Water Conservation Panel

7:00 PM, Monday, March 23, 2015

Frisco Heritage Center Depot, 6499 Page St, Frisco, TX 75034

Frisco, Texas – The newly reformed Sierra Club Cross Timbers Group, which serves Denton and Collin counties, will hold a free long-range water planning and conservation panel discussion on March 23 in Frisco.

The event will feature speakers from the Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter, the United Nations Association’s (UNA) Dallas Chapter, and the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). Featured panelists include: Reggie James, Interim Director of the Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter; Jennifer Walker, Water Resources Coordinator of the Lone Star Chapter; David Reid, President of the UNA’s Dallas Chapter, which is co-sponsoring the event; and Denise Hickey, PR Director of the NTMWD.

“Water conservation has huge potential in North Central Texas,” said Walker. “There are some very simple measures to reduce outdoor water use in Texas that are both cost-effective and convenient. We look forward to discussing these measures and hearing from the other well-respected speakers at the Cross Timbers event.”

James and Walker will discuss the Sierra Club’s water conservation efforts in Texas. Reid will discuss the UN’s World Water Day, which focuses on providing safe drinking water to areas around the world and water conservation. In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly designated March 22 as World Water Day, a day to celebrate water.

“The Sierra Club has a long history of environmental stewardship and is a role model for conservation leadership. They are an ideal partner for this water conservation panel,” Reid said. “This event will provide information about the global issue of access to water and will give us practical actions for sustainable use of this vital resource here in North Texas.”

Globally, the UNA has made significant gains in ensuring water is available in developing countries. However, there is still much work to be done as 600 million people still lack access to clean water sources, according to Reid.

“Access to clean water and sanitation helps prevent the spread of diseases, and, as urbanization increases, wastewater management becomes a more complicated issue,” Reid said. The UN is comprised of 193 member states, whose efforts will help bring clean water to our global population.

Hickey will discuss the NTMWD’s long-range potable water plans and water conservation efforts to ensure that the NTMWD’s member cities are supported.

“Water conservation and the wise and efficient use of our water supply must continue to meet our long term water needs locally, regionally, and statewide. The best practices learned during this current drought are needed during non-drought periods,” Hickey said.

The event is open to the public and will be held 7–9pm, Monday, March 23 at the Frisco Heritage Center Depot, 6499 Page Street. The Sierra Club Cross Timbers Group will also be accepting applications for anyone who wants to join the newly reformed group to serve on its Executive Committee and to join the group and attend outings, clean up events at area parks, and educational opportunities about helping to preserve the natural areas of Denton and Collin counties. Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/CrossTimbersSierraClub.

Submitted by Matt Johnson, Communications Coordinator, Lone Star Chapter, Sierra Club