Family Nature Club - DFW: April 2011

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Dallas Zoo - Saturday, May 7th. JOIN US!

Our Family Nature Club is going to the Dallas Zoo!

Our Club outings are designed for everyone - structured, unstructured and for those somewhere in between.

Here's the plan (modify to suit your family's needs):

Those who would like to meet and explore the Zoo together, lets meet at the Carousel @ 10:00 a.m.

If you would like to explore on your own or would like to just pop in to say hello and/or pick up the "Family Nature Club Zoo activity" you'll find us at the Carousel.

Lunch at 11:30 a.m. at the Zoofari Food Court .

2011 SEASONAL ADMISSION PRICES

March-April-May 2011

$15.00 Adults (age 12-64)
$12.00 Children (age 3-11)
$12.00 Seniors (age 65 up)
FREE Children (age 2 and under)
FREE Members of the Dallas Zoological Society

Parking - $7/car

*Hey, Dallas area folks remember that the Dart Rain Line makes a stop at the Dallas Zoo.
Save $7.00 on parking by riding the DART.
http://www.dart.org/riding/stations/dallaszoostation.asp

ZOO HOURS OF OPERATION

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

Reminder:

Sunscreen, Water Bottle & Hat

Send us an email if you have questions.

Hope to see YOU at the ZOO!

Friday, April 22, 2011

25 Awesome things to do on Earth Day

Earth Day is no longer just about planting trees and cleaning up rivers, although these activities are always awesome. Companies across the country have realized the importance of engaging in sustainable practices and are offering a wealth of opportunities today.

These are just a few of the things you can do to celebrate Earth Day:

1. Pledge to be a Sierra Club Eco-Hero and you could win a trip to the Caribbean

2. Bring your own mug to Starbucks and receive a free coffee

3. Free entrance into any National Park today

4. Drop off your flip-flops at Old Navy to recycle them into playgrounds

5. Get a free tree at Lowes (on 4/23)

6. Get ready for Easter by making egg dyes from fruits and vegetables

7. Choose an organic wine to go with dinner (21 and over)

8. Try using baking soda for everything from dish cleaner to deodorant

9. Bring in an empty cosmetic container and get a free Origins face wash

10. Win a year’s supply of tea by telling the ArtofTea how you’re improving the world

11. Instead of hitting up the gym, run or cycle outside

12. Whole Foods is giving away free items–check your local store for availability

13. Download the free Locavore iPhone app (normally $2.99)

14. Home Depot is offering free earth day workshops (4/23)

15. Go meatless for a day, Martha Stewart has over 25 great recipes

16. Help an earth-friendly non-profit win $50,000 simply by voting

17. Pick fruit off trees in your own neighborhood by using maps from Fallen Fruit

18. Partake in guerrilla gardening using only the change in your pocket

19. Share books or swap using Paperback Swap

20. The ultimate diet: try to be completely plastic free for one day

21. Keep items out of the landfill by donating and collecting through Freecycle

22. Compete in a Pepsi challenge to help change your community

23. Get rid of junk mail

24. Bring something green into your home (Urbio has awesome designs)

25. Plan an outdoor activity like stargazing, birdwatching or hiking

Courtesy: Linsey Hoshaw

Monday, April 18, 2011

DFW Earth Day Celebrations 2011

April 22, 2011 is Earth Day. Learn new ways to reduce your carbon footprint. There's more to "going green" than just switching out light bulbs and recycling--but that's a great start!

1. Earth Day Dallas
When: April 22-23, 2011 (10 AM - 5 PM)
Where: Downtown Dallas Arts District
What: Be engaged. Be entertained. Be inspired. Be green. Earth Day Dallas seeks to plant environmental seeds that will flourish throughout our world.
Celebrate Earth Day 2011 by joining the Earth Day Dallas festival featuring two days of exhibits, a speaker series, short films, music, entertainment, food and fun for everyone. It’s an exciting time for North Texans to come together to discover how we can all make a positive impact on our community and grow a greener Dallas together.

2. EarthCare Patio Party & Fair at Central 214
What: Join the “green” scene at this casual patio event benefiting Trust for Public Land and The Nature Conservancy. Enjoy a variety of sustainable wines and Central 214 bites, a Recycled Art Exhibition by Southern Methodist University Meadows’ artist Alisha Driggers (also to be displayed during Kimpton EarthCare Week at hotel Lumen). Suggested $20 charity donation at the door.
RSVP to: Allison.gray@hotelpalomar.com
When: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from 5:30 p.m.– 7:30 p.m.
Where: Central 214 at Hotel Palomar Dallas, Courtyard Patio, 5680 North Central Expwy. at Mockingbird Lane Dallas, TX 75206. 214-443-9339

3. Biodegradable Easter Grass
Find out more about earth-friendly Easter grass.

4. Earth Day at Calloway's Nursery
Attend a free Earth Day Organics clinic at 10:15 a.m. on Earth Day, April 22, 2011. Learn sustainable and earth-friendly gardening techniques. Share your organic tips too. The Earth Day event is free and available at all Calloway's locations in DFW.

5. Ways to Conserve Energy
DFW experienced rolling power outages in February 2011. Here are some simple ways to save energy.

Earth Week 2011 Ideas

What can you do this Earth Week 2011? There are many green ideas for Earth Week 2011.

Earth Day T Shirts Spread the green message with Earth Day 2011 Shirts
Precycle Purchase items with less packaging in order to have less waste when your done with the product
Hybrid Light Bulbs Use hybrid light bulbs in your home and office
Upcycle Convert waste materials into new things that are functional or beautiful, or both.
Sustainable Reading Plant a new tree for every book you read
Earth Day Wine Celebrate Earth Day 2011 with a glass of Earth Day wine
Turn off the lights Turn off all electricity for one hour. Light a candle and spend quality time with family and friends
Earth Day Movie Take the kids to see Disneynature’s African Cats Movie at a theater near you
Paperless Technology Invest in a kids ereader or kids tablet
Famous Environmentalists Learn about famous environmentalists such as Margaret Mead, John Muir, Jane Goodall, David Suzuki and Gaylord Nelson.
Pick up the garbage Spend some a couple hours picking up litter at your local river
Walk, ride or bike Skip the car! Walk, bike, or take the bus to work
Skip the Steak Give up meat for one day
Green Week Activities Teach children the value of the our planet earth. They are our future.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Spring Outdoor Fun!

Go on a Spring Nature Scavenger hunt.

Grow your own eggheads.

Create an outdoor sculpture with items from nature.

Take off your shoes and go on a sole walk.

Or check out one of these 32 ideas for spring backyard nature fun.

And if you live near Arlington, visit the City of Arlington's Parks and Recreation's Calendar of Events. Upcoming events include night swims at Hugh Smith pool, a family fishing adventure, and the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at Hurricane Harbor.

Know of any other cool things happening this Spring? Send us a comment!

Happy exploring!