How Tree Roots Work Part 1 | How Tree Roots Work Part II: Digging Deeper
Soil Ecosystem
Did you know trees communicate with each other through a network like our World Wide Web? Tree roots live underground, but they are not alone. They are part of a vibrant ecosystem. Of course, soil contains large organisms like insects, worms, moles, and spiders, but the smallest lifeforms are very important to tree health. There are more bacteria in a teaspoon of soil than people on the planet. Other tiny soil organisms include fungi, algae, and protozoa. All of t…
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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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…
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…
We’re nearing another Texas summer in Austin and it’s getting easier to imagine the record-breaking 110-degree weather recorded last July. Fascinated by the role that the landscape plays in urban heat and microclimates, students at Texas State University analyzed land surface temperatures across Austin. While this is something anyone can ‘feel’ when they step out in a black t-shirt, it’s interesting to take a step back and view the cityscape and urban heat on a larger scale. Students processed data provided by USGS and NASA, utilizing ArcGIS online to analyze and present their findings.
A Wealth o…
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…
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…
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…
On the first Friday of most months, members of the Urban Forestry team of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) can be found in a maintenance lot off Stratford Drive*. Mopac looms to the east. Ready with chainsaws and log lifters, they offer the public a unique free resource: Austin-grown wood. PARD oversees the management of over 288,000 trees on Austin parklands. Keeping those public spaces safe is the first priority for their Urban Forestry team, especially in a city known for our natural gems…
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…