Environmental Groups – Grassroots Organizing
Clean Water Action
600 West 28th Street, Suite 202
Austin, TX 78705
David Foster (512) 474-2046
E-mail: dfoster@cleanwater.org
Net: cleanwateraction.org
Facebook: facebook.com/CleanWaterActionTexas
Purpose: Clean Water Action is a national organization of diverse people and groups working together for clean, safe, and affordable water, the prevention of health-threatening pollution at its source, creation of environmentally safe jobs and businesses, and empowerment of people to make democracy work.
We also work to elect pro-environment candidates at all levels of government and pass ballot initiatives that promote a more sustainable future.
Projects/Activities: At the national level, Clean Water Action is working to restore full protections to waterways under the Clean Water Act and enact strong climate protection legislation. In Texas, we are working to strengthen and enforce environmental laws, promote water conservation, curtail our dependence on polluting fossil fuels, and increase investments in energy efficiency and wind and solar power.
Clean Water Fund, a 501(c)3 whose programs complement those of Clean Water Action, holds an annual “Spring for Water” celebration with silent auction each April or May.
Volunteer Opportunities: Work on elections, participate at public hearings, and assist with office projects. Paid and unpaid internships, with college credit, are available.
Newsletters: Clean Water Currents newsletter, state and national versions.
Dues: Various membership levels.
Environment Texas
200 E. 30th Street
Austin, TX 78705
Luke Metzger (512) 479-0388
E-mail: luke@environmenttexas.org
Net: environmenttexas.org
Facebook: facebook.com/environmenttexas
Purpose: We all want clean air, clean water, and open spaces. But it takes independent research and tough-minded advocacy to win concrete results, especially when powerful interests stand in the way of progress. That’s the idea behind Environment Texas. We focus exclusively on protecting Texas’ air, water, and open spaces. We take action at the local, state, and national levels.
Projects/Activities: Environment Texas is working to protect Texas natural areas from development, to improve enforcement of our clean air laws, and to bring more wind and solar energy to Texas.
Volunteer Opportunities: Internships and volunteer opportunities are both available.
Newsletters/Publications: Environment Texas Report, sent to members 3 times a year.
Dues: $25/year ($15 for first-time members).
Meetings: Meets irregularly; announced via newsletter.
Texas Campaign for the Environment
P.O. Box 42278
Austin, TX 78704
Jeffrey Jacoby (512) 326-5655
E-Mail: jeffrey@texasenvironment.org
Net: TexasEnvironment.org
Facebook: facebook.com/texasenvironment
Purpose: TCE works to empower Texans to fight pollution through sustained grassroots organizing campaigns that shift corporate and governmental policy. Our grassroots organizers speak to hundreds of thousands of Texans every year and help us move closer to our ultimate vision: a Texas free from pollution.
Projects/Activities: TCE has a full-time, year-round, door-to-door canvass that builds power and engages the public in our campaigns. Our main focus in recent years has been Zero Waste, including Austin’s curbside composting program and soon-to-be implemented parks recycling initiative. We also work on campaigns to clean up polluted sites and transform the materials economy.
Each September, we host a fashion show fundraising event called the “Trash Makeover Challenge” featuring original looks made from recycled materials.
Volunteer Opportunities: We welcome student interns and are always eager for skilled volunteers that can help us in creative ways as we pressure policy-makers into doing right by our environment.
Newsletters/Publications: Annual newsletter; research reports and articles available on our Web site; regularly updated Facebook.
Dues: $15+ annually.
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