Julie Thibodeaux

Fort Worth will remove up to 50 acres of invasive privet from Tandy Hills Natural Area to protect its 1,800 native species, using heavy equipment initially and targeted herbicide later. This project, supported by a $150,000 grant, aims for significant ecological recovery despite being an ongoing challenge.

Fairfield Lake State Park, a 1,800-acre site in Freestone County, is at risk of closure due to the land’s sale to developers. Efforts by Texas legislators and environmental groups aim to preserve the park, emphasizing its ecological significance and highlighting its history of public recreational use.

The "Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas" grant program offers funding for monarch demonstration gardens and waystations using native plants on public sites. Overseen by the Native Plant Society of Texas, applications are due Feb. 1. Grants, up to $600, promote monarch conservation and education, focusing on native milkweeds and nectar plants.

Oak Cliff Earth Day, hosted by GreenSourceDFW and Memnosyne Institute since 2018, opens early booth registration. Featuring entertainment and environmental education, vendor spaces cost $60 by April 1. Sponsorships start at $100. Contact Lenora for vendor details and Wendel for sponsorships. Event: April 16, 2023, Lake Cliff Park, Dallas.

Fort Worth, in partnership with the Texas Trees Foundation, seeks public input for its first Urban Forest Master Plan. The plan will evaluate urban forest resources, identify priority planting areas, and create a strategic vision. A virtual workshop highlighted issues like clearcutting and tree preservation. Feedback is open via a survey until February's end.

Local environmentalists gathered at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden for the 11th annual Green Source DFW Awards, celebrating North Texas environmental heroes. John Wilt, Julie Ann Fineman, Kim Aman, Suzanne Tuttle, Akash Munshi, Brand Richter, John MacFarlane, Kathryn Bazan, Tolbert Greenwood, and Lon Burnam were honored for their environmental contributions.

Organic gardening and wildlife experts, like Howard Garrett and Texas A&M horticulturists, advise against bagging leaves, emphasizing benefits for landscapes and wildlife. Leaves enrich soil, reduce runoff, and save costs. They recommend mowing, mulching, and composting. Wildlife relies on leaf litter for habitat, and leaving leaves supports diverse ecosystems.

The 2022 Green Source DFW Sustainable Leadership Awards will honor outstanding environmental leaders on Dec. 4 at Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Award recipients include Kathryn Bazan, Suzanne Tuttle and Kim Aman, among others. Tickets are $25-$35 and include garden entry. Additional "Lightscape" tickets are available.

On Oct. 28, 2022, three North Texans were recognized for promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at the UN Day Global Leadership Awards. Honorees were Susie Marshall for SDG 3, Meghna Tare for SDG 4, and Gary Olp for SDG 11. Other mentions included leaders advancing various other SDGs.

Dallas City Council's 2022-2023 budget allocates an additional $2.5 million to environmental initiatives. This funds staff for environmental justice, air quality, and brownfield programs, supports solar panel installations, and launches the weatherization pilot for low-income residents. It strengthens Dallas’ commitment to sustainability and climate goals.

More than 2,000 Texans have signed a petition condemning the Marvin Nichols Reservoir, opposing its development due to potential economic and environmental impacts. Preserve Northeast Texas, a coalition of landowners and environmentalists, argues the project would remove 200,000 acres of productive land.

The Green Source DFW Awards returns on Dec. 4 at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, marking its in-person comeback. Established in 2012, this gala honors green leaders and will be held in a new venue. Tickets cost $25-$35, with additional options for exploring holiday exhibits.