SXSW is proud to announce its continuing support of Rainforest Partnership and their instrumental work in protecting our tropical rain forests. Rainforest Partnership is an international non-profit social enterprise with Austin roots and global reach.

By partnering with rainforest communities in Latin America, Rainforest Partnership has become a leader in developing sustainable economic alternatives to deforestation. Rainforest Partnership works closely with indigenous communities to develop sustainable income-generating activities, making it more profitable for them to leave the forest standing.

Photo courtesy Hive Lighting: Hive Lighting on a 2013 Chevy Volt commercial

I am always pleased to hear about SXSW forging new partnerships with companies that align with our sustainability efforts. For 2013 we are proud to announce a partnership between SXSW Film and Hive Lighting!

Hive Lighting manufactures brand new Plasma light fixtures for Film, TV, Digital and Live production and they will be illuminating the red carpet at the 2013 SXSW Film Festival.

Before

Stage 2 water restrictions in Austin, TX mean you can only water your yard once a week. Question: With the continuous drought, it's tough to keep a yard green, what's a gal to do? Answer: Reduce your lawn as much as you can with a little elbow grease and strong back muscles by xeriscaping!

Photo by Ellen Alger

Compost returns nutrients to the land, and naturally fertilizes. Good dirt makes a good garden. My boyfriend Otis and I have a great garden! We have a lemon tree, a lime tree, blueberry bushes, strawberries, chard, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes out the wahzoo. But to be completely honest, I’m not a very good gardener ... I have an irrational fear of worms and caterpillars. So by “we” I really mean he. I mostly stand in the yard with my glass of wine and keep him company while he tends to our amazing plants. While I do presume my conversation skills play some part in our garden’s success, I believe my real contribution may lay in the soil itself.

We finally have the reports back from our 2012 programs and projects, and overall the numbers look great. The programs that have been around were better than ever this year, and the new ones went well enough that we plan on repeating them in 2013. Here is a brief recap of some of the more prominent, and newest, efforts.