North Texas

Jason shares his DIY recipe for all natural dryer sheets using discarded clothing items.

West Texas has experienced a significant rise in earthquakes, increasing from 19 in 2009 to 1,600 in 2017. A UT Austin study documented over 7,000 quakes near Pecos since 2009. The study noted an increase in oil and gas production but didn't link it to the seismic activity.

Nicole Gorretta transformed TCU's sustainability efforts since 2016. She initiated recycling programs, banned Styrofoam, and organized the campus's first Earth Day Fair, leaving a lasting impact on environmental stewardship. Her leadership inspired lasting institutional change, ensuring the university's commitment to sustainability endures beyond her graduation.

Texas botanists, led by Kim Taylor from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, are forming a seed bank to preserve native plant species threatened by urban sprawl, invasive species, and climate change. The project is urgent, focusing on rare species to prevent their extinction and restore Texas's natural ecosystems.

Earlier this month, Terry Lantrip, owner of the Lake Dallas Tiny Home Village, welcomed residents to the first in-town neighborhood built exclusively for tiny houses in North Texas. Now five tiny homes are snuggled into a one-acre field that was once part of a historic farm.

Jason tells a scary tale about plastic trash run amuk.

A 200-year-old oak, discovered by arborist Wes Culwell at Arlington's Southwest Nature Preserve, was designated a historic tree. Named "Old Caddo Oak," it was preserved thanks to officials and local residents. Recognized by the Texas Historic Tree Coalition, it highlights the preserve's ecological value and historical significance.

A 200-year-old post oak, recognized as "Old Caddo Oak," was dedicated as a historic tree at Southwest Nature Preserve in Arlington. The Texas Historic Tree Coalition's four-year effort honored arborist Wes Culwell’s discovery. The tree, tied to indigenous histories, enriches the nature area's unique ecological and cultural heritage.

Fort Worth now recycles Styrofoam, making it the second city in North Texas to do so. Residents must drop off clean, uncontaminated polystyrene at designated stations. While some applaud this effort, others argue that recycling Styrofoam promotes harmful production. The material will be recycled into items like crown molding.

Eastfield College will host the free annual DCCCD sustainability summit on November 8, featuring Ian Garrett, who will discuss creativity in sustainability. Attendees can explore five learning tracks, including Social Equity and Resource Efficiency, to address various sustainability challenges. Lunch is provided, pre-registration requested.