Meet other local people who are making their lives more sustainable--whether in leaps or tiny steps. We are interested in many areas of sustainable living: organic gardening, permaculture, starting a green community, homesteading, lobbying our political leaders to create a more sustainable environment, climate change, peak 0il, and preparedness.

Most of us are urban or exurban dwellers who are trying to create a positive impact on our environment and develop varied degrees of self sufficiency. Some of us are also interested in creating/moving to a sustainable eco-community.

If you are interested in living more sustainably in your own local area east of Dallas, please join us as we learn the way of green and simple. We will network with each other; we will have outside talks on sustainable living from Solar to Rainwater Harvesting, from Permaculture to Organic Gardening/Farming, and from green remodeling to energy-efficient new building; we will invite local officials to our meetings in order to make our towns more sustainable and resilient.

If you reside (or want to reside) east of Dallas in towns such as Rockwall, Royse City, Heath, Forney, Terrell, Quinlan, Greenville, Wylie. Murphy, Sachse, Rowlett, Sunnyvale, Lone Oak, or anywhere in that general area, please come learn to make life easier, less expensive, and more sustainable with those in nearby communities. This is the perfect area for a Transition Initiative bioregion!

Close to home--I am tired of driving to Dallas to meet like-minded people. Maybe you are, too???

The North Texas Unit (formerly North and Central Texas Unit) of The Herb Society of America was founded in 1989 by a group of women dedicated to the 'use and delight' of herbs. We are a non-profit organization in accordance with the Internal Revenue Service regulation 501(c)3. Through the years our unit has grown and currently has over 35 members. Our mission is to promote the use and delight of herbs by sharing with the public and with each other our knowledge and zest for all things herbal.

City of Plano's Sustainability & Environmental Services Department.

River Legacy Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, began in 1988 as a unique public/private partnership with the City of Arlington. Our mission is to preserve and enhance the parkland along the Trinity River as an extraordinary educational, recreational and natural resource.

River Legacy Parks opened as a public park in 1990 with just 376 acres. Thanks to the Foundation’s donors and partnerships, the park has grown to become a 1,300-acre oasis along the Trinity River.

The Foundation founders knew from the start that an educational facility was necessary to ensure future stewards of the parkland. Thus, in 1996,River Legacy Living Science Center opened to the public.  The nature center features interactive exhibits, aquariums, terrariums, environmental education programs, a gift shop and nature trails.

The Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC) was established in 2005 by the Dallas City Council to advise the Mayor and City Council on local and regional tree related issues. 

The Committee assists the city to develop good management practices so they may conserve the city’s trees and forests. It also educates citizens on trees and organizes tree plantings.

UFAC is comprised of citizens and Dallas City officials whose goal is to restore a tree-lined Dallas.

Our goal is not just a sustainable, nutritious, abundant food supply, but also thriving ecosystems that support a diversity of life. In the next century,NRCS will not only continue to tackle familiar challenges like ensuring clean water and healthy soil, but will also rise to meet new issues, such as clean air, clean energy, climate change, and new technology.

- Chief Dave White

Originally established by Congress in 1935 as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), NRCS has expanded to become a conservation leader for all natural resources, ensuring private lands are conserved, restored, and more resilient to environmental challenges, like climate change.

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) was created in 1939, by the Texas Legislature to organize the state into soil conservation districts (now known as soil and water conservation districts) where there was a need expressed by local landowners. The TSSWCB was also designed to serve as the state-level administrative agency for local soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) once the districts were organized.

Today, there are 216 SWCDs organized across the state. Each district is an independent political subdivision of state government that is governed by five directors elected by landowners in the district. The TSSWCB provides assistance to the districts through field representatives that meet regularly with districts, through TSSWCB regional offices and through programs administered by the TSSWCB.

"Our mission is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people" U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission Statement

The Arlington Ecological Services Field Office (ARLES) provides assistance to Federal and State agencies, local governments, businesses, and the general public relative to conserving, protecting, and restoring habitat for a variety of Federal trust resources, including migratory birds and federally threatened and endangered species.  Our assistance is typically provided through five programs: education/outreach, endangered species, environmental contaminants, federal permits and projects, and Partners for Fish and Wildlife.  

The Texas Outdoor Family program is designed to teach you and your family the basic outdoor skills you need to enjoy a great overnight camping experience.

Texas Outdoor Family (TOF) workshops are hosted at state parks where your family receives hands-on experience learning basic outdoor skills. You will learn everything you need to create great memories enjoying the outdoors with your family, including:

  • How to set up and break down camp (including your tent)
  • Fire starting
  • Outdoor cooking
  • Guided walks
  • Nature activities
  • How to use a GPS
  • Geocaching
  • Introductions to a wide range of outdoor activities (such as fishing, kayaking, wildlife watching) depending on the site location, facilities and the season of the year

Best of all, no experience is necessary and you get all the help and advice you need from highly skilled outdoor specialists and trained volunteers!

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