North Texas

Community gardens require community involvement and empowerment for success. While location, soil, and experienced gardeners matter, community buy-in is crucial. Initiatives must be locally driven, embracing Asset-Based Community Development. Effective organizing and adaptability, alongside embracing teachable moments on sustainability and social justice, help gardens flourish and support local communities.

Texas Nameplate Company, once a significant polluter, transformed into a leader in environmental sustainability, earning the 2020 Corporate Trailblazer Award. Implementing advanced eco-friendly processes, they significantly reduced waste and emissions, inspiring others in their industry through transparency and shared environmental practices.

The 2020 Green Gift Guide offers eco-friendly gift ideas for the holidays, like coffee alternatives, compostable teas, digital magazine subscriptions, vegan candles, and sustainable slippers. It also includes options for eco-conscious composters, heirloom seeds, native plants, and recyclable wrapping paper for environmentally responsible holiday giving.

The 9th annual Green Source DFW Sustainable Leadership Awards honored North Texas environmental leaders on Zoom. Attendees included awardees like activists Olinka Green and Marsha Jackson, companies Texas Nameplate and Good Faith Energy, and initiatives like Fort Worth's composting program. The keynote address by Moses Boyd emphasized environmental justice.

"Law & Nature" airs an "Election 2020" episode on EarthxTV from Nov. 9, exploring the election's impact on environmental law. Panelists will discuss issues like climate change and environmental justice, with insights from leading environmental law experts. The series emphasizes the election's potential long-term implications.

Dallas College's 10th annual Sustainability Summit will be held online on Nov. 6 via Cisco's Webex, featuring presentations and breakout sessions on sustainability. Charles Hopkins will deliver the keynote, focusing on resilience and social justice. This virtual format allows greater participation beyond typical barriers.

Western rat snakes, common in North Texas, are nonvenomous and often found in garages and gardens post-summer. They're harmless to humans and help control rodent populations. Residents can safely remove them using a broom and trash can. For more information, visit the blog "Lives In Nature."

Earlier this month, Richard "Buzz" Smith, an EV advocate from Fort Worth, embarked on a 1,200-mile Texas road trip in a Chevrolet Bolt EV to bust the myth that EVs aren't suitable for long trips. Despite some challenges, including range anxiety and destination closures, the trip proved successful, showcasing the viability of electric vehicles for road-tripping.

In the final presidential debate, Trump focused on economic priorities regarding the oil industry, while Biden emphasized the transition to renewable energy, calling climate change an existential threat. The debate touched on the impact of energy policies on jobs and pollution concerns, reflecting deep divisions in their approaches.

Downwinders at Risk launched SharedAirDFW, a network of air quality monitors in Dallas-Fort Worth to track particulate pollution. Partnering with local institutions, they aim to gather data for advocating relocation of polluters. The project seeks 100 monitors and open data access to improve community health awareness and decision-making.