Welcome to the austin common.

(Formerly known as the Austin EcoNetwork)

We’re the local news site that helps you be informed and make a difference… right here in Austin, Texas.

If this your first time visiting? Learn more by clicking on one of the buttons below. Or, keep scrolling for a look at our most recent posts, stories, and suggested civic action items. 

Vote

Elections 101

We make learning about elections fun and easy! Click here for our guides to the November 2025 election.

News

News Articles

Look through our thousands of local news stories. New posts are added weekly and every story has a focus on community engagement and ways you can get involved.

Events

Community Calendar

Discover new ways to connect to Austin's civic community with our community calendar, featuring events from dozens of local nonprofits & advocacy groups.

Featured Event

Holding Space Through Food

Join _OFCOLOR for a panel discussion that explores how food, land, labor, and brick-and-mortar spaces intersect in the lives of Black chefs, entrepreneurs, growers, and cultural workers.

“Austin’s legacy of creativity and culture isn’t just identity – it’s an economic engine that has fueled our growth for decades.”

–  said Rally Austin, in the latest story in our Living Eulogies series, A Tale Of A Changing City 

Early voting for the primaries has begun. Here’s what you need to know… 

Primaries are when you get to decide which candidates from each political party will run in the general election in November.

You can vote in either the Democratic or the Republican primary, but you can't vote in both.

Early voting lasts through February 27th and Election Day is March 3rd.

Join the Club

Love The Austin Common? Join The Common Club, our supporters network/Patreon community. As a member, you’ll gain access to special perks (like civic zines, t-shirts, & stickers) & fun programming. So what are you waiting for? Support a local community news source, meet cool people, & grow your civic knowledge.

Jobs For The Common Good

A full list of the coolest sustainability + civic jobs in Austin!

Programming & Events Manager– Waterloo Greenway

Your Vote Is Your Voice

Latest Quiz

Because it’s time for quizzes with more helpful information in them than “what kind of toast you are” or “which Disney princess you’re most like”… (sorry Buzzfeed). 

 

With our quizzes, we help you learn about your local community, get personalized advice, and of course, have a little fun. — Coming soon!

Connect with us!

Have any questions about The Austin Common? Just send us an email (info@theaustincommon.com). We’d love to chat. 

Action Item

Become a Volunteer Deputy Registrar!