Red Hot (And Green) Gifts For Your Valentine

The GreenDallas initiative, launched by The City of Dallas as part of its commitment to environmental responsibility, offers great suggestions for eco-friendly Valentine's day gifts:

1. Locally made wine – This simple and enjoyable gift promotes the regional economy and sets the romantic tone for any special occasion. The Texas Department of Agriculture offers a guide to Texas wines at www.gotexanwine.org. We recommend Flat Creek Estate wines that are made from grapes grown in the Texas Hill Country.

2. Plant and dedicate a tree to a loved one – What is more romantic than dedicating a special present that will be around for hundreds of years to your Valentine? Visit the Dallas Urban Forest Advisory Committee Web site for more details.

3. Adopt a Dallas Zoo animal – Visit the Dallas Zoo’s Web site to find out how (with a donation ranging from $20 - $2,000) your Valentine can receive a personalized adoption certificate, a color photo, a Zookeeper’s Report that gives information about your animal, mailings about the Zoo and Aquarium, an invitation to the annual Adopt Parents’ Party and a listing on the Adopt Parents’ Honor Roll at the Dallas Zoo.

4. Take a romantic stroll - Take your Valentine to the Dallas Arboretum or Texas Discovery Gardens and stroll hand-in-hand through the parks' many gardens, such as the certified butterfly habitat, the scent garden and the heirloom garden. Also discover different ways to restore, conserve and preserve natural environments in your area at the various environmental education booths throughout the parks.

5. Give a blue bin with a big red bow… a recycle bin! – If you live in Dallas, sign up for a recycling cart by calling 3-1-1. Recycle your cardboard, metal cans, plastics and paper products. By recycling you help reduce the amount of waste going into the landfill. You can also fill out your recycling roll cart registration online (click on “Big Blue/Order Your Recycling Cart” on the left hand side of the homepage).

Visit the Green Dallas homepage for more green Valentine's Day gift ideas!