Grants for a greener future

The city’s Office of Sustainability is now accepting applications for a grant program that will provide up to $3,000 to school-based sustainability projects, funded by Austin Resource Recovery, Watershed Protection, Public Works, Austin Transportation and Austin Energy. All Austin Independent School District and Austin area charter and private schools, as well as schools in cities that use use Austin Energy, Austin Water Utility, or Austin Resource Recovery services, such as Round Rock or Pflugerville, are encouraged to apply. Anyone representing the school, including teachers, parents, nonprofit organizations, students and administrators, can submit the application for a Bright Green Future Grant. Selected projects will be innovative and inspire students to a lifetime of caring for the environment. The projects should also feature hands-on learning, for example an organic garden, rain garden or bicycle academy. The application window will close on Oct. 1: Find the application here and a list of past winners here.