Dallas’ Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan (CECAP): Update and Discussion
In 2020, Dallas passed a much-anticipated climate action plan: the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan, otherwise known as “CECAP”. Exceptional effort was put into the crafting of this plan, which was recognized by the Brookings Institute in 2022 as the #1 most detailed and actionable plan across 50 of the country’s largest cities. CECAP, which includes a section on ecosystem protection and enhancement, is now in its implementation phase, overseen by the Dallas Environmental Commission.
Please join us for an update on the Environmental Commission’s work and the progress of CECAP implementation. This is also a great opportunity to provide feedback and ideas as we all work together to protect and enhance our natural environment in North Texas!
Schedule:
- 6:30 Camera Roll and Socializing
- 7:00 Introduction and Announcements
- 7:20 Featured Presentation
- 8:45 Adjournment
Join us in north Dallas at Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, Building H, Room 125. (Brookhaven Campus map).
Or join us in south Dallas at Mountain View College, Building S (Administrative offices), Room 1029. (Mountain View Campus map).
Note: It is best to enter the Mountain View campus from Duncanville Road; there is construction but you can park directly in front of the S building. Room 1029 is on the lower level, continue down past the administration areas and turn left once you see a Subway and go down short hallway.
You may also join us virtually via Zoom — register here. (If you are attending in person, you don’t need to register for Zoom.)
The Hospitality Committee suggests that you bring some shareable bites at 6:30 at both locations.
Saturday, January 6th Field Trip
In conjunction with our January 3 Chapter Meeting, we will have a Saturday, January 6 Field Trip. We will meet at Joppy Mama’s Farm at 10 AM
Address: 7724 Carbondale St, Dallas, TX 75216
(There is room to park on the street)
From 10-11 we will have an educational session in which we will focus on learning first-hand the history of the neighborhood and the environmental injustices they have endured, particularly their proximity to a large cement batch plant. We will learn about the negative health affects; how the community fought back (and is still fighting back); how they are being assisted by Dallas’s CECAP plan and implementation; the role that Joppy Mama’s farm is playing today; plans and hopes for the future.
From 11-12 We will help prep a pollinator bed. Because we don’t have much planning time, we will focus on setting the boundaries and removing as we can any existing weeds.
We will have more details on what to bring to assist with the pollinator bed prep prior to Saturday 1/6
Our Speakers:
Commissioner Temeckia Derrough
Born and raised in Dallas, Commissioner Derrough attended schools in both Dallas and Duncanville. In 2006, she, her husband, and three children became Habitat for Humanity homeowners within the Joppa Community. In order to promote transparency and provide helpful resources, Temeckia formed the non-profit, Joppa Freedmen’s Town Association in 2017. Within a year of its birth, the Association partnered with residents to stop the establishment of additional cement batching companies in Joppa which had been (and continue to) compromise air quality. Temeckia served on the city’s Board of Adjustment from 2018-2019 and was a key stakeholder in the development of the city’s Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan (CECAP).
Commissioner Derrough recently completed the Climate Reality Leadership Corps training and looks forward to continuing her mission of being an environmental justice advocate and a voice for her community.
Commissioner Esther Villarreal
Commissioner Villareal is a Texas Master Naturalist and a member of our Chapter (Class of 2021). She lives and volunteers in West Dallas and Oak Cliff, south of the Trinity River. Her family loves exploring the river and its floodplains and riparian zones. Esther is a full-time teacher in Oak Cliff and has been serving on The City of Dallas’s Environmental Commission since its inception in 2021. She serves as Vice Chair and chairs the Environmental Justice subcommittee as well.
Note: NT TMN Members may enter 1 hour of AT in VMS with the following – “AT:NTX:Chapter Meeting(1 hour): TMN AT Report Hours”
