It’s official! We are collecting urban heat data and are now poised to capture some of the hottest temperatures on record. As we continue to work with our partners to finalize logistics for installing and deploying climatic sensors throughout the Southwestern Medical District (SWMD), the Foundation took full advantage of the extreme heat wave that […]
Pegasus Park Pilot Study is Underway Read More »
Farbod Tavakkoli Khomeini – SWMD intern, Ph.D. Candidate This summer Farbod joined the SWMD team as a data analyst intern. He brings expertise and experience in a wide range of statistical skills and competetencies that will be useful for the project, including using time-series models to assess the relationship between environmental features and observed micro-climatic
Welcome, Farbod Tavakkoli Khomeini! Read More »
July 2022 Assistant Professor, University of North Texas, Department of Geography and the Environment As record-breaking heat waves impact communities worldwide and the team installs sensors throughout the District to capture meteorological data, some of it pertaining to thermal comfort and heat, it’s exciting that we managed to schedule some time to talk to Dr.
Interview with Dr. Lu Liang Read More »
The Cool Schools Program is the transformation of Dallas county school grounds into outdoor learning centers. The program is working on seven school campus this fall, bringing the total to over 30. Most of these schools are in low-served areas of Dallas. Learn more…
Identifying and Managing Emerald Ash Borer Spring and Summer Info Sessions were a success! EAB info sessions now held seasonally Summary: Information Sessions on Emerald Ash Borer The EAB [Emerald Ash Borer] has been around for a long time,” says Janette Monear, CEO of Texas Trees Foundation. Foresters within the Texas A&M Forest Service
TTF Spearheads Community-wide Technical Training Sessions on EAB Infestation Read More »
As we place sensors throughout the District to capture thermal comfort data, and soon begin Phase 2 of Equitable Engagement to gain feedback from District users on streetscape and park amenities, its important to revisit our roots. Explore how and why we use biophilia to inform the design process. Also, learn about the SWMD team’s
June 2022 Newsletter Read More »
Biophilia, a term coined by social psychologist Erich Fromm and popularized by biologist E.O. Wilson, is the philosophy that humans have an innate, biological affinity for the natural world. Importantly, research shows that there is a positive influence of greenery on human psychological and cognitive functioning; by using plants and their inherent shapes, colors, forms,
Biophilia and the Importance of Designing for Human Health Read More »
As we embark on Phase 2 of the equitable engagement component of our project, consulting District users about streetscape and park amenities and programming, it seems important to revisit our experience with biophilic design and the consulting firm, Terrapin Bright Green. Terrapin is a consulting firm that specializes in design, whole systems thinking, and research
Biophilia Workshops Recap Read More »
Outdoor learning space with labyrinth, easels, instruments coming next By Karen Chaney School days at K.B. Polk Center for Academically Talented and Gifted are spent preparing for the future. On a recent spring Thursday, that meant planting 57 trees to bring cooler tomorrows. Learn more…
New trees make Polk TAG Center one of the “Cool Schools” Read More »
Covid has not only been linked recently to healthcare worker burnout, but also negatively to the mental health of our youth. Evidence continues to show that experiencing nature and getting outside are great ways to combat the negative impacts of Covid and our sedentary lifestyles. Learn how these things impact healthcare workers and youth in
May 2022 Newsletter Read More »
