Austin-area schools get grants for climate action projects

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sustainability lessons are coming to classrooms around Austin as 50 schools will receive up to $3,000 to fund climate action projects.

The funds come from the Bright Green Future Grants Program, from a pool of $146,000. The city of Austin's Office of Sustainability received 135 project applications from 60 different schools. At least one school in each Austin City Council District was selected, including schools in the Austin, Leander and Del Valle school districts, as well as several private schools.

The Office of Sustainability said more than half of the recipient schools qualify for Title 1 funding, meaning they have a higher percentage of students from families with lower incomes.

All told, the money will fund 54 student-led projects, all related to climate action.

“This program reflects the power of our schools to inspire the next generation of climate leaders,” said Zach Baumer, Austin’s Chief Sustainability Officer. 

The sustainability projects are meant to provide hands-on learning and contribute to a cleaner and safer climate.

Some of the projects that got the green light include outdoor classrooms, bike safety clubs, lessons on wildfire preparation and school gardens.

According to the Office of Sustainability, since its start in 2012, the grants program has impacted more than 142,000 students across 90 schools.