Education

North Texas school districts emphasize environmental education through diverse curricula. Dallas ISD incorporates conservation, eco-friendly practices, and subjects like Aquatic Science. Fort Worth ISD focuses on renewable resources and environmental impacts, with initiatives like the Trinity River Turtle Survey and school gardens.

After watching the documentary *Catching the Sun*, Tracy Wallace and Mark McCollum founded Green Careers Texas in 2016 to promote solar power and provide solar industry training for low-income individuals in Dallas. They overcame challenges to create a training facility, supporting career paths and fostering community resilience.

The 13th annual Sustainability Summit at Dallas College on Nov. 1 features keynotes by Malawian author William Kamkwamba, known for "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind." The event, focusing on sustainability at local to international levels, includes breakout sessions on education, urban impact, Texas initiatives, and national progress.

Bubble wrap should not go in curbside bins but can be recycled at some stores. Recycling facilities separate materials by type, using advanced technology. Many items can’t be recycled due to contamination or improper sorting. Education and correct recycling practices are crucial to improve the process.

During a scorching summer, college students Kimberly Villarreal, Jacob Estes, and Paige Priddy interned at Tandy Hills Natural Area, supported by the North Texas Community Foundation's Conservation and Environment Fund. They gained hands-on skills in natural resources management and addressed challenges like invasive species and park mismanagement.

On May 5, 2023, the Fort Worth Nature Center’s Western Cross Timbers forest was inducted into the national Old-Growth Forest Network, marking the first such inclusion for a Texas forest. This recognition celebrates centuries-old oaks, emphasizing both ecological and cultural values, and encourages conservation efforts in growing urban areas.

The Texas Buckeye Trail hikes start March 25 with guided walks in the Great Trinity Forest. Ned Fritz discovered the buckeye grove in the 1970s, fighting against the Trinity barge canal project. The trail, named after Ned and Genie Fritz, was restored by activists and now hosts weekend walks.

Georgeann Moss, a sustainability pioneer at Dallas College, retired after 25 years. Starting as a media relations specialist, she created the Sustainability Team and advanced to Senior Director of Sustainability. She led key initiatives like the Sustainability Summit and plans to remain active in environmental projects post-retirement.

Heather van Waasbergen, inspired by River Legacy Nature Center, plans to become a wildlife veterinarian. She received the Ned Fritz Scholarship, celebrating her environmental commitment and Unitarian values. Van Waasbergen aims to address global warming impacts on wildlife, studying at the University of California, Davis.

RCE North Texas, launched as a sustainability hub, is creating a youth network to connect young people on environmental issues. Led by UTA's Bhargavi Karumuri Jeyarajah, the project targets university and high school students, aiming to foster collaboration through networking, newsletters, and social media.