Born and raised in the northern Dallas metroplex, Brooks considers Central Texas his home and has for almost ten years. As a freshman in college, Brooks enrolled in an environmental ethics course that introduced him to philosophical literature on matters such as the possible intrinsic value of nature, the question of non-human life’s moral significance, and how a deep respect for Earth might serve as the basis for a strong system of human ethics. It was through this course and its dis…
Our office is growing! We’re pleased to introduce you to Phoebe Romero, a new Environmental Program Coordinator in our office. We asked her a few get-to-know you questions so you can learn more about her and her background.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I grew up on both sides of the Texas/Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley.
Q: What is your educational background?
A: I attended Brown U…
Our office is growing! We’re pleased to introduce you to Sam Night, a new Food Policy Advisor working with us on a two-year assignment. We asked her a few get-to-know you questions so you can learn more about her and her background.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I grew up in Houston and lived there until I went to college. I moved back to Texas last year from Washington, D.C.
Q: What is your educational background?
A: I went to undergrad at…
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 restori…
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 close…
Last Friday, May 3, our office and EcoRise hosted the 5th Annual Central Texas Student Innovation Showcase at Austin City Hall. Held to celebrate STEM-based student sustainability projects, this year’s showcase featured grant recipients from Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD, and several charter and private schools.
Since 2014, we have partnered with EcoRise to fund their Eco-Audit projects with Bright Green Future Gr…
For seven years, the Office of Sustainability has delivered small sustainability grants to area K-12 schools, along with many City department partners. This year, the Bright Green Future Grants program achieved a major milestone by funding its 300th project!
Background
Launched in 2012, the Bright Green Future Grants program was designed to recognize and support innovative projects that will inspi…
For our office, one of the busiest times of the year is April. After all, Earth Month is the time when many are coming together to spread the word about conservation, climate change, and protecting our environment. In Central Texas, the weather in April can be a bit of a toss-up between absolutely gorgeous or a stormy mess, and this year was no different. Heavy rains and wind resulted in several events being moved or rescheduled earlier in the month. Never…
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…
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…