BioIntegrity started in 2015 as a for-profit focused on connecting altruistic donors to the most economically efficient environmental solutions in the world. Its mission is to help the world's most impactful, global environmental solutions succeed as fast as possible. It endeavors to make the world a better place by promoting partnered solutions that protect and restore the Earth's ecological systems, resources, biodiversity, and beauty, in perpetuity. So far, BioIntegrity donors have protected more than 8,000 threatened species and kept more than 10,000,000 tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Our guest on Shades of Green is Chris Searles, the Founder and President of Biointegrity. Chris has been active in environmental sustainability since 2005. He has worked in many capacities and acquired a broad range of professional experience.

Chris is also a musician (drummer), and his career includes touring and/or recording with Shawn Colvin, James McMurtry, The Flatlanders, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Kelly Willis, Bruce Robison, and many more.

TexPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. They speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we’re freer to pursue individual well-being and the common good. As part of a national network, TexPIRG advocates for improved public transportation and safer streets for walking and biking here in Texas.

Our guest is Bay Scoggin, the Director of TexasPIRG discussing the recent approval by Capital Metro’s board and the Austin City Council to a $9.8 billion transit plan that would fund three light rail lines through Austin. The plan is called Project Connect.

EcoRise inspires a new generation of leaders to design a sustainable future for all. Its school-based program empowers youth to tackle real-world challenges in their schools and communities by teaching sustainability, design innovation, and social entrepreneurship.

Our EcoRise guests are Abby Randall, Deputy Director, and Jaynell Nicholson, Project Manager

Partners for Education Agriculture and Sustainability (PEAS) is an educational non-profit.

“Our mission is to cultivate joyful connection with the natural world through outdoor learning and edible education!”

PEAS runs 30 programs in 19 schools in Austin and Pflugerville ISDs during the 2019-2020 school-year! Our guest on Shades of Green is PEAS Executive Director, Lauren Zappone Maples. She co-founded PEAS Community Farm & Urban Orchard at Cunningham Elementary in 2011 and became the founding executive director of PEAS in 2015

Our oceans continue to be threatened by human interaction, climate change, and contamination from toxic wastes. World Ocean Week was June 8 – 12, 2020. This year, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) has issued a call to action in its latest campaign to remind everyone that human health is intricately linked to the planet’s health – from the air that we breathe to the food that we eat.

Our special guests are:

George Cummings. He is a United Nations SDG14 Ocean Ambassador, Biochemist, technology enthusiast with 30 years of scuba diving experience as a video journalist.

Anna Farrell-Sherman. She is the Clean Water Associate at the non-profit Environment Texas.

Luke Metzger, the Executive Director for Environment Texas.

The non-profit environmental organization, The Hill Country Alliance plays a vital role in preserving the beauty of the hill country of Texas. Their mission is:

“The mission of the Hill Country Alliance is to bring together an ever-expanding alliance of groups throughout a multi- county region of Central Texas with the long-term objective of preserving open spaces, water supply, water quality and the unique character of the Texas Hill Country.”

Our guest on Shades of Green is Daniel Oppenheimer, Land Program Manager for the Hill Country Alliance.

Amy Stansbury, Shades of Green Co-host and Director of the Austin Common breaks down the upcoming run-off elections that will be on July 14, 2020. Although this is a runoff election, it has major importance for local Travis County places such as the race to fill Senator Kirk Watson’s seat, and other seat for the Texas Legislature, local judges, etc.

Join us to hear Amy describe the election procedures, where to vote, and what to know about the important run-off elections.

Clean tech and renewable energy are now combined into CleanTX, a non-profit with the goal of accelerating growth in Texas. The 30-year old Texas Renewable Energy Industry Alliance (TREIA) has merged with CleanTX founded in 2006, to form a broader network in Texas. Our guests on Shades of Green are the leaders of the newly merged association:

Brandon Cosinteno, the Executive director of the new Cleantx, and;

Melissa Miller, Board Co-chair of the new CleanTX and former Executive director of TREIA.

Our topic on Shades of Green radio is the Texas Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. Our guests are Charlene Heydinger, President of the Texas PACE Authority, and Bruce Elfant the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar. Texas PACE is an innovative program that incentivizes Texas’ property owners to upgrade facility infrastructure with little or no capital outlay. The program targets energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements for the buildings.

We also discuss some of the issues surrounding voting in Travis County - particularly mail-in voting.

Listen to our latest episode about the 2020 US Census! Our guest helps break down why it's important and how it impacts all of us living in Austin.

Our guest on Shades of Green is John Lawler - Census Program Manager for the City of Austin and Travis County.