Sustainability Archives - Taylor Scott Nelson

Conservation on Screen: Highlights from the Wild & Scenic Film Festival

September 25, 2025 No Comments

I had the chance to immerse myself in an evening of films that were as inspiring as they were sobering. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is built around one clear purpose: to use the power of film to spark a deeper connection with nature and inspire action for a healthier planet.

What struck me most was how the six short films, though set in different parts of the world, all carried threads that tied back to Texas and the challenges we face here. From questions of land use and public access to concerns about water, waste management and plastics, biodiversity concerns, and urban development hurdles, the stories felt universal yet deeply personal.

Local Climate Solutions: Biodiversity & Forest Conservation in the Sierra Gorda

The festival opened with a story from Mexico’s Sierra Gorda, where one family’s decades-long mission has blossomed into a community-led model for forestry conservation against local industrial emissions. This film reminded me how education and science can drive measurable regeneration while also creating economic opportunities for people living directly with the land.

Key Takeaway: A community-led model shows how science, education, and economic innovation can regenerate ecosystems while supporting local livelihoods.

General, Professional, Texas

Cracking the FOAK Code: Scaling Climate Tech from Concept to Reality

September 4, 2025 No Comments

On September 4th, I had the opportunity to attend Austin Climate Hub’s first event of the fall season: “Challenges and Emerging Solutions to Scaling First-of-a-Kind Energy Technologies.” Held at The Sunset Room in downtown Austin, the event brought together an all-star panel of investors, financiers, and cleantech leaders to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in the climate innovation space—how to get bold new ideas off the ground and into the real world.

The evening was packed with insights, networking, and conversations around the nuances of funding and scaling first-of-a-kind (FOAK) energy technologies. These are the game-changing projects that, while promising, often get stuck between R&D and real-world execution. So what’s holding them back and how do we move them forward?

General, Professional, Texas

2025 Circular Austin Showcase: Creativity Meets Sustainability

August 27, 2025 No Comments

Last night I had the chance to attend the 2025 Circular Austin Showcase, an event that celebrates innovation, collaboration, and bold ideas for building a zero-waste future. Hosted by Austin Resource Recovery and the City of Austin Economic Development Department, the showcase brought together entrepreneurs, investors, city leaders, and community members who all share a passion for sustainability. It was an evening that reinforced Austin’s reputation as a city where creativity and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

Circular Austin Showcase 2022 Blog Post

Taylor’s Competition Concept 2021 Blog Post

Spotlight on Circular Innovation

The event focused on its finalist pitches — eight businesses sharing how they’re tackling real-world waste and resource challenges. Each idea pushed the boundaries of what’s possible when we rethink our relationship with materials.

Cocarbon is using agricultural plant waste to produce activated carbon for clean water filtration. Their carbon-negative, solar-powered process provides safer water and eliminates the need for costly water transport while creating local jobs.
CRAFT showed how a public studio model can reduce waste by making art supplies and workshops more accessible. Instead of single-use consumption, they foster creativity through shared resources.
Save the Good Stuff is tackling the preservation and reuse of historic building materials, ensuring Austin’s architectural history isn’t lost to landfills.
Wanderlust Wine Co. is proving that even the wine industry can adapt, using wine-on-tap systems with reusable packaging to cut down on waste and emissions.

General, Nature, Professional, Texas

Tackling Texas’ Water Crisis at Austin Climate Innovation Meetup

August 20, 2025 No Comments

As Texas continues to face mounting water challenges, from drought-prone climates to water-intensive industries, the conversation around innovative solutions has never been more urgent. I had the opportunity to attend the latest Austin Climate Innovation meetup, where the spotlight was on water access, quality, and sustainability—with a strong focus on Central Texas and its unique regional and growth hurdles.

The event featured two standout companies, Eden Tech and Aquaria, who are developing breakthrough technologies that address water from two very different, but equally important methods. It was a hopeful and thought-provoking night centered around one essential resource: water.

General, Professional, Space, Texas

Where Space Meets Sustainability: Reflections from Ecosystem Space in Austin

July 11, 2025 No Comments

Last night I attended Ecosystem Space, a monthly happy hour hosted by the Space Workforce Incubator for Texas (SWIFT) and the Space Force Association, held at Capital Factory in downtown Austin. Part networking mixer, part brain trust, the event brought together technologists, government representatives, entrepreneurs, academics, and curious thinkers—each playing a role in shaping Texas’ place in the growing space industry.

At first glance, you might not expect a communications professional with a background in sustainability to show up at a space-sector event. But in reality, the overlap between space and sustainability is significant and growing.

Whether it’s using satellite data to monitor geographic data, designing closed-loop life support systems for long-term missions (i.e. water recycling and regenerative agriculture), or exploring how space design innovation can inform sustainable development here on Earth, the space sector is inherently about resourcefulness. It’s about doing more with less, often in environments where every ounce of energy and every drop of water must be carefully managed.

That’s why I was drawn to attend.

Selfie with a poster for an upcoming conference

General, Professional, Rotator, Texas

Taylor’s Professional Career Track

June 30, 2025 No Comments

I’ve had a very interesting roller-coaster of a career track, and wouldn’t want it any other way. I began my marketing career at a boutique automotive firm and then worked my way up to larger communications agencies. While I learned and my skills grew, I felt like there was still something missing. Passion. So I took a step back from a traditional path to find it. Through environmental education and adventures in sustainability, I found a career track I’m passionate about using my seasoned marketing skills.

The list below starts with my most recent job and goes back in sequence below: