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Photo of Joi Chevalier in a commercial kitchen. A graphic next to her reads "Joi Chevalier: Net-Zero Hero"

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by creating an energy-efficient, low-waste culinary incubator that assists over 20 local food + tech companies

Meet Joi Chevalier, our newest Net-Zero Hero! Joi started The Cook’s Nook, Austin’s first shared commercial kitchen and culinary incubator. Prior to opening the Cook’s Nook, Joi worked as an e-commerce product manager and marketing director in…

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One of the best things about Austin is the abundance of quiet, natural spaces often nestled near bustling shopping districts, roadways, and neighborhoods. Think: Hotel San Jose’s green escape from the crowds on South Congress, or the “secret beach” hidden behind Roy G. Guerrero Park. This is what the Athena Montessori Academy feels like. The school has managed to create a natural haven for its young learners, tucked just a block or so away from Ben White Boulevard.

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The Upper School campus at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School boasts a meandering network of trails that wind through Texas wildflowers and native oak groves. A couple of ponds on the property offer places for reflection and mindfulness, as well as habitat for birds, lizards, and insects. But, it wasn’t always this way. The students and faculty at St. Andrew’s have made great strides in restoring this land while also making it accessible for young learners.

 

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Photo of a man with a long beard wearing a blue t-shirt standing on a roof with solar panels. There is a graphic overlay that reads "Jerry Bramwell Net-Zero Hero"

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by minimizing energy and water consumption in my home to the greatest extent possible.

Meet our newest Net-Zero Hero, Jerry Bramwell! In 2013, Jerry and his wife, Lauree, made the decision to move from Houston to Austin to be closer to their family. They ended up buying the home right next door to their daughter Amy and began a four-year remodeli…

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Young boy wearing a shirt with a dragon on it stands in front of a large rose bush. A graphic next to him reads "Pranav Sarma Net-Zero Hero"

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by finding renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels.

Meet Pranav Sarma, a student at Artie Henry Middle School in Cedar Park, TX. Pranav recently competed against hundreds of students in the 2019 Austin Energy Regional Science Fair. For his project, Pranav focused on using biomass — a waste material…

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Photo of a woman leaning on a wooden chest. She is wearing jeans and a blue and white shirt. A graphic next to her reads "Caroline Reck Net-Zero Hero"

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by using repurposed materials to tell stories with purpose.

Meet Caroline Reck, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Glass Half Full Theatre. Caroline is a puppeteer, and her theatre company creates original works about global issues using puppets and performers. To be clear, when we s…

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Photo of a family of four in front of large green trees. Graphic reads "Nhat Ho Net-Zero Hero"

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by making sustainable living fun for the whole family.

Meet Nhat Ho, our newest Net-Zero Hero! Nhat is an engineer and Vice President at Civilitude, a local engineering and planning firm located in Austin’s Mueller district. Nhat uses his skills and expertise in engineering to serve on the City’s Water and Wastewater Commission, as well as the Joint Sustainabil…

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Photo of Miranda Bennett with a large orange "0" graphic. Text reads: Miranda Bennett: Net-Zero Hero

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by reshaping the perception of “waste,” and understanding that one product’s by-product can be another product’s starting point.

Meet Miranda​ ​Bennett, the founder of Miranda Bennett Studio, a sustainable clothing brand based in Austin. Miranda is an Austin native who moved to New York at age 17 to study fash…

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Photo of Rosie on a wooden bench. She is looking off to the side and is wearing a blue and grey striped sweater. Her hair is dyed bright blue. The text next to her reads "Net-Zero Hero Rosie Trevino"

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by reducing, reusing, and getting creative with food!

Meet Rosie Treviño, our newest Net-Zero Hero! Rosie loves to cook and gets creative in the kitchen, working to ensure that no food goes to waste. She was originally inspired by Chef Dan Barber’s con…

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Photo of Susan Peterson in a black jacket and blue and white polka dot top. Text reads: Susan Peterson Net-Zero Hero

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by creating green, affordable housing managed by staff trained in sustainability, powered by solar energy.

 

Meet Susan Peterson, the former Director of Green Initiatives for Foundation Communities, a local non-profit affordable housing developer. During her time at FC, Susan has helped build the economic value of the organization’s sustaina…