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Things to Do in Dallas

Why Earth Day Texas Is One of Dallas’ Most Important Events

The free environmental festival is this weekend at Fair Park.
By Bethany Radcliff |
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As much as we hate to admit it, climate change is a real, ever-looming problem. The issue’s enormity can make it somewhat difficult to feel like you are making a difference. Earth Day Texas, one of the world’s largest Earth Day forums, is back again, so you can at least feel like you’re giving back to the environment for a weekend. Even though we may not live in the greenest city there is, Dallas has made some progress when it comes to protecting the planet, and Earth Day Texas is evidence of this.

The EDTx schedule is full this year with hundreds of events to suit your aspiring eco-friendly self. The crux of the weekend is the exhibition, which will feature over 1,500 non-profit organizations, businesses, and government entities, all concerned with the environment. There will also be interactive events, speakers, workshops, food and drinks, music, and more.

Besides the good cause and vast amount of events you can attend, here are a few other reasons you should come out to Earth Day Texas, which runs from Friday through Sunday at Fair Park. (Admission is free.)

The speakers are impressive (and many seem to have presidential ties)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental activist and JFK’s newphew, is a keynote speaker. Kennedy has spent much of his time working on the conservation and restoration of New York’s Hudson River and its tributaries.

Following in her father’s reduced carbon footprints, Karenna Gore, daughter of former Vice President Al Gore, is an environmental activist who directs the Center for Earth Ethics at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Last year at Earth Day Texas, Gore spoke of the importance of being connected to nature.

Theodore Roosevelt IV, a great-grandson of the Teddy Roosevelt, will also speak. Roosevelt is a managing director at Barclay’s, but he gets his eco fix as the chairman of the firm’s Clean Tech Initiative.

You can attend some truly unique interactive events, all in the name of saving the earth

Earth Day Texas wants you to literally get in touch with nature…by milking a cow. The Southwest Dairy Farmers will be at Fair Park with some four-legged friends that you can milk. Though it may not be practical to actually own and milk your own cow, in the name of sustainability, you can give it a try.

Also notable—there will be a “Petition Pavilion” set up all weekend, where you are encouraged to sign your name to environmental causes you support. For the bookish and eco-conscious, there will also be a “Green Library”, featuring titles relating to sustainability and conservation.

Though we are not quite sure how this is related to sustaining our environment, the schedule boasts an event called “Facial Yoga.” Apparently, your face can do yoga too, and it is supposedly a natural anti-wrinkle remedy and preventer of headaches.

You can join the tiny house craze

Tiny houses are all the rage. These micro homes have reached huge popularity for their portability, and also for their eco-friendly attributes. This year, Earth Day Texas will feature a “Tiny House Village,” and an accompanying talk on the “Tiny House Movement.” Come browse these mini-mansions, and see if the tiny house lifestyle is right for you.

You can learn about local environmental issues and growth

Fracking is probably one of the most relevant and pressing environmental concerns in North Texas. With concerns about water well contamination and the surge of earthquakes in North Texas, many people will point the finger at fracking. Be part of the discussion at the EDTx panel “Fracking, Earthquakes, and Local Rights.” Panelists will include local activist, author, and University of North Texas professor Adam Briggle, and Azle mayor Alan Brundrett, among others.

Also, the “Rebirth of Local Agriculture” panel discussion is set to discuss North Texas’ “agricultural renaissance.” Experts will discuss the innovations and changes concerning agriculture in our community, and how locally grown food is on the rise.

You can sustainably snack and sip

For the first time this year, EDTx will feature a sort-of food and drink festival, featuring establishments with sustainable mindsets. Ben and Jerry’s ‘Texas Churned Tour” will kick off at EDTx, showcasing new Texas-styled flavors for your tasting pleasure. The weekend will also include Savor Dallas Sustainable Food Market, featuring restaurants across Dallas that use sustainable, farm-to-table practices. A few of the greener Dallas restaurants set to be included are Lyfe Kitchen, Unleavened Fresh Kitchen, 3015 Trinity Groves, and The Common Table. To round out your palate, grab a drink at Untapped Sustainable Beer Garden, which will feature breweries from around the country that brew using sustainable and water conscious processes. Featured breweries include Franconia, Harpoon, and SanTan, to name a few.

You can celebrate the environment with local music

Support the environment and listen to music. One of the headliners is country music singer, activist, and occasional political candidate Kinky Friedman. The weekend also boasts a lineup of local artists including Mountain Natives, Telegraph Canyon, The O’s, Matthew McNeal, and more.

Earth Day Texas will take place April 22-24 from 10am-6pm at Fair Park. For more information, check out the event’s site here and the full schedule of events here.

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