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February 2026
Building a more sustainable, resilient and equitable Waco.
We had a great turnout for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center last month. If you missed that event, be sure to swing by this Saturday for STEAM Fest: Family Launch Day. If you're unfamiliar with the term, STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. I studied engineering in college and I'll be honest, despite all my efforts I could never get my daughter interested in it. I think I've made peace with it now that she's about to graduate college but maybe your daughter (or son) will get excited to study science and engineering because of our new STEAM Center.
And if you're looking for more science-y inspiration, check out these super cool Science Moms. They've been making some great videos about climate change and even ran an ad during last year's Super Bowl. I wonder if they'll be back with something new during this weekend's Super Bowl??
Cheers,
Eric Coffman
Sustainability Programs Manager
ericc@wacotx.gov
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Become a Certified Community Composter
 The Community Composter Certification Course is an advanced compost education and outreach program, and will train residents of McLennan County in composting to create a network of compost educators and advocates in our community. Led by Emily Hills, Director of Urban REAP, this "training of trainers" course consists of:
- 6 weeks of 2.5 hour classes on Thursday nights (starting March 19)
- 1-2 field trips to local composting sites
- 25 hours of composting-related volunteer hours in the community
- The creation of an independent project that helps to share composting with others
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Trash Dash & Bash River Cleanup Competition
 Join Keep Waco Beautiful on April 11 for the third annual rivalry on the Brazos River! Teams of up to 10 individuals will compete for most trash collected, best team name, and a new category: The Best Banking Team (we are looking at you, local banks!) participants will make Waco beautiful just by showing up and making a difference on the Brazos River.
All participants receive a swag bag, free t-shirt, lunch from Dog Haus, complimentary drinks, and the best team building experience - all while making Waco beautiful. Teams can be built of colleagues, family members, friends + kids (all ages!).
Each team registration is benefitting Keep Waco Beautiful, registration ends March 27! Register now to secure your team’s spot and bring your trash talk on April 11, 2026!
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STEAM Fest Family Launch Day Feb. 7
 Get out and enjoy the STEAM Fest Family Launch Day on Saturday, February 7, from 10:00 a.m., to 4:00 p.m. This is a come-and-go community celebration marking the opening of the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center and the kickoff of Black History Month!
This full-day event invites families to explore the exciting worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math through hands-on activities designed for curious minds of all ages.
What you can explore:
- Interactive science experiments that spark discovery
- Creative tech stations with beginner coding, robotics demos, and engineering challenges
- Art + STEM fusion projects focused on creativity and design
- Math games and puzzles that make problem-solving fun and collaborative
- Live demonstrations and maker activities led by STEAM educators and community volunteers
As part of the Black History Month celebration, families will also enjoy activities inspired by influential Black innovators such as Mae Jemison, Lewis Latimer, Jamaal May, and Lonnie Johnson.
Whether you stay for 20 minutes or spend the whole afternoon, this come-and-go event is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.
First Green Drinks of 2026 on Feb. 16
 Join us for a Certified Waco Green Business event at Street Dog Cafe, on February 16. 4pm-5:30pm for free wine and snacks!
Learn more about Street Dog Cafe’s sustainability efforts, including their very own rainwater catching system! This is a FREE event open to the public, but registration is required to attend.
Join Us for a Community Conversation Feb. 19
 To the generations of students and teachers who attended school at 500 N. University Parks Drive, from Jefferson-Moore High School to Indian Spring Middle School, come share your stories. Join us for candid conversations from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 19 at the Waco Convention Center, Second Floor Lobby. Help us write the next chapter for this property.
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Waco Downtown Farmers Market
SATURDAY MORNINGS, 9am-1pm, 200 E. Bridge Street
The ice has melted and your local farmers and producers are ready to welcome you back to the market! Check out some of the Saturday morning lineup in February:
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FEBRUARY 7: Music: Eric & Thomas. Wellness: Pure Barre. Cameron Park Zoo.
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FEBRUARY 14: Music: Rachel & The Resistors. Art activities for kids. Fresh flowers, chocolates & chocolate covered strawberries.
MPO Bike & Pedestrian Work Group Meeting
FEBRUARY 18, 10:30-11:30am, Bitty & Beau's Coffee, 110 Franklin Ave.
Join the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) for this workgroup meeting to discuss improving bike and pedestrian accessibility in the Waco area. For more information contact Daniela Gallegos (danielag@wacotx.gov).
Lunch with the Masters: Cover Crops and Conservation
FEBRUARY 18, Noon-2pm at Texas AgriLife office, 4224 Cobbs Drive
McLennan County Master Gardeners' first program this year is introducing you to the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Office. Kristen Newman and Michael Pirtle are going to talk about using cover crops to aid in conservation of our natural resources. You might not have ever considered the use of cover crops but you should consider attending this session, you will be surprised at what you might learn. Be sure and bring your lunch or a snack to this free session. Everyone is welcome.
Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board Meeting
FEBRUARY 19, 3pm, City of Waco Operations Center, 1415 N 4th Street
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 found here.
Community Workshop: Fruit Tree Care
FEBRUARY 21, 11am-12:30pm at Urban REAP, 1509 N. 15th Street
Did you know some fruit trees need a certain number of chill hours to produce fruit? Did you know that pruning your trees means you will get more fruit? Come to our Fruit Tree Workshop this month to hear from horticulturalist Sarah Mayo to learn the basics of fruit tree pruning, get hands-on experience pruning Urban REAP’s peach trees, and get your orchard questions answered! Click here to register!
Community Workshop: Planning your Spring Garden
FEBRUARY 28, 11am-12pm at Urban REAP, 1509 N. 15th Street
Attend this workshop to learn from Garden Guru April Strickland how to prepare your garden to get the best out of a Texas Spring and Summer growing season. We will learn about what crops grow best March through July and share best practices to ensure you have produce throughout the growing season. Click here to register!
SAVE THE DATE: Styrofoam Recycling Collection Event
APRIL 11, 9am-1pm, Parking lot at corner of Valley Mills & Waco Drive
Waco Friends of the Climate will hold free Drive-Thru Styrofoam Recycling, Sat., April 11, 9am-1pm, in the parking lot at the corner of Valley Mills & Waco Drives, in front of Ocean Buffet. All forms of Styrofoam are accepted except peanuts. Please bring small particles in a bag. For questions: anorthc@aol.com
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Have Something to Share?
Submit your announcements and ideas to Eric Coffman by MARCH 1 to be included in next month's newsletter.
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