Advocacy

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.

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.

During the dangerously dry summer of 2022, with persistent 100°F days and a drought in DFW, wildlife suffers immensely. Experts urge setting out shallow water dishes to help heat-weary armadillos, birds, and more. Despite risks, providing water minimizes wildlife dehydration and mitigates disease, as residents rally to support wildlife survival.

A report criticized Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for being “reluctant” regulators, favoring industry self-policing. Texans testified about its ineffectiveness, urging reform for transparency and accountability, especially in communities of color. Lawmakers debated recommendations, highlighting tensions between regulation, cost, and public trust.

On Tuesday, Liveable Arlington claimed victory as the Arlington City Council, by a 5-4 vote, denied Total Energies' request to drill more gas wells near a preschool. The grassroots group's lawsuit contested Total's drill zone map for violating setback ordinances. This decision marks their second success against Total.