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June 2024
Building a more sustainable, resilient and equitable Waco.
Last year, the City of Waco joined forces with Mission Waco (Urban REAP), World Hunger Relief, Global Revive, Da'Shack Farmers Market, Family of Faith Worship Center, and Baylor University, to apply for a Partners for Places grant to develop a grassroots campaign focused on food waste, composting, and community gardens. The group came up with the name, SCRAP (Sustainable Community and Regenerative Agriculture Project) Collective and we just completed the grant funding period with a total of 119,782.5 lbs of food waste kept from going into the landfill.
Organic matter, such as food waste, is what creates methane gas at the landfill. Methane gas is a very potent greenhouse gas (28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere). According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, each pound of food that is thrown away can result in 3.8 pounds of methane gas. According to this factor, the SCRAP Collective eliminated 455,173.5 lbs of methane gas from being released into the atmosphere. This is equivalent to 1,376 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year.
The current grant funding period has ended but we've applied for a larger grant through the EPA's Environmental Justice Office and we're looking forward to expanding the great work of the SCRAP Collective.
Cheers,
Eric Coffman
Sustainability Programs Manager
ericc@wacotx.gov
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Register for the Green Communities Conference
The closing keynote will be Vikram Baliga who is a Horticulture Lecturer at Texas Tech University. He hosts the Planthropology podcast, where he interviews amazing people from the world of botany, and has a popular account on TikTok. The third annual Green Communities Conference will be taking place this September 10-11 at the Waco Convention Center. |
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Don't Waste Water!
With all the rain Waco's been getting it's easy to forget we just came out of a two-year drought. The Waco City Council just approved the City's updated Water Conservation Plan and starting July 1, 2024, City of Waco residents are required to follow a three-day watering schedule:
- Odd-numbered addresses: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday
- Even-numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- No outdoor watering on Friday
- No outdoor watering between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily
We appreciate your compliance and your consideration of other water conservation measures as we plan and protect the future of our community's water resources.
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Keep Waco Beautiful - Sustainability Junior Advocate Program
 Join Keep Waco Beautiful (KWB) all summer long with your own passport to sustainable actions! The passport is packed with STEAM/STEM activities that take your kids through various ways to engage with environmental education. Each activity notes age ranges, materials needed, all of which are mostly common found items or through our community partners amazing resources. Those who complete the passport can be entered for free giveaways and prizes.
 Join Texas Children in Nature Network for their 2024 Summit on December 11-13 at the Waco Convention Center in Waco, Texas. This three-day Summit will feature:
- Keynote Speakers - David Vela and Adam Bienenstock
- Featured Presentation from the makers of Chasing the Tide Jay Kleberg and curriculum writer Anne Marie Fayen
- Children in Nature Network Champions Recognition
- Wednesday workshops in the field with many of our Waco partners
- Wonderful concurrent sessions to learn from each other
- Networking opportunities with partners from across the state
Join this amazing learning community by submitting your own session proposal today (deadline is June 14)!
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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. June 19 will be the last Wednesday Night Farmers Market at the Bridge Street Plaza (200 E. Bridge St) from 5-8pm. It will start up again in September.
Green Drinks
JUNE 13, 4pm at Balcones Distilling, 225 S 11th Street
As part of the Keep Waco Beautiful Green Business Alliance program, Green Drinks is bringing the community together in our Certified Green Business spaces for sustainable conversations. FREE drinks and small bites but registration is required! Click here to register
Heart of Texas Electric Vehicle Association Monthly Meeting
JUNE 15, 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
Friends of Cameron Park Waco Meeting
JUNE 17, 6:30pm, Redwood Shelter in Cameron Park
Join us for our next meeting where we will vote on officers and enjoy a talk about The Trees in Cameron Park from a local Waco Tree Enthusiast, Rick Allen. This event is free, though donations will be accepted. Attendees can become Members of the Friends of Cameron Park Waco by joining with a $25 membership fee. Friends of Cameron Park Waco mission statement is the historic and environmental preservation, restoration and sustainability of Cameron Park. For more information, please email friends at: friendsofcameronparkwaco@gmail.com
Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board Meeting
JUNE 20, 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.
Waco Friends of the Climate Monthly Meeting
JUNE 25, 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
Lunch with the Masters: "Herbs" There's More Than Meets the Eye"
JUNE 26, Noon-2:00pm, 7601 Steinbeck Bend Rd.
Herbs add to any garden as they smell delightful and add beautiful texture and color. They are also so versatile in cooking and seasoning foods. However, there is more they can do! Master Gardener Debbie Vanous will explore some of the many uses for herbs other than a seasoning for food. Bring your lunch to this free session. Everyone is welcome.
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Have Something to Share?
Submit your announcements and ideas to Eric Coffman by JULY 1 to be included in next month's newsletter.
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