I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by showing there is a better way to build.
This October, the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will host its annual Homes Tour. Local architect, sustainability advocate, and our newest Net-Zero Hero, Trey Farmer, will be one of the Austinites showcasing their home on the tour. Trey works with local firm Forge Craft Architecture…
In the fall of 2021, Ashleigh Straub and Claire Dollen landed on an idea that felt just right. At the time, Ashleigh was hoping to purchase greeting cards from Claire. Claire had dabbled with the idea of selling her artwork, but the business aspects stressed her out. Within a few weeks of their initial conversation, Ashleigh approached Claire with an offer. As Claire describes it, “She approached me and was like, ‘Okay, mull this over: what if we did it tog…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by saving the bees!
In celebration of National Honey Bee Day on August 20, we buzzed up to Elgin to meet with local beekeeper, viral TikToker, and our newest Net-Zero Hero: Erika Thompson!
Erika has been interested in insects for as long as she can remember, routinely asking her parents for books on bugs a…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by speaking my mind and being involved in the community as a resident and organizer.
In 2022, Austin experienced record-breaking heat during both May and June — a fact that may not have surprised our newest Net-Zero Hero: Frances Acuña. In her role as Climate Resilience Lead Organizer with Go! Austin/Vamos! Austin (GAVA), Frances mobilizes commun…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by making sure my neighbors have a good, healthy choice of food.
At the 51-acre Community First! Village, a development of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, sustainability is woven into the fabric of daily life. From enjoying free, hyper-local food to engaging in opportunities for dignified and sustainable income, neighbors in Communit…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by connecting the dots between global climate change and our local Austin weather.
Our newest Net-Zero Hero may be a familiar face for many Austinites: three-time Emmy Award winner, David Yeomans! As KXAN’s chief meteorologist, David supports our community daily in understanding our local weather. Through all his work, David’s passion for cli…
Breathe in. Feel your lungs expand with air. Breathe out.
Every second, we breathe in about a cup of air, or nearly a gallon every minute. For many of us, breathing is so automatic that we may have taken it for granted at one point or another. But, breathing clean, fresh air is necessary for people to survive and thrive.
In Austin, air quality is in danger of becoming worse because of human-induced climate change. Below are just some of the ways our warming climate impacts local air quality.
- How many of us have complained about oaks and Ashe juniper trees during allergy season? Our warming climate may be making allergy season longer and more severe. A…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by connecting community members to resources both at the library and beyond.
In honor of National Library Week and National Gardening Month, we’re excited to introduce our newest Net-Zero Hero: Marcos Martinez, Managing Librarian at the Little Walnut Creek Library! From serving on the Nature Smart Libraries initiative to starting a seed collection at his library,…
“We get to be out in nature all day — I really love that,” shared 12-year-old Annika, who we met on a recent visit to Whole Life Learning Center (WLLC). With nearly two acres of space in South Austin, WLLC is creating “living classrooms” where students are encouraged to connect with the natural world around them.
Visiting the school, it’s clear to see the impact of outdoor learning. Teacher John prepares a garden for his Ecostudies class later that day. Students on a break create their own version of leapfrog with the help of the school’s baby goats. The campus is buzzing with activity.
…
Top 7 Achievements
 |
Led the creation and final City Council adoption of the Austin Climate Equity Plan through a unique community-… |