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Mayor adler speaks with students about their sustainability projects.

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…

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Two students gardening with text overlay that reads "K-12 Sustainability Grants Program Reaches 300 Projects"

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 a…

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Photo of lots of people and kids lined up to spin a wheel at an outreach table. Overlay text reads "That's a wrap for Earth Month"

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 re…

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Young boy wearing a shirt with a dragon on it stands in front of a large rose bush. A graphic next to him reads "Pranav Sarma Net-Zero Hero"

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by: finding renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels.

 

Headshot of Pranav Sarma. He is wearing a tie-dye shirt with a happy face on it.Meet Pranav Sarma, a student at Artie Henry Mid…

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Photo of a woman leaning on a wooden chest. She is wearing jeans and a blue and white shirt. A graphic next to her reads "Caroline Reck Net-Zero Hero"

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by: using repurposed materials to tell stories with purpose.

 

Headshot of Caroline ReckMeet Caroline Reck, Founder…

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Earth Month Message - Lucia Athens, Chief Sustainability Officer

Earth Month brings warmer weather, blooming plants, and birdsong in abundance. It’s a great time to immerse ourselves in nature, and to consider ways to make our own little corners of the planet greener and more welcoming to the species we share it with.

Observing nature is one of my favorite Spring rituals. Over the last month, I’ve enjoyed the sight of hundreds of bees buzzing around trees in full bloom, and the soun…

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Photo of a family of four in front of large green trees. Graphic reads "Nhat Ho Net-Zero Hero"

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by: making sustainable living fun for the whole family.

A headshot of Nhat Ho.Meet Nh…

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In the United States, 27% percent of greenhouse gas emissions is from transportation. That makes transportation the second leading source of GHG emissions in the U.S. — just behind electricity. The simplest way to avoid these emissions would be to drive less, carpool, or use mass transit. But, sometimes this isn't an option. Here's how to optimize your fuel efficiency when you must drive:

Drive electric or hybrid

Whe…

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Woman presenting an award to a school-age boy. Text reads "Recognizing the best in climate protection"

The Austin Energy Regional Science Festival is one of the largest science fairs in Texas, with almost 3,000 students from 3rd through 12th grades competing for top honors. This year’s theme of “Exploring Genius” brought out some of the best and brightest students in Austin. Our office was on-hand to select the “Best in Climate Protection” s…

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Photo of Miranda Bennett with a large orange "0" graphic. Text reads: Miranda Bennett: Net-Zero Hero

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.