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July 2025

Building a more sustainable, resilient and equitable Waco.

An exciting project was announced at a recent (June 17) Waco City Council meeting. The City of Waco will be working with Viridi Energy, LLC to develop a facility that will process the methane that is being generated by the City's 948A Landfill so it can be utilized as RNG (Renewable Natural Gas). RNG can be monetized in a similar way to selling natural gas as well as through carbon credits.

This is significant progress in addressing the City's carbon footprint, since the landfill is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations. The landfill generates methane gas as organic matter (like food waste) decomposes and the gas seeps into the atmosphere. Capturing that gas and doing something beneficial with it is a great way to deal with this existing landfill. Even though the landfill is about to be closed and will no longer be taking in new material, it will continue to produce methane for many decades.

The City's new MSW 2400 Landfill is just getting started and won't be generating a significant amount of methane for a number of years so now is a great time to join in our efforts to keep food waste out of this new landfill. You can read more here about our effort called the S.C.R.A.P. Collective and sign up for Urban REAP's food scrap bucket program to turn your food waste into compost instead of methane gas.

Cheers,

Eric Coffman
Sustainability Programs Manager
ericc@wacotx.gov

Tackling the Climate Crisis

SAVE THE DATE: Solar For All Workshop August 28

The next Solar For All Workshop will be Thursday, August 28, at 5:30pm at the South Waco Community Center. Come find out about this new grant program and see if you might qualify for a free solar installation on your house. Please RSVP HERE so we know you are coming.

Green Communities Conference

This year's Green Communities Conference Keynote Speaker is Meghna Tare, who is the Chief Sustainability Officer at the University of Texas at Arlington. She will discuss the importance of cross-sector collaboration and community partnerships in addressing pressing challenges, and present how universities and colleges can serve as catalysts for building resilient, inclusive, and environmentally conscious communities. The conference will take place September 17-18 at the Waco Convention Center.

Preventing Waste & Pollution

Take the Plastic Free July Challenge

The annual Plastic Free July challenge has begun! Every July, we are encouraged to reduce our dependence on plastic by making small changes in our every day lives, such as packing lunches in reusable containers, buying in bulk, and shopping secondhand. Try some of these swaps for the month of July and see how much plastic you can save! Click here to find more tips to help you reduce your plastic consumption.

In the Community

Cool the Heat Fan Program

The Waco Fire Department is kicking off their Cool the Heat program benefiting Waco’s most vulnerable residents during extreme heat emergencies.

Donate new in-box fans at your nearest fire station today! 

Mission Waco, will distribute the fans to local individuals and families who need them most. Visit Mission Waco at 1315 N. 15th Street to receive a fan.

Donate Blankets to Pet Circle Waco

Pet Circle Regional Animal Center's stock of linen goods is running very low.
If you have any gently used blankets, sheets, or towels you're looking to donate, please drop them off at 2032 Circle Road.

Join Us for Wild Wednesday Hikes

Join our Park Rangers for a midweek reset every Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. for a guided adventure through Cameron Park's scenic trails. We meet every Wednesday at Northern Gateway, 704 Park Lake Drive. The hikes are beginner-friendly and free to join. See you on the trails!

Register for STEM Camp

The U.S. Naval Academy is teaming up with the City of Waco and Transformation Waco to host a free, one-day STEM Kids Camp packed with activities designed to spark curiosity and build confidence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Spots are filling fast and space is limited.

Schedule

• Aug. 5 — 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for incoming 3rd & 4th graders
• Aug. 6 — 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for incoming 5th & 6th graders

Upcoming Events

Waco Downtown Farmers Market

SATURDAY MORNINGS, 9am-Noon, 200 E. Bridge St.
In case you weren't aware, the Saturday Waco Downtown Farmers Market has moved to 200 E. Bridge Street. Come check out the new location and also take note of their summer hours (ending at noon instead of 1pm). The Wednesday evening market is on hiatus for the summer but will start up again September 3.

• JULY 12: Music: Trevor Hickok and Garrett Butler. Master Gardeners. Waco Pet Circle.
• JULY 19: Music: Stan Wilfong Duo. Waco Family Medicine. Waco Mammoth Site.
• JULY 26: Music: Stephany Chavira Band. Caritas.

Discovery Activity: Sunflower Bird Feeders

JULY 10-12, During open hours at Urban REAP, 1509 N 15th St.
This month come join us to turn old sunflowers into bird feeders! Learn how sunflower seeds can bring wildlife into your yard and keep your sunflowers blooming and beautiful. 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!

Home Canning Workshop

JULY 12, 9am-1pm, 4224 Cobbs Dr.
Want to learn how to preserve your harvest? Texas A&M AgriLife is offering a 3-hr Home Canning workshop, complete with hands-on experience! There is a $50 registration fee for this event. REGISTER HERE for this event.

Lunch with the Masters: Using Grass and Succulents in Your Gardens and Landscape

JULY 16, Noon-2pm, MCC Emergency Services Education Center,
7601 Steinbeck Bend Dr., Room 105
Ever wonder what grass will grow best in your yard or how you can incorporate some of those great succulents you see at the garden centers? Well, wonder no longer! Master Gardeners Mark Barnett and & Steven Lovecky are both Lunch with the Masters' favorite presenters and quite knowledgeable on these subjects. We are in for a treat as they talk to us about the ins and outs of grasses and succulents in your yard and gardens. No Green Thumb required to enjoy this event! Bring your lunch or snack to this free session. Everyone is welcome.

Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board Meeting

JULY 17, 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 found here.

Community Workshop: Caring for Houseplants

JULY 19, 11am-noon at Urban REAP, 1509 N. 15th Street
Attend this workshop to learn from local gardener Nicholas Washington how to care and propagate houseplants! We will take a look at some of the most common houseplants, how to care for them indoors, and even propagate a few. Please REGISTER HERE for this event.

Waco Friends of the Climate Styrofoam Recycling Drive

SEPTEMBER 6, 9am-1pm, Corner of Valley Mills & Waco Dr.
SAVE THE DATE: Drive-thru Styrofoam recycling by Waco Friends of the Climate. September 6, 2025, 9am-1pm, in the parking lot at the corner of Valley Mills & Waco Drive, near Ocean Buffet. ALL Styrofoam accepted except peanuts. Questions: anorthc@aol.com

What We're Reading & Listening To

Articles

Developers propose more than 100 new gas power plants in Texas
By The Texas Tribune

Texas law gives grid operator power to disconnect data centers during crisis
By Utility Dive

Books

The Ministry for the Future
By Kim Stanley Robinson

Podcasts

Kim Stanley Robinson on how his novel ‘Ministry for the Future’ holds lessons for the present
By Mongabay Newscast

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

Postscript

The partial shading of Colorado grasslands by solar arrays could decrease water stress and increase plant growth during dry years by 20% or more, a new study in Environmental Research Letters has found.

Have Something to Share?

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

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