Jan. 5, 2015 

By Rita Cook

Earth Day Texas has grown every year since the event debuted in 2011. Last year, the free environmental expo, formerly known as Earth Day Dallas, was renamed and marketed as the largest green celebration in the state. 

Once again organizers will try to top themselves, with the fifth annual event growing from a two-day to a three-day festival April 24-26. The expanded fest will also be overseen by a new leader, who comes with experience in the environmental arena: Ken Klaveness, past executive director at Trinity Waters, a landowner conservation organization.  

Klaveness is taking the place of Michael Cain, who recently left the organization to pursue his passion in the film industry.

“[Cain] played a significant role in the success of EDTx 2014, and the EDTx team wishes him well in his new endeavors,” said Klaveness, the organization’s new chief operating officer.

Klaveness said he’s excited about his new role and the continued growth that EDTx is experiencing. 

“Every year, more exhibits and education initiatives are present and more attendees come,” he says. “EDTx, now in its fifth year, has brought together more than 200,000 people over the past four years.”  

Originally from Houston, Klaveness’ professional career spans many years in banking and commercial real estate and he has been involved as a volunteer in support of conservation efforts in many organizations in the area, particularly the Trinity River Audubon Center, The Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land.

While at Trinity Waters, Klaveness was dedicated to the organization’s mission to improving both the quality and quantity of the Trinity River’s water supply and environmental well-being in areas associated with the Trinity River Basin. 

As for why he’s a good fit for Earth Day Texas, it’s his robust experience and expertise in water conservation, which is particularly meaningful in Texas these days, said Trammell S. Crow, founder of Earth Day Texas.

"Who would ever have thought that a seasoned real estate financier in Dallas, Texas, would embrace our Texan brand of environmentalism and take the helm of Earth Day Texas, the world’s largest public exhibitor of environmentalism? said Crow. "There’s a sea change out there.”

Klaveness said he hopes to further EDTx’s mission of inspiring everyone to become more environmentally conscious in their daily lives – adopting an “Earth Day, every day” mentality.

Klaveness is also serving on, or has served on, numerous boards that include Baylor Specialty Health Centers, Children’s Cancer Fund of Dallas and Children’s Medical Center Dallas. He received a BA from Southwestern University (Georgetown, Texas) and his MBA from Southern Methodist University, but he was an environmental advocate for years before obtaining his degrees. In fact, his appreciation for the environment really began during his “formative years” when he says he participated in scouting. 

“It greatly contributed to my love of nature, outdoor activities and best practices conservation of all natural resources,” he says.

As for his vision for Earth Day Texas, Klaveness says plans are currently underway for EDTx 2015 and they will soon share programming and entertainment elements. Last year, the event featured more than 800 booths and 57,000 visitors.

“It’s a great honor to join an organization that has dedicated itself to educating and empowering citizens to become better environmental stewards,” Klaveness said. “With much enthusiasm, I look forward to our 2015 annual event and all the educational opportunities it will bring attendees.”

Rita Cook is an Arlington-based award-winning journalist who writes or has written for the Dallas Morning News, Focus Daily News, Waxahachie Daily Light, Dreamscapes Travel Magazine, Porthole, Core Media, Fort Worth Star Telegram and many other publications in Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago. With five books published, her latest release is “A Brief History of Fort Worth” published by History Press. Contact her at rcook13@earthlink.net.

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