Texas Archives - Page 2 of 22 - Taylor Scott Nelson

Virtually Attending the 2025 Texan by Nature Conservation Summit: Innovation and Impact Across Texas

October 21, 2025 No Comments

This year, I had the pleasure of virtually attending the 2025 Texan by Nature Conservation Summit, an annual celebration of the state’s most innovative and impactful conservation work. Though I joined from my desk rather than in person, the experience was deeply meaningful – especially since I first learned about Texan by Nature years ago while working for the Texas Trees Foundation, where we attended this same event as a “conservation wrangler” nominee. Seeing how much the organization has grown since then was both nostalgic and inspiring.

My time as a “Conservation Wrangler” at the summit working at the Texas Trees Foundation.

Founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, Texan by Nature (TxN) continues to lead the way in uniting business, community, and conservation for measurable impact across the state. At the center of this effort is the Conservation Wrangler program, a one-of-a-kind accelerator that identifies, supports, and amplifies the most promising conservation initiatives in Texas.

Each year, up to six projects are selected to receive 12–18 months of tailored support – from strategic planning and marketing to data tracking, partnership building, and Return on Conservation™ analysis. The program’s goal is simple but profound: to strengthen conservation outcomes through collaborative partnerships and business-framed conservation ROI, delivering smart and tangible returns for Texas communities and ecosystems alike.

General, Professional, Texas

Becoming a Zero Waste Block Leader: How Austin Residents Are Driving Change Locally

October 20, 2025 No Comments

I attended the Zero Waste Block Leader Program orientation hosted by Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), and I left feeling both inspired and reconnected to one of my professional passions: waste and resource management.

As Austin continues working toward its ambitious goal of 90% waste diversion by 2040, this program equips residents to play an active role in that mission. The Zero Waste Block Leader Program (ZWBL) trains volunteers to educate their neighbors about recycling, composting, and waste reduction, while also serving as on-the-ground advocates for sustainability. It’s one of those rare opportunities where everyday citizens become part of the city’s environmental strategy – one conversation, one household, and one block at a time.

From Waste Management to Resource Recovery

During my time at Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) (one of Austin Metro’s largest private waste haulers), I developed a strong appreciation for the complex systems that make waste and sustainability work together. Seeing firsthand how recycling streams, compost operations, and landfill logistics function behind the scenes gave me a tangible understanding of what it takes to manage waste at scale.

But what’s always fascinated me most is the communication side of it: how do we take something as unglamorous as trash and turn it into a story that inspires change? That’s exactly where programs like ARR’s Block Leader initiative come in.

General, Professional, Space, Texas

Building the Future of Texas’ Space Workforce

October 9, 2025 No Comments

This month’s Ecosystem Space meetup at Capital Factory once again highlighted why the Austin Metro is quickly becoming a hub for space innovation. The energy in the room was both inspiring and pragmatic — a mix of engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, and advocates all united around a central challenge: how do we grow and sustain the space workforce in Texas?

The event topic centered on Space Workforce Development, which brought together thought leaders and innovators who understand that the future of the space industry relies not only on rockets and research, but on people and skilled trades. The discussion focused on identifying the STEM and trade skills that “Big Space” companies and agile startups alike need to thrive, and how Texas can position itself as a leader in developing that talent.

General, Professional, Texas

(Un)Employment in the Age of AI: Reflections of an AI Optimist

October 6, 2025 No Comments

I went to the Capital Factory in downtown Austin for a thought-provoking keynote titled “(Un)employment in the Age of AI.” Part of The Age of AI series — a monthly event known for sparking deep conversations and big questions — this talk by Oliver Emberton explored how artificial intelligence is transforming the very meaning of work.

The premise was bold yet disarmingly simple: AI isn’t here to take your job — it’s here to take everyone’s jobs. But rather than deliver a doomsday narrative, Emberton offered a surprisingly optimistic vision of how automation and intelligence could reshape society for the better, if we choose to guide it responsibly.

General, Professional, Texas

2025 Mitchell Sustainability Symposium: A Day of Learning, Connection, and Inspiration

October 2, 2025 No Comments

The University of Texas at Austin hosted the 2025 Mitchell Sustainability Symposium at the William C. Powers Student Activity Center. This event brought together faculty, students, sustainability experts, and community members to examine the state of sustainability on campus and explore its broader impact on education, research, and community engagement.

With a packed agenda from morning networking to student lightning talks, the symposium showcased the university’s role as both an innovator and facilitator in the sustainability space. Below is an overview of the key sessions and highlights.

General, Professional, Texas

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.