21 May EcoBits May 21st – May 28th, 2015: Lake Travis on the Rise, Sales Tax Holiday, and SXSW Eco

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[Featured EcoBit] Growin' Together summer camp registration is now open! At Growin' Together, the values of community, sustainability, and respect for the planet are shared with kids from the ages of 4 to 12. Their camps explore a new theme each week and all kids are invited to explore at their own pace and level of interest. You can learn more about each of the week's themes or sign your kids up for camp here>>
 

EcoBits

 

 

[Water] What is the state of Austin's environment? Find out as AEN Editor Amy Stansbury guides you through the city's recently released State of Our Environment report, keeping you up-to-date on the state of Austin's creeks, lakes, and aquifers. Listen to the podcast here>>
 

Lake Travis is actually getting some rain.[Water] Here's a little bit ofgood news – Lake Travis is on the rise! Weeks of steady rainfall have allowed Lake Travis' water levels to rise to their its highest point in two years. Since the beginning of 2015, Lake Travis has risen nearly 7.5 feet and since May 4th, it has risen 1.5 feet. Travis County was even able to open the Tournament Point boat ramp at Pace Bend last week, because water levels have finally risen high enough to allow it to be operational. This is all very good news, but it's important to remember that historically, lake levels are usually 40 feet higher this time of year than they are now, even despite all the rain. More info>>
 

The Texas Water Foundation is hosting a film competition on water.[Water] What role does water play in your life? What is your water story? The folks at the nonprofit Texas Water Foundation want to know. They are sponsoring a short film contest to help raise awareness about the vital role that water plays in the lives of Texans. Famed Boyhood Director Richard Linklater will be the judge and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers. You can enter the competition here>>

 

There is an ENERGY STAR Tax Holiday this weekend.

 

[Energy] This Memorial Day weekend, you can save money and energy with the Texas ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday from Saturday, May 23rd to Monday, May 25th. During this three-day period, shoppers can purchase the following ENERGY STAR-labeled items tax free:

  • Air conditioners priced at $6,000 or less
  • Refrigerators priced at $2,000 or less
  • Ceiling fans
  • Incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs
  • Clothes washers
  • Dishwashers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Programmable thermostats 

And remember, if you're buying a new refrigerator, Austin Energy will pick up your old one, and pay you $50 to do it! You can call 800-452-8685 to schedule a free pickup.
 

The SXSW Eco Panel Picker App is now live.

 

[SXSW Eco] There is only one day left to vote for your favorite SXSW Eco session ideas. Your votes will help SXSW Eco decide which panels actually make it to the conference floor, so your opinion really does matter! Here are a few of our favorite panels:
Cast your votes here>>
 

The 2015 Pollinator Challenge is on.[Wildlife/Gardening] Austin is making a commitment to support 

bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with the 2015 Pollinator Challenge. Together with the National Wildlife Federation, the City of Austin is encouraging residents to grow pollinator-friendly plants, like milkweed, in their own backyards. Austinites who want to help can enter the challenge by filling out this form. Participants will even receive a"Butterfly Crossing" sign to put in their yards.

City council has also joined in on the challenge! They recently approved an resolution that will allow native milkweed to be cultivated into the city's landscape portfolio at Austin City Hall and all other city-owned buildings, properties, and parks. More info>>
 

Learn more about the many benefits of compost.[Gardening/Zero Waste]Although compost is typically billed as a waste reduction strategy (which it is), its benefits go far beyond just landfill diversion. Austin's local compost experts, the Compost Pedallers, have put together an amazing blog detailing compost's many other benefits. Here's a few that made the list:

  • Compost helps soil to better retain moisture, reducing the need for irrigation and conserving water
  • Compost can reduce or eliminate the need to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides
  • Compost is a great way to remediate low quality urban soil. This makes it the perfect addition to urban farms and community gardens.
  • You can read more about the benefits of compost here>>

 

 

[Zero Waste/Recycling] Over the past 7 weeks, more than 1,200 people across America, including dozens of people in Austin and throughout Texas, have taken the Unshopping Challenge and committed to buying nothing new for 30 days. Their reasons are inspiring. The unshoppers wanted to change the world, live with less stuff, and lead simpler lives. Learn more about their stories here>>

And, if you're feeling inspired by their words, there is still time to take the Unshopping Challenge>>
 

[Transportation] How do you get around Austin? How do you wish you could get around Austin? Make your voice be heard with MobilityATX, an online public forum designed to solicit opinions and solutions about Austin's traffic problems. A collaborative effort amongst several community groups, businesses, and Capital Metro, MobilityATX only works if the general public gets involved.
 

Over the next few months, MobilityATX will guide several online and face-to-face discussions to solicit the best ideas from the community about ways to fix Austin's traffic problems. Afterwards, they will present those ideas to city council and other decision makers that have the power to put them into action. They're calling them crowdsourced public policy solutions, but it won't work without the crowd, so get involved today>>
 

You can volunteer with Urban Roots.

 

[Volunteer] Have you heard of Urban Roots? It's a youth 

development organizationthat provides paid internships to Austin teenagers to work on an urban sustainable farm in East Austin. They also donate 40 percent of their harvest to local soup kitchens and food pantries, but they can't do it all without volunteer help. Volunteers are needed on a weekly basis to assist in planting, harvesting, and preparing produce for market.

Here are a few upcoming volunteer opportunities:

Saturday morning volunteers must RSVP beforehand. Weekday volunteers may simply show up at the farm during the dedicated time slot. More info>>
 

National Trails Day is June 6th.

 

[Volunteer] June 6th is National Trails Day, the country's largest celebration of trails. National Trails Day events will take place in every state across the country and will include hikes, biking, paddling trips, birdwatching, geocaching, gear demonstrations, stewardship projects and more. 


In Austin, the Hill Country Conservancy, Texas Conservation Corps, and the Austin Parks Foundation are teaming up to celebrate by hosting several trail repair and cleanup events throughout the city. Sign ups are now open for volunteers who want to donate their time from 9am to noon on Saturday, June 6th. All of the hard work will be followed by a Volunteer Appreciation Party at Roy G. Guerrero park from12:30pm to 2:30pm. Learn more>>
 

 

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