You certainly can’t tell by the weather, but Fall is approaching, and it’s back-to-school time! As a new school year begins, families stock up on supplies and gear up for the routine of packed lunches, homework, and hustling out the door each morning. But the back-to-school season also brings a spike in waste from all the shopping and school supplies. This year, keep sustainability in mind with these tips for an eco-friendly start to school.
.png) |
Litter-less Lunchti… |
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by weaving plastic grocery bags into sleeping mats for unhoused people.
Meet our newest Net-Zero Hero: Kiana Salazar, an artist and AmeriCorps member using her creative skills for good. Through the AmeriCorps program, Kiana served with local nonprofit Creative Action, whose mission is to “use the arts as a medium to inspire creativit…
Climate solutions can enhance the lives of every Austinite, but the effects of climate change are not felt equally across our community. As part of the Austin Climate Equity Plan, the Community Climate Ambassadors Program helps to empower community members to lead on climate action through community projects.
Join us as we dive into the inspiring stories of our dedicated ambassadors and discover how they are making a positive difference in their communities.
Meet the 2022-23 Community Climate Ambassadors:
… |
There are thousands of employees who help power the City of Austin — we're proud that so many of them center sustainability in their work and lives. Today, we're introducing you to one such employee: Sara Boone Hartley, Assistant Director for Support Services with the Watershed Protection Department.
One of Sara’s favorite places is her backyard, and she tends it with an eye toward sustainability and the environme…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by amplifying community voices, needs, and solutions that address the social determinants of health*
Meet Nitakuwa Barrett Orsak, our newest Net-Zero Hero. For some, the relationship between health and climate change might not be so obvious, but for Nitakuwa, the connections can’t be unseen. Nitakuwa is a trained naturalist who transit…
With the arrival of triple-digit days, Austin is heating up. Scorching summer heat can pose significant dangers. In fact, heat waves claim more lives among Americans than many other natural disasters including floods, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Heat waves are especially concerning for older adults, folks with respiratory conditions, and people that lack access to air conditioning and shade trees.
Heat waves also stress our power grid. During extreme heat, air conditioners run long…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by educating our community about the importance of plants and sustainable landscapes.
Matthew Gaston is many things: educator, TikToker, native Central Texan, friend of plants, and our newest Net-Zero Hero! Matthew is passionate about fostering a love of plants — particularly native plants — throughout Central Texas and beyond. From his work as Education Director for the…
At the Office of Sustainability, we know that the many school gardens across Austin offer students an opportunity for play, discovery, and learning — and that they wouldn't be possible without the tremendous support of volunteers. The Friends in Gardening Award was created in 2023 by the Central Texas School Garden Network to rec…
At the Office of Sustainability, we are proud to work in an organization where so many employees are committed to supporting a brighter, greener Austin — both in and out of the office. Karlee Taylor, Environmental Conservation Information Specialist with the Wildland Conservation Division of Austin Water, is a shining example.
For Karlee, living a sustainable life is rooted in valuing and respecting not only the…
We’re helping to make Austin Net-Zero by biking our way through life.
May is National Bike Month. To celebrate, we sat down with two Austinites who are doing their part to support a more sustainable Austin, one ride at a time. Meet Sagar Kumashi and Saket Sripada. Sagar and Saket are friends committed to reducing thei…