Dolphin Blue produces documentary on DC Climate Rally • Gary Liss to offer primer on zero waste • Botanical Research Institute of Texas launches Farmer’s Market

 By Julie Thibodeaux

MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR 
If you didn’t make it to the Forward on Climate Rally in Washington, DC on President’s Day weekend, you’ll soon be able to catch the movie. A locally made documentary is set to be released in the coming weeks. 

According to the Huffington Post, 40,000 people gathered on the National Mall on Feb. 17 to bring attention to climate change and protest the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline. Dolphin Blue, a Dallas-based firm that specializes in eco-friendly office supplies, helped fund a chartered bus that took activists from Dallas to DC. In addition to sending five students to the rally, Dolphin Blue hired a local film crew to document the trip.

Tom Kemper, CEO of Dolphin Blue, said a rough cut of the movie has been completed but it’s still a work in progress. However, Kemper said they hope to get the film out before the U.S. government’s final decision is made on the pipeline. “It’s beautifully filmed but we want it to be a call to action,” he said.Here’s a sneak preview of the film 

http://www.dolphinblue.com/green-videos-media.html

TRASH TALK

Zero waste -- it’s a term being tossed around a lot these days. For those who want a crash course on the topic, Cedar Valley College in Lancaster is hosting a Zero Waste Workshop on April 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gary Liss, one of the leading experts in the U.S. on zero waste, will be heading up the all-day program. Liss helped design zero waste plans for Los Angeles, Palo Alto and Austin.

“It’s a hot button issue in Dallas right now,” said Iginia Boccalandro, organizer for the workshop.  The city of Dallas approved a long-range solid waste plan last year with a goal of attaining 85-90 percent waste diversion by 2040. Dallas is only the second city in Texas to adopt a zero waste goal, following Austin. The Dallas plan was amended in February after a series of public and stakeholder meetings were held.

Zac Trahan, director of the Texas Campaign for the Environment’s Dallas office, said the plan is a step forward but believes the city needs to be more ambitious on its timeline. For example, currently, mandatory recycling for apartments and businesses won’t begin until after 2019. Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio already have programs in place. “Our work is just getting started, and we're going to need to continue pressing Dallas officials to do the right thing,” said Trahan.

Cost for the workshop is $250. Liss will also present a lecture on April 4, with a $10 admission. Sign up for the workshop: https://www.cedarvalleycollege.edu/CommunityMembers/SustainableCommunitiesInstitute
DMN blog: http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/2013/02/dallas-takes-another-shot-at-zero-waste-plan.html/
Dallas Solid Waste Plan: http://dallascityhall.com/committee_briefings/briefings0213/TEC_LocalSolidWasteManagementPlanUpdate_022513.pdf 
 

BRIT BACK TO BASICS

The Botanical Research Institute of Texas uses state-of-the-art methods for storing and sharing data but it aims to promote sustainable farming the old-fashioned way. The internationally recognized research institute is launching a monthly Farmer’s Market on April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The venue will offer fresh produce from local community gardens, some of which support the homeless and people with special needs. According to Anne Baldwin, director of public engagement for BRIT, about eight farmers will be selling their wares along with other specialty vendors.

Shoppers can count on the produce being organically grown with sustainable methods unless the items are labeled otherwise. The market will be open the first Saturday of the month going forward. 

Baldwin said the internationally recognized institution has stepped up its local community programs this year. “We wanted to broaden our offerings to the public,” she said. 
See www.Brit.org

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Julie Thibodeaux covers environmental issues, green topics and sustainable living for Green Source DFW. Previously, she worked as an editor and writer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Send your green bulletin items to Julie@greensourcedfw.org. Follow us at Facebook/GreenSourceDFW.com.