The National Parks: America’s Best Idea

This Sunday, September 27th, KERA will begin broadcasting Ken Burns’ anticipated documentary series, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.  This ten-year project “is a visual feast, featuring some of the most extensive, breathtaking images of the national parks system ever captured on film.”  It’s a six-part, 12-hour series and is scheduled to air through Friday, Oct 1.  Be sure to set your DVR!!

* 9/24 – Ken Burns Interview on Colbert Report

If you’re interested in watching the first part with a group of like-minded individuals, the Dallas Sierra Club is offering a FREE screening at the Studio Movie Grill (private theater) in Dallas (Royal Ln./75).  Showtime begins at 5pm/doors open at 4pm.

** As of 9/25 ** Due to demand, the club was provided a larger theater.  To attend this showing, please register to the wait list or call 214-369-5543 with your name, number of reservations wanted/canceled and a return phone number to reserve your seat.

Frog Watch – White Rock Lake (2009)

This is not a Sierra Club event.

Ribbit.  Come out to White Rock Lake and help North Texas Master Naturalist Barbara Turner with her Amphibian Watch.  Actually, it’s an amphibian ”listen”, since we identify frogs by their croaks.  Barbara sends data to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for their statewide Amphibian monitoring efforts.  All ages are welcome to participate.

When: March – October, 2009 (last Friday of each month).
Where: Sunset Bay, on the east side of White Rock Lake (PDF map, #6)
Time: 7-8pm (actually begins at dusk)
Contact: Barbara Turner: 972-222-7321
More Resources:

• Texas Frog and Toad Species
• References for Amphibian Identification
• Rules for “Frogging”
• Texas Amphibian Watch (TPWD)
  

Earth Hour – Dallas – March 28, 2009 (8:30 PM)

This Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 8:30 pm local time, take part in EARTH HOUR – a global event in which millions of people will turn out their lights to make a statement of concern about our planet and climate change.

Sponsored by World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour got started just two years ago and is now the largest event of its kind in the world.  Last year, more than 50 million participated and the lights went out at the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the Coliseum in Rome, just to name a few.

With more than 1,800 cities already on board, Earth Hour is set to be the biggest public event of its kind in history. In the U.S., 140 cities, towns and communities have now pledged to “turn out” for the largest climate event ever, with more signing up each day.

See the official Earth Hour website to learn more, watch Earth Hour online during the event and sign yourself up as an Earth Hour participant.

Let’s all turn out and take action on March 28 at 8:30 pm!

If you’re interested in attending a local Dallas Earth Hour event, click here.

Energy Independence: Pickens Plan vs. Gore Challenge – A Debate (3/9/09)

This is not a Sierra Club event and is open to the public.  Guaranteed entertainment for anyone who enjoys a good old fashioned duel.  Kidding.  This debate is presented by The Memnosyne Foundation – “Conversation catalysts from both sides will frame the issues and set the focus for this dynamic community conversation.  Your voice and vision make a difference!”

Guests:
Geoff Bailey – Pickens Plan
Todd Howard – AIA for the Gore Challenge

Date: Monday, March 9, 2009

Time:
5:30 p.m. – Registration / Reception (Sandwiches, Desserts and Coffee will be served)
6:00 – 8:30 – Dialogue & Vision Circles

Location:
Zale Auditorium / Jewish Community Center
7900 Northaven Blvd., Dallas 75230 (map)

Cost: $10.  Registration is required (click here)

Texas’ Energy Future: Clean Power and Green Jobs Conference and Lobby Day (2/2009)

Mark your calendars to join TX-based environmental and conservation organizations during the 2009 Texas Legislative Session as we participate in the two-day Texas’ Energy Future: Clean Power and Green Jobs Conference and Lobby Day in Austin, TX.  We will be trained on clean energy priorities for TX and have the opportunity to meet to discuss this these topics with our respective legislators and their staff.  The conference will include a variety of speakers, including Van Jones, author of The Green Collar Economy.

Date: February 17th (evening-training) & 18th (all day-conf./lobbying), 2009

Where: Texas State Capitol Auditorium – 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, 78701 (map)

Transportation: There will probably be some ride-sharing or bus transportation arranged for participants originating from the North Texas/DFW area.  Stay tuned for more details.

To Register: Sign-up online here.  * Please notify Peter if you’re a participating Dallas Young Sierran (so we can meet up) and if you’re interested in going down early on the 17th and doing some Austin area day hiking.

Questions: Contact Peter (youngsierrans[at]dallassierraclub.org) or Ann Drumm (anndrumm[at]swbell.net).

More Info:

* Consider joining the Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club Action Alert distribution, which sends out periodic emails highlighting environmental issues on which we should communicate with our legislators.

* Informative videos (topics: legislative agenda, visiting your legislator) can be found on the chapter’s website.

* Links to details of the Lone Star Chapter 2009 Legislative Agenda can be found here: 12 Step Plan for Meeting TX Energy Needs (and is good for our climate) and the Nov-08 Legislative Workshop Presentations.

Forum on Electric Utility Regulation (1/7/09)

The League of Women Voters of Dallas Education Fund will present a forum on electric utility regulation this Wednesday.

Date: Wednesday – January 7th, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Temple Emanu-El – 8500 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas, 75225 (map)
Cost: Free
Invited Panelists:
- Rep. Will Hartnett
- Kelly Rod with TXU’s Lite-Up Texas program
- A commissioner from the Public Utility Commission.
* Moderator: State Rep. Terri Hodge

More Info: Call 214-688-4125 or e-mail lwvdallas@sbcglobal.net