North Texas

On Feb. 28, 2025, a new trail was opened at Dallas's Kiest Park Conservation Area. Funded by a $75,000 WFAA grant, the WFAA Creekside Trail adds three miles of trails with new features. The area, donated by Edwin Kiest, underwent upgrades for conservation efforts and further enhancements are planned.

Behind the scenes, we're upgrading the Green Source DFW site and changing our publication's name to Green Source Texas. Thanks to Fireroad Digital and our nonprofit parent, Memnosyne Institute, we'll continue covering North Texas environmental issues while adding more stories from across the state.

A new natural gas drilling site is approved in Arlington after 12 years, despite opposition due to its proximity to The Mother’s Heart Learning Center. The City Council cited state law limitations, yet faces criticism for not increasing setback distances. TotalEnergies plans 10 new wells, amid ongoing public resistance.

Arlington approved TotalEnergies' plan to drill 10 new gas wells near daycare centers and schools, marking the first fracking expansion in the city in 13 years amid increased Barnett Shale activity. Despite significant public opposition citing health concerns, the City Council unanimously passed the proposal.

Eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts support fair trade and sustainability. Options include Dallas Zoo animal adoptions, Kate Weiser's artful chocolates, Valentine's runs, White Rock's vegan candles, Maiden Vegan dining, Bishop Hill floral workshops, and JoyfulCo's Discovery Box, benefiting L.A. wildfire victims.

Toni Thorn of Frisco, inspired by her love for the desert and earth building, attended a four-week residency at the School of Constructive Arts in West Texas. She learned sustainable building techniques, aiming to build an eco-conscious home and start a learning center in DFW.

In Texas, where 93% of land is privately owned, Wildlife in Focus promotes conservation through a photo contest pairing landowners and photographers to document native wildlife. Proceeds fund educational endeavors like Kritters 4 Kids, fostering both preservation efforts and ecotourism on private lands.

A small lizard, endemic to southeastern New Mexico and a few West Texas counties, has been listed as endangered under the ESA after decades of delay, yet without habitat protection. Its survival is threatened by industry opposition and inadequate conservation efforts, sparking debate over its ecological value.

In 2023, Americans consumed nearly 16 billion gallons of bottled water primarily sourced from underground aquifers. Richard’s Rainwater, a Texas company and bottled water outlier, utilizes rainwater captured in Mississippi, distributing 2 million fully recyclable bottles. Founded in the 1990s by Richard Heinichen, the company emphasizes rainwater's purity and sustainability.

In Arlington, Texas, residents grapple with methane emissions from local oil and gas wells. A federal rule requires operators to reduce methane leaks, but as Texas gathers public input for its state plan, concerns about health impacts persist. The rule aims to reduce pollution, but enforcement challenges loom.