Learn about green living from local experts and then tour the Environmental Education Center, Plano's only LEED Platinum certified building. At this third Saturday event, attendees will learn how to grow and preserve fall vegetables. Event is free.

Learn composting from Master Composter Charlie Shiner.

By Teresa McUsic
The fourth annual Ecofest Arlington, a free event to promote environmental awareness, will be held Saturday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Founders Plaza, 100 W. Abram St. in downtown Arlington. The event is expected to draw more than 10,000, according to a city official.
The festival will feature more than 40 vendors, who will spotlight their green products and services. Ecofest also will include free demonstrations, classes and kid-centered activities. Live entertainment will feature local bands performing at the outdoor Levitt Pavilion. Tap water will be available for free all day, while food and drinks from local restaurants will be on hand as well.
“This isn’t a city event, this is a regional event,” said Heather Dowell, parks and recreation urban forest land manager for Arlington. “We want everyone in North Texas to come.”
Arlington will give away 1,500 trees in 12 varieties on a first come first serve basis at the festival. Last year, 1,000 trees were gone within the first four hours, Dowell said.
Arlington residents also will be able to sign up for a $10 class in the city chambers for making their own rain barrel.

Every Saturday, Elizabeth Anna’s hosts a local and organic market featuring in-season produce, fresh eggs and ground wheat bread along with other baked goods. Pre-order meat & dairy. Check the website for specials of the week and sneak peaks at our recipe kits.

Every Saturday, Elizabeth Anna’s hosts a local and organic market featuring in-season produce, fresh eggs and ground wheat bread along with other baked goods. Pre-order meat & dairy. Check the website for specials of the week and sneak peaks at our recipe kits.

Every Saturday, Elizabeth Anna’s hosts a local and organic market featuring in-season produce, fresh eggs and ground wheat bread along with other baked goods. Pre-order meat & dairy. Check the website for specials of the week and sneak peaks at our recipe kits.

Every Saturday, Elizabeth Anna’s hosts a local and organic market featuring in-season produce, fresh eggs and ground wheat bread along with other baked goods. Pre-order meat & dairy. Check the website for specials of the week and sneak peaks at our recipe kits.

Reservations are being taken for Tarrant County Master Gardener’s fall regional conference, which is open to the public. The all-day conference includes talks on weather trends, native and adapted plants, landscaping with drought-tolerant plants, harvesting rainwater and rain gardens and coping with wildlife and bugs. Demonstrations on drip irrigation and copper rain chains as well as tours and make and take activities. For more information and registration form, go to www.tarrantmg.org or contact Billie Hammack at 817-884-1296 or blhammack@ag.tamu.edu. Registration fee is $45 and includes lunch.

Yard Smart is a free seminar, featuring experts from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, designed to provide effective, beneficial ways to use water wisely in the landscape. Topics vary by season and have included butterfly gardening, landscape watering, container gardens, perennials, trees and much more. This semi-annual seminar is offered each spring and fall. See website for fall seminar topics. Spring seminar topics will be posted in spring. No pre-registration is required.

Yard Smart is a free seminar, featuring experts from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, designed to provide effective, beneficial ways to use water wisely in the landscape. Topics vary by season and have included butterfly gardening, landscape watering, container gardens, perennials, trees and much more. This semi-annual seminar is offered each spring and fall. See website for fall seminar topics. No pre-registration is required.