North Texas

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden's master plan draft, unveiled on May 17, includes facility improvements and conservation priorities. Proposed changes focus on increased parking, expanded events, and enhanced visitor experiences. The draft aims to quadruple visitation, balancing access to nature with sustainable practices while considering public feedback and potential environmental adjustments.

The Texas Sales Tax Holiday offers tax exemptions on ENERGY STAR and WaterSense products from May 28-30 to encourage energy and water conservation amidst rising energy costs and grid challenges. The event allows tax-free purchases on select appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers, but excludes solar products and energy-efficient windows.

Tarrant County activists, led by John MacFarlane, formed the Environmental Justice Coalition of Fort Worth to address disproportionate environmental impacts on minority communities. They propose revisions to gas drilling ordinances, focusing on health and safety, and aim to develop a citywide climate action plan.

Texas faces significant climate impacts: increased temperatures, intensified hurricanes, rising sea levels, droughts, disease risks, extreme weather, and migration. Climate change is causing heat waves, more powerful hurricanes, increased flood risks, water scarcity, health risks from pathogens and insects, and attracting climate migrants.

Dallas City Council approved regulations requiring public hearings for concrete and asphalt batch plants via a Specific Use Permit. Applauded by environmentalists, the change addresses equity and pollution concerns and gives communities a voice in plant siting. A second phase considers buffer zones to limit impacts on sensitive areas.

Fort Worth partners with the Texas Trees Foundation to develop its first Urban Forestry Master Plan. This initiative, supported by a $250,000 funding, aims to sustain and enhance urban forestry, engage stakeholders, and address tree conservation. The plan follows Fort Worth's historic green milestones and addresses illegal tree cutting concerns.

Protestors in Fort Worth gathered against TotalEnergies' Russian ties, criticizing their investments supporting Russia’s regime amidst its military aggression in Ukraine. TotalEnergies announced a halt to Russian oil purchases but remains tied to Novatek. Environmental and social groups back the protest, demanding divestment and alternative energy transition.

Dallas designer Breanna Cooke merges her skills in body paint and costume design with environmental activism, focusing on the coral reef crisis. Through her "artivism," she creates vibrant designs to initiate climate discussions and partners with the Glowing Glowing Gone campaign, producing sustainable activewear to promote ocean protection.