We are sooooooo committed to making sure Austin has strong environmental leadership on the new 10-1 Austin City Council we have been pouring our hearts into building "paradigm-shifting tools" as former Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman called them. In fact she was so awed by what we are creating with our Election Navigator site, and the effect it can have on the future of elections, she said amazing wasn't a good enough word. She said she needed to go to a thesaurus to find a better word. 
So are you getting excited about the Austin EcoNetwork Election Navigator website? WE ARE! And we are going to let you play with one of the most powerful tools we've built called the Candidate ViewFinder. It will help you look up and see what your candidates' views are on a wide range of topics, all related to sustainability….which is most everything.

This is a sneak peek just for readers. To see it go to: www.AustinEcoNetwork.com/ViewFinder
Username: dev
Password: pa55word

It's mostly built, but the design is in the works. It's not quite ready for prime time yet so we are holding back a day or so.
We ARE launching an Indiegogo campaign this week! Enthusiasm for this is so high we have already raised $2000 of our $10,000 goal (THANK YOU Save Barton Creek Association and Save our Springs Alliance!!) Other local folks who care about having green-minded elected officials have expressed interest too. You'll have a chance to chip in and gain promotion for your green business, organization or event OR get access to cool opportunities. You will learn all about through our soon-to-be-live crowdfunding campaign.

We will need your help spreading the word to organizations, neighborhood folks, media, etc., but not yet. This inside scoop is just for you!
 

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[Green Business] As we write, the final moments of the Green Cup Challengeare taking place. Austin Green Business Leadershave gone head to head over the last 10 days to see who could log the most green actions and win the coveted Green Cup. If you didn't get in on the fun you can still download the rethink/Austin app to start tracking your green-ness and earning badges today! 

 

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[Parks/Trails] City Council approved the Urban Trails Master Planearlier this week. As the Austin Monitor reports, the plan's road to approval has been bumpy, with a lot of opposition being raised on environmental grounds. Citizens brought up concerns about construction of trails in floodplains and the threat that paved trails could have on the surrounding ecology. However, Austin's bike community spoke in support of the master plan, saying that it will create a network of trails that will make it even easier to get around town by bike. You can read the entire Austin Monitor story here>>
 

 

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[Wildlife] The National Wildlife Federation is hosting a series of Habitat Talks this Fall to teach you how to become better habitat stewards. The first class will be held on Oct. 11 at the Discovery Hill Outdoor Learning Center, a demonstration habitat at the Science and Health Resource Center in Austin ISD. Topics to be covered will include Fall maintenance, seed collection, and suggested plantings for your very own habitat garden. Learn more about Habitat Talks here>>
 

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Next Wednesday's screening of Cowspiracy has sold out again. But don't be sad. I bought a copy of the movie when the producer was in town for the recent Food+ Health Conference. Any group that wants to organize a screening, you set up the location and promote it and I'll provide the movie. As a committed environmentalist it was a game changer for me to watch. I invite you to as well.