Around the State

The Constellation of Living Memorials’ inaugural symposium is set for Dec. 2 in Dallas. The Dallas-based nonprofit hopes to encourage thought leaders across the state to transform forgotten historic cemeteries into beautiful native landscapes and places of respite.

GrowOn at AGFarm in Bryan, Texas, started by Sharon Wells in 2013, grows fresh produce using aquaponics while empowering individuals with disabilities through volunteer work. The farm, operating sustainably without synthetic chemicals, sells produce directly and trains volunteers in various skills to foster mental and physical growth.

The GoFundMe project launched by Fort Worth Master Naturalist Jeff Quayle this summer aims to expand native plant selection in the nursery trade.

A program of Greenspace Dallas, the Lone Star Trail Building School is a two-day course held bi-annually at a Texas nature preserve. Participants learn all aspects of trail building, including design concepts, corridor flagging and construction. The fall session will be held Nov. 8-9 in Buescher State Park in Smithville, Texas.

The Houston toad is an endangered species that is – or was – found from Harris County to Bastrop and a few nearby counties

Green Source DFW officially relaunched this week as Green Source Texas with expanded statewide coverage.

Green Source Texas director Wendel Withrow reflects on the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, which burned the same month as the deadly Central Texas flood.

Texas Turtles is devoted to the conservation and study of Texas turtles through research, the study of turtles in the wild and outreach education. The group was started by a former herpetologist at the University of Texas at Arlington.

A prairie visit led to 52 chigger bites from brief exposure due to deviating from a paved path. Key chigger prevention tips include staying on trails, using repellent, and brushing off clothes. Chiggers' vile larval bites are treatable with proper skin care. Sulfur soap and urea aid healing, while loose, protective clothing deters bites.

Texas startups like Graphitic Energy are innovating by converting carbon from fossil fuels into usable products instead of CO2, using processes like pyrolysis to lower energy use. Though the impact on emissions is small, this sector could reframe carbon as a resource rather than waste.