Summit Christian Academy is a K-12 school situated on a sprawling campus in the center of Cedar Park. Their vision is to “graduate empowered leaders who impact the world” — and in teacher Melissa Tapperson’s Environmental Studies class, this vision is becoming a reality.
“Our world today has many problems, including climate change, water security, loss of animal habitat, ocean acidification, pollution, the disconnect between humans and the natural world, and growing consumerism, among many others,” shares Ms. Tapperson. “Our vision is that our school community sees those problems as opportunities to innovate, change, and problem solve instead of hopelessness and apathy.”…
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 d…
You certainly can’t tell by the weather, but Fall is approaching, and it’s back-to-school time! As a new school year begins, families stock up on supplies and gear up for the routine of packed lunches, homework, and hustling out the door each morning. But the back-to-school season also brings a spike in waste from all the shopping and school supplies. This year, keep sustainability in mind with these tips for an eco-friendly start to school.
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I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by eating a plant-based diet and, with the Plant Powered Athlete running group, inspiring others to do the same!
June 5th was Global Running Day and, in celebration, we’re excited to introduce our newest Net-Zero Hero: Troy Alvarado! Troy became a blue belt in jiu-jitsu and a marath…
Austin is known as the "live music capital of the world"—and for good reasons! Music has been central to the growth of our city and the culture we've created. Music venues are an essential part of this moniker. So many Austinites have memories of seeing an unforgettable show, discovering a new band, or hearing tunes greet them on sidewalks as they walk by.
Moody Center is one of the newer venues on the scene, but no less memorable. It is a multi-purpose arena on the University of Texas at Austin campus that replaced the 47-year-old Frank Erwin Center in 2022. Beyond bringing in global talent, Moody Center is leading the way…
School gardens provide campuses and students with so much more than fresh food or beautiful landscaping. Gardens serve as an extension of the classroom, a living laboratory, and a place for quiet respite. At the Office of Sustainability, we know school gardens — and the benefits they provide — would not be possible without the dedicated work of campus volunteers who go above and beyond to build, maintain, and support these spaces.
The Friends in Gardening (FiG) Award was created in 2023 by the Central Texas School Garden Network to recognize the efforts of a…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by becoming a naturalist and letting it inspire my actions, art, and community.
Meet our newest Net-Zero Hero: Danny Martin. Danny is an artist and Texas Master Naturalist who has always been inspired by the natural world. Through his art and volunteer actions, Danny seeks to pull together threads, build connections, and s…
As we walked around Bailey Middle School to their greenhouses, we were greeted by a lizard running across the sidewalk into the wildflower area beside us. Bailey has been working for years to improve sustainability on campus.
“This is the fifth or sixth Bright Green Future Grant we have been awarded,” says Mike Berryman, a campus volunteer whose two sons attended Bailey. Despite them graduating years ago, Mike has continued to champion green projects, from tree plantings to greenhouses to water conservation. “Some people golf. This is what I do,” Mike shared.
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This Pride Month, the City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability is proud to stand with and recognize members of the LGBTQ+ community. We know that our vision of a thriving, equitable, and resilient Austin cannot be achieved without their presence and contributions.
Did you know that the green stripe in the Pride flag represents a connection with nature? To honor Pride and the ultimate mother, Mother Earth, we’ve pulled together some local event…
Welcome to Air Quality Awareness Week 2024!
This week, we spotlight the critical yet sometimes overlooked issue of air quality and its impact on our health and envi…