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March 2024
Building a more sustainable, resilient and equitable Waco.
This coming September 10 & 11 will be the third annual Green Communities Conference. Planning this conference has been a collaborative effort between many organizations including Keep Waco Beautiful, Mission Waco/Urban REAP, Baylor University, McLennan Community College, Cameron Park Zoo, and many departments at the City of Waco. It's been a great group of folks to work with these past two years but we want to continue to expand the number of people and organizations that have a voice in what the conference is and what it becomes. That's why we've established a new conference Advisory Committee to further expand community input. Please consider participating on this committee and sign up below to attend our first meeting.
We've also opened up the submission form for anyone interested in being a speaker at the conference. This year's theme is Sustainable Innovation for All. We're looking for presentations on the latest innovations in tackling climate change, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and recycling, with a focus on environmental justice weaved throughout the agenda. If you or someone you know has something great to speak about at the conference, please use the below link to submit a presentation abstract.
Cheers,
Eric Coffman
Sustainability Programs Manager
ericc@wacotx.gov
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 Participate on the Green Communities Conference WSN Advisory Board
New for this year's conference we've created an Advisory Board to expand the amount of input we can get from the diverse communities throughout the Waco area. This is your chance to help shape the conference so it can be valuable to everyone in our community. You're welcome to sign up to participate on the board even if you can't attend our first meeting on March 26 at noon at the East Waco Library.
Know someone who would be a great speaker at the Green Communities Conference?
We're looking for speakers that can share their experience working on or researching about innovative technologies or programs that are making our local communities more sustainable and equitable. The topics we're looking to cover include water quality and conservation, clean energy and climate technology, sustainable agriculture and recycling. We're especially interested in perspectives that involve issues of environmental justice. |
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March 22 is World Water Day
 World Water Day is a day to engage communities together for water-related education, fostering a sense of collective responsibility on the global water crisis. Sign up to participate in a river cleanup or water testing in the morning and attend the educational festival in Indian Spring Park in the afternoon.
These events are brought to you by a partnership between Keep Waco Beautiful, City of Waco Watershed Protection, City of Waco Wetlands, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Baylor University Center for Reservoir Aquatic Systems Research.
March 23 is Household Hazardous Waste Day
 Join Solid Waste on March 23rd from 7 am to 1 pm at 501 Schroeder Drive to get rid of your household hazardous waste. Each year the City of Waco hosts the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day to provide residents with a FREE service for disposal of items considered potentially hazardous.
This event is for all residents of Bellmead, Hewitt, Lacy Lakeview, Waco, and Woodway that live within the city limits. Make sure you register ahead of time to have access to the "fast lane." Following your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with your registration form attached. (Residents that do not register ahead of time must bring a driver’s license and a city utility bill or rental agreement to show proof city residency.)
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Garrison Street Garden Project
 Join Keep Waco Beautiful on March 23 at 200 Garrison Street to help the local chapter of National Women in Agriculture Association as they work on rebuilding beds, providing fresh soil and plants in the garden, and assisting with various projects. Check out this great article in the Waco Tribune-Herald: East Waco garden gets new life through grants, volunteer organizations.
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Waco Downtown Farmers Market
SATURDAY MORNINGS, 9am-1pm, 500 Washington Ave.
Support our local farmers and artisans by buying locally grown and produced goods. The Wednesday Night Farmers Market at the Bridge Street Plaza (200 E. Bridge St) in East Waco will be starting up again on March 20 and operates from 5-8pm.
Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board Meeting
MARCH 21, 3pm, Waco Central Library Conference Room
The general public is welcome to attend this monthly meeting of the citizen board that makes policy recommendations to the Waco City Council. Consider becoming a member of the board. More information can be found here.
Garrison Street Garden Project
March 23, 9am-12pm, 200 Garrison Street
Thanks to a Keep Texas Beautiful and H-E-B grant, Keep Waco Beautiful is collaborating with National Women in Agriculture for the Garrison Street Garden project! We will be rebuilding beds, providing fresh soil and plants in the garden, and assisting with various projects. This is a great opportunity to engage volunteers of all ages to get involved in this beautiful space! REGISTER HERE
Waco Friends of the Climate Monthly Meeting
MARCH 26, 6pm, South Waco Library
Meetings are currently held on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Vegan refreshments are typically provided. All are welcome and everything is free. For more information contact: anorthc@aol.com
Free Community Workshop: Companion Planting
March 30, 11am-12pm at Urban REAP
Come to this free workshop and learn how to get the most out of your garden space by mixing plant companions that help each other grow stronger and healthier. Urban REAP is located at 1505 N. 15th Street in Waco.
APRIL PREVIEW:
There's so much coming in April! Get ready for:
- April 6 - STEAMclipse at Waco Convention Center
- April 8 - STEAM Zone at McLane Stadium (during the eclipse)
- April 13 - Trash, Dash & Bash
- April 20 - The Great Waco Cleanup
- April 20 - Party for the Planet
- April 22 - Screening: Plastic Planet
- April 23 - Science Day with Sarah the Scientist
- April 24 - Drive Electric at the Farmers Market
- April 25 - Green Drinks with Waco Green Business Alliance
- April 26 - Arbor Day Tree Planting
- April 26 - Night Hike at Lake Waco Wetlands
- April 27 - Care for Waco Carnival
You can find details about many of the above events at Keep Waco Beautiful
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Have Something to Share?
Submit your announcements and ideas to Eric Coffman by APRIL 1 to be included in next month's newsletter.
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