,500 species across 34,000 observations. Local nature enthusiasts, including Tracy Fandre, who logged the most observations, and Sam Kieschnick, who identified the most species, showcased the Metroplex's rich biodiversity.

North Texans are preparing for the City Nature Challenge, held April 27-30, to defend their title. Hosted by iNaturalist, the global event involves over 70 cities. DFW enthusiasts, led by Sam Kieschnick, aim to record the highest number of local plant and animal observations.

Seattle-based photographer Chris Jordan spent eight years creating the film "Albatross," documenting the impact of plastic consumption on albatrosses on Midway Island. It creatively explores humanity's crossroads without dictating solutions, offering the film for free on Earth Day and World Oceans Day.

Oak Cliff Earth Day returned at Lake Cliff Park in Dallas, featuring the "Run for the Environment." Organized by Green Source DFW and Memnosyne Institute, the event included a Native American opening prayer, green development talks, musical performances, and over 130 green vendors, celebrating community and sustainability.

Sandra Steingraber, an environmentalist inspired by Rachel Carson, will speak on April 21 in DFW about fracking's harms. With a focus on environmental activism informed by personal cancer experience and scientific research, she highlights ongoing chemical risks and the need for collective action against corporate environmental damage.

Oak Cliff Earth Day is back! New organizers Green Source DFW and its parent nonprofit, The Memnosyne Institute are hosting the event Sunday, April 15, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lake Cliff Park in Dallas. This year, Green Source DFW’s fourth annual Run for the Environment will kick off the festival at 9:30 a.m.

Two Dallas bars, Liquid Zoo and Alexandre’s Bar, are replacing plastic straws with paper ones due to environmental concerns. Inspired by viral videos highlighting plastic pollution's impact on marine life, the move aligns with the Texas Campaign for the Environment’s zero-waste goals, although challenges like higher costs exist.

Earth Day fests brighten April in North Texas, spreading across weekends. Highlights include Oak Cliff Earth Day at Lake Cliff Park, April 15, with Green Source DFW's Run for the Environment. Events span from educational fairs in Flower Mound to arts and eco-expos in Dallas, showcasing cultural change.

A task force is considering a $12 admission fee for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden to fund $3.7 million in infrastructure repairs. Concerns arise about accessibility for low-income visitors. The task force will make a recommendation to the City Council, with discussions ongoing through TCEA meetings.

Native plant sales in North Texas promote sustainable gardening, emphasizing drought-tolerant species that support wildlife. The Native Plant Society of Texas, founded in 1981, and Dr. Doug Tallamy advocate for native plants' ecological roles. Various sales occur in the region throughout April and May.

The Tyler Museum of Art presents "Sticks and Stones," a retrospective of Fort Worth artist Helen Altman. Displaying works from 1992 onwards, the exhibit reflects Altman's fascination with nature, blending realism and surrealism with elements of nostalgia. It explores themes like artificiality and irony, on view until June 3.

The Healthy Hippie, a vegan-vegetarian cafe in Watauga, offers new plant-based brunch options. Founded by Kelli Myatt, a fitness and nutrition coach, the cafe provides a variety of vegan dishes and aims for zero waste. Myatt promotes a peaceful transition to plant-based eating.