In January, after over a decade of service with the Office of Sustainability, Chief Sustainability Officer Lucia Athens retired from her work with the City. With her departure, Climate Program Manager Zach Baumer was appointed Interim Chief Sustainability Officer. “I know I am leaving things in good hands with the exceptional Zach Baumer filling in for me in an acting role,” wrote Lucia, “I could not be more confident in his capabilities.”
As Zach steps into this new role, we sat down with him to understand his journey with the Ci…
This Valentine's Day, we sat down with the Office of Sustainability's Education and Outreach Coordinator, Mary K. Priddy, to learn more about how to infuse a little love for Mother Earth into your celebrations. Read on for Mary's tips...
Like many people, I have always had a love-hate relationship with Valentine's Day. On the "Love" side, it's a good excuse to go on a sugar-high-fueled warm-and-fuzzy-heart-shaped spree of sharing the love. My significant other threatens to enter my name each…
Please join us in welcoming the newest team member: Amanda Mortl! Amanda is stepping into the role of Environmental Program Coordinator. They'll be focusing on protecting our city's air quality and advancing Austin's Climate Equity Plan. As Amanda settles into the new role, we asked her some g…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by living a mission-driven life and creating access for others.
Meet Dr. Rosamaria Murillo, Chief Executive Officer at El Buen Samaritano (El Buen) and our newest Net-Zero Hero! Dr. Murillo is a public health advocate, immigrant, and changemaker who strives to support the physical and mental well-being of her community.
Dr. Murillo began at El Buen…
Our office recently added three new awards to the trophy case! We were awarded one platinum and two gold awards for excellence in marketing and communications by the MarCom Awards — an international competition that judges about 6,500 entries annually. The MarCom Awards recognize the creativity and hard work of professionals in the communications field.
- We received a platinum award fo…
When we asked two fifth-grade students what they most loved about bees, the answer was clear: “HONEY!” The students, Steve and Tadeo, were volunteering at Govalle Elementary School over their summer vacation to help care for the campus’s new beehives.
Library Media Specialist and Green Team Leader, Stacey Smith, was at the campus with them. “Honey may draw us in, but caring and learning about their behavior is what has kept me engaged,” said Stacey. “And I hope it keeps our school comm…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by co-creating community spaces for sharing Native American and Indigenous heritage through cultural programs, advocacy, and partnerships.
In recognition and celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 10), we’re excited to introduce our newest Net-Zero Hero: Skye Howell. Skye is Potawatomi and Ottawa, a proud mother, and a passionate community organizer. She p…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by living in a tiny house, being mindful of the impact of my personal actions on the environment, and participating in the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctic Expedition.
Meet our newest Net-Zero Hero: Amal Morse! Amal is an Austinite, documentary filmmaker, and passionate climate advocate. While Amal focuses on living a green lifestyle in all her daily actions, last…
We’re helping to make Austin Net-Zero by engaging parents, caregivers, and families in the local climate movement.
In the past few years, we’ve seen many examples of youth organizing for climate justice. From the global Fridays for Future movement to young Austinites…