Marshall Hinsley

Rewilding urban areas, like Dallas-Fort Worth, revives biodiversity balance by integrating natural habitats into city landscapes, attracting wildlife like birds, bees, and amphibians. Sparse population density allows North Texas to leverage open spaces and watershed networks for rewilding. Efforts include minimizing mowing, enhancing cultivated landscapes, and restoring riparian zones.

The 10th annual Okrapalooza festival on Sept. 14-15 at Reeves Family Farm will feature a Seed to Table dinner and a family-oriented fest with a chef cook-off. Proceeds benefit Promise of Peace Gardens' programs like Soup It Forward, aiding Dallas food deserts with fresh produce and nutritional education.

Biologist and Paschal High School science teacher Andrew Brinker initiated a three-year Trinity River Turtle Survey to assess turtle populations in North Texas, amid urban development. Students collect, measure, and tag turtles for analysis, contributing to baseline data and gaining valuable research experience.

Elephant Trunk Moving Supplies, co-owned by John Hancock in Plano, offers reusable plastic boxes as a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to cardboard. These durable totes reduce waste, save on labor costs, and offer a competitive rental service for movers, with home delivery and pickup included.

The Texas Buckeye Trail in Dallas has been renamed the Ned and Genie Fritz Trail to honor the couple's environmental contributions. They were key figures in the conservation movement, preserving numerous natural areas and preventing the Trinity River's channelization, thus safeguarding important Texas ecosystems.

Dallas horticulturist Leslie Halleck's second book, "Plant Parenting," is a visually rich guide on plant propagation for novices and experts. It covers techniques for multiplying houseplants, vegetables, and flowers sustainably and cost-effectively, fostering beginning gardeners while enriching experienced ones.

The North Texas Master Naturalists rescheduled their open house at Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to June 1 after a rainout. Visitors can explore the facility guided by volunteers, see various bird species, and enjoy educational tours. The event is free, but donations are welcome.

A Dallas-based landscape architect has some wild ideas about urban planning. According to Kevin Sloan, a city planning expert and UT Arlington professor, Dallas-Fort Worth could be transformed into a first-of-its-kind urban/rural hybrid, where people, bees, birds, butterflies and bobcats all thrive together.

Local experts encourage going solar due to easier transitions by renewable energy companies. Solar power protects against rising electric rates and offers financial benefits. Ownership contracts are economical, with tax credits available. Home installations can significantly reduce energy bills and environmental impact. Assess multiple quotes before proceeding to ensure reliability.

Harvard professor Daniel Nocera, inspired by the Grateful Dead's ethos of sharing, will discuss his artificial leaf, a technology for creating fuel and fertilizer from sunlight, at the Harvard Club of Dallas on May 2. Aimed at global accessibility, the event's admission is $35.

The Neighborhood Forest Overlay ordinance, unanimously approved by Dallas City Council, allows homeowners to create zones for tree preservation, aiming to protect urban forests beyond the 2018 ordinance. It empowers residents to manage greenery preservation, affecting future property sales, and complements existing tree laws.

Dr. Will Tuttle, animal advocate and author of "The World Peace Diet," spoke in Dallas, highlighting compassion for all beings and the spiritual links of diet. Following a screening of "A Prayer for Compassion," the event, hosted by Maya Acosta and Dr. Rizwan Bukhari, featured discussions, vegan food, and a piano performance.