Tierra Verde in Arlington is the first golf course in Texas and the first municipal course in the world to be certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary. Courtesy of Tierra Verde Golf Club.

June 8, 2023

We often speak of Mother Earth but what about Papa Planet?

As we approach the special day honoring all of our dads, let's focus on a "green" Father's Day, by celebrating with environmentally friendly gifts and activities that promote a sustainable lifestyle. Following are 14 ideas that will please your patres familias and the planet in an eco-conscious way.

FAIRWAY FRIENDS

Spend a day on the links with Dad at Tierra Verde Golf Club in Arlington where he can shoot a birdie (one under par) and enjoy some live birdies as well. 

Barred owl at Tierra Verde Golf Club in ArlingtonTierra Verde is the first golf course in Texas and the first municipal course in the world to be certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary

From its inception, the club was designed for the birds, in cooperation with Audubon International. Course architects worked closely with Audubon and Arlington city officials to create a true bird paradise at Tierra Verde, preserving native areas such as a riparian creek corridor and plum thicket. They also built a special filtering system so that runoff water is pure and clean for the birds to drink. 

Though 260 acres in total, only 100 acres is used for golfers and the rest is left wild to give both native and migrating avian visitors a place of safety and respite. 

The Ventana Grille at Tierra Verde also hosts a brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. but be sure to make reservations as slots fill up quickly. Tierra Verde Golf Club, 7005 Golf Club Dr., Arlington, TX 76001. 817-548-5047. 

LIVE BIRD SHOW

The Krick View Window Tray Bird Feeder can be found on Wayfair.com.The Krick View Window Tray Bird Feeder fits into most windows. Courtesy of Wayfair.

If Dad isn’t a golfer but he does love birds, he’ll enjoy watching his feathered friends close up with the Krick View Window Tray Bird Feeder. At 27 inches to 36 inches wide, the feeder fits into most windows and brings the birds right into the house! 

Simply add seed through a small hatch on the top of the feeder and watch the birds enjoy their treats through the tough polycarbonate window. The attractive colonial design is easy to install with just a few simple tools and is made to last for years. 

$183.99 at Wayfair.com.

WILD PUZZLES

Madd Capp bird puzzles. Courtesy of Wild Birds Unlimited.Wildbirds Unlimited carries puzzles in a variety of bird themes and some mammals, like tigers and bison. Courtesy of Wild Birds Unlimited.

And speaking of birds, the team at Wildbirds Unlimited on Lovers Lane in Dallas, led by David Hurt, tells us that their Madd Capp bird puzzles are literally flying off of the shelves. 

These unique designs are actually the shape of popular avian varieties as cardinals, bluebirds, bluejays, hummingbirds, owls and woodpeckers. 

At 300 pieces, each design is intricate enough to pique Dad’s puzzle-making skills, yet not so difficult that he will pull out his last few hairs in the process. Perfect for a fun evening with the grandkids. 

The 300-piece avian puzzles are only $24.99. Plus Wild Birds Unlimited stocks a few 550-piece mammals such as bison and tigers for $29.99. Each is supplied in a colorful box that includes a fold-out mini poster of the same design, with a flip-side that is loaded with fun facts about the puzzle subject. 

Wild Birds Unlimited, 5715 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, 75209. WBU has more locations in Dallas, Keller, Arlington, Burleson, Flower Mound, Frisco and McKinney. Call ahead to check availability.

ONLINE LEARNING

Our family has enjoyed dozens of nature programs on Curiosity Stream, the online platform for all things documentary, but we’re just about to upgrade. 

Right now, Curiosity Stream has a super bundle deal for dads who are jazzed up with learning. Pay just $52.49 (Reg. $69.99) for an entire year of six different streaming services plus Curiosity Stream itself, all loaded with knowledge. 

With the bundle deal, Dad will get Tastemade+, featuring award-winning food, travel and home and design series and documentaries; SOMM TV, dedicated to the worlds of wine, food, travel, and hospitality; Topic, exclusive, critically acclaimed and award-winning crime, thrillers, drama and noir from around the world; One Day University, the most noteworthy and popular classes from the best university professors; and Nebula, the number one creator-owned streaming platform featuring exclusive and original videos from YouTube’s top “education-y” creators.

Oh and we almost forgot, the bundle also includes DaVinci Kids, which Dad and the grandkids can enjoy together.

Sign up for the Curiosity super bundle. $52.49 (Reg. $69.99.)

GET WILD

Wild Nights OutHere’s a fun book Dad can enjoy with the kids, a tip from Kim Young, proprietor of the Dallas-based online shop Pretty Things and Cool Stuff.

Wild Nights Out by Chris Salisbury is a go-to guide for exploring nature at night, on walks, campouts or even the backyard.

Wild Nights Out includes: 25 fun and informative games and activities; practical information on how to conduct night walks safely; animal facts and stargazing stories

Featuring beautiful black-and-white illustrations throughout, the book sells for $19.95 on Pretty Things and Cool Stuff.

Wild DFW Get Out and Go BundleYou can also preorder Amy Martin's upcoming book Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature Around Dallas-Fort Worth due out July. Martin, a reporter for Green Source DFW since 2014, has explored and written about the North Texas nature scene for decades. Her 370-page guide book includes more than 350 color photos by area naturalists, more than 40 detailed maps by Martin’s husband, Scooter Smith and 25 hiking adventures.

Young is offering the book in two bundles, which include a signed copy of Martin’s book and a cheery Wild DFW sticker for $26. The Get Out and Go bundle includes a 16-ounce Chicago Steel Insulated Water/Tea Infuser Bottle by Grosche to make a stunning gift box for your favorite greenie for $50. Net proceeds from sales on Pretty Things and Cool Stuff support Green Source DFW. Read more here.

HOT PAN

Make Dad proud with a Lodge Road Trip Texas Skillet from Sur la table. 

This genuine cast iron skillet is made in the good ole USA and will literally last several lifetimes.

Part of the Lodge Roadtrip Series, the back of the pan features fun things to see and do in the Lone Star State, such as the Alamo, NASA, the Astrodome and much more. 

Pre-seasoned at the foundry and ready to start cookin’ straight out of the box, this beautiful pan will surely hang in a place of honor in Dad’s kitchen. 

Ideal for the stovetop, oven, barbecue grill or campfire, this is one unique gift that ain’t jest a pretty face! On sale now for $34.99, a whole ten dollars off! Yahoo! 

Visit Surlatable.com to get this deal. 

SUSTAINABLE SUITCASE

Is Dad a travelin’ man? Help him go in style with the Solgaard Carry-On Closet, a sustainable suitcase made in part from repurposed plastic. 

Each case produced cleans up six pounds of ocean-bound plastic.

Plus Dad will love the convenience of a case that is made to help keep everything that he needs within easy reach. Its patented six-shelf shelving system helps organize clothes and travel necessities.

MOMA created a color version of the Solgaard Carry-On Closet. Courtesy of MOMA.

The indestructible polycarbonate shell is tough as nails and the integrated USB charging port and combination lock are super convenient. Whisper-quiet wheels roll 360 degrees for easy movement around any airport. 

Offered in six colors and two sizes, plus a larger check-in size if Dad needs more capacity. The Museum of Modern Art has even partnered with Solgaard with a bright blue and yellow version of the Carry-On Closet if your padre prefers wild colors. It sure won’t get mixed up in baggage claim!

VEGGIE CHIPS

Confetti makes delicious upcycled snacks from ugly veggies to reduce food waste. Courtesy of Confetti.

World traveler, Betty Lu, was frustrated in her search for healthy, great-tasting, lightweight snacks to fuel her backpacking. She found the answer in “imperfect produce” that is often considered unsellable due to irregular shape, size or other visual anomalies. 

According to Lu, “A shocking 40 percent of fruits and vegetables end up in landfills each year.”

Confetti now makes delicious upcycled snacks from ugly veggies to reduce food waste, and uses colorful plants to feed the hungriest people in the world using a Robin Hood approach. A portion of nutrient dense snacks are also distributed in the poorest parts of the world.

Confetti Snacks are minimally processed and never deep-fried, unlike other veggie chips, and extruded “puff” style snacks. Confetti Snacks are infused with authentic spices and flavors inspired by Lu’s native Singapore and international adventures. 

Veggie chip flavors include Green Curry, Tandoori Curry, Teriyaki BBQ and Summer Truffle. Mushroom chip flavors include Green Curry, Tandoori Curry and Black Truffle. Find them at Central Market stores around DFW.

SUPER HYDRATION

Is your dad like many of us who forget to stay hydrated? Adequate hydration is crucial to good health but not everyone likes drinking plain water. 

To the rescue comes RDCL Radical Elements Superfood Blends, “water upgrades” both in terms of taste and nutritional value.

These powdered drink boosters taste yummy and contain a blend of antioxidant superfruits, hydrating coconut water, vitamins, minerals and botanicals.

Dad will enjoy Passion Fruit for a perfect morning pick-me-up that boosts focus, productivity and energy. Dragon Fruit Superberry has stress relieving and calming benefits and also offers immunity support. He won’t even realize that he’s boosting his H2O at the same time. Bonus – both flavors are vegan and each serving contains only 10 calories.

About 50 bucks for 60 servings and that includes shipping from RDCLSuperfoods.com.

GOING TO THE DOGS

Wine that supports Man’s Best Friend? Rascal Wines were created for dog lovers by a fellow dog lover, winemaker Julia Catrall, whose own rescue pup, Rosie, helps her supervise the vineyards every day. Alongside the delicious taste of each vintage, these wines have a serious purpose: ending animal homelessness. 

The Humane Society of America logo appears on each bottle and the winery has donated more than $100,000 to support animal shelters around the country.

Rascal Wines hail from Oregon and are sustainably harvested in the Willamette and Umpqua Valleys – plus they are a proud recipient of the Clean Label Project Purity Award. 

As easy on the wallet ($10 to $15 per bottle) as they are on the palate. Choose from Pinot Noir, Rose and Chardonnay – and Dad can enjoy character and complexity in every sip. 

Order all three varieties online for just $39.99 with free shipping straight to Dad’s house! You can also often find them at wine stores in our area. RascalWine.com.

FLASHY FLOSSER

Keep Dad smiling with a GuruNanda Rechargeable Portable Water Flosser with an advanced water stream flossing system that promotes healthier teeth and gums in just two minutes a day.

With 1400-1800 times/minute of high pressure water pulse, it blasts away plaque and food particles in between the teeth. Aids in bad breath while helping reduce gingivitis and is perfect for use even if Dad has a bridge or other dental appliance.

Comes with a detachable water tank, that allows you to add mouthwash or even hydrogen peroxide to the water flow. Ideal for home or travel. The 2000 mAh battery charges in 4 hours and can last up to 21 days. $39.99. GuruNanda.com.

BRIGHT IDEA

Light up Dad’s life and his work area with the Tresda 100W Rechargeable LED Work Light.

Cordless and super portable – this is the perfect flood for the garage, workshop, construction, backyard, travel/roadside, boating, camping or even outdoor entertaining. The powerful 7000 lumen flood reaches an area the size of a tennis court, yet stays cool to the touch so anyone can easily carry it around.

Dad can switch effortlessly between the multiple lighting modes: strong light, high beam, full white light, medium beam, low beam warning flash SOS (red and blue). Lasts 3 hours for strong light, eight hours for medium beam and up to 48 hours in SOS flashing mode. Can also charge Dad’s mobile phone when needed. Waterproof too! $53.99.

DAD, SWEET, DAD

Check out Reverie Bakeshop's full Father's Day menu. Order by June 14. Courtesy of Reverie.

Grab some eco-conscious goodies for Dad from the all vegan bakeshop Reverie Bakeshop in Richardson. The local venue also sells gluten-free baked goods.

The Dad Cookie Pack includes three gluten-free sugar cookies that spell DAD with six chocolate covered strawberries for $28.

The Brownie Pack includes two s'mores brownies, two peanut butter brownies and two german chocolate brownies for $30. 

The Father’s Day Cookie Cake can be personalized with an edible image of Dad for $35. 

Order Father’s Day treats by June 14. ReverieBakeshop.com.

RELATED ARTICLES

Remember Mother Earth this Mother's Day

10 green ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day


Stay up to date on everything green in North Texas, including the latest news and events! Sign up for the weekly Green Source DFW Newsletter! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Also check out our new podcast The Texas Green Report, available on your favorite podcast app.

Main category: