Staff and subcommittees report stormwater filings, education programs and Bird City/planting efforts

Town staff and commission subcommittees provided updates at the April 1 Environmental Conservation Commission meeting covering education programs, regulatory filings, volunteer planting efforts and upcoming community events.

Staff updates Staff said the town submitted its stormwater management plan (the SWMP used to satisfy TCEQ general permit requirements) in February and submitted the 2024 annual report on time in March; both submittals are pending TCEQ review. Staff also said the town’s Tree City USA application was approved for the current cycle and the town plans to submit the next application in December.

Staff reported that the Knights Landing tree-removal item heard by the ECC in February was revised by the applicant after review; the applicant removed the request to remove a tree on a buildable lot and will need to return to the ECC and Town Council if a future builder cannot work around the tree.

On the green-waste question, staff reported that Republic Waste presented options to town council on March 17, council asked for more options, and Republic Waste will return to the ECC with additional approaches and pricing; staff said a follow-up could be scheduled after July, but no date was set. Staff noted that any additional cost would likely affect resident waste-service fees.

Education and outreach Staff reported the commission has delivered second-grade and seventh-grade environmental education programs this school year and will run library programs in May (May 14: backyard habitat; May 17: water conservation and landscaping, in partnership with Texas Master Naturalists and Upper Trinity Regional Water District) — registration through the library’s website is required.

Subcommittee reports The Audubon subcommittee reported it attended a webinar about Bird City USA requirements and recommended aiming for a 2026 application rather than 2025, citing 19 minimum requirements that would be easier to meet with more lead time.

The arboretum/tree-preservation volunteers reported on their Acorns to Oaks program: volunteers found that acorns pre-sprouted in a cool, moist medium and then transplanted had much higher survival than acorns planted directly in the ground (where squirrels and other predators dug them up). One volunteer reported: “we discovered that, if we would sprout the acorns ... the ones that we planted in the ground without sprouting, we had a lot of predation.” Volunteers said pre-sprouted seedlings are now several inches tall and transplant successfully.

Recycling and events Staff announced Keep Flower Mound Beautiful events on April 12 at Flower Mound High School including electronics recycling, paper shredding, clothing/shoe collection, medication drop-off (police will receive medications), and a native-plant sale. Volunteers will be needed to help with drop-off activities.

Staff also said the May 6 ECC meeting will include a work session on tree-survey requirements and mitigation and preparation for the joint Town Council–boards-and-commissions work session scheduled for May 15.