Julie Thibodeaux

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.

The 13th annual DFW Solar Tour returns in-person on Oct. 1, after two years online. Hosted by the North Texas Renewable Energy Group, this free event showcases six locations promoting renewable energy education. Highlights include advanced solar homes and insights into energy storage and financing options.

Hackberry leafrollers, or Sciota celtidella, devoured the leaves of hackberries across North Texas, creating spooky webs. Despite initial concerns, pest specialist Wizzie Brown assures residents the outbreak is non-threatening, and the trees will recover. These caterpillars provide food for migrating birds, so pesticides aren't needed.

Sam Kieschnick, a Fort Worth-based urban wildlife biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, has inspired many to use iNaturalist, a popular naturalist app. He's made over 100,000 observations, placing him among the top 10 observers worldwide, out of 2.4 million users.

Timber Press will release "Wild DFW" in April, a North Texas nature guide by Dallas writer Amy Martin. With cover art by Mariell Guzman, the book highlights local natural spaces, ecology, and weather, plus insights from experts. Martin, a seasoned environmental reporter, aims to inspire nature preservation and tourism.

Nominate your green heroes for the 11th Green Source DFW Sustainable Leadership Awards by September 30, 2022. The awards, hosted by Green Source DFW and the Memnosyne Institute, return in person this November. Nominate in eight categories like Environmental Justice and Green Innovation.

Arlington approved 11 new gas wells near homes without public input, sparking activist opposition. The 2019 ordinance allows administrative approvals in established zones without notifying residents. Critics, like Liveable Arlington, cite health studies linking fracking to serious impacts. Total Energies operates the Bruder site, with activists demanding stricter regulations.

The regional hiking and biking trail connecting Dallas and Fort Worth is named DFW Discovery Trail. Nearly 1,700 voted for the name and logo featuring Texas wildlife. Expected by 2024, the 60-mile trail links city trails and is part of the 1,883-mile Regional Veloweb network.