Advocacy

Texas prairie habitat is vanishing, but a nonprofit aims to restore it through the Pollinators and Prairies program. The initiative combines outreach, restoration, research, and partnerships, encouraging Texans to plant native flora and support pollinator research, aiding in reversing wildlife and habitat decline.

As the Dallas-Fort Worth air quality improvement plan nears completion, officials aim to secure $105-$185M for transportation-focused pollution reduction through EPA grants. Initiatives include clean vehicle incentives, enhanced transit, road upgrades, and more. The grant targets the second-highest funding tier to avoid direct competition with the state of Texas.

State Sen. Tan Parker and environmental advocates urged Texans to support Proposition 14, a $1 billion fund for state parks, coinciding with Texas Parks and Wildlife's 100th anniversary. Constitutional amendments on the Nov. 7 ballot address taxes, infrastructure, and parks amidst historically low voter turnout.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wants to buy Fairfield Lake State Park from Todd Interests, a Dallas developer building a gated community there. Despite $125 million available for state park purchases, Todd refuses to sell, citing property rights concerns and environmental damage from ongoing development.

Last month, Texas Parks and Wildlife voted to use eminent domain to save Fairfield Lake State Park from development. Developer Shawn Todd opposes this, claiming property rights infringement. Amid legal battles, Todd continues development, gaining support. Concern grows over the impact on wildlife and lack of public awareness.

EarthShare Texas is a nonprofit raising funds for over 30 environmental charities, distributing unrestricted support for operations. They engage businesses and individuals through donations, workplace giving, and awareness campaigns, like "My Earth, My Texas," promoting sustainable actions.

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.

The Trust for Public Land envisions a park within a 10-minute walk of every Dallas home, with a focus on South Oak Cliff. The Five Mile Creek Urban Greenbelt aims to connect trails and parks, backed by significant funding, benefiting the community's environment, health, and equity.

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 College's 12th Annual Sustainability Summit titled "Be the Change: Conscious Action Creates Purposeful Change" will occur on Nov. 4 at Brookhaven Campus and online. It features keynote speakers Xiuhtezcatl Martinez and Seth Godin, breakout sessions, and free admission.