Chapter Meeting Wednesday, December 4th, 2024

 

Green Shoots:  Waking Up to a Natural Wisdom 

(Iceland Fishing Village)

“To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand . . . everything in the world is strange and marvelous to well-open eyes.” Jose Ortega Y Gasset

Periods of relative calm have encouraged patterns of human habitation that in recent times are coming into conflict with climate change. For eons our species responded to a changing environment, but, in our current awareness we are shocked when we stoically attempt to confront a constantly changing and dynamic bio-sphere.

We are and will always be in a timeless dance with the perpetually changing natural world. As an Architect, actively building living environments I was inspired by a recent visit to an Icelandic fishing village built around 1,000 CE. It gave me insight into mankind’s ability to adapt to a changing climate. The structures the Icelanders built utilizing available materials with incredible efficiency and an intuitive understanding of the brutally cold climate facilitated their ability to thrive!

My spiritual advisor, a shaman of the Lipan Apache tradition, taught me that there is “a spirit that moves through all things.” It is this earth power that is awakening our forgotten “nature knowledge,” the well spring of human progress.

With well-open eyes in quiet moments of thought and reflection, it is obvious to me, that Green Shoots are sprouting in every endeavor.

Our speaker will be Gary Gene Olp, FAIA, LEED Fellow

Gary Gene Olp, directs GGOArchitects, an acclaimed Dallas architectural studio dedicated to excellence in design and sensitivity to place and the environment. Established in 1987, GGOArchitects has secured 25 USGBC LEED certifications -many for local projects, including the first LEED Platinum certified home in Texas. His own home in Old Lake Highlands is an award-winning eco-friendly design. Known nationally for his work, Gary is committed to local civic involvement, including extensive work on the White Rock Lake Advisory boards and task forces.

Gary has provided a video to preface his talk that you can enjoy.

Meeting Information:

Schedule:

  • 6:30 Camera Roll and Socializing
  • 7:00 Introduction and Announcements
  • 7:20 Featured Presentation
  • 8:45 Adjournment

Join us live at Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, Building H, Room 125. Campus map. Or participate via Zoom — register here

Add this to your personal calendar by going here and selecting “Add to Calendar” 

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1lX8tBm1SqKs5QEjlwhazg

(If you are attending in person, you don’t need to register for Zoom.)

Or join us in south Dallas at Dallas College Mountain View Campus for a watch gathering: 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.

Camera Roll:
As usual, show up or tune in between 6:30 and 7 pm for an array of photos by TMNs. Send your favorite photos to the Camera Roll.
Image descriptions or captions (provided for context):
Photo of an Icelandic Fishing Village
Photo of Gary Olp

Report Hours

Click the button to report volunteer hours or advanced training.

Member Login

Newsletter

Posts by Catogory

Calendar

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
29
2
3
6
9
10
13
16
17
20
23
24
27
30
1
2
March 30, 2026    
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Board Meetings are open to all members and to the public.
March 31, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Name: Friends of Oak Cliff Workday Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Saturday 9-11am Location: One of the three parks in Oak Cliff: Kidd Springs,...
April 1, 2026    
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day 1617 Fort Worth Ave. Dallas, TX 75208 Contact lead: Van Johnson Every Weds, 9am  - 12pm, earlier during summer All...
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center || First Saturday Bird Walk (AT) Saturday, April 04, 2026  || 8:30am  – 10am   CT Description: our dedicated volunteer bird walk...
April 4, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Name: Friends of Oak Cliff Workday Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Saturday 9-11am Location: One of the three parks in Oak Cliff: Kidd Springs,...
  Laura W Bush Native Texas Park || Guided Walk (AT) Saturday, April 04, 2026  ||  10:00am –11:00am  CT Join us for a free guided...
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center || Golden Cheek Warbler Walks (AT) Saturday, April 04, 2026  || 11am  – 12:30am   CT Description:  This is your chance to...
John Bunker Sands Wetland Center || 1st Saturday Walk & Talk Bird Tour (AT) Saturday, April 5, 2026  ||  7:30am – 11:30am   CT Description:  Join...
April 7, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Name: Friends of Oak Cliff Workday Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Saturday 9-11am Location: One of the three parks in Oak Cliff: Kidd Springs,...
April 8, 2026    
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day 1617 Fort Worth Ave. Dallas, TX 75208 Contact lead: Van Johnson Every Weds, 9am  - 12pm, earlier during summer All...
Heard Museum || 2nd Saturday Bird Walk (AT) Saturday, April 11, 2026  ||  8:00am – 9:30pm CT Cost:  Adult:             ...
April 11, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Name: Friends of Oak Cliff Workday Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Saturday 9-11am Location: One of the three parks in Oak Cliff: Kidd Springs,...
City of Garland Earth Day April 11th, 9 AM - 1 PM Go Green Garland is excited to announce this year's Earth Day schedule with...
April 11, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest “2 nd Saturday” workdays Sept. 2025/ May 2026 Sept. 13, 2025, 9-11am: -- 1770 Holford Road (the center section...
April 11, 2026    
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
This is an annual community event at Trinity River Audubon Center. Each year TRAC hosts around 300 attendees to celebrate all things South Dallas ranging...
Laura W Bush Native Texas Park || Guided Walk (AT) Saturday, April 11, 2026  ||  10:00am –11:00am  CT Join us for a free guided tour...
Friends of Oak Cliff Parks  ||  Wildflower Walk – Brian Halsell (AT) Sunday, April 12, 2026 ||  10am  – 12noon   CT Due to rain, this...
April 14, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Name: Friends of Oak Cliff Workday Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Saturday 9-11am Location: One of the three parks in Oak Cliff: Kidd Springs,...
April 15, 2026    
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day 1617 Fort Worth Ave. Dallas, TX 75208 Contact lead: Van Johnson Every Weds, 9am  - 12pm, earlier during summer All...
Trinity River Audubon Center || Morning Bird Walk (AT) Saturday, April 18, 2026 ||  7:30am  – 9am   CT For more info & to register: https://tickets.audubon.org/events/d5476f01-f31c-7e1b-0de5-8bdd51afb06b?_gl=1%2a1j7elxq%2a_gcl_au%2aMTU3Mzc3MzA3Ny4xNzY3NjU0NTcw%2a_ga%2aMTMyNDIyNjA0LjE3Njc2NTQ1NzA.%2a_ga_X2XNL2MWTT%2aczE3NzQzMDkyODQkbzEwJGcxJHQxNzc0MzA5NDIxJGo2MCRsMCRoMA.....
April 18, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Name: Friends of Oak Cliff Workday Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Saturday 9-11am Location: One of the three parks in Oak Cliff: Kidd Springs,...
April 18, 2026    
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Joppa Freedom Town Association Earth Day Celebration When: April 18, 2026 9 am to 2 pm Where: 7728 Carbondale Dallas, TX  75216 Joppy Momma Farm...
Laura W Bush Native Texas Park || Guided Walk (AT) Saturday, April 18, 2026  ||  10:00am –11:00am  CT Join us for a free guided tour...
April 19, 2026    
9:00 am - 10:30 am
LLELA || Thrive Nature Walk –(AT) Sunday, April 19, 20256| 9:00am – 10:30am   CT Description:  Sights of plants and wildlife, smells of fresh air and...
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center || Guided Tree ID Walk (AT) Sunday, April 19, 2026  || 11am  – 12:30pm   CT Description: Have you ever asked yourself 'What's...
April 19, 2026    
11:30 am - 5:30 pm
Oak Cliff Earth Day Sunday, 19-Apr-2026 Event is from 12 noon to 5 pm Volunteer times run from 11:30-5:30, depending on shift OCED is a...
April 21, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Name: Friends of Oak Cliff Workday Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Saturday 9-11am Location: One of the three parks in Oak Cliff: Kidd Springs,...
April 22, 2026    
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day 1617 Fort Worth Ave. Dallas, TX 75208 Contact lead: Van Johnson Every Weds, 9am  - 12pm, earlier during summer All...
April 25, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Join us Saturday, April 25th from 9–11am for a morning of artistic inspiration at the Prairie Creek Marsh & Wildscape. Artists in the Wild is an open invitation to bring...
April 25, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Name: Friends of Oak Cliff Workday Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Saturday 9-11am Location: One of the three parks in Oak Cliff: Kidd Springs,...
April 25, 2026    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
April 25th  10 am to 1 pm Get ready for Bug Fest, where the creepy crawlies of nature take center stage! From live insect exhibits...
Laura W Bush Native Texas Park || Guided Walk (AT) Saturday, April 25, 2026  ||  10:00am –11:00am  CT Join us for a free guided tour...
Tandy Hills Prairie Sky/Star Party (FYI) Saturday, April 25, 2026   8:00 PM or after dark The Fort Worth Astronomical Society presents their Saturday star party...
Trinity River Audubon Center || Sunday Morning Bird Walk (AT) Sunday, April 26, 2026  ||  9am  – 10am   CT More Info & to register: https://tickets.audubon.org/events/01906a27-66f9-6d6a-abef-7842e50da2f7?_gl=1%2ag1juob%2a_gcl_au%2aMTU3Mzc3MzA3Ny4xNzY3NjU0NTcw%2a_ga%2aMTMyNDIyNjA0LjE3Njc2NTQ1NzA.%2a_ga_X2XNL2MWTT%2aczE3NzQzMDIwODUkbzkkZzEkdDE3NzQzMDQ1MjckajUyJGwwJGgw...
April 28, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Name: Friends of Oak Cliff Workday Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Saturday 9-11am Location: One of the three parks in Oak Cliff: Kidd Springs,...
April 29, 2026    
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Western Heights Cemetery Volunteer Day 1617 Fort Worth Ave. Dallas, TX 75208 Contact lead: Van Johnson Every Weds, 9am  - 12pm, earlier during summer All...
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center || First Saturday Bird Walk (AT) Saturday, May 02, 2026  || 8:30am  – 10am   CT Description: our dedicated volunteer bird walk...
John Bunker Sands Wetland Center || 1st Saturday Walk & Talk Bird Tour (AT) Saturday, May 2 2026  ||  7:30am – 11:30am   CT Description:  Join...
May 2, 2026    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Name: Friends of Oak Cliff Workday Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Saturday 9-11am Location: One of the three parks in Oak Cliff: Kidd Springs,...
Native Plants and Prairies Day is a fun free event for families to celebrate our blackland prairies here in North Texas. Join us for our...
Laura W Bush Native Texas Park || Guided Walk (AT) Saturday, May 2, 2026  ||  10:00am –11:00am  CT Join us for a free guided tour...
Events on March 30, 2026
Events on March 31, 2026
Events on April 5, 2026
Events on April 7, 2026
Events on April 8, 2026
Events on April 14, 2026
Events on April 15, 2026
Events on April 19, 2026
19 Apr
19 Apr
19 Apr 26
Dallas
Events on April 21, 2026
Events on April 22, 2026
Events on April 25, 2026
25 Apr
25 Apr
25 Apr 26
Grand Prairie
25 Apr
Events on April 26, 2026
Events on April 28, 2026
Events on April 29, 2026

Events