North Texas

Oak Cliff Earth Day, initially slated for April, is on hold due to potential city restrictions. Updates will be provided to vendors and sponsors. Meanwhile, Earth Day features will appear mid-April online. The event may be rescheduled later in the year. Stay safe and green!

Organic strawberries at Storm Farms, Arlington, will ripen early this year. The farm, offering U-Pick strawberries and other crops, is located in Dalworthington Gardens. Proprietor Johanna Storm, adding new crops annually, emphasizes agricultural practices and community engagement. Visits are recommended via Storm Farms' Facebook or web page.

The Austin-based band Montopolis has rescheduled "The Living Coast" multi-media environmental performance at the Texas Theatre in Dallas to June 14, 2020. Originally set for March, the show was postponed due to COVID-19 guidelines. Tickets were refunded, and updates will be shared on Facebook.

Lady Bird Johnson Middle School in Irving, Texas, opened in 2011, was the state’s first net zero school and the nation’s largest at the time. It combines solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems for energy efficiency. Educational tours and activities emphasize its eco-friendly features.

Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs initiate climate actions following campaigns by activists Molly Rooke and John MacFarlane. Fort Worth ISD formed a Sustainability Committee, while Dallas ISD approved an Environment and Climate Action Resolution, aiming for sustainability, electric buses, renewable energy, and waste reduction.

City of Fort Worth secures a 50-acre undeveloped area next to Tandy Hills Natural Area, enhancing the preserve to over 210 acres. With the city's $620,000 purchase, supported by Friends of Tandy Hills, future residential development is prevented, ensuring the land remains a natural sanctuary.

A North Texas social justice group is organizing buses for Dallas delegates to join the national Poor People’s Campaign march in D.C. on June 20. The campaign addresses systemic injustices faced by the 140 million Americans living in poverty. Fundraising aims to gather $40,000 for the trip.

Free tours at Dallas's Native Texas Park begin Feb. 29, showcasing spring's early wildflowers, Blackland Prairie landscapes, and innovative water management. Located at the Bush Library, tours run every fourth Saturday. Parking is $5. Explore before visiting via the park's website or Instagram.

The Climate Book Club, launched by Citizens Climate Lobby DFW, meets monthly in Dallas to enhance environmental literacy. Organized by Dr. Melissa Rose Heer-Ahmed, the club tackles complex climate change issues through books like "Storms of My Grandchildren" and encourages public engagement in climate solutions.

Ricardo Cervantes, a leader at Mexico's Tolteca Cultural Center, connects youth to nature by teaching Toltec traditions and rituals. The center promotes cultural heritage through activities like traditional games and foraging, fostering a tactile experience with nature for young people and instilling pride in their indigenous roots.