My inspiration came from several places. Permaculture helped me see that most of the major issues and problems we face — environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social justice — are connected. Biomimicry provided the question required to make all design sustainable – “How would nature solve this problem?” And David Bamberger, a former chicken tycoon turned conservationist, demonstrated the promise of sustainability in action when he restored a 5,500 acre ranch to its original habitat.

The short answer would be trial and error — and finding support in a diverse network of local community, education, government, and business groups.

Getting past misconceptions, like “technology and nature are opposed”, the environment is some place “out there”, and “new, complicated ways are superior to old, simple ones”. Once kids have the experience of interacting directly with the world — whether it is holding a chicken, designing and building a rain garden, or growing their own food — they don’t need to be further convinced that sustainability can be fun.

On a daily basis, the benefit is kids reconnecting with nature by caring for animals, growing food, composting, harvesting water, etc. Long-term, I hope that the habits they develop will create a generation of systems-based thinkers and designers.

The facts are clear; the story needs to change. Rather than presenting sustainable living as a mere lifestyle — or worse, as giving things up – the story has to be about opportunity, creativity and community. In other words, it has to be about doing more good rather than doing less bad.

We took so many great photos for this piece, we couldn’t include them all! See more photos of Chris and his students.

To learn more about Austin’s Net-Zero Goal, view the Community Climate Plan.

Share your Net-Zero contributions with us on Twitter or Facebook and use #NetZeroHero. If you know a Net-Zero Hero (or heroes!) who should be recognized for their efforts, send your nomination to sustainability@austintexas.gov.