Outline of what this section will cover, equivalent to 2 to 3 chapters in a book. Content will be posted as funding becomes available. If you have photos, film/videos, or insight or tips for this section, please contact us.
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In 1971 to ’72, Ned was the first to garner national attention for native plants. Ned and Genie had purchased land off Bachman Creek in ’52 and built a home. He kept the yard wild like a prairie. But as the street gentrified, not all neighbors approved. Eventually, the city weed inspector was called and called and called. Each time, Ned beat it back on technicalities. The city threatened to take him to court. What a mistake that was. The trial, called Great Weed War, gained nationwide press. Learn how he won.
Around 1970, as was his goal since college, Ned stopped working full-time as a lawyer to focus on environmental concerns. That year, Ned formed Save Open Space, called SOS, to advocate for preservation of natural areas in Dallas County. They opposed harmful municipal policies, starting with proposed channelization of Bachman Creek, now a very popular greenbelt. SOS was essential in reforming the Dallas parks system’s policy of allowing polluting industries to dump in creeks and rivers and take over park land at little cost. They helped establish the Dallas County open space system by promoting open-space proposal in the bond election and assisted in finding suitable parcels. SOS was the first to take on environmental racism in Dallas by fighting West and South Dallas-based sources of air pollution. Extremely powerful in N TX eco-politics for over two decades.
Ned championed many natural areas in Dallas County, especially through SOS. He spoke up for the preservation of Spring Creek Forest Preserve, Piedmont Ridge, and more. Discover them all.
In the ‘90s, Ned mentored Joanne Hill to start Dallas’ first recycling center since the city of Dallas refused. Its success eventually led to municipal curbside recycling. How they did it.
He crafted Dallas’ first tree ordinance in ’93 and in ’96 started the Dallas Historic Tree Coalition, which became the Texas Historic Tree Coalition. Learn about their most significant victories, including a Comanche Marker Tree in the Great Trinity Forest.
For more on Ned’s eco-work in North Texas, especially the Great Trinity Forest and Ned and Genie Fritz Texas Buckeye Trail, see the Trinity River section.
