We're excited to introduce our newest team member: Angela Baucom! Angela is taking on the new role of Food and Climate Program Coordinator. She'll be supporting both the climate and food teams in understanding where their work intersects and how to best leverage resources for collective impact. As Angela settles into the new role, we asked her some getting-to-know-you questions to help introduce her to our larger community.
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We’re helping to make Austin Net-Zero by promoting stewardship of our local watersheds.
As part of the Girl Scout Law, every scout agrees to “use resources wisely” and “make the world a better place.” For Troop 40348, the scouts live these practices above and below the waves.…
Across the City of Austin's departments, employees are doing their part to create a brighter, greener Austin. One such employee is Ana Gonzalez, Environmental Monitoring and Compliance Division Manager for the Watershed Protection Department.
Ana understands that simple everyday actions can make a big difference while recognizing “there is so much more that needs to be done.” Ana’s actions prove you don’t have to invest a lot of time and money to be environmentally…
Austin held its first science festival in 1956, and every February, almost 3,000 students from 23 school districts in 12 surrounding counties present projects at the Austin Energy Regional Science Festival. Public, private, and home school students display more than 1,800 projects that fit into 17 scientific categories, ranging from Animal Sciences to Robotics and Intelligent Machines.
The first in-person festival since the pandemic was held February 23-25 at the Palmer Events Center, and it…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by ensuring that I, my organization, its members, and the communities we work in are transforming how we produce, consume, and move about our region here on Earth.
Meet Chivas Watson, Founder and Lead Administrator of WorkingGroup512 (WG512) and our newest Net-Zero Hero! Founded in 2020, WorkingGroup512 provides direct service to individuals and families across Austin and the Central Texas region, providing…
Did you know the City of Austin protects trees on public and private property? In 1983, the City of Austin passed one of the first tree protection ordinances in the United States. The City continued its commitment to protecting valuable community trees by passing the Heritage Tree Ordinance in 2010.
A Heritage live oak is protected during development.
What is a "Protected" tree?
The Land Development Code (LDC)…
In January, after over a decade of service with the Office of Sustainability, Chief Sustainability Officer Lucia Athens retired from her work with the City. With her departure, Climate Program Manager Zach Baumer was appointed Interim Chief Sustainability Officer. “I know I am leaving things in good hands with the exceptional Zach Baumer filling in for me in an acting role,” wrote Lucia, “I could not be more confident in his capabilities.”
As Zach steps into this new role, we sat down with him to understand his journey with the Ci…
This Valentine's Day, we sat down with the Office of Sustainability's Education and Outreach Coordinator, Mary K. Priddy, to learn more about how to infuse a little love for Mother Earth into your celebrations. Read on for Mary's tips...
Like many people, I have always had a love-hate relationship with Valentine's Day. On the "Love" side, it's a good excuse to go on a sugar-high-fueled warm-and-fuzzy-heart-shaped spree of sharing the love. My significant other threatens to enter my name each…
Please join us in welcoming the newest team member: 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 settles into the new role, we asked her some g…