This year, ocean health will be a focus of the festival with keynote speaker oceanographer and environmentalist Sylvia Earth, along with exhibits, film screenings and a dive pool from Go Dive Now.

April 19, 2017

Starting Friday, Earth Day Texas will once again descend on Dallas with a few things you'll remember from past years and a number of things new as well. Here is a snapshot:

What’s New in 2017

EARTHACK

We’ve all heard the word hack-a-thon. But how many of us have actually experienced one in person? You’ll have your chance at EARTHACK at Earth Day Texas. Earth Day Texas’ Taryn Darter explains EARTHACK is a hackathon centered on using technology to solve real environmental issues plaguing the world today. 

“Super smart students and technology professionals from around the world will gather in groups of five and be presented with real life challenges. They will spend 36 straight hours exploring ideas and designing solutions that can be implemented on a global scale.”

Sylvia EarleProject D.E.E.P

The Earth Day Texas folks have also created a new initiative called Project D.E.E.P, which stands for Discover, Experience, Empower and Protect. Darter said integrated around Fair Park, elements of the program include The EARTHIKE Challenge, the opportunity to scuba dive with master divers in the Go Dive Now Pool, The World Ocean’s Day Kick-off, EARTHxFilm screenings and the collection of interactive exhibits known as “The D.E.E.P. End.” In addition, Sylvia Earle, PhD, founder of Mission Blue, a world-renowned oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer dubbed the first “Hero for the Planet” by Time magazine, will give the keynote address.

Sylvia Earle will give the keynote address at noon on Saturday at the Court of Honor.

“Join in the conversation surrounding the health of our oceans and how to eliminate the large quantity of single use plastics that find their way into our oceans. You don’t have to live on the coast to make an impact,” Darter says.

SmartflowerSmartflower 

The world’s first all-in-one solar electric system, with its award-winning design, is making its debut appearance in the Big Tex Circle. Experience this one-of-a-kind innovation that automatically fans out its solar petals at sunrise to face the sun at a 90-degree angle throughout the day, and closes as the sun sets. The solar petals follow the sun throughout the day using GPS-based dual axis tracking to maximize solar energy yield. 

PermaCube

Learn how to grow healthy food in your own backyard, patio or kitchen with just a few minutes a day. Permacube is an all-in-one, turnkey solution to food and energy needs. There will be a demo unit offering an on and off-the-grid source of sustainable, locally produced, 100 percent organic food and clean water system enough for a four to six-person family. 

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Odyssey 

Want to learn more about how to help our country’s transportation system become more sustainable? Then join the first Alternative Fuel Vehicle summit featuring industry speakers, workshops and presentations on alternative fuel vehicles. Together with National Fuel Vehicle Odyssey, the largest, nationwide event dedicated to promoting the use of alternative fuel, EDTx is inviting everyone to join the “green journey.” 

Pollinator Accelerator 

Be a part of the solution. Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles and other small mammals that pollinate plants are responsible for bringing one out of every three bites of food. Numerous populations of pollinators are nearing record lows and seriously need our help. Learn how you can make a substantial difference in the environment by promoting pollinator health and habitats at home. You can experience various engagement areas throughout Fair Park, including interactive exhibits, garden demos, workshops and panel discussions. Sign The Citizens’ Pollinator Pledge at EDTX.

Plasticity Texas 

The Plasticity Forum is returning to the United States this year and will feature Plasticity Texas for the first time as part of Earth Day Texas. This important and unique international plastics sustainability conference focuses on the future of the material, without the waste footprint. The event’s theme, “Innovating for Scale, Recovery & Reuse,” is part of the big conversation on the future of plastic that Plasticity brings to the event, discussing where opportunities can be created related to recycled content, resource recovery, circular design, job creation and waste reduction. 

Climate Rally

At 2:15 p.m. on Saturday at the Band Shell, join the Memnosyne Institute and Green Source DFW for a call to action.

 

Always Popular So Don’t Miss

Tiny house advocate B.A. Norrgard BreenTiny Houses - Former Dallas resident and tiny house advocate B.A. Norrgard Breen is back with the Tiny House village and a workshop. Free Panels include Tiny House Tales: Love Stories on Wheels, Saturday at 2-3pm at the Amphitheater; and Tiny House Lifestyle, Sunday 2-3:30 p.m. at the Grand Place. Tiny House Village Tours are $5 to tour all of the DIY houses.

READ THE GREENSOURCEDFW.ORG ARTICLE

Savor Dallas Sustainable Food Market - The market will highlight chefs, restaurants, and distributors who are championing local ingredients, farm-to-table fare, and environmentally responsible practices.

EARTHx Sustainable Beer Garden - Enjoy responsibly brewed craft beer.

Tree climbers at Earth Day TexasTree Climber’s International - Tree climbing demonstrations. 

Texas Discovery Gardens - The Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House at The Texas Discovery Gardens hosts a talk and butterfly release daily at noon. Admission is free and open to attendees from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day throughout the weekend.

 

Bigger Than WaterMore Highlights

Other highlights include the inaugural EARTHxFilm film festival.

The documentary Bigger Than Water will be screened Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Hall. The film explores the Flint water crisis through the eyes of those directly impacted.

READ THE GREENSOURCEDFW.ORG INTERVIEW WITH Michael Cain, the founder oF EARTHTxFilm.

In addition, the EARTHxGlobal Gala will honor environmental heroes and change makers who have work to protect our planet with the Global Impact Awards. 

Green Speakers

In addition to keynote speaker Sylvia A. Earle, presenters at the festival this year will include Katharine Hayhoe, PhD, an atmospheric scientist and associate professor of political science at Texas Tech University, where she is director of the Climate Science Center; Sid Miller, the Texas Agriculture Commissioner and former vocational agriculture teacher and nine-time world champion cowboy; His Excellency Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. the president of the Republic of Palau who is leading the effort to implement the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, the world’s sixth largest, full-protected marine area; Laura Turner Seydel, chairperson of the Captain Planet Foundation; Paul Watson a marine wildlife conservation and environmental activist who founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society; Senator Sheldon Whitehouse a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; Kate Williams, the CEO of One Percent for the Planet; and Ben Lecomte, a French-born long distance swimmer who has received wide credit for being the first man to swim across the Atlantic Ocean without a kick board in 1998; Rick Perry, U.S. Secretary of Energy; and General Wesley Clark, Sr. (Ret.) who spent 34 years serving the United States and is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

EARTH DAY TEXAS 2017

About:  Billed as the largest eco expos in the world, the event is held on three days and attracts thousands of visitors to Fair Park. Hundreds of exhibitors will be on hand, including environmental nonprofits, businesses, academic institutions and government agencies aiming to raise the environmental consciousness of North Texans. There is also a full schedule of family friendly activities, speakers, films and demonstrations at this free fest founded by Dallas philanthropist Trammell S. Crow. 

When: April 21-23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Fair Park, Dallas

Website

Event Guide


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