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Amanda Mortl leaning against a railing and smiling with lots of green plants around.

Please join us in welcoming the newest team member to the Office of Sustainability: Amanda Mortl! Amanda is stepping into the role of Environmental Program Coordinator. They'll be focusing on protecting our city's air quality and advancing Austin's Climate Equity Plan. As Amanda settle…

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Dr. Rosamaria Murillo smiles in front of the El Buen Samaritano building.

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by living a mission-driven life and creating access for others.

Meet Dr. Rosamaria Murillo, Chief Executive Officer at…

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Graphic of a person planting a tree over a photo of two trees ready to be planted.

Once the weather starts to turn chilly, and we move into the months that end in “ber,” many people believe the planting season is over until Spring. While this is true for most plants, the same is not true for trees. The tree planting season in the Austin area is from October to March — or from Halloween to April Fool’s Day. Trees thrive when planted after the hottest summer days are gon…

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Graphic with a light grey world map in the background and two green ribbons in the foreground that read Marcom Platinum Winners and Marcom Gold Winners

Our office recently added three new awards to the trophy case! We were awarded one platinum and two gold awards for excellence in marketing and communications by the MarCom Awards — an international competition that judges about 6,500 entries annually. The MarCom Awards recognize the creativity and hard work of professionals in the communications field.

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Two young boys wear beekeeper suits and smile for the camera.

When we asked two fifth-grade students what they most loved about bees, the answer was clear: “HONEY!” The students, Steve and Tadeo, were volunteering at Govalle Elementary School over their summer vacation to help care for the campus’s new beehives.

Library Media Specialist and Green Team Leader, Stacey Smith, was at the campus with them. “Honey may draw us in but caring and learning about their behavior is…

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Skye Howell sits with her son, Zoran, in front of rose bushes.

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by co-creating community spaces for sharing Native American and Indigenous heritage through cultural programs, advocacy, and partnerships.

In recognition and celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 10), we’re excited to introduce our newest Net-Zero Hero: Skye Howell. Skye is Potawatomi…

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Amal Morse smiles on the deck of her tiny house.

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by living in a tiny house, being mindful of the impact of my personal actions on the environment, and participating in the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctic Expedition.

Meet our newest Net-Zero Hero: Amal Morse! Amal is an Austinite, documentary filmmaker

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Eileen (left) and Lizett (right) stands near a garden at Waterloo Greenway.

We’re helping to make Austin Net-Zero by engaging parents, caregivers, and families in the local climate movement.

In the past few years, we’ve seen many examples of youth organizing for climate justice. From the global Fridays for Future…

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  Trey stands at a construction project with a hard hat on.

I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by showing there is a better way to build.

This October, the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will host its annual Homes Tour. Local architect, sustainability advocate, and our newest Net-Zero Hero, Trey F…

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The owners of Just Right Design Co., Claire Dollen (left) and Ashleigh Straub (right).

In the fall of 2021, Ashleigh Straub and Claire Dollen landed on an idea that felt just right. At the time, Ashleigh was hoping to purchase greeting cards from Claire. Claire had dabbled with the idea of selling her artwork, but the business aspects stressed her out. Within a few weeks of their initial conversation, Ashleigh approached Claire with an offer. As Claire describes it, “She approached me and was…