In a continued effort to promote water conservation among younger generations, Arlington Water Utilities, in partnership with the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD), introduced an educational program designed to teach fifth-grade students the importance of responsible water usage. The program, titled “Conservation Captains,” reached 778 students from 13 Arlington schools during the 2023-2024 academic year.

The Conservation Captains curriculum, now in its third year, is part of a collaboration between the City of Arlington’s Water Utilities Department and TRWD, which supplies Arlington with raw water. According to a report by Tinker LLC, the organization responsible for distributing the program, an impressive 97% of teachers who participated reported feeling more inspired to conserve water following the lessons. Additionally, 85% of students expressed enjoyment in taking part in the initiative.

The program’s curriculum provides students with insights into water conservation practices and educates them on how water resources are managed within the community. Lessons are delivered by classroom teachers, seamlessly integrated into existing lesson plans while aligning with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards.

A fifth-grade teacher from Wimbish World Language Academy in Arlington ISD praised the program’s structure, stating: “I was a fan of how organized the overview of the lesson was and how I was able to compare it to some TEKS that students would benefit from appropriate to the grade level. Additionally, having the students work at home using their technology was an easy way to maintain and manage their work.”

The curriculum, co-developed by TRWD and Tinker LLC, includes five locally focused lessons, classroom STEM activities, digital resources, and online assessments. It also features student contests, teacher grants, and a water conservation kit distributed to each participating student. The kit contains a variety of water-saving tools, including a shower bucket, digital shower timer, pan scraper, water flow rate bag, toilet leak detector tablets, and educational brochures about water conservation.

A student from Newman International Academy shared their enthusiasm for the program’s hands-on approach, particularly regarding the homework exercises. “I liked doing the homework exercise because I got to test stuff like my toilet and how long it takes me to shower,” the student commented.

Given the growing popularity of the Conservation Captains program, Arlington Water Utilities allocated an additional $6,000 in its 2024 fiscal year budget to support schools that wish to participate. TRWD provides matching funds to ensure the program can continue its educational outreach. Initially launched in 2022, the program will be available again during the 2024-2025 school year.

The Conservation Captains program is offered to all cities purchasing raw water from TRWD, with a total of 4,481 students in Tarrant County having participated in one or more of the lessons. Arlington Water Utilities encourages all fifth-grade teachers interested in joining the program to contact Jenni at Tinker LLC for more information at [email protected].

This initiative not only fosters environmental stewardship among students but also empowers them with practical knowledge on how to conserve water, helping to ensure the sustainability of vital water resources for future generations.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, residents of Arlington and surrounding areas are invited to attend a free health fair on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Bob Duncan Center. The event, hosted by Arlington City Council District 3 Representative Nikkie Hunter, will offer a variety of critical health services, including mammograms, well-woman exams, prostate screenings, and flu shots. The fair will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In addition to breast and prostate cancer screenings, the event will provide diabetes and vision screenings, alongside general health and wellness information. This annual community event aims to improve access to essential healthcare services for residents, particularly during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Flu shots will be administered by Texas Health Resources, while Moncrief Medical will be on site to facilitate signups for mammograms, colon screenings, and prostate screenings. Attendees interested in receiving mammograms or well-woman exams should note that these services are available on a first-come, first-served basis and require pre-registration, which can be completed on-site during the event.

“This event is a critical part of raising awareness and providing essential healthcare services to our community,” said Councilmember Nikkie Hunter. “As someone who works in healthcare, I believe it’s crucial that every woman has access to the screenings and resources needed to maintain their health. Screenings like these save lives, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the services offered at this health fair.”

The 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Health Fair reflects the City’s commitment to public health, with a strong focus on preventive care. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about maintaining long-term wellness through early detection and proactive healthcare measures.

For more information or to pre-register for the event, click [here].

The Bob Duncan Center is located at 2800 S. Center St., Arlington, TX 76014. Don’t miss this opportunity to take advantage of free health services and valuable medical advice, all in one place.

In an effort to combat the rising population of stray and feral cats, Arlington Animal Services, in collaboration with the nonprofit organization Operation Kindness, will offer free veterinary services to unowned community cats on Thursday, September 19, 2024. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the growing overpopulation of stray cats within the city.

According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), there are an estimated 30 to 40 million community cats in the country, contributing to approximately 80% of kittens born each year. Left unchecked, these populations can expand rapidly. The event will focus on providing spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and other essential treatments to help manage this issue in Arlington.

The first 50 unowned, free-roaming cats brought to the event by Arlington residents will receive a spay/neuter surgery, ear-tipping (a common marker for neutered community cats), and vaccinations for FVRCP and rabies, all free of charge.

Event Details and Participation Guidelines:

• Only the first 50 cats will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
• There is no limit on the number of cats that a single trapper can bring, but each must be in a separate humane trap.
• Traps must be labeled with the trapper’s name and contact information. Cats in crates will not be accepted.
• Each cat must weigh a minimum of two pounds to be eligible for treatment.

Drop-offs will be accepted starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Animal Services Center located at 1000 S.E. Green Oaks Blvd. Cat pickups will begin at 4 p.m.

Michelle Patchett, administrative aide at Arlington Animal Services, expressed optimism about the program’s impact. “We have heard our community’s plea for help and assistance when it comes to the feral cat overpopulation problems in our city,” Patchett said. “We are so excited to work with Operation Kindness in what we hope is the first of many spay/neuter clinics to combat this issue!”

This partnership with Operation Kindness underscores the nonprofit’s ongoing commitment to the welfare of Arlington’s animals. Henry Pena, acting shelter manager, praised the organization, saying, “Operation Kindness has proven to be a true partner and friend to Arlington Animal Services again and again. We are incredibly thankful for their dedication and willingness to help our citizens and the pets who need it most!”

For residents unable to participate in this event, Arlington’s ongoing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program offers another option to help manage the stray cat population. More information about the TNR program is available on the Arlington Animal Services website.

With the support of community members and organizations like Operation Kindness, Arlington continues to take proactive steps in reducing its feral cat population and promoting the health and safety of its stray animals.

The City of Arlington’s Public Works Department’s Stormwater Management Division has announced the commencement of the 2020 Stormwater Maintenance Project, aimed at enhancing drainage systems to prevent neighborhood flooding and improve overall stormwater management. Scheduled to be completed in July 2025, the project will focus on upgrades in three key areas: Blake Aston Drive, Tennyson Drive, and Westview Channel.

Project Details and Locations:

• Blake Aston Drive: The project will include comprehensive maintenance and improvements from Blake Ashton Drive to Russell Curry Road south of Fox Chase Drive. Enhancements include the replacement of the flume, pipe, and inlet south of Blake Ashton Drive, rehabilitation of existing storm drains, and construction of new junction boxes for better access. Additionally, any private vegetation and fencing disturbed during construction will be restored.
• Tennyson Drive: Upgrades on Tennyson Drive will extend to W. Second Street and involve the maintenance and enhancement of the storm drain system. The project will also necessitate the replacement of water and sanitary sewer lines affected by the construction, along with the repaving of Wellington Court cul-de-sac, parts of Westview Terrace, and a section of W. Second Street due to stormwater system enhancements.
• Westview Channel: The focus will be on repairing erosion protection along critical sections of Westview Channel between Westview Terrace and Briarwood Boulevard to secure the area against future erosion.

The project forms part of Arlington’s strategic plan to mitigate flooding risks and bolster the city’s drainage infrastructure, which is vital for sustaining safe and resilient neighborhoods. Residents are invited to learn more about the scope and impacts of the project during an informational meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place at the South District Service Center located at 1030 SW Green Oaks Boulevard, Arlington, Texas. This session will include a presentation detailing the project’s objectives and timelines, followed by a question-and-answer segment to address community concerns.

This initiative underscores the City Council’s ongoing commitment to championing great neighborhoods by prioritizing critical infrastructure improvements that enhance the quality of life for Arlington residents. For more information about the city’s stormwater management efforts and specific details about this project, residents are encouraged to visit the official city website.

Click here to view a map of the project locations.