This free event offers lots of animals provided by the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, Westland Ranch Petting Zoo and Matt Morris’ turtles. You can explore the beautiful Nature Center & Preserve through docent-led and self-guided hikes highlighting trail activities such as the Corn Fling, Pumpkin Ring Toss, and Build-a-Bug - just to name a few. Other activities include games and music by Radio Disney, storytelling, outdoor demonstrations, the Southlake Fire Department and the first annual Coyote Howling Contest. Free caramel apples, popcorn and cider will be available while supplies last. Additional food and drinks will be available for purchase. Free parking with shuttle service or walking paths will be available from the Equestrian Center at Bob Jones Park. Handicap Parking is available on a first-come basis at the Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve.

Educational event hosted by the DFW Herpetological Society, featuring speakers and more than 100 species of reptiles and amphibians. Admission $7-$10.

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.

Annual events features a colorful parade with children and pets in butterfly costumes. Registration for parade begins at 8:45 a.m. Live monarch butterfly releases will be held near the Grapevine Cotton Belt Depot. Enjoy butterfly exhibits, entertainment and interactive butterfly arts and crafts. See website for complete schedule.

Social Impact. Dallas. Engagement. Civic-Mindedness.
These are all words that evoke the energy and excitement around this year's bigBang! event, a forum hosted by Dallas Social Venture Partners. We will be convening the thinkers and doers of our city for a day-long opportunity to catalyze positive impact.

This year, bigBang! will be a place to jump in and get hands on. With experiences at every turn to learn about forward-thinking socially conscious businesses and nonprofit organizations, we invite you to be completely immersed in the day.
General Admission with access to all events is $225.
A micro-sponsorship of $1,000 provides two tickets and four Fellowships to be granted by purchaser or given back to bigBang! to be distributed as scholarships.

Over the past 11 years, this community and family oriented Green Living Fair has grown to be the largest “green show” in the South. It occurs at the end of September, every year, in historic Fredericksburg, Texas. You can see the latest in eco-friendly technologies. Learn how to save and create your own energy. Attend informative talks by the experts. Visit with our vendors to see contemporary green living and sustainability practices. Come test drive the next generation in personal transportation. It’s fun, environmentally friendly, and a great place to learn how you can make a difference!

The Third Annual Texas State Veggie Fair will take place near downtown Dallas. Thousands from across the Metroxplex and beyond will gather to celebrate the benefits of a vegan lifestyle with entertainment, food and guest speakers.

Event is sponsored by the Dallas Alternative Energy Group. Learn to be self-sufficient, resourceful, whether you live in an apartment or farm. Come meet our exhibitors who can teach you about canning, organic gardens, water purification solar electricity, rainwater collection, native plants in the landscape, chicken coop design. In addition, North Haven Gardens will have a speaker at 10:30 a.m. Free admission.

Local homesteading and sustainability exhibitors/demonstrations/speakers/farmers bring their knowledge to share and wares to sell. From renewable energy to green building to permaculture to intentional communities to farm produce to canning to oat rolling and more, learn what you need to live more sustainably. Admission is free.

Held Oct. 5-7 from 5 p.m. to 9 .m. This family-friendly fall festival features storytelling, karaoke, pumpkin patch, animal encounters, bounce houses and a variety of children's games, crafts and activities. All proceeds benefit the environmental education programs of River Legacy Living Science Center. Concessions and some activities have additional costs. Admission is $7. To find out more, call 817-860-6752.