Advocacy

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.

Dr. Carly Aulicky, recently appointed as North Texas Outreach and Stewardship Director for the Native Prairies Association of Texas, focuses on preserving diminishing prairies amidst rapid development. Her efforts include engaging communities through educational programs and collaborations, emphasizing prairies’ ecological benefits and Texas heritage.

Garland residents worry ongoing cleanup near the former Globe Union plant won't remove all lead contamination. Despite EPA soil replacements and private testing revealing broader contamination, residents remain anxious about potential health impacts and insufficient evaluations, especially concerning local schools.

Green Source On the Air celebrated Juneteenth with environmental justice advocates Ernest McMillan, Collin Yarbrough, and Dawan Shockley. The show, supported by Dallas College and others, featured discussions on race and the environment, airing after Juneteenth's designation as a national holiday by President Biden.

Researchers are documenting environmental injustices in Dallas through the Environmental Injustice Archive, highlighting significant pollution cases, such as Shingle Mountain and West Dallas' lead pollution. This collaboration aims to raise awareness, hold polluters accountable, and celebrate community victories against injustices in predominantly Black and Latinx neighborhoods.

Green Source DFW launched "Green Source On the Air" on Earth Day to expand its environmental news reach. The inaugural show, aired via Zoom, featured interviews with environmental activists and concluded with a Montopolis band performance. The next show airs May 21, supported by Dallas College and other organizations.

The 2020 Green Source DFW Sustainable Leadership Awards were held virtually due to the pandemic, with trophies later hand-delivered. Winners included Marsha Jackson, Olinka Green, Dale Crownover, and others recognized for environmental justice, innovation, activism, and reporting. Deliveries faced delays due to Covid and weather challenges.