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May 2024

Building a more sustainable, resilient and equitable Waco.

This week is "Air Quality Awareness Week" and next week is "Bike to Work Week." It's not just a coincidence that these two nationally recognized events occur close to each other. Vehicle emissions have a significant impact on our local air quality (as well as global climate change). Getting around on a bike instead of driving a car is a great way to contribute to a cleaner, healthier, more livable city.

It's also important to know if you're sensitive to outdoor air quality before you spend too much time exercising outside. AirNow.gov is a great resource to understand our local outdoor air quality and unfortunately, a quick check today shows the level of particulate matter (PM2.5) is unhealthy for sensitive people.

The City of Waco, along with the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) have been working with local citizens for a number of years to identify strategies to make the city more accessible to bikes and walking. You may have noticed many of the new sidewalks and striping for bike lanes on our city streets. The MPO is hosting their Bike and Pedestrian Workgroup next Wednesday, May 15 at 10am at the Pecan Bottom Park Shelter in Cameron Park. A group will be meeting downtown at 9:20am at the Dr. Mae Jackson Development Center to walk or bike to Pecan Bottom Park if you want to join (or you can meet everyone at the park). I hope to see you there!

Cheers,

Eric Coffman
Sustainability Programs Manager
ericc@wacotx.gov

Tackling the Climate Crisis

Registration for the Green Communities Conference is now open!

The third annual Green Communities Conference will be taking place this September 10-11 at the Waco Convention Center. You can now register for this exciting conference where you can learn about the latest sustainable innovations in agriculture, waste, water, and energy. Come be inspired by our speakers and network with hundreds of your neighbors who also care about making a more sustainable community. There's also still time to apply to speak at the conference (until May 31).

Preventing Waste & Pollution

Glass Recycling is available in Multiple Locations

Look for the large purple dumpsters that are available 24/7 (and free) to toss your glass bottles and food glass jars at these locations:

• Heritage Square in Downtown Waco
• East Waco Library
• McLennan Community College in Parking Lot S
• Goodwill Headquarters on New Road

And if you haven't watched it yet, be sure to check out our Glass Recycling Video.

In the Community

May 22 Creating Green Neighborhoods Ribbon Cutting

Join Keep Waco Beautiful (KWB) for their first Creating Green Neighborhoods project ribbon cutting on Wednesday, May 22, from 11am - 12pm. Thanks to several grants and sponsorship, KWB strategically partnered with East Waco neighbors for their community garden, to help support and amplify their efforts in the community. The National Women In Agriculture have been developing locally-grown food to provide for underserved communities. They guide young members of society to sustainable growing, healthy cooking with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Upcoming Events

Waco Downtown Farmers Market

SATURDAY MORNINGS, 9am-1pm, 500 Washington Ave.
Support our local farmers and artisans by buying locally grown and produced goods. Wednesday Night Farmers Market at the Bridge Street Plaza (200 E. Bridge St) from 5-8pm.

Discovery Activity: Compostable Flowers

MAY 8-11, During open hours at Urban REAP, 1509 N. 15th Street
Join Urban REAP for this month's Discovery Activity to create a compostable display for the important women in your life! This family-friendly activity is free - Urban REAP has the supplies, you bring the energy!

Community Workshop: Backyard Compost

MAY 18, 11am-12pm at Urban REAP, 1509 N. 15th Street
Attend this workshop to learn from Marisela and the Urban REAP Compost Team about how to compost in your backyard. See first hand how composting works and how to start your own system. Click here to register

Lunch with the Masters: What Grows Well Here, Texas Native Plants & Super Stars

MAY 15, Noon-2:00pm, 7601 Steinbeck Bend Rd.
Come and learn why we should use native plants and see suggestions for reliable native plants for Central Texas, including how to select them. Hear about the difference between Texas native plans and Texas Superstar® plants. Let's make this coming summer more productive and less stressful in our gardens. Our speaker, Sandy Katz, has been a Master Gardener for 20 years in McLennan County and an educator for over 55 years. She will inform and inspire you with wonderful information on a topic she loves and understands.

MPO Bike and Pedestrian Workgroup Meeting

MAY 15, 10am, Pecan Bottom Park Shelter in Cameron Park
Join the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) for this workgroup meeting to discuss improving bike and pedestrian accessibility in the Waco area. The MPO will plan to meet at the Dr. Mae Jackson Development Center (401 Franklin Ave.) at 9:20am and either walk or bike to Pecan Bottom Park. You can also meet them at 10am at the park.

Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board Meeting

MAY 16, 3pm, Fire Station 6 Community 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.

Heart of Texas Electric Vehicle Association Monthly Meeting

MAY 18, 6pm, Kim's Diner at 2600 W Waco Dr
Topics of conversation regularly include basic EV ownership, zero emissions motorsports, battery recycling, grid resiliency, and conversions. Don't own an EV yet? Come learn things! EV owner? Come teach people! For more information contact: hot.electautoassn@gmail.com

Waco Friends of the Climate Monthly Meeting

MAY 28, 6pm, Waco Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave.
Meetings are currently held on the 4th Tuesday of the month. The business session starts at 6pm, followed by an educational program, details to be announced. Vegan refreshments will be served. All are welcome and everything is free. Website: friendsoftheclimate.org. For more information contact: anorthc@aol.com

What We're Reading & Listening To

Articles

ERCOT launches new planning efforts as 2030 load growth projections soar 40 GW in a year
By Utility Dive

Can streetlights unlock big city EV charging? This startup thinks so
By Canary Media

Books

The Deluge
By Stephen Markley

Podcasts/Radio

A Texas Power Promise with Senator Nathan Johnson
By Energy Capital Podcast

More frequent – and worsening – extreme weather events are ahead for Texas
A report from a state climatologist and the nonprofit Texas 2036 finds that severe weather events are accelerating
By The Texas Standard

Send us your suggestions for articles, books, podcasts, or videos, so that we can share them with our community.

Have Something to Share?

Submit your announcements and ideas to Eric Coffman by JUNE 1 to be included in next month's newsletter. 

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