Jack Tidwell, manager of the Environment & Development Department at the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), will speak about Vision North Texas, which is an award-winning partnership of private, public, and academic organizations. 

Two nationally respected conservationists will examine the impact of nighttime artificial lighting on physical, mental and spiritual health at a workshop and lecture. 

Cindy Luongo Cassidy will lead the 5-6:45 pm lighting assessment workshop, featuring a walk-around critique of installed lighting on the UTA campus. Following the Planetarium show "The November Night Sky," she and Paul Bogard will present a lecture and Q&A. 

Free but seating is limited. Register online to receive parking pass and directions.

The presenter will be Fran Witte, Sr. Community Outreach Coordinator, city of Irving, specializing in environmental education and program development.

Ms. Witte is the Secretary for Women in the Environment and is a member of the North Texas Corporate Recycling Association (NTCRA), the Metroplex Recycling Coordinators Roundtable, North American Association for Environmental Education, National Community Gardening Association, TOFGA (Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association) and the NTREG Yahoo Group. Ms. Witte is also member of the Irving's Greater Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Green Business Council and serves as a city of Irving Radiological ("RAD") team member.

Three-day green conference featuring more than 250 speakers, as well as exhibitions, workshops, meetups, film screenings and panel discussions.  DFW environmentalists Amy King, Anna Clark, Charlotte Vick, Mark McWilliams and Mark Hallwill will present a panel discussion on Ocean Conservation through Social Innovation on Oct. 7. $375.

Meghna Tare, the director of the UTA Office of Sustainability, will speak about ways UTA is striving to become a leader in campus sustainability through greening facility operations, championing innovative research, encouraging student projects, promoting an environmentally and sustainability focused curriculum and sponsoring public service. Free.

This program covers design, construction, maintenance and benefits of a rainwater collection system.  Participants will learn how to calculate rainwater capture, design an above or below ground collection system and utilize rainwater using large tank systems for home or business applications. This program will also cover installing drip irrigation. $25.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center  in Dallas has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, WaterSense Program to host a symposium for builders, municipalities, utilities, city council, city code enforcement, city planners and landscape architects. This symposium will increase awareness of EPA’s WaterSense Labeled New Home Program, and other voluntary partnership programs, to promote building water efficient homes in our communities that are in harmony with other green home energy saving efforts. Info: Karen Sanders, karen.sanders@tamu.edu or 972-952-9671. Free.

Bring your favorite chocolate, munchies or a bottle of wine to share with fellow WE members and friends. The group will also hold its annual election of officers and board members. RSVP.

Join UNT Sustainability and its event partners, Schneider Electric & HKS Architects, at DFW's premier networking event for sustainability professionals. Meet individuals from the public and private sectors and start conversations that build long-lasting partnerships. Ticket price includes refreshments and one free drink of your choice. $15.

Tour more than 30 local homes that feature solar power and other energy efficient features. Stops in Azle, Carrolton, Cedar HiIl, Dallas, Duncanville, Fairview, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, Grand Prairie, Irving, Lucas, Murphy, Oak Leaf, Plano, Rowlett and Weatherford. Held in conjunction with the National Solar Home Tour. 

The event is free. It's a self-guided tour. Just look up the locations on the website and plan your stops. Hours are 10am-4pm but check individual home hours. http://www.dfwsolartour.org/locations.html

READ MORE: 

http://greensourcedfw.org/articles/solar-powered-homes-wanted-dfw-solar-...

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/09/18/5173684/north-texans-learning-to...