Six of the hottest environmental topics will be covered in the new Green 101 classes being offered by Garland’s Environmental Waste Services, Storm Water and Water Utilities departments and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Registration is available through the Garland Parks Department’s PLAY website at http://play.garlandparks.com and will be open until the classes are full. Each class size is limited to 50 participants and the cost is $10 per person, per class. Anyone attending all six classes will be entered in a drawing for one of three valuable “green” prizes. Information regarding class instructors is on the PLAY website.
Green 101 Topics and Schedule:
Water Smarts - Rain harvesting and efficient irrigation
Thursday, Feb. 4 - 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Bradfield Recreation Center, 1146 Castle
Efficient water use is extremely important in Texas. Learning how to harvest rainwater for landscape irrigation use can save you money, reduce the demand on our municipal water supply, and reduce run-off and contamination of surface water. Combine that with efficient irrigation methods like drip irrigation or rotator sprinkler heads, and you’ll be a watering genius!
Composting 101
Sat., Feb. 13 - 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.– Bradfield Recreation Center
Making dark, rich, crumbly compost doesn't take much time, work, or space. This class covers the essentials: the composting process, hands-on demonstration of how to build an active compost pile, and how worms can recycle food scraps into rich organic compost. Improve your soil, and your flowers and vegetables will thank you.
Community Gardens
Sat., Feb. 20 - 9:30 – 11:30am – Bradfield Recreation Center
Community gardening started in the US as far back as the end of the 19th century, but the latest local food and urban beautification movements have caused a boom in community gardens across urban areas including DFW. Learn the benefits of community gardening and get guidance on how to start and maintain a successful community garden that will provide fresh food, contact with nature and health benefits, as well as an improved sense of community to urban neighborhoods.
Good Bugs/Bad Bugs
Thur., Feb. 25 - 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Bradfield Recreation Center
Not all insects are bad. In fact, only about 7% of insects are harmful to man, pets and plants. Learn how to identify insect damage and Earth Kind insect controls. Learn plant selection and other landscape practices help control insects. Learn how planting native and adapted plants have less insect problems.
Creating a Rain Garden
Thur., March 4 - 6:30 – 8:30p.m. – Bradfield Recreation Center
Does rain water collect in puddles in your yard? Are you concerned about pollutants washing into our stormwater system? Rain gardens are designed to capture and hold rain water run-off until the ground has time to absorb it. In addition to controlling flooding, rain gardens help clean stormwater before it goes back into our water supply and provide a beautiful wildlife habitat.
Do You Know Your Environmental 3Rs?
Thur., March 11 - 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Greenstar Recycling Center, 2610 McCree Rd., Garland
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—Get an inside look at recycling operations in our community. Learn how you can reduce your impact on natural resources, reuse common items you already have to create beautiful crafts and recycle to save valuable landfill space. Saving the Earth has never been so much fun!
To register for the classes, go to http://play.garlandparks.com. For additional information regarding the City of Garland’s green programs, please visit www.garlandgoesgreen.org.