10 Apr Austin EcoNetwork’s Earth Month EcoCalendar!
AustinEcoNetwork.com publishes the Austin EcoNews keeping 10,000+ subscribers and followers up-to-date and in-the-know about the thriving Austin green scene. The EcoCalendar is the most comprehensive and current listing of green events happening in Central Texas. Below we have assembled a compendium of green events taking place in Austin during Earth Month 2014.
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April 2014
April 1, April 8, April 10, April 15, April 22, April 24, April 29, 8:30am-Noon
Volunteer on this 3.5-acre youth and community farm in east Austin to help with planting, harvesting, preparing produce for market, and other farm work. No experience is required to volunteer. This is a great opportunity to work on the land, support our youth program, and help us grow food for the Austin community. Wear clothes you can get dirty. Bring a water bottle. Be prepared for physical activity! More info
Tuesday, April 1, 7pm – 8:30pm
Fair, Affordable and Green: Faithfully Building Our Energy Future
Each month the Interfaith Environmental Network of Austin host a monthly symposium. For April IEN welcomes Khalil Shalabi is Vice President of Energy Market Operations and Resource Planning at Austin Energy. He will offer a presentation on Austin Energy’s proposed plan, and then we’ll have a panel discussion featuring local religious leaders from impacted communities, followed by an open forum Q&A. Audience members are encouraged to ask questions of both Mr. Shalabi and the panel.The City of Austin is at the beginning stages of an important conversation about our electricity future. This conversation, now underway, will determine the sources of Austin’s energy mix—coal, natural gas, solar, wind, energy-efficiency, etc.—for the next several decades. Because the sources of our community’s energy affect our health and environment as well as our pocketbooks, and because the faith community has deep interests in ensuring the well being of all people today and for generations to come, it is important that Austin’s faith community offer leadership and participate in the conversation. More info
Saturday, April 5, 8am-4pm (Monthly)
Austin-Bastrop River Corridor Partnership- Travis County River Monitoring Trip
Join Claude Morris and the Travis County Colorado River Monitoring trip for a day on the river monitoring birds and more, and help the Austin-Bastrop River Corridor Partnership learn more about the ecology of the Colorado River. Meet at the CER parking lot at 8:00am A river trip to monitor birds and vegetation along the river and you MUST provide your own boat. More about the Austin-Bastrop River Corridor Partnership and location and site map for CER. More info
Saturday, April 5, 9am-Noon
SFC Special Topic Gardening Class- Rain Gardens
Learn how to build a rain garden at your home, school, or community garden! A rain garden is a low area that absorbs and filters rain water runoff that comes from roofs, sidewalks, and driveways. Rain runs off the hard surfaces, collects in the shallow depression, and slowly soaks into the soil. Rain gardens are planted with colorful native plants and grasses, and, where the water collected is free of contaminated run-off, food-producing plants can be used, as well! Join us for an interactive, outdoor, hands-on introduction to rain gardens at the J.P.’s Peace, Love and Happiness Foundation Teaching Garden at Sustainable Food Center. Registration is $35. More info
Saturday, April 5, 10am-11am
The Holistic Cat Care Class with Lana Fraley Rich, Catsultant®
Lana is a feline behavior expert and has worked with clients for over 20 years. Lana uses proven natural and holistic approaches in resolving cat behavior issues. She studied with feline veterinarians and noted feline experts and authors, including Anitra Frazier, author of The Natural Cat. In the class, Lana covers a variety of entertaining and valuable topics, including how to: Reduce shedding by 50%, Lower your vet bill, Prevent common and costly cat behavior problems, Keep your cat safe from common household products and plants. More info
Saturday, April 5, 11am-6pm
An all-day educational event at Fiesta Gardens that celebrates the health, environmental, and animal welfare benefits of plant-based lifestyles. Activities include cooking demonstrations, lectures, youth activities, community outreach activities, and live music! Texas VegFest 2013 attracted 5000 attendees, 175 volunteers, as well as 120 sponsors, vendors, and nonprofits from across the nation. Our team looks to attract 7000 attendees, 200 volunteers, and 150 sponsors, vendors, and nonprofits for Texas VegFest 2014. We are quickly growing to be one of the largest plant-based festivals in the United States! More Info
Saturday, April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26, Noon-2pm
A four-week visual art program that focuses on educating children in art appreciation by using corresponding techniques of different featured masters to create their own works utilizing sustainable and/or recycled materials. The goal of the program is to familiarize children with significant historical artworks while training in a variety of visual art techniques with emphasis on responsible use of materials. Class enrollment is free, though donations are gratefully accepted. All donations will be used to continue the offering of Fine Arts classes at in.gredients. More info
Saturday, April 5, 5pm-9pm
Texas Young Farmer Coalition Meet & Mingle Mixer
Join the Texas Young Farmer Coalition (TXYFC) for an evening of mixing, mingling, and conversing with farmers and food lovers from around Texas. Celebrate the arrival of spring and a bountiful harvest at beautiful Green Gate Farms in Austin, TX. We’ll kick off the evening with a Farmer Panel Discussion. Throughout, please enjoy some delicious, micro-brewed libations and horsd'oevres! More info
Saturday, April 5, 6pm-9pm
Spring for Water 2014: Party with Clean Water Fund!
Enjoy food, drink, live jazz music and a fabulous silent auction at the annual Spring for Water 2014: Party with Clean Water Fund on the beautiful grounds of the Amala Foundation. State Director, David Foster will give a short address and present the CWF Volunteer of the Year Award.
Sunday, April 6, 2014 2pm-8pm
“A beautiful day of bluegrass music, food, and fun on a real working farm!” Farmgrass Fest '14 at Simmons Family Farms, a gorgeous real working farm in Niederwald, TX. Ticket proceeds will go towards an emergency medical fund for local, independent farmers. More info
Monday, April 7-6pm, Saturday, April 12-9:30am, Wednesday, April 23-6pm, Tuesday, April 29-6pm, Wednesday, April 30-6pm
Free Composting Class City of Austin
To sign up to attend a class or to view an online version of the class, visit austintexas.gov/composting.
Monday, April 7, 6pm
Clean Energy Beers (5th Anniversary)
Join an Austin Tradition Begun in April 2009 as Dr. Michael Webber's public office hours, Clean Energy Beers has become an Austin tradition on the first Monday of each month. An eclectic mix of job-hunters and head-hunters, inventors and investors, researchers and everyday folk interested in energy gather once a month for cold beer, good barbecue, and to discuss clean tech in Central Texas. More info
Tuesday, April 8, 11:45am-1pm
Chicas Verdes Lunch at Mother’s Cafe
Eco-minded ladies are invited to join Chicas Verdes for our monthly gathering to network, brainstorm and socialize around all things green. (Note: it alternates between lunch in even months and happy hour in odd months.) This month we’ll be meeting at Mother’s Cafe, a classic Hyde Park vegetarian restaurant. More info
Tuesday, April 8, 5:30pm-6:30pm
Volunteer Orientation, Sustainable Food Center
Come learn more about what it's like to volunteer with SFC! Volunteer Orientation takes place from 5:30-6:30pm at the SFC Training Facility, 2921 E. 17th St, Building C (off MLK Blvd and Miriam Street) More info
Wednesday, April 9, 4:30-8:30
McKibben, Brown & Starks—Sustainability: Is It Worth Investing In?
Mr. Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org; Dr. Keith Brown, UT Austin Distinguished Teaching Professor in Finance; and Dr. Laura Starks, UT Austin’s Charles E. and Sarah M. Seay Regents Chair in Finance, talk about responsible, values-driven investment and business practices. The discussion will focus on the recent movement aimed at higher education to divest endowment funds from fossil fuels. More info
Friday, April 11, 9am
2014 Volunteer Call, Funky Chicken Coop Tour
* Do you own chickens but are not interested in having your coop on the Funky Chicken Coop tour?
* Do you like chickens and want to spend some time with others of a similar interest?
* Do you want to help spread the word about the benefits and joys of raising chickens?
* Do you like to bicycle and want to help make this year's Tour de Funky Chickens a success?
If so, there are some wonderful opportunities for you to help prior to the tour, on the tour day itself, and after the tour is over. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE FOLLOWING: Tour Day Information Center, Photography, Videography, Flyer & Card Distribution, Tour Material Distribution & Collection, Help lead a bicycle ride at the Funky Chicken Coop Tour, Promote cycling at the Information Center, Provide mechanic assistance for cyclists and miscellaneous duties as needed. More info
Saturday, April 12, 7am-11:30am
Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory Monthly Bird Survey
The HBBO Bird Survey is open to all levels of birder interested in intensive monitoring, although this is not a field trip. In the morning, we have teams covering different areas of the Hornsby Bend facility, and they count numbers of all birds seen. It is 4 hours of hard hiking and counting, but lots of fun along the way. More info
Saturday, April 12, 9am-11am
Keep Austin Beautiful’s 20th Annual CLEAN SWEEP
Imagine over 4,000 volunteers joining together on an ordinary Saturday morning to make an extraordinary difference in the City of Austin. Each April, Keep Austin Beautiful hosts Clean Sweep, a city-wide service day spanning 130+ sites in 31 zip codes throughout Austin and resulting in over 29 tons of trash removed and more than 8,700 hours contributed. The network of cleanups is followed by a not-to-be-missed volunteer party and environmental fair that features free lunch, live music, a climbing wall, children’s environmental activities, recycled art, a unique object contest, fantastic door prizes, and more! More info
Saturday, April 12, 10am-2pm
EcoRise: Eastside Memorial High School Outdoor Classroom Volunteer Day
EcoRise needs your help with the Eastside Memorial High School Outdoor Classroom and Garden project. We will be setting up the foundation of a pergola structure (cutting wood, digging holes, & setting concrete), laying out crushed stone, installing a water container and building a few keyhole beds. More info
Saturday, April 12, 1pm-4pm
Funky Chicken Coop Tour Presents: Helping Things Grow in Your Own Backyard
Join Heather-Nicole Hoffman of Compost Coalition, and the librarians at Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr., Austin, TX, 78723. Learn how to turn compost into food, and make Austin's zero waste goals happen, with a little help from you and your chickens. Reduce waste and improve your soils, your food and your home. Hands-on demos, information booths, maybe even some chickens in action! More info
Saturday, April 12, 3pm-7pm
Wells Branch Elementary School Spring Festival
There will be lots of fun games and activities in addition to eco-friendly activities. We are partnering up with Whole Foods and Whole Kids Foundation for a garden party in our school garden. There will be healthy cooking demos, garden to lunch ideas and activities for kids. CINCA (Children In Nature Collaborative), Green Ribbon Schools (promoting their Million Mile Month) and Vida Green Consulting will be there talking about different outdoor opportunities and making crafts with kids. More info
Sunday, April 13, 9am-5pm
Each month we host a Permablitz work day, but because of the hectic schedules of our organizers, we will be having a maintenance permablitz for April. we need to check up on the gardens we have created and to add more cover crop seeds for the warm season. More info
Sunday, April 13, 10am-3pm
2014 Family Water Festival & Colorado River Ramble at Fiesta Gardens
• Family Water Festival: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (FREE ADMISSION) – over 30 Games and Interactive Learning Activities, 4 Live Bands, Food Trailers, Green Workshops and Presentations, SUP, canoe and kayak demo and Prize giveaways.
• Colorado River Ramble: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ($15 and up) – 1K kids sprint race, 1.5 SUP and Family Paddle, 5 and 10 mile SUP race, as well as a canoe and kayak race. More info
Sunday, April 13, 1pm-5pm
Spend a Sunday afternoon strolling vibrant fields of local produce and visiting with chickens, donkeys, and goats on four neighboring urban farms. At each farm, chefs will provide tastes of their art using the freshest farm ingredients while local brewers, wine merchants, and mixologists will offer sips. In the fields, farmers will talk about their growing crops, share their experiences, and answer gardening questions. This beloved farm tour will change the way you look at food and the people you buy from as well as offer the perfect opportunity to solve your own growing challenges! More info
Wednesday, April 16, 5:30pm-8pm
Solar Austin Happy Hour: Community Solar
Residential solar, commercial solar, municipal solar and utility scale solar can all be found in Austin, but community solar is the next big thing. Austin Energy is currently designing a community solar program, so this is the perfect time to learn about the different options for community solar programs and what might work best for Austin. Join us to learn how community solar can be used to expand access to the benefits of solar. If you love solar, but haven't been able to take advantage of it because you rent or have a shaded or badly oriented roof, you won't want to miss this event. More info
Wednesday, April 16, 7pm-9pm
Design~Build~Live Monthly Meeting
This monthly 3rd Weds. monthly,Part 1 in 'The PROCESS of NATURAL BUILDING' Series w/ DBL guest presenters. April: Builder-Designer KINDRA WELCH (ClaySandStraw.com) on "FINDING YOUR SITE." Join this Interactive discussion of factors to consider before beginning a sustainable home's "DESIGN, "CONSTRUCTION, and "PRACTICAL BUSINESS" phases, to be presented later in this series. More info
Thursday, April 17, 7pm-10pm
Be A Kid Again Fundraiser Party
Join Growin' Together for an adult playground featuring your favorite childhood activities mixed with exquisite food, drinks, and music. More info
Saturday, April 19, 8:30am-9:30am
Getting Started with Chickens Class
New to chickens? Bring a lawn chair and start Tour day (4/19/2014) with a free presentation on "Getting Started with Chickens" More info
Saturday, April 19, 10am-4pm
Austin Funky Chicken Coop Tour
Each year the FCCT strives to showcase an array of coops in Austin backyards that display a variety of construction designs and materials, from recycled to custom designed coops, including production hens to exotic chickens and roosters. Share in the chicken eggcitment that is sweeping the nation! More info
Saturday, April 19, 10am-5pm
1st Annual Earth Day Spirit Fest
The festival showcases affordable, practical options for sustainable living combined with positive ways to maintain the health of people and the planet. The Earth Day Spirit Festival includes Live Bands, Children’s activities, Moonwalk, Drinks, Food, Displays on Sustainable Living, Electric Vehicles on Display, Healthy Living Products and Services, Face Painting, and fun for all ages…Celebrate Earth Day with us! More info
Saturday, April 19, Noon-4pm
Austin Sustainable Swap for Micro-Farmers, Crafters & Skilled Folk
It's a place for home gardeners to bring home-grown produce to swap for other goods and services; a place for crafty folk to bring their creations to exchange and inspire; a place for educators/instructors to share free intro classes/workshops with the community; and a place for non-profits & volunteer groups to educate the community about how they help support us, and how we may support them in their continued success. More info
Tuesday, April 22nd, 10am
UT Austin's Spring Trash to Treasure
Starting at 10am the UT Campus Environmental Center will be selling items collected from students during the end of semester move-out in order to divert these materials from UT's waste stream. All items are only $1. More info
Tuesday, April 22, 10am-7pm
Greener Choices Earth Day Festival- Austin Community College
An all day celebration of Mother Earth but also a rich learning opportunity to learn about renewable energy, electric vehicles, alternative transportation options, sustainability, green building and more! Live Music powered by solar energy! Electric Vehicle Showcase, Build an e-bike. Keynote Speaker Former Austin Mayor Will Wynn! Hands-on activities for kids! Hosted by the non-profit student group RESA (Renewable Energy Students Association) More info
Tuesday, April 22, 11am-1pm
On-site T-Shirt bag demonstrations, Earth Day Prizes and Door Prizes, Free Entertainment, Learn about Environmental Resources in the County, Used Battery Collection, Used CFL Lightbulb Collection. More info
Tuesday, April 22, April 23, April 24, April 25 11am-4pm
St. Edward’s University Celebrates Earth Week 2014
From April 21st-25th, there will be a variety of speakers and organizations, including H-E-B, Capital Metro, Environmental Defense Fund, and Green Gate Farms, as well as many fun activities across campus. All activities are FREE and open to the public! This year's theme, "Our Place in Space: Sustainability, Stewardship, and Community," speaks to the local and global aspects of environmental stewardship to reinforce how our conceptions of place impact geographic space. More info
Tuesday, April 22, 6pm-7pm
H-E-B’s Sustainability Initiatives with Susan Ghertner and Charlie Wernette
St. Edward's University is proud to welcome Susan Ghertner, H-E-B Environmental Affairs Director, and Charlie Wernette, H-E-B Director of Engineering, to campus on Earth Day to discuss current and future initiatives that H-E-B is focusing on to improve the sustainability of its products and services. Susan will begin the talk with "H-E-B's Sustainable Business Practices," followed by Charlie's discussion, "H-E-B's First Sustainable Design Test Store: H-E-B at Mueller." More info
Tuesday, April 22nd, 6pm-7:30pm
CEC & Texas Water Journal Discuss The Future of Water Conservation in Texas
A panel, moderated by Todd Votteler, the chief editor of the Texas Water Journal, includes: Ken Cramer, former president of the Lonestar Chapter of the Sierra Club Nora Mullarkey, conservation expert at LCRA Kevin Wagner, Associate Director of the Texas Water Resources Institute, Raymond Slade, USGS retired hydrogeologist. More info
Wednesday, April 23, 6pm
The Unforeseen
This Terrence Mallick-directed documentary details the political and cultural genesis of the Austin environmental movement in relation to the passage of the Save Our Springs ordinance and the ensuing property rights lash-back. Following the screening there will be a Q&A with SOS Alliance Executive Director, Bill Bunch. More info
Thursday, April 24, 11:30am-1:30pm
Each semester, Jim Walker, UT Austin’s Director of Sustainability, sits down with students, faculty, staff, and community members on the West Mall to answer questions about sustainability at the university. Designed to raise awareness of sustainability on campus, the event is located outdoors on the West Mall, to encourage student participation. Various sustainability-focused programs and organizations will be tabling at the event. More info
Thursday, April 24, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Craft Night with Austin Creative Reuse (Monthly)
We will be making fabric banners!
Friday, April 25, April 26, April 27, April 28, 7am-Noon
Join us at the 14th annual Balcones Songbird Festival! See the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo and many other migrating species. Take a guided tour with wildlife experts who can help you see the endangered songbirds, unique native plants and wildlife and the natural habitat of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Bring a camera and take advantage of the opportunity to capture images of wildlife on a guided tour with the experts. More info
Saturday, April 26 8:30am
Spring Symposium at the Wildflower Center
Award-winning author, Dr. Doug Tallamy will deliver the keynote address at the Spring Symposium entitled, "Bringing Nature Home, Gardening for Life." Other speakers are: Damon Waitt: "A New Era for the LadyBird Johnson Wildflower Center," Matt Turner: "Remarkable Plants of Texas," Jason Singhurst: "Texas' Newest Cajun Prairie Preserve", and Mark Klym, TPWD, "Landscaping for Hummingbirds." Breakfast and Lunch included, as well as access to the Wildflower Center's gardens. This event is sponsored by the Native Plant Society of Texas and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. REGISTRATION Before April 18 – $55 ($50 NPSOT & LBJWC members). After April 18 – $65. Register at http://www.npsot.org/springsymposium2014. Call 830-997-9272 or emailstate@npsot.org. More info
Saturday, April 26, 9am-1pm
Ecological Literacy Volunteer Day at Hornsby Bend (Monthly)
Help maintain Hornsby Bend! Did you know that all the Hornsby Bend trails, habitat gardens, and kiosks were built and are maintained by volunteers? If you enjoy birding or walking along the Colorado River here, please join us in maintaining these amenities and supporting public access at Hornsby Bend. More info
Saturday, April 26, 10am-2pm
EcoRise: William B. Travis High School Volunteer Work Day
Saturday, April 26 we will be hosting a hands-on work day on the Travis High School campus. If you are willing to roll-up your sleeves and lend a hand for a few hours, the students and teachers of Travis High School would greatly appreciate it. More info
Saturday, April 26, Noon-6pm
Austin Earth Day Festival returns for a third year to the “Historic Browning Hangar” at Mueller on Saturday, April 26th, 2014, noon-6pm. The festival highlights our diversity of Austin culture with a huge variety of music and entertainment, along with speakers, demonstrations, exhibitors, entertainment for kids, food trailers and more. More info
Sunday, April 27, Noon-1pm
Gary Hallock Presents: The University of Texas Solar Car Program
We develop electric vehicles that are powered only by the sun — using built-in solar panels. Power is very limited (about as much as a hair dryer) and the technical challenge of building a full size vehicle capable of highway speeds is very large. University teams across the world develop these vehicles, and there are yearly competitions to showcase the technology. I will discuss the design of these solar cars, and compare them to emerging commercial electric vehicles. More info
Wednesday, April 30, 11:30am-1pm
AISD Facilities Environmental Roundtable
AISD staff will be available to discuss current and planned sustainability efforts related to AISD facilities, and you will have an opportunity to discuss, provide feedback, and share comments or concerns. More info
Wednesday, April 30, 6pm-8pm
Sustainable Food Center: Seed Saving Basics Workshop
Class all about seed-saving for beginners. Add another layer of sustainability at your home or community garden by preserving plant diversity, developing seed stock that is resilient and better adapted to our particular climate, and sharing your seed bounty with the Austin community! This class covers the basics of seed saving including the fundamental reasons for saving seed, seed saving guidelines and processes, easy seeds to save, and an introduction to a new seed exchange program hosted by SFC’s Grow Local team. Participants will also be able to raid SFC’s growing seed library! More info
Friday, May 9, 9am-1pm
Barton Springs Mother Earth Day Festival
For the 13th Annual Mother Earth Day Fest we will have Magic, Art, Barkley the Walking Tree, The Worm Lady, Hula Hoops, Science and Watershed Exhibits, Solar Powered Exhibits, SPLASH, "The Hey Lollies Brass Band", Sara Hickman, Bill Oliver and the Otter Space Band, Ortega Superstar Choir, and much more! More info
Recurring events
Austin Farmers Markets
Sustainable Food Center EAST
MLK Blvd. & Miriam St. near Cap MetroRail Station
Tuesdays, 3pm-7pm More info
Sustainable Food Center at THE TRIANGLE
4600 Lamar Blvd.
Wednesdays, 3pm-7pm More info
Sustainable Food Center DOWNTOWN
Republic Square Park, 4th Street & Guadalupe Street
Saturdays, 9am-1pm More info
Sustainable Food Center SUNSET VALLEY
Tony Burger Center, 3200 Jones Road
Saturdays, 9am-1pm More info
Texas Farmers Market Cedar Park
11200 Lakeline Mall Drive
Saturdays, 9am-1pm More info
Texas Farmers Market Mueller
Browning Hangar, 4550 Mueller Blvd.
Sundays, 10am-2pm More info
Weekly
“Shades of Green” Environmental Talk Radio on KOOP 91.7 FM
Thursdays, 1pm More info
Also, streams online
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