22 Jan EcoBits Jan. 22 – Jan. 29th: Drought, Earthquakes, and School Grants

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[Water] More bad news about the Texas drought …The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) announced this week that the amount of water flowing into the Highland Lakes in 2014 was the second lowest since 1942. Although the Austin area experienced above-average rain falls last year, the area around the Highland Lakes received less rain than normal and still remains in a serious drought. 
The sporadic timing of rain storms has also caused problems for the lakes, allowing the ground surrounding them to dry up, and reducing runoff into the lakes when it actually does rain. Learn more about the state of Austin's water supply with this story from KXAN>>
 

The USGS is updating its earthquake risk map for Texas.

 

[Energy] The US Geological Survey is updating its 

earthquake risk map in Texas to reflect an increase in man-made earthquakesassociated with oil and gas drilling. According to a recent story by StateImpact Texas, these maps can influence everything from public policy to building codes to insurance rates. Listen to the full story here>>
 

Take Imagine Solar's Advanced PV Class.[Energy] ImagineSolar will be hosting an Advanced 5-day workshopfrom January 31st – February 4th. Students will be taken through the steps of PV project implementation. Register here for the workshop and here for the 1st lab day featuring a 3.7kW PV system installation. 
 

Bright Green Futures winners announcedCongratulations to all the winners of Bright Green Futures Grants just awarded by the City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability. Grant funding will support school-based sustainability projects for 24 new and exciting projects at local elementary, middle, and high schools.  Read more about the program and the winners here>> 
 

Apply for an Eco Audit grant today.

 

[Schools] EcoRise Youth Innovations and the City of Austin are awarding grantsto 5th – 12th grade students looking to green their school this spring. Funds will be awarded to students that complete a campus environment audit in one or more areas (ex. water, waste, energy, food, etc.) and create a project to address an issue from the audit. Learn more and apply here>>
 

The grand reopening of Mother Neff State Park is this Friday and Saturday.[Outdoors] Bring the family out for a weekend of fun with the grand reopening of Mother Neff StatePark near Waco. In celebration of a now complete $6.5 million renovation project, Texas Parks and Wildlife is welcoming visitors to come see the park for free onJan. 23rd and 24th. 

 

Visitors who stop by the park on Saturday will have the opportunity to learn about the green building methods involved in the park renovations, explore the new facilities, and enjoy a wide array of activities, including tipi making, cow-milking demonstrations, a backyard feeder craft, Native American games, geocaching, and rope making.More info>>
 

Submissions are now open for the 2015 Eco Comedy Film Competition.[Film making] It's time for the 2015 Eco-Comedy Video Competition!Sponsored by the Center for Environmental Film Making and the Nature Conservancy, the contest offers a$2,000 prize to anyone worldwide who has a flare for producing videos with something to say about conservation. This year's theme is "Clean Water, Clean Air" and all videos must be submitted byMarch 1st. More info>>
 

The Keep Austin Beautiful Awards are February 4th.[Environmental Awards]The 29th Annual Keep Austin Beautiful Awards Brunch will be Wednesday, Feb. 4th at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (aka the M.A.C.C.). JoinKeep Austin Beautiful in honoring the outstanding achievements of businesses, individuals, and communities who clean, beautify, and protect Austin's environment. See who's a finalist, learn more about this free brunch and RSVP by February 1st here>>
 

The results of the TRDI will be unveiled on Feb. 4th.

 

[Recycling] For the first time ever, Texas will know how much its residents recycle. That's thanks to theTexas Recycling Data Initiative (TRDI), an effort led by the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling(STAR) and the Solid Waste Association of America (TxSWANA).
The recycling rate will be unveiled, along with a larger report on recycling in Texas, on February 4that the Palmer Events Center. 

The report is intended to give Texas policy makersthe information they need to examine the economic, environmental, and policy issues of interest to Texas businesses, citizens, and governmental agencies.Learn more about TRDI and RSVP to attend this important event here>>
 

Display or volunteer for 2015 Funky Chicken Coop Tour[Poultry/Volunteer] Get involved in the 2015 Funky Chicken Coop Tour. Show off your coop or volunteer to help the tour. Specific details about the tour can be found on the tour website at:AustinCoopTour.org

Tour organizers are now accepting Coop Host applications for the 2015 Tour on April 4, 2015. They welcome funky, and functional coops, as well as other poultry housing in compliance with Austin's fowl ordinances, summarized here.  Please share this information with your "fowl friends" and let folks know the deadline for host applications isJanuary 25th.

Even if you don't have a coop on the tour you can volunteer 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 Help at Headquarters and Coop Stops, Photography, Videography, Flyer & Card Distribution, Material assembly (prior to Tour Date), Tour Material Distribution & Collection, Miscellaneous duties as needed.
Sign up to Volunteer!

 

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