Lifestyle

The Irving home of Bill Byrom, part of the National Solar Tour, features groundbreaking urban sustainability innovations, including a 14.4 kW DC solar system, geothermal HVAC, rainwater collection, and zero-energy design.

The text provides eco-friendly ideas for fall gatherings, emphasizing the use of paperless invitations, sustainable decorations, and reusable or compostable dinnerware. It suggests natural party venues and green games, encourages meatless dining, and highlights local, eco-conscious products.

Four 60-year-old live oaks were relocated to an Addison park by AMLI, a developer building a mixed-use community aiming for LEED Silver certification. Environmental Design executed the move using ArborLift technology to preserve the trees, part of a sustainability effort that includes planting 350 new trees.

On a hot day at Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve in Arlington, dragonflies performed acrobatics, highlighting their role as natural pest control, consuming hundreds of mosquitos daily. Despite being resilient, habitat destruction, climate change, and pollutants threaten their survival, emphasizing the need for wetland preservation.

North Texans face extreme heat, with consecutive days over 100 degrees and a high heat index. This relentless heat impacts daily life, mental health, and the environment, leading to anxiety, grief, and health risks. Coping strategies include mindfulness, self-expression, and seeking climate-aware therapy to address these challenges.

Coyotes, common in Texas, pose occasional threats to pets. Experts advise against feeding them and recommend "hazing" to discourage interaction. These adaptable creatures, likened to "song dogs," coexist through sustainable practices, despite historical eradication efforts and cultural misconceptions. Relocation is largely illegal, highlighting the need for human adaptation.

A one-acre garden at a former Texas coal mine has produced 10,000 pounds of produce for six food pantries, supporting 2,000 people monthly. Managed by Texan by Nature, the garden exemplifies land restoration efforts on the 35,000-acre Jewett mine, emphasizing community collaboration and environmental reclamation.

Record-setting heat in Texas led to numerous ER visits for heat illnesses, especially in cities like Austin and Del Rio. June 2023 may become the hottest June ever recorded in parts of Texas. Deaths linked to heat include a utility lineman and a postal worker; some migrants have died near the U.S./Mexico border.

Dreamboat Vegan Donuts and Scoops, a new vegan dessert shop in Fort Worth, offers vegan donuts and expanded ice cream options. Located near Spiral Diner, Dreamboat pairs sweet treats with ice cream and offers a variety of flavors and seasonal items in a chic urban location.

The 2023 EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant provides $1M for asbestos and contaminant removal from Fort Worth Convention Center. The cleanup, part of a $606M renovation and expansion, precedes arena demolition in 2026, promoting community revitalization and economic growth in Fort Worth.