North Texas Master Naturalist – Calendar & Info

Looking for exciting opportunities to learn something new about local wildlife or volunteer in the outdoors?  The North Texas Master Naturalist group maintains a comprehensive calendar of events for many of our local environmental preservation and development organizations (i.e., Cedar Ridge Preserve, Native Plant Society of Texas, Texas Master Naturalist, Connemara Conservancy, Heard Museum).  All events are open to the public.

If you’re simply seeking more information on Texas native trees/shrubs/mammals/reptiles, identifying invasive species or educating yourself on the natural history of  North Texas, see the Links page on the North Texas Master Naturalist website.

Roll Beyond Coal for Clean Air/Energy in Texas (2009)

Did you know that Texas is still building and planning more dirty, coal-fired power plants, and that it is the only state in the nation with such a deadly, costly “coal rush” advancing (more info)?  Scary isn’t it?

Join us for an important and fun-filled Halloween event supporting renewable energy, green jobs, clean air and clean energy which moves us beyond coal and puts Texas on a path to brighter and cleaner energy future.

Date: Saturday – October 31st, 2009
Time: 8:30am – noon (Young Sierrans meet @ 9:30 at the registration table)
Cost: FREE to participate!!
T-shirts: Adults: $10, Students: $5 – Must be ordered by 10/23 to guarantee! * All donations benefit the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club to help fight against new coal plants in TX.
Location: Bath House Cultural Center, White Rock Lake, 521 E. Lawther Drive, Dallas, 75218 (map and directions)
Advanced Registration: Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club

Included Activities:

• Halloween costume contest (prizes awarded!)
• Basic bike check ups
• Facepainting
• Exhibitors on green living & transportation and sustainability
• Postcard signings to the EPA to enforce the Clean Air Act (more info OR speak out online)

Schedule:

• 8:30a – Event Begins – Includes Bike/Walk/Run Registration
• 9:30-10:30a – Speakers & Rally
• 10:30a – Bike/Walk/Run around the lake in support of Clean Air/Energy in TX.

To volunteer or for more event information, please contact organizer Lori Peniche (972-980-7176).  Follow these links if you can’t attend, but still want to support clean air/energy in TX, learn more about Sierra Club Beyond Coal initiatives or sign-up for TX Sierra Club Action Alerts.

Advocate Magazine – Dallas’ McCommas Bluff Landfill

Did you know that the average Texan throws away 7 lbs of waste?  Or, that 30 days per year of landfill space are “saved” by recycling materials?

You can learn much more if you get your hands on this month’s great cover story in the local publication the Advocate about Dallas’ McCommas Bluff Landfill, the biggest landfill in the state (15th largest in the nation).  The story covers a wide range of topics, including local landfill and recycling operations, procedures, costs/revenues and general stats; the bioreactor technology (methane gas harnessing for resale) utilized at the facility; and the expected life of this big-business dump.

Be sure to check the “SIDEBAR” stories on the left side of the page (i.e., The Environmental Scorecard, Trash Stats).

Cyclesomatic – Bike Friendly Oak Cliff Event (2009)

Bike Friendly Oak Cliff is proud to announce Cyclesomatic, a week long bicycle festival in North Oak Cliff from October 2nd to the 11th. Events will include a history-themed group ride, bicycle competitions, Bike to City Hall, Biketoberfest! in Bishop, an Urban Bazaar, a “Kiddical Mass” Ride, Bike to School Day, BBQ, Bands, Bicycle Films at the Texas Theatre, Art Bike Shows, and guest speaker councilwoman Angela Hunt.

New Belgium brewery is sponsoring part of the week, and BFOC is coordinating efforts with DART, BikeDenton, the Oak Cliff Bicycle Company, and more.

Please see the Cyclesomatic calendar of events (20 or so are currently planned) and join in the fun!  Also, check out the local merchant discounts for bicyclists in the Oak Cliff / Bishop Arts area.

City of Dallas – Summer Recycling Roundup (8/29/09)

The City of Dallas Sanitation Services – Summer Recycling Roundup is taking place the last Saturday in August.  Link to the downloadable PDF.

When: Saturday – August 29th, 2009
Time: 10 AM – 4 PM

Locations:
(1) Dallas International School – 6039 Churchill Way, 75230
(2) Elliott’s Hardware – 4901 Maple Ave., 75235 (enter on Cass Street behind the store)
(3) Stonewall Jackson Elementary – 5828 E. Mockingbird Ln., 75206 (* Shred pod here *)
(4) Mountain View College – 4849 W. Illinois Ave., 75211 (South stadium parking lot – * Shred truck here *)

** NO household chemicals, paints, large styrofoam or plastic films PLEASE! **

More Info: For more information please visit Green Dallas or call 3-1-1.

Items Welcome: Televisions, Toys, Clothing, Used Books, Scrap Metal, Tires (limit 3 please), Paper, Plastics (#1-7), Glass, Electronic items (E-waste: video games, cell phones, computers, printers and calculators), Furniture, Florescent and incandescent light bulbs, Auto and household batteries, ALL appliances, Plastic bags and packaging (without food residue).

Building Materials Also Welcome: Doors, Electrical items (wire, plugs, plates), Fans, Hardware (doors, cabinets), Light fixtures, Lumber, Sheet Rock, Gutters, Trimwood, Pipe (PVC, metal, copper), Plumbing supplies, Tubs, Sinks, Roofing Materials, Canales, Tools (hand, electric).

White Rock Local Market

New this summer to the East Dallas area is the White Rock Local Market.  Based on my initial review of their operations, what appears to make this market unique is the set of “local” requirements asked of each vendor.  Vendors must originate within a 150-mile radius of Dallas, offer a variety of sustainable or organically produced products and sell at least 60% of the home-sourced product directly. I estimate that there were about 40 vendors at the July market.  Special events, like live music, are also planned during market days.  What better way to start or end your Saturday morning White Rock Lake ride, walk or clean up effort?

For information about becoming a vendor, a list of market vendors or general information, please see their website.

The WRLM is currently held from 8am-noon on the second Saturday of each month at the Green Spot Market (702 N. Buckner Blvd. at Northcliff Dr. – map).