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Giving thanks sustainably

As Thanksgiving approaches, menu planning, trips to reconnect with family and friends, and Black Friday shopping lists can be front-of-mind. We propose shifting your perspective to slow down and simplify this year. Since this is a holiday based on gratitude, why not start from a place of feeling abundant and plentiful? When we recognize everything we already have, it’s easier to think about ways to reduce our impact on the planet.

Here are five tips to have a more sustainable Thanksgivin…

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Photo of woman with short brown hair in front of a doorway to a home. Text reads "Taylor Youngblood Net-Zero Hero"

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…

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We’re pleased to introduce you to Celine Rendon, a Community Engagement Specialist working with us on temporary assignment. Celine will be helping our office's efforts to reach community members about the Climate Plan Update and will be helping to manage the Community Climate Ambassadors Program.

We asked her a few get-to-know you questions so you can learn more about her and her background.

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Planning your fall garden

You may think that gardening for the year is over once you’ve harvested the last summer crop, but think again. During the fall, gardeners in Central Texas will (hopefully) begin to see cooler temperatures. After months of scorching hot weather, October and November start to offer up cool nights and bearable days. With a few minor preparations, a fall vegetable garden can be planted in late September or early October.

Follow these simple steps and you can enjoy fresh vegetables during the wint…

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Ilya stands with his arms crossed in front of a colorful painted rainwater tank. Text reads "Ilya Shmulenson Net-Zero Hero"

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by: working to make hands-on, outdoor learning common practice in public schools.

 

Headshot of Ilya Shmuelenson. He is wearing a black shirt and standing in front of a tree.Meet Ilya S…

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Photo of Sam Night wearing a black shirt standing in front of a red brick wall.
 

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 m…

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Photo of Phoebe Romero smiling in the background with lush green plants behind her. She is wearing a yellow, red, white, and blue striped top.

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 a…

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Photo of Brooks Bailey smiling at the camera posed in front of lush green plants. He is wering a purple-ish plaid collared shirt.

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-…

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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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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…