Image 1 – 2017, Checking the Root Ball of a 5 gallon Tree
An innovative approach to tree distribution
Did you know living near trees improves quality of life? The Austin Community Trees program (ACT) was a pioneer in helping people bring the benefits of trees to their neighborhoods. The pr…
Written by Keith Babberney | Forester | Community Tree Preservation Division | City of Austin
Illustrations by Laura Jackson
1. Choose the Right Tree for the Right Place.
Plant a tree in a place where it has room to grow to maturity . Consider the distance it will be from other trees, built structures, and sidewalks. A…
The Office of Sustainability wants to acknowledge the lives of Mike Ramos, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and countless others killed and devastated by white supremacy and police violence. We see Black people who are raising their voices in the streets to demand justice and stand with them. In the midst of a global pandemic, these tragic acts of police violence amplify and highlight the fact that Black communities face the injustices of systemic racism that are ingrained in every level of our society. We respect and honor the sadness, grief, fear, rage, and frustration that Black people and Black communities are feeling through their lived experience.
In o…
As we embark on revising Austin’s Community Climate Plan, a lot has changed since we created our first plan in 2015. We now know that climate change is happening faster than we thought, and that the landscape of potential solutions has changed in terms of cost and technology. We also know that climate solutions have the potential to improve everyone’s quality of life, but climate change impacts don’t affect everyone equally. This is why we are leading with racial equity and learning from the lived experience of people in our community as we explore solutions to the climate crisis.
As part of our planning process, we convened six advi…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by beautifying communities.
Meet Raasin McIntosh, Olympic and collegiate athlete ,and Founder of the non-profit organization Raasi…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by encouraging neighbors to actively take part in zero waste.
Meet Taylor Youngblood, a recycle and reuse advocate and Zero Waste Block Leader. Taylor regularly provides advice to her neighbors in the Mueller neighborhood about recycling, composting, and reuse. She tables at events,…
We’re making Austin Net-Zero by organizing students to demand climate action.
Meet Matthew Kim and Emma Galbraith, our newest Net-Zero Heroes. Matthew and Emma are Austin-area high school students who recently helped lead the youth climate change demons…
I'm helping to make Austin Net-Zero by helping people become beekeepers!
Meet our newest Net-Zero Hero, Dodie Stillman. Dodie is a certified Master Beekeeper who is passionate about honey bees and sharing her beekeeping knowledge. Dodie currently serves as the President of the Austin…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by working to make hands-on, outdoor learning common practice in public schools.
Meet Ilya Shmulenson, Deputy Director at PEAS (Partners for Education, Agriculture, and Sustainability). When Ilya was growing up, he didn’t have access to outdoor learning. It wasn’t until he attended college that he discovered the power of learn…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by creating an energy-efficient, low-waste culinary incubator that assists over 20 local food + tech companies
Meet Joi Chevalier, our newest Net-Zero Hero! Joi started The Cook’s Nook, Austin’s first shared commercial kitchen and culinary incubator. Prior to opening the Cook’s Nook, Joi worked as an e-commerce product manager and marketing director in…