Center of Development Excellence December 2025 Newsletter

One of the most noteworthy ways to volunteer at The University of Texas at Dallas may be helping take care of the campus apiaries, who provide pollination for the campus foliage and honey to the community. The UT Dallas pollinator events attracted 684 volunteers in the 2025 calendar year, according to Alexa Gilbert, UT Dallas Sustainability Coordinator. UT Dallas is a recipient of the Bee Campus USA certification, first awarded in 2016.

The certification, an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, provides a list of standards and commitments, all of which work toward the overarching goal of supporting pollinator conservation. UTD's Office of Sustainability, in collaboration with the campus grounds team, coordinates the maintenance of over 18 acres of pollinator areas on campus, including monarch butterfly waystations, native pollinator habitat restoration sites and designated pocket prairies.

Maintenance includes reseeding and collecting seed heads each fall, providing student volunteers with hands-on opportunities to develop conservation-focused skills. This partnership means students receive the unique opportunity to interact with bees on campus.

The impact of the UT Dallas apiary program stretches beyond volunteer opportunities. There are two courses offered related to honeybee biology and behavior, both of which include visits and observations of the hives. This offers a partnership with stewardship and academia, bridging the gap between course material and real-world experiences. The University’s apiary program follows national standards provided by experts.

The program is not without its challenges, including climate-change related fluctuations in temperature, precipitation and other weather patterns, which disrupt the bee’s routines. Last year, both apiaries together did not generate enough honey to host our honey harvest and bottling events for students. But this year, UT Dallas bee colonies generated enough honey for more than 100 bottles for the campus Comet Honey sale anticipated this spring, a popular event that sells out quickly.

To learn more about UT Dallas's Sustainability efforts, visit their sustainability website.

Following recent approval of zoning amendments by Fort Worth City Council, Texas energy company Black Mountain Power LLC will be moving forward with a 431-acre data center project in southeast Fort Worth. While Black Mountain Power has highlighted the project as one of the largest economic developments in Fort Worth bringing in local taxes and job opportunities, residents and business owners have expressed ongoing concerns about the impacts of the data center on natural areas and nearby businesses.

Some of the concerns raised by residents include increased noise and traffic congestion from the data center, and significant water usage that may threaten local water supply. While Black Mountain Power has assured council members that the project includes implementation of a “buffer” to reduce noise disturbances and will rely on Fort Worth’s municipal water supply only, ongoing concerns about the increased number of data centers in the city may lead to limits and restrictions for these facilities. More about the incoming data center can be found here.

TxN 20 is an effort to recognize the best work in conservation coming from businesses operating and based in Texas. It’s an opportunity to showcase innovation, commitment, and best practices from a variety of industries. For the seventh year, Texan by Nature has identified a list of top companies across 12 industries whose dedication to conservation allows Texan by Nature to support selected projects in a myriad of ways, amplifying & accelerating their impact across the state of Texas. Multiple organizations from the NCTCOG region were recognized.

Acme Brick Company - Fort Worth
Ally Financial - Lewisville
City of Farmers Branch
Darling Ingredients - Irving
DFW Airport
Ford Motor Company - Richardson
LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) - Dallas
Texas Health Resources - Arlington

On November 17, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released a proposed rule that redefines what constitutes the “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) and are subject to federal regulations under the Clean Water Act. The new definition is much narrower than previously defined and codifies the decision of the Supreme Court in the 2023 case Sackett v. EPA.

The 2025 Proposed Rule provides clarification of the existing definition of WOTUS by defining the terms “relatively permanent,” “continuous surface connection,” “ditch,” and “tributary,” as well as making adjustments to other language. These new definitions narrow the scope of federal jurisdiction, principally through more stringent qualifications for wetland environments.

A 45-day public comment period is currently open through January 5, 2026 for those who would like to submit comments on these changes. Read more about the proposed rule and how it changes the definition of WOTUS here.

Texas has experienced a prolonged economic boom, bringing with it a significant explosion in population. Dallas has seen a 51.9 percent increase in population from 2000 to 2023, mirroring a broader global trend of urban migration. While growth has been manageable, future projections show ongoing explosive growth in Texas metropolitan areas, underscoring the urgent need for these cities to rethink urban planning and infrastructure development to ensure that they are managing urban sprawl and population density effectively.

While Texas may have a lot of land, cities like Dallas need to evaluate whether the current model is sustainable long-term and consider how their city planning approach might evolve. One approach is to evolve beyond single-use designs and instead design buildings to accommodate multiple functions – residential, commercial, educational, agricultural, and more – to foster dynamic urban environments. This would require openness to denser urban cores and redefining mixed-use developments, thus shifting away from the current model of urban sprawl. However, given the strain on infrastructure urban sprawl has and will continue to have, it is critical that cities consider other approaches to urban development to ensure they are suited for the ongoing population growth. Innovative thinking could transform Texas’ metropolitan areas and ultimately position them as global leaders in urban planning. To read more about potential solutions to approaching population growth in Texas urban centers, visit the Urban Land Institute’s webpage.

Nearly two decades since its initial inception, the Silver Line transit line from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is now open. With two stations each in Plano and Richardson, as well as six additional stations that touch Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, and Grapevine, the Silver Line allows riders to travel to DFW Airport in less than an hour. It is now the third train option that runs to DFW Airport.

However, concerns from cities about disparities in sales tax contributions versus expenses has led four DART member cities in the region – Plano, Irving, Farmers Branch, and Highland Park – to initiate special elections allowing voters to decide whether to remain with the transit system. If the withdrawal is approved, DART services would be shut down in those cities and likely impact other aspects of the DART system, including the Silver Line. Officials are currently working towards identifying a solution prior to any withdrawals. More details on the Silver Line can be found here.

The North Texas Regional Integration of Sustainability Efforts (RISE) Coalition works to engage interested local governments in peer-exchange opportunities to support sustainability and environmental initiatives. Coalition meetings are open to the public; local government staff working on sustainability, environmental, and climate initiatives are encouraged to attend.

The next RISE Coalition meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2026, at 9:30 AM. The meeting will be held online via Microsoft Teams. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here.

For more information about the RISE Coalition, visit the RISE Coalition website. The RISE Coalition website provides information about past and upcoming meetings.

The North Central Texas Economic Development District (NCTEDD) Board is the primary policy advisory board to the NCTCOG Executive Board in fulfilling the responsibilities as the North Central Texas’ Regional Economic Development District in state planning Region IV (NCTCOG's 16-county area).

The next virtual Board meeting is scheduled for February 2, 2026, at 10 AM. The meeting will feature a presentation from the new U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Region VI Administrator, Ashlea J. Quinonez. The presentation will cover HUD programs and initiatives related to topics such as affordable housing, community planning and development, and more. Meeting information and registration details can be found in the meeting agenda. To learn more about the NCTEDD, visit the NCTEDD website.

Effective community engagement is essential to building trust, encouraging inclusive decision-making, and ensuring residents feel their voices make a difference. Texas Municipal League is hosting a webinar on February 5, 2026, at 10 AM which will explore the key pillars of successful public engagement, including trust-building, clarity of purpose, and collaboration. Experts from the University of Kansas Public Management Center will offer practical strategies for designing meaningful participation processes that strengthen relationships, enhance transparency, and drive lasting community impact. This webinar is designed for all city leaders including mayors, councilmembers, city managers, and city staff. To register for the webinar, visit the TML website.

Registration for the 12th Annual Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) Summit is now open. This year’s summit will be held March 1-3, 2026, at St. Edward’s University in Austin with the theme Meeting the Moment: Shaping Tomorrow Together. Early bird registration is open now through January 30, 2026.

The Call for Proposals to submit sessions and/or student poster proposals is also open now through January 8 and can be submitted here. Finally, TRACS is also seeking sponsors for the 2026 summit, with further details available in the sponsorship packet.

The 2026 South Central Climate Resilience Forum (SCCRF) will be held on April 15-17, 2026 in San Antonio. Building upon the success of the inaugural 2024 Forum, the 2026 Forum will focus on fostering a meaningful dialogue and action on climate resilience and adaptation across the region.

The Forum will bring together representatives from non-profit organizations, all levels of government, community groups, the private sector, and academia from Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Attendees will gain an increased understanding of climate-related challenges facing the region and awareness of work being done to enhance resilience, as well as engage in opportunities for information exchange and network-building.

Early-bird registration is open now through February 28th. Due to the size of the event space, the event has an attendance cap of 300 registrants, so early registration is encouraged. Registration and additional event information can be found on the Forum website.

The South Central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER) has launched a new training module through the Litmos learning management system on Sustainability 101. The course dives into the fundamentals of sustainability and equips learners with the knowledge and tools to make a positive impact. Users who complete this free training will receive 0.5 CEU credit (30 minutes) upon completion.

To enroll, complete the sign up form using the code SPEER101. You will then receive an email with instructions for logging on and getting started.

SPEER will also be launching additional training modules focused on Energy Cost Updates and Changes in Texas & Air Quality and Energy Efficiency, with more information to come in the future.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is offering up to $58.6 million in rebate funding for the replacement of existing internal combustion engines (ICE) Class 6 and 7 vehicles with zero-emission vehicles (ZEV)[CG1] through the North Texas Zero Emission Vehicle (NTxZEV) Call for Projects (CFP). The NTxZEV Call for Projects is now open and accepting project applications. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, February 13, 2026, at 5 PM.

More details on how to apply, as well as recordings from workshops previously hosted on the Call for Projects, can be found on the NCTCOG website.

The application has been extended for the Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program (TxVEMP). Individuals, state and local governments, corporations, and any other legal entity are invited to apply for funding to replace or upgrade vehicles and equipment with electric alternatives. The following categories are eligible for funding:

Class 8 Local Freight and Port Drayage Trucks
Class 4-8 School Bus, Shuttle Bus, & Transit Buses
Class 4-7 Local Freight Trucks
Airport Ground Support Equipment
Forklift and Port Cargo Handling Equipment
Refueling Infrastructure

Unless the application period is suspended by TCEQ prior to the deadline, the new deadline has been extended to 5:00 PM CT on August 31, 2026. Grants are being awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. More information on eligible projects and the application process is available on the program webpage.

The Center of Development Excellence (Center) is a regional program in North Central Texas that is built on collaborative partnerships with a variety of stakeholders including local governments, businesses, private sector professionals and organizations, non-profits, and the public. The Center works to leverage opportunities and funding to create a North Central Texas region that is resilient, sustainable, and provides a high quality of life for residents. To learn more, visit the Center of Development Excellent website.