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September 2024

Building a more sustainable, resilient and equitable Waco.

I just had the pleasure of participating in Dr. Josh King's Baylor class called "Literature and Environmental Justice." Dr. King has been an active part of the SCRAP Collective and students from his class will be working out in the Waco community spending time with SCRAP partners: Urban REAP, World Hunger Relief, Global Revive, Da'Shack Farmers Market, and Family of Faith Worship Center.

In his class, Dr. King introduces the term refugia (reh-FU-jee-ah) which is a word biologists use to describe "pockets where life persists through environmental disturbances to reemerge and spread." He expands on this concept to include both cultural and biological regrowth and flourishing in times of significant environmental and social challenge. I hope the work we're doing at the City of Waco can contribute to a kind of refugia in our community.

Hope to see many of you at the conference next week!

Cheers,

Eric Coffman
Sustainability Programs Manager
ericc@wacotx.gov

Tackling the Climate Crisis

Green Communities Conference is Next Week!

You can still register for the conference (or even purchase walk-in tickets) although the catering orders have been placed and so meals cannot be guaranteed. Come engage with your neighbors who are passionate about sustainability and learn from experts in topics covering water, energy, waste and food. This great event takes place September 10-11 downtown at the Waco Convention Center.

Preventing Waste & Pollution

Thank You for Keeping Waco Clean & Green

Thanks to your recycling efforts, Waco has recycled 1,730.93 tons of material from January to June 2024 alone. That's a significant contribution to keeping our city clean and green. Here's what your recycling power translates to in real-world terms:

• 5,190 cubic yards of space saved in our landfills. That's enough space to fill the volume of about one and half Olympic-sized pools.
• 17,875 trees saved reduced the need to cut down more trees.
• 29,482 gallons of oil saved from using recycled material rather than creating new products from scratch with crude oil.

In the Community

Cameron Park Zoo: Where Wildlife Meets Conservation

Cameron Park Zoo began as a modest dream in the 1950s and has grown into a beloved Waco tourism destination. After several moves, the zoo opened its doors in Cameron Park in 1993. Today, it boasts over 1,700 animals and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Cameron Park Zoo continues to serve as place where education, conservation, and recreation converge.

Lake Waco Wetlands Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Located on the North Bosque River and covering over 180 acres, the Lake Waco Wetlands provides a diverse habitat for the early development of plants and animals often dubbed “nature’s nursery.”

Wetlands are among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world, alongside tropical rainforests and coral reefs. They also can provide protection as a place for excess water to go during floods. The Lake Waco Wetlands can impact water quality by naturally treating about 11 million gallons of water a day from the Bosque River.

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. The McLennan County Master Gardeners will be there September 14 with a focus on "Seed Saving and Propagation."

MPO Public Meeting

SEPTEMBER 11, 11am-Noon, McLennan Community College
The Waco MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) invites you to learn about Convey 2050, a plan to shape tomorrow's transportation today. This public meeting will take place in MAC Room 111 on the MCC campus at 1400 College Drive in Waco.

Discovery Activity: Pollinator Cards

SEPTEMBER 12-14, During open hours at Urban REAP, 1509 N 15th St.
We are celebrating pollinators for this month’s Discovery Activity! Come make a pollinator card decorated with seasonal flowers for someone special. Our Discovery Activities are free and family-friendly DIY activities available the second week of every month. Supplies are available during our open hours, with staff available to answer questions as needed. Grab a beverage or paleta from one of our neighborhood shops and explore nature with us!

MPO Public Meeting

SEPTEMBER 17, 5-7pm, Bellmead Civic Center
This is the second in a series of public meetings where the Waco MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) invites you to learn about Convey 2050, a plan to shape tomorrow's transportation today. This public meeting will take place in the Bellmead Civic Center located at 3900 Parrish Street in Bellmead.

Lunch with the Masters: "Wildlife Habitats & Exemptions Animal & Tax Benefits for YOU!"

SEPTEMBER 18, Noon-2:00pm, 7601 Steinbeck Bend Rd.
David Riley, James Hall & John Michael Hairston with Plateau Land & Wildlife Management will talk about the history and rules surrounding the Texas law that made it possible for folks with a current 1-d-1 ag valuation to maintain their same property tax savings while managing for native habitat and wildlife. They will walk through different management strategies that can be used by large and small acreages alike. A property that enjoys a wildlife exemption, regardless of size, is part of the six million acres in Texas currently being managed to preserve open spaces and lower property taxes.

Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board Meeting

SEPTEMBER 19, 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

SEPTEMBER 21, 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

SEPTEMBER 24, 6pm, South Waco Library, 2737 S. 18th Street
Waco Friends of the Climate will hold its September meeting Tue., Sept. 24, 6pm,
at the South Waco Library Meeting Room, 2737 S. 18th St., Waco 76706. The business session will begin at 6pm, focused on volunteer assignments for multiple October campaigns. The educational program follows and will be announced later. Vegan refreshments will be served. All are welcome and everything is free. More information: anorthc@aol.com

Community Workshop: Landscaping with Native Plants

SEPTEMBER 28, 11am-12pm at Urban REAP
Looking for a drought-tolerant perennial pollinator garden? Attend this workshop to learn from Master Gardener Rianna about which natives to plant now to take advantage of the spring showers! We will talk about how to design a garden for our region and talk about specific plants that love our Central Texas weather.. Click here to register

Save the Date:

Waco Friends of the Climate will host the 2024 ASES National Solar Tour,
Sat. Oct 5 and Sun. Oct 6, 10am - 5pm, at 619 Stone Manor Drive, McGregor
TX. Visitors may observe the following technology and ask questions of the
homeowner: rooftop photovoltaic system, Tesla Powerwall battery, Tesla
Electric vehicles (2), electric heat pump water heaters, electric cooktop stove, electric home composter, rainfall collector, and a microplastic filter for the
clothes washer. For questions, email: anorthc@aol.com

What We're Reading & Listening To

Articles

Chart: Solar power is shattering global records
By Canary Media

Zum Deploys Nation's First 100% Electric School Bus Fleet in Oakland, California for the 2024-2025 School Year
By PR Newswire

Climate Newsletters

Climate Coach
By Michael J. Coren

Podcasts

Scorched Earth: Understanding the Deadly Impact of Heat with Jeff Goodell
By Energy Capital Podcast

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 SEPTEMBER 1 to be included in next month's newsletter. 

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