EcoBits April 9th – April 16th, 2015: The Road to Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Wildflower Viewing Tips, and More…

[Climate Change] Did you know? Austin is trying to eliminate all of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (and even earlier if possible). Of course, a goal this big needs a big plan, which is exactly what dozens of community leaders have been working on for months now.

The result is the Austin Community Climate Plan, a report that recommends a series of actions across several different focus areas, including electricity and natural gas, transportation and land use, materials and waste management, and industrial processes. The report also shows how the plan will affect different constituencies, making the case that a future without greenhouse gas emissions will benefit everyone. 

The plan is important, both because of its breadth and ambition, and therefore needs community input and support. That's why the Office of Sustainability is asking the public to submit any comments they have about the plan to sustainability@austintexas.gov, but time is running out! All comments are due by the end of the day tomorrow, Friday, April 10thYou can read through the entire report here>>
 


It's All Related: Climate Change and Public Health

 

[Climate Change] Climate change affects more than just polar bears and environmentalists. Because of its negative impact on public health, climate change has the potential to affect everyone. Earlier this week, representatives from the Obama administration made this connection between public health and climate change at a special round table discussion with Mayor Steve Adler and several other local health professionals and thought-leaders. Learn more about what they had to say with Amy Stansbury's latest blog>>

 


Where to see Texas wildflowers.[Outdoors] Wildflower season continues, so this week we have even more flower-viewing tips to share with you all. 


Texas Parks and Wildlife has put together a really good pinterest board, overflowing with beautiful pictures of everything from bluebonnets to Indian paintbrushes, as well as details about where to find them. State parks are a really good place for wildflower viewing because unlike highway medians, you don't have to park you car on the side of a road or cross any busy streets to access the flowers.

Plus, according to Parks and Wildlife, this is one of the best wildflower years Central Texas has had in a long time, so be sure not to miss it!

 


Austin parks could win big through the Parks Build Community Initiative.
[Outdoors/Parks]
 Help an
 Austin park win $20,000 for renovations and improvements through Parks Build Community, an initiative funded by Disney, ESPN, ABC, and the National Recreation and Park Association. Three local parks are up for the big prize:

  • Battle Bend Park Basketball Court Renovation – Upgrade the popular basketball court at Battle Bend Neighborhood Park with new backboards and rims, court surface upgrades, new benches and a new high efficiency lighting.
  • House Among the Trees at Zilker Park – There is nothing closer to nature than a house among the trees!  Give Austin’s kids a chance to explore nature in a treehouse complete with swinging walkways, climbing ramps and split-level platforms.
  • Nature Play at Dove Springs District Park – Help connect Austin’s children with nature through nature-based play.  New nature-play features at Dove Springs Park will include a boulder tunnel, council ring and slide hill. 

The park with the most votes gets the big prize, and voting lasts until the end of AprilYou can cast your vote here>>
 


The Austin Public Library's Talk Green to Me series begins this month.[Earth Month] It's April, which means Earth Month is officially here! The Austin Public Library is celebrating with 30 days of eco-related programming at several of its branches all around town, and the best part is, it's all free! They're calling it the Talk Green to Me Sustainable Living Series and the Austin EcoNetwork is a partner, along with several other great community organizations, including the Sustainable Food CenterThe Dumpster ProjectKeep Austin Beautiful, the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, and Compost PedallersCheck out the full calendar of events here>>

 

HEB customers can donate to several environmental organizations during the month of April.

 

[Earth Month] During the entire month of April, HEB and Central Market stores across Texas will be supporting environmental organizations through the Earth Day Tear Pad Campaign. Customers will be able to choose to add $1, $3, or $5 to their bill as a donation to EarthShare of Texas, a nonprofit that organizes workplace giving campaigns and gives the proceeds to other environmental nonprofits throughout the state. Some of their member organizations include AEN partners, like the Austin Parks FoundationAustin Youth River WatchCenter for Maximum Potential Building SystemsHill Country ConservancySave Barton Creek AssociationSave Our Springs Alliance,Sustainable Food Center, the Sierra Club, andTreeFolks. Please considering supporting these fabulous organizations on your next shopping trip!

 


Try the bus for the first time in April
[Transportation]
 The transportation app RideScout is challenging Austinites to take the plunge and ride the bus for the first time this month. A great blog from one of their newest employees, Erica, explains away the common fears associated with taking public transportation and encourages Austinites to just give it a try

"Now I’ll be honest," Erica writes, "riding the bus takes more effort and commitment when commuting to work, but by taking my one car off the road I’m helping to reduce traffic here in Austin." Learn more about how Erica got over her fears and became a public transportation guru with this blog from RideScout>>
 


The Commuter Contest runs through April 24th.[Transportation] Another local transportation group, 

Commute Solutions, is also challenging Austinites to embrace public transportation. Their Commuter Contestruns through April 24th and invites those taking alternative transportation to work to log their trips online, and win great prizes doing it. Individuals can win Fitbits, iPods, and Kindles by walking, carpooling, or even telecommuting to work. Learn more here>>
 


AISD is working to conserve water.

 

[Water] The Austin Independent School Districtis making some big changes in the way it uses water. A press release from Austin Water reveals that together, the two groups have worked to complete comprehensivewater efficiency audits on seven AISD campuses. These audits showed that several simple renovations and updates could yield significant water savings, including the installation of new faucet aerators and high efficiency laundry machines, irrigation system repairs, and more.

Together, these changes have saved the district 11.7 million gallons of water, which is enough to provide water to 195 average households for an entire year. These changes will also help AISD to save $164,000 in water and wastewater charges. The auditing program has been so successful that AISD has agreed to have audits done on five more of its campuses in 2015. More info>>

 

[Green Design] Learn to build your own natural and permaculturally-designed home with earthbag, cob, strawbale and light-straw. Join our very own Natural Builders Thea Bryant and Kirby Fry in the 9 Day Bag Blitz Natural Building Intensive, June 27thJuly 5th at the Earth Native Wilderness School in Bastrop, Texas. Come all 9 days or just the 2 weekends.Register here>> 
 

 

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