The city of Austin has allocated a total of $136,000 to fund sustainability projects in 53 local schools. This initiative, announced by the Austin Climate Action and Resilience office, aims to promote climate action and enhance environmental education among students. The funding will be distributed across 65 projects through the Bright Green Future Grants Program.
More than half of the schools selected for funding serve a significant number of students from low-income families and qualify for Title 1 funding. A total of 55 schools submitted 140 applications, with nearly every project proposal receiving approval. Each grant can provide up to $3,000 to support various sustainability initiatives.
Details of Funded Projects
The awarded projects encompass a wide range of activities aimed at fostering environmental stewardship among students. According to the city newsletter, these initiatives include:
– **Outdoor classrooms** established at Govalle, Mills, and Northwest Elementary Schools, as well as Lamar Middle School, Eastside and Bowie High Schools, and St. Francis School.
– **Bicycle clubs** initiated at Blackshear, Blanton, Guerrero-Thompson, Harris, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Odom, Ortega, Perez, Purple Sage, Reilly, Russel Lee, Sanchez, Summit, and Winn Montessori Elementary Schools, Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy, and Kealing Middle School.
– **Rain garden and water conservation projects** at Boone, Langford, Perez, Reilly, Rodriguez, Russel Lee, St. Elmo, Walnut Creek, and Zilker Elementary Schools, along with Kealing Middle School, Magnolia Montessori for All, and the Kirby Hall School.
– **School gardens** developed at Campbell, Nan Clayton, Pickle, Sanchez, and Smith Elementary Schools, Dailey Middle School, UT Child Development Center, Capitol Complex Child Development Center, Brodie Child Development Center, Growing Imaginations Learning Center, Academia Preescolar, and the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program.
– **Recycling and composting programs** implemented at Odom, Ortega, and Winn Montessori Elementary Schools, Ashley’s Playhouse, Austin International School, Harmony Public School, and Austin ISD Food Services.
– **Tree planting and care** activities at Barron, T.A. Brown, Govalle, Mathews, and Norman-Sims Elementary Schools, Burnet Middle School, Austin Micro School, and Angels Learning Center.
– **Aquaponics garden and solar-powered bird feeders** at Summit Christian Academy.
Community Impact and Future Outlook
The director of Austin Climate Action and Resilience, Zach Baumer, expressed optimism about the projects, stating, “When students have the chance to learn sustainability by doing, the impact lasts far beyond the classroom. These small but powerful projects show what’s possible — and give us real optimism for the future.”
Educators are also enthusiastic about the potential benefits of these grants. Calvin Clary, a teacher at Burnet Middle School, remarked, “Our school is grateful to receive a Bright Green Future Grant, which will allow our students to learn about environmental care through regenerative agricultural practices. We’re looking forward to putting this money to the best and highest use.”
Originally established in 2012 as the Office of Sustainability, the Bright Green Future Grants Program is funded through collaborative efforts with various city departments, including the Urban Forestry Team and Austin Resource Recovery. The initiative not only supports educational initiatives but also contributes to building a more sustainable community in Austin.
