Fort Worth SPJ: Lori De La Cruz

The opportunity to think globally and act locally is coming to North Richland Hills.

Starting March 22, the city will offer classes to help people learn how to conserve water and energy, and maintain their homes and yards in more environmentally friendly ways.

"My goal is to completely get toxins out of their lives," said Lori De La Cruz, an environmental consultant teaching three of the six classes.

Lori Newman, North Richland Hills cultural arts coordinator, said the city decided to offer environmental classes partially because young people are interested in preserving the environment and the city wants to get more teens involved in its programs.

Emily Mathis, 13, of North Richland Hills, said she heard about the classes at summer camp in North Richland Hills. She and her friends at school are interested because they want to protect the environment, she said.Classes will show how to maintain homes and yards without toxins and with minimal water use. De La Cruz said she will show people how to clean their homes with environmentally safe, homemade cleaners.

"I'll bring recipes, page after page of recipes," said De La Cruz who will teach the Green Housekeeping class. "You've got all kinds of stuff in your house, and it's so cheap" to make cleaning supplies, she said.

Because cleaning products are made with synthetic chemicals, "nature doesn't know what to do with them," De La Cruz said.

Removing such materials from the cabinets, and breaking the habit of using them, can take a while to do.

"It's doable," she said. "Everything that I am going to talk about is doable."

Emma Sheard, owner of the Alvarado-based landscaping company Emma's Bloomers, said xeriscaping is more popular because of increasing interest in environmentally friendly lifestyles and because of the tough North Texas weather.

"People are becoming more aware of it because of the drought conditions we have here," Sheard said. "You can have a low-water, low-maintenance landscape, and it still looks luscious and very attractive."

Online: nrhtx.com




				S-T: R. Jeena Jacob Lori De La Cruz adds yard trimmings to the compost pile at home. She will teach three environmental classes for North Richland Hills


			Star-Telegram, March 5, 2008 Going green inside, outside home By PATRICK McGEE Star-Telegram Staff Writer The opportunity to think globally and act locally is coming to North Richland Hills. Starting March 22, the city will offer classes to help people learn how to conserve water and energy, and maintain their homes and yards in more environmentally friendly ways. "My goal is to completely get toxins out of their lives," said Lori De La Cruz, an environmental consultant teaching three of the six classes. Lori Newman, North Richland Hills cultural arts coordinator, said the city decided to offer environmental classes partially because young people are interested in preserving the environment and the city wants to get more teens involved in its programs. Emily Mathis, 13, of North Richland Hills, said she heard about the classes at summer camp in North Richland Hills. She and her friends at school are interested because they want to protect the environment, she said.Classes will show how to maintain homes and yards without toxins and with minimal water use. De La Cruz said she will show people how to clean their homes with environmentally safe, homemade cleaners. "I'll bring recipes, page after page of recipes," said De La Cruz who will teach the Green Housekeeping class. "You've got all kinds of stuff in your house, and it's so cheap" to make cleaning supplies, she said. Because cleaning products are made with synthetic chemicals, "nature doesn't know what to do with them," De La Cruz said. Removing such materials from the cabinets, and breaking the habit of using them, can take a while to do. "It's doable," she said. "Everything that I am going to talk about is doable." Emma Sheard, owner of the Alvarado-based landscaping company Emma's Bloomers, said xeriscaping is more popular because of increasing interest in environmentally friendly lifestyles and because of the tough North Texas weather. "People are becoming more aware of it because of the drought conditions we have here," Sheard said. "You can have a low-water, low-maintenance landscape, and it still looks luscious and very attractive." Online: nrhtx.com