The Austin EcoNetwork is powered by dozens of community partners who believe in what we’re doing and want to be a part of it. Austin is a unique and wonderful city because businesses and nonprofits like these make it that way. They choose to get involved, give back, and above all, care about Austin and the people who live within it. We are so grateful for all the support that our partners have given us and for all that they do everyday to make Austin a better place to live.
Featured Partners
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[tab title=”Austin Resource Recovery”] Formerly known as Solid Waste Services, Austin Resource Recovery provides residential curbside collection of trash, recycling and yard trimmings in the City of Austin. Additional services include sweeping streets, collecting dead animals, operating a drop-off center for household hazardous waste and collecting bulk items and large brush. Its mission is to provide excellent customer services that promote waste reduction, increase resource recovery and support the City of Austin’s sustainability efforts.
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[tab title=”Austin Parks Foundation”] The Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is a non-profit organization devoted to building public-private partnerships to develop and maintain parks, trails, and open space in Austin and Travis County.
Their mission is to connect people to resources and partnerships to develop and improve parks in and around Austin.
Since 1992, they have been committed to making Austin’s 300+ parks, trails and green spaces better for everyone. From volunteer workdays (both large and small scale), to park activation programming, to large capital improvement projects, APF has been at the center of promoting park development, maintenance, accessibility and improvements in Austin and Travis county.
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[tab title=”City of Austin Office of Sustainability”] The Office of Sustainability provides leadership, influences positive action through engagement, and creates measurable benefits for Austin by achieving:
- Net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
- A healthy and just local food system
- Resource efficient strategies for municipal operations
- Tangible projects that demonstrate sustainability
- A resilient and adaptive city
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[tab title=”Elgin Agrarian Community”] The Elgin Agrarian Community will be a 24-acre development 30 miles east of Austin with 80 cottage units for sale, a 3-acre working farm, and small-scale commercial projects.
Other features of the community include:
- Full-time, live-in farmer who manages the farm, aquaponics, and greenhouses
- Through the HOA fee, every home gets fresh produce weekly, plus frequent allocations of tilapia fillets
- Every home will have rainwater harvesting infrastructure, which will be used for irrigation on the farm
- Roof-mounted solar arrays on the homes and larger commercial facilities
- And so much more! Learn all about it here>>
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[tab title=”Fourth&”] Fourth& is a new sustainably-focused condo development in Austin. For creative professionals who view the city as an extension of their own walls, Fourth& is surrounded by a rich array of historic sites, one-of-a-kind businesses, restaurants, music venues and public spaces. The team of Austin builders and designers has a vision for a timeless, flexible building that feels at home in this vital neighborhood, with continuity between the streetscape and what’s inside the building.
The building’s micro-lofts will emphasize practicality and sustainability vs. needless sprawl. The walkable location is near commuter rails and bike trails, so it will be easy to explore nearby or to move about the city. Utilizing the utmost innovation in green architecture and efficient building methods, Fourth& will make it possible to enjoy a full life with a small footprint.
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[tab title=”Habitat for Humanity ReStore”] The mission and vision of Austin Habitat for Humanity are anchored around our dedication to building strong, stable, and self-reliant communities and the deeply held belief that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live. We do this through Affordable Homeownership, Home Repair, and Financial Counseling programs. .87 cents of every dollar of revenue from the ReStore funds Austin Habitat for Humanity’s programs. This means that when you shop at or donate to the ReStore, you help build a better, more affordable Austin.
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[tab title=”Public Citizen”] The mission of Public Citizen’s Texas office is to be effective advocates protecting the public and the environment by ensuring government accountability and corporate responsibility. We work on energy, environmental and ethics issues statewide. We provide policy analysis and recommendations on a variety of issues and try to empower communities to stand up for their rights and work together to build a healthier, more equitable future.
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[tab title=”Sustainable Food Center”] Founded in 1993, with roots dating back to 1975 as Austin Community Gardens, Sustainable Food Center is involved in every step of the local food system. SFC’s mission is to cultivate a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. SFC envisions a food-secure community where all children and adults grow, share, and prepare healthy, local food.
From seed to table, SFC creates opportunities for individuals to make healthy food choices and to participate in a vibrant local food system. Through organic food gardening, relationships with area farmers, interactive cooking classes and nutrition education, children and adults have increased access to locally grown food and are empowered to improve the longterm health of Central Texans and the environment.
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[tab title=”Texas Disposal Systems”] Texas Disposal Systems helps communities, organizations and schools manage and divert waste to beneficial uses. Our commitment to diversion is evidenced by our fully integrated facility, which incorporates solid waste disposal, compost production and recycling operations. We provide the highest quality and most environmentally friendly waste processing services in the best interests of our customers, employees and the community.
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Partners
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[tab title=”350 Austin”] 350 Austin is a local, grassroots organization committed to the goals and strategies of 350.org (an organization that uses online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions to oppose new coal, oil and gas projects, take money out of the companies that are heating up the planet, and build 100 percent clean energy solutions that work for all).
Through their efforts, 350 Austin strives to act locally in the global climate movement.
They have three primary goals:
Goal 1: Keep carbon in the ground
Goal 2: Help build a new, more equitable low-carbon economy
Goal 3: Pressure governments into limiting emissions
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[tab title=”Acer Water Tanks”]
Acer Water Tank’s mission is to provide high-quality water storage products to meet the demands of a changing water landscape.
In a world where water supplies are becoming increasingly stressed, Acer believes functional and affordable water storage is a critical part of building sustainable water systems that provide users with the water they need for their domestic supply, agriculture, firefighting and drinking water.
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[tab title=”Austin Creative Reuse”] Austin Creative Reuse is a nonprofit organization that collects, sells, and distributes donated reusable materials. They’re giving materials a second life with their new Creative Reuse Center, located in the Linc Shopping Center at 6406 N. IH35, Suite 1801.
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[tab title=”Austin Earth Day Festival”] The Austin Earth Day Festival is a one-day festival held in April each year.
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[tab title=”Austin Energy Green Building”] The City of Austin created the nation’s first green building program in 1990. Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) is now the nation’s most successful sustainable building program.
AEGB encourages Central Texans to design and construct more sustainable homes and buildings. Their mission is to lead the transformation of the building industry to a sustainable future.
Developing and maintaining their own Austin specific rating systems allows AEGB the flexibility to carry out Austin’s aggressive climate protection goals. They use these ratings to pave the way for energy and building code changes that will reduce building energy use. This continuous improvement cycle benefits everyone in the community.
AEGB has the information and assistance you’ll need to buy or build green—from single- or multifamily units to high rises. Whether you achieve a one star rating or the highest five star rating, you know you’re getting a quality green building.
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[tab title=”Austin Materials Marketplace”] The Austin Materials Marketplace brings together businesses of all sizes and entrepreneurs in the City of Austin and Travis County to create closed-loop systems in which one company’s waste is another company’s raw material.
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[tab title=”Austin Youth River Watch”] Austin Youth River Watch is a multi-year, after-school and summer program for high school students, combining peer mentoring with intensive environmental education.
AYR students collect, analyze, and publish water-quality data from Austin-area streams and rivers. They report their data to local and statewide agencies.
Guided by a volunteer Board of community leaders, the mission of Austin Youth River Watch is to advance personal and academic achievement through environmental monitoring, education, and adventure.
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[tab title=”Brite Ideas”] Brite Ideas is Austin’s oldest and most trusted hydroponic and standard garden supply. They have over 20 years experience, and are happy to share it with you today. HAPPY HARVESTS make HAPPY CUSTOMERS. Let them help you find the right hydroponic set up for your investment. Their business has been built on trust and loyalty with their customers because they listen to them, and only supply what works best for THEM, not some pushy nutrient maker.
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[tab title=”Butterfly Garden Forest”] The Butterfly Garden Forest Kindergarten is a nature and play-based preschool for children ages 3 – 6 years old. Located in Round Rock on a spaciously wooded campus, the school focuses on creativity and imagination, and is held exclusively outdoors — rain or shine! Degreed teachers and low ratios (1:7) allow them to give your child the individual attention they deserve. Experience the wonder of nature at The Butterfly Garden!
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[tab title=”Castle Hill Fitness”] Castle Hill Fitness is a locally-owned business that has been operating since 2002. At Castle Hill you will find the most friendly and welcoming fitness environment in Austin. Their experienced staff offers 85+ fitness, cycling, pilates and yoga classes per week, plus boot camps, personal training, massage, skin care, acupuncture and an organic café.
Its mission is to provide a welcoming environment for the Austin community to improve their overall health. To educate the clients that overall health is more than just a fitness goal – it’s about community, variety, refueling, recovering, and challenging your mind and body. It empowers members towards a greater quality of life with seasoned professionals, varied programs and disciplines, and conscious living principles all under one roof.
Castle Hill Fitness has been an active member of Austin Green Business Leaders group for last three years and currently is the only participating gym.
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[tab title=”Citizens’ Climate Lobby”] Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change.
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s consistently respectful, non-partisan approach to climate education is designed to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations. By building upon shared values rather than partisan divides, and empowering supporters to work in keeping with the concerns of their local communities, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby works towards the adoption of fair, effective, and sustainable climate change solutions.
In order to generate the political will necessary for passage of Carbon Fee and Dividend (as a solution to climate change) we train and support volunteers to build relationships with elected officials, the media and their local community.
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[tab title=”CleanTX”] The mission of CleanTX is to accelerate the growth of the cleantech industry in Texas through information exchange, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. Founded in 2006, CleanTX is the nonprofit economic development and professional association for cleantech in Central Texas, a $2.5 Billion industry that employs 20,000 individuals. The CleanTX community encompasses over 250 companies and an active ecosystem of entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and regional partners.
CleanTX supports cleantech innovation and adoption by: (1) Providing avenues for networking, education, and information exchange among industry and community stakeholders; (2) Facilitating strategic partnerships to launch forward-looking economic development initiatives; and (3) Promoting the growth of the cleantech industry in Texas through increased visibility, thought leadership, access to talent, and connections to local, state and national leaders.
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[tab title=”Clean Water Action”] Clean Water Action is a one million member organization of diverse people and groups joined together to protect our environment, health, economic well-being and community quality of life. Their goals include clean, safe and affordable water; prevention of health threatening pollution; creation of environmentally safe jobs and businesses; and empowerment of people to make democracy work. Clean Water Action organizes strong grassroots groups and coalitions and campaigns to elect environmental candidates and solve environmental and community problems.
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[tab title=”Colorado River Alliance”] The Colorado River Alliance, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Austin, is the only nonprofit dedicated solely to the conservation and protection of the Texas Colorado River. The Colorado River Alliance has been increasing community awareness of the Colorado River’s environmental and economic importance since 1994. We provide, conduct and support environmental science and outdoor education programs for youth, river cleanups, and other river-centered projects in efforts to bring awareness to the Colorado River.
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[tab title=”Counter Culture”] Counter Culture is a local vegan restaurant that strives to offer healthy plant-based food at a reasonable cost. Almost everything is made from scratch and we try to buy local and organic as often as possible. We offer many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free dishes for those with restricted diets. We try to use very little salt and use mostly dates to sweeten our desserts. We compost and/or recycle over 97 percent of our waste and all of our to-go containers are compostable.
Counter Culture’s vision is inspired by an ethos that includes a desire to promote healthy living, a devotion to protecting the environment, a heartfelt concern for animal welfare, and a commitment to community participation.
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[tab title=”Eco Clean”] Since 1996, EcoClean has been a leader in providing non-toxic dry cleaning in Austin TX. Unlike other local dry cleaners, EcoClean uses a wet cleaning process that is gentler than hand washing and effective on a full range of garments. They clean garments without the use of dangerous dry cleaning chemicals like perc that have harmful effects on human health and the environment. Their biodegradable detergents protect fabrics and leave clothes soft and clean with no chemical odors or residue. Once cleaned, clothes are professionally hand-finished by their team of master pressers. EcoClean is the best choice for the environment, your clothes and most importantly, you and your family.
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[tab title=”Faith and Energy Action Team”]The Faith and Energy Action Team (FEAT), sponsored by Climate Buddies, is a coalition of Austin’s Faith-Based communities organized to face together the challenges and opportunities brought about by climate change. By measuring and documenting carbon output, FEAT offers ways that communities can reduce their carbon footprint and reduce their energy demands. FEAT meets on the second Monday of each month at different Faith-Based Houses of Worship. All faiths and people of different backgrounds are welcome.
Learn more:
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[tab title=”in.gredients”] In.gredients is a zero-waste microgrocer selling local foods with pure ingredients. It is located at 2610 Manor Road in Austin.
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[tab title=”It’s Cleaning Time!”] It’s Cleaning Time!‘s commitment is to give personal care and attention to your home cleaning needs, helping your home to be a healthier place to live. Having been in business since 2002, they pride themselves on the attention they give to each of our clients and the level of detail they put into their work.
It’s Cleaning Time! believes in house cleaning and house cleaning responsibly – Their Focus is Green! There are products on the shelves at your local grocery store that promise a quick and easy clean. These same products usually contain harsh chemicals. They don’t advertise this as boldly though. Even after being sprayed and wiped away the harsh odors and chemicals remain in your homes and affect your quality of life. Studies have shown that using a household cleaning spray, even as little as once a week, raises the risk of developing asthma. Replacing these with green cleaning products can reduce the chances of developing asthma. Asthma is one of the most common chronic illness and the leading cause of school absences across the country.
Maybe green cleaning hasn’t been the choice for you, but you’re interested in, “Going Green,” even in the smallest way. It’s Cleaning Time! can help with that. At It’s Cleaning Time!, they actively search out the latest “green” aka eco-friendly products to use in their house cleaning throughout Austin, Texas. Each home is different, and different situations call for different green cleaning solutions. They will work with you to discuss green cleaning options, and how we can all do our part to maintain a safe and healthy environment in Austin, Texas. Let’s Keep Austin Green!
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[tab title=”Lettuce”]
Lettuce is creating a sustainable, hyper-local ecosystem that grows and distributes food that’s healthier, tastier, fresher, and costs less.
How?
- First, by creating urban farms on unused plots of land throughout Austin.
- Next, by harvesting that food and delivering it to people (with recipe ideas, etc) in zero waste meal kits. Everything is packaged in reusable containers and customers even have the option to compost their food scraps by placing them back into the reusable containers. The next time Lettuce’s delivery team stops by to drop off a new food shipment, they pick up the food scraps and add them to a compost pile at one of their urban farms. It’s a completely closed loop system!
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[tab title=”Little Herds”]
Little Herds is an educational 501(c)3 nonprofit in Austin, TX dedicated to empowering and educating our local and global communities to promote and support the use of insects for food and feed as an environmentally sound and economically viable source of nutrition. Founded in 2013, Little Herds provides educational activities for kids, cooking demonstrations and presentations on insects as a food and feed source. This Fall we’ll be launching our local and international projects to support Austin farmers, transform Austin food waste into livestock feed and address children’s hunger in the Democratic Republic of Congo through cricket farming. We invite you to join us on our mission to feed the world, one bug at a time!
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[tab title=”MOD Bikes”]
MOD BIKES creates innovative, reliable, and eco-friendly electric bicycles to get you out of traffic and let you explore your city from a fresh perspective. We believe traveling through Austin can be an inspiring and energizing opportunity to connect with the community and the environment. MOD BIKES electric bicycles give riders the freedom to explore by pairing old-school values with future vision for right-now mobility.
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[tab title=”NPCA”]
Since their founding in 1919, the National Parks Conservation Association has been the independent, nonpartisan voice working to strengthen and protect America’s favorite places.
With more than a million members and supporters beside them, NPCA is the voice of America’s national parks, working to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for present and future generations. You can learn more about NPCA (as well as how to get involved with their park conservation efforts) here>>
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[tab title=”National Wildlife Federation”] The National Wildlife Federation gives voice to the wildlife conservation values that are part of our country’s heritage. They are charting a new course for wildlife that our children and grandchildren will be thankful for. NWF’s ability to survive the challenges of the 21st century is becoming outpaced by the events that are transforming our world. Global warming, the loss of habitat, and people becoming more disconnected from nature than past generations are converging on a dangerous path for our planet. The work of NWF and their affiliates across the country provides answers to these challenges and will help ensure America’s wildlife legacy continues for future generations.
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[tab title=”Native”] NATiVE is a leader in Texas providing commercial & residential solar, net zero construction, rainwater harvesting & other green energy-saving solutions. We offer a comprehensive range of solutions to save and create energy. We are unique in the amount of services we offer, allowing us to take a holistic approach when assisting our customers. As innovators, we are constantly studying current research and looking for better ways to serve our customers. We are always analyzing cost, new technology and pushing ourselves to provide the absolute best products at the best price. We offer products and services with a realistic return on investment and payback period. We understand that financial viability is an inherent requirement for something to be sustainable.
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[tab title=”Natural Gardener”] The Natural Gardener is one of the most beautiful and unique garden centers in the world. It’s like a candy store for gardeners, but non-gardeners love it, too. It’s a fun, beautiful, educational destination for everyone. Bring the whole family to The Natural Gardener- even the dog!
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[tab title=”PEAS”] PEAS (Partners For Education, Agriculture, and Sustainability) is 501c3 non-profit that builds community and care for our planet by providing education surrounding agriculture, nature, and sustainability through school day programs, after school programs, camps, and PEAS Community Farm & Urban Orchard.
PEAS began in 2011 as a collective of educators, students, parents & community members operating the school and community organic farm at Cunningham Elementary. Over time the leadership committee realized the need in the community for school and community garden educational support for garden programs and outdoor learning.
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[tab title=”Renewal by Andersen”] Renewal by Andersen helps Austinites conserve energy by providing quality window replacement and installation. Our innovative Fibrex material frames and high performance glass makes us an energy star partner and green seal certified product. Learn more today at www.rbaofaustin.com or call us at 512-289-1886.
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[tab title=”Save Barton Creek Association”] Save Barton Creek Association (SBCA) works to preserve Barton Springs, the Barton Creek watershed and contributing watersheds of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer through public education, conservation, and public policy advocacy.
SBCA incorporated in September 1979 in response to community concerns about the impact of urbanization on Barton Creek and Barton Springs. SBCA has been a leading conservation organization in Austin for the long-term protection of the pollution-sensitive Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer.
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[tab title=”Save Our Springs Alliance”] The Save Our Springs Alliance works to protect the Edwards Aquifer, its springs and contributing streams, and the natural and cultural heritage of the Hill Country region and its watersheds, with special emphasis on Barton Springs.
The Save Our Springs Alliance sprung to life in 1990 as a loose coalition of citizens fighting a massive development proposal for the Barton Creek watershed. On June 7, 1990, more than 1000 citizens signed up to speak to Austin city council in opposition to the planned 4,000-acre Barton Creek PUD. After an all-night meeting, council unanimously rejected the PUD, and a movement began to strengthen the 1986 Comprehensive Watersheds ordinance under the acronym SOS: “Save Our Springs”.
Organized in 1992 as the Save Our Springs Coalition, we wrote and petitioned for the Save Our Springs Ordinance to protect the quality of water coming off of development in the fragile Barton Springs watershed. With the voter approval of the SOS Ordinance, developers went on the attack at the court house and the Texas Capitol. We incorporated as the Save Our Springs Legal Defense Fund in 1993 to defend developers’ attacks on the SOS Ordinance. Expanding our scope to include building awareness and alliances throughout the Austin area, we became the Save Our Springs Alliance in 1997. We routinely work with local conservation groups to advocate for the protection of Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer.
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[tab title=”Sierra Club”] Founded by legendary conservationist John Muir in 1892, the Sierra Club is now the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization — with more than two million members and supporters. Our successes range from protecting millions of acres of wilderness to helping pass the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. More recently, we’ve made history by leading the charge to move away from the dirty fossil fuels that cause climate disruption and toward a clean energy economy.
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[tab title=”Smart Charge Residential”] Smart Charge Residential, Inc. “SCR”, is Central Texas’ #1 choice for the purchase, installation and service of today’s most advanced plug-in electric vehicle “EV” charging stations. SCR installs home, commercial and industrial EV charging station applications. SCR is currently partnered with Austin Energy to service and maintain all of the City of Austin’s 240+ public charging stations and currently services for companies such as WholeFoods, Hilton, Marriott, etc. Count on Smart Charge Residential for informed expertise when you are considering purchasing, installing, and/or servicing your home or commercial EV charging station.
Smart Charge Residential proudly headquartered in Austin, TX while currently servicing the San Antonio, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Houston, TX areas and are expanding rapidly. SCR goes through the red tape, so you don’t have to! Call us now! (512) 900-1858.
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[tab title=”TreeFolks”] TreeFolks is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to empower Central Texans to build stronger communities through planting and caring for trees. Since 1989, TreeFolks volunteers and staff have planted 1.6 million trees in Central Texas at schools, parks, in medians, right of ways, community gardens, greenbelts and on private lands to restore the Lost Pines in Bastrop County. TreeFolks impact preserves the Central Texas quality of life by cooling the air, cleaning precious water, sheltering us from the hot Texas sun, and by providing a shaded sense of place that fosters a healthy, connected community.
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[tab title=”USGBC Central Texas”] USGBC Texas is a 501c(3) organization dedicated to green building in the state of Texas. We are the only nonprofit green building coalition in Texas that fosters the advancement of sustainability and green building to promote healthy communities, people, and buildings. We aim to transform the way buildings, homes, and communities are designed, built, maintained, and operated in Texas through outreach, education, advocacy, and partnerships, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life in Texas. A better built environment is our legacy.
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[tab title=”Westcave”]
Founded in 1976 as Westcave Preserve, the mission of Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center is to inspire people to develop a lifelong practice of enjoying and protecting nature.
They accomplish this through educational programs, collaborative alliances, and conservation of their beautiful 76-acre preserve.
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