Talking Trash in Plano
Operating a trash or recycling truck is fun and challenging for most, but collections drivers in Plano make it look easy. At Talking Trash & Recycling, try working a recycling truck and get an exciting behind-the-scenes glimpse at Environmental Waste Services operations. Read more
Residents Discover Surprises Behind Cabbage Leaf
Gardening is good for the mind, body and soul. Gardens hold mysterious, wonderful surprises for gardeners of all ages - a sense of wonder, the feeling of accomplishment, a classroom ripe with discovery, and simply a moment in time to take a deep breath and appreciate living in the present. Explore your own garden for surprising experience and discover the thrill of eating organic, fresh, ripe produce sourced just a few steps from the dining table. Read more
"Green Needs YOU!" Enlist in the LGIP Volunteers Today
Join a corps of 250 dedicated Live Green in Plano (LGIP) volunteers who make Plano cleaner and greener. Beginning Monday, Jan. 23, LGIP Volunteer Training classes are from 7 to 9 p.m. on six consecutive Monday nights. The final class is Monday, Feb. 27, and just in time to get involved in the Learn 2 Live Green (L2LG) event on Saturday, April 14 at The Shops at Legacy.
All training classes are held at the Environmental Education Center located at 4116 W. Plano Parkway at Commerce Drive. Space is limited, but classes are FREE! Act soon, enlist to serve your planet at livegreeninplano.obsres.com.
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Kids Eat Vegetables, Parents Amazed
Children who grow vegetables are more apt to eat vegetables. Take your family on an urban farming adventure in your own backyard. Begin your trip with tips from the experts at Organic Gardening: Healthy Soil, Healthy Food, a class held as part of the Learn Green 2 Live Green Speaker Series. Read more
JULY
Plano Wins Governor’s Community Achievement Award
Keep Texas Beautiful announced the City of Plano as a winner of the 2011 Governor’s Community Achievement Award (GCAA) for outstanding community improvement. The honor recognizes Plano with one of the most celebrated annual environmental and community improvement awards in Texas and includes a $310,000 prize. Read more
In the End, There's Compost
End uses for municipal greenwaste are growing
By Sue Eisenfeld
At the same time, in what was once an unrelated matter, the Lone Star State generates about 4 million tons of yardwaste per year that once filled up landfills.
To bring these concerns together, TxDOT worked with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Transportation Institute, and the compost industry to develop a specification for compost, back in 1995. This convergence created a market for yardwaste throughout the state, gave TxDOT the materials it needs, and made the state a national leader in compost marketing and end use. Read more
JUNE
Living Green, Leading Green – Award Nomination Deadline Approaches
The Environmental Star of Excellence awards recognize achievements throughout the community in environmental initiatives and honor the people and community partners making a difference.
Environmental Star of Excellence nomination packets are available on-line at livegreeninplano.com. An application form must be included with each nomination and must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1 by a third-person nominator or by self-nomination. Read more
Explore and Learn: Early Childhood Summer Environmental Programs
Environmental classes and field trips are offered for early childhood programs throughout the summer. Fun, interactive field trips are scheduled for five weeks this summer and allow children to explore natural resources while learning about air quality, solar power, water quality, litter and animal habitats.
The Early Childhood Summer Environmental Programs are for children ages three through five years-old. Schools register their students online at livegreeninplano.obsres.com. Early registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited. Read more
MAY
Making a Reel Difference: “Play Again” Screening
Join us for the May screening of “Play Again” at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 9. Studio Movie Grill in Plano, in partnership with the City of Plano’s Live Green in Plano educational programs and services, shows a different family-friendly film each month during the Green Screen Film Series. Read more
MARCH
Save the Date for 2011 Live Green Expo: Saturday, April 16th
Mark your calendars for the Live Green Expo on April 16, presented by the City of Plano. The Live Green Expo is a fun, family event that will help North Texans make informed decisions and take action to lead more healthy lives with less impact on our environment. Free to the public, the Expo will feature exhibitors offering a wide selection of products, services and information. Read more
Wasting Water? It’s Fix a Leak Week!
As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ongoing We’re for Water campaign, this year’s Fix a Leak Week encourages Americans to help put a stop to the more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted from household leaks each year.
Sponsored by EPA’s WaterSense® program, Fix a Leak Week is March 14 through 20. In support of We’re for Water, the City of Plano is promoting finding and fixing residential leaks. Read more
Green Screen Film Series Presents: What's On Your Plate?
Join us for the March screening of “What’s On Your Plate?” at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 14. Studio Movie Grill in Plano, in partnership with the City of Plano’s Live Green in Plano educational programs and services, shows a different family-friendly film each month during the Green Screen Film Series. Read more
FEBRUARY
Everything’s Bigger in Texas, But Your Water Bill Doesn’t Have To Be… Save water, money, and the environment with a Texas SmartScape®
Summertime is fast approaching and with that come the expensive water bills! More than half the typical household’s outdoor water use goes to watering the lawn and garden. Converting to a water-efficient landscape through proper choice of plants and careful design can reduce this use by 20 to 50 percent. That translates to cheaper water bills and more money in the bank. Read more
JANUARY
Green Screen Film Series Presents: A Sea Change
Another exciting film is scheduled for the Plano Green Screen Film Series. Join us for the screening at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14 at Studio Movie Grill in Plano. Purchase tickets at the Studio Movie Grill box office in Plano located at 4721 W. Park Boulevard at Preston Road. Read more
Water Freeze Alert
Every winter when temperatures decline, water left to run overnight from sprinkler systems can freeze on sidewalks and roadways, causing dangerous icing conditions that threaten public safety. The City of Plano prohibits the icing of streets and sidewalks; each occurrence is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 per day! Read more
North Texas Municipal Water District Schedules a 30 Day Free Chlorine Maintenance of Its Transmission System and Customers’ Distribution Systems
The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) has scheduled a free chlorine maintenance that will be conducted on the NTMWD Wylie water transmission system and customers’ distribution systems for a 28 day period from January 6, 2011, to February 3, 2011. Read more