EarthShare of Texas is excited to share that we recently received $114,000 from electricity provider, Reliant. The donation is made possible by Reliant customers who choose to participate in the Reliant EcoShareSM program. The Reliant EcoShareSM program gives customers the opportunity to add either $3.95 or $5.95 to their monthly electricity bill, which includes a donation to EarthShare of Texas as well as carbon offset to reduce their impact on the environment.
EarthShare of Texas’ executive director, Francoise Van Keuren, commented “EarthShare of Texas is proud to be part of the Reliant EcoShare program and even more grateful for Reliant’s customers who choose to donate to us every month. These donations give stable support to protecting our local environment with creative Texas-based solutions.”
The Reliant EcoShareSM donation is shared with 29 EarthShare of Texas member organizations that will each receive more than $4,000 in unrestricted funds. This program empowers our Texas-based environmental and conservation charities to choose where the money can make the biggest difference, as the funds can be spent on any program or administrative needs.
The partnership between EarthShare of Texas and Reliant began in 2011 and has raised $1.92 million in total. The most recent donation of $114,000 was raised between July and December 2020. Customers continue to give through the Reliant EcoShareSM program and the funds are distributed twice a year.
EarthShare of Texas fundraises with businesses, public institutions, and individuals to fuel mission-driven projects and programs throughout Texas. Below are some key accomplishments achieved by our nonprofits members through funds provided by the public, EarthShare of Texas, Reliant, and donors like you.
Reliant EcoShareSM Program Supports The Galveston Bay Foundation
The Galveston Bay Foundation hosts Marsh Mania where volunteers planted 6,900 stems of smooth cordgrass in our Texas marshes. Other great restoration achievements include:
- Recycled 114.89 tons of oyster shells from 10 partner restaurants and recruited new partners for the oyster shell recycling program.
- Raised and transplanted to Galveston Bay reefs over 18,000 new oysters from the 300 oyster gardens at 75 bayfront homes created using 1,500 pounds of recycled oyster shell.
Reliant EcoShareSM Program Supports The Big Bend Conservancy
The Big Bend Conservancy (BBC) promotes various conservation projects in Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River. Funding to BBC provides opportunities for the public to participate in volunteer projects such as National Public Lands Day, allows for trail improvements, and promotes scientific research in the region.
Reliant EcoShareSM Program Supports TreeFolks
TreeFolks launched the Travis County Floodplain Reforestation Program. This innovative and nationally recognized program works to restore healthy forest buffers in Eastern Travis County floodplains, while also generating Carbon+ Credits.
The program generated the planting of 50,000 native saplings on 17 public and private properties throughout Eastern Travis County covering 83 acres. The first year of the program, in turn, will capture 11,109.46 tonnes of CO2 over the next 30 years (4.31 tCO2/acre/yr).
Reliant EcoShareSM Program Supports SPARK: School Park Program
SPARK: School Park Program works with schools and neighborhoods to develop community parks on public school grounds in the Houston Area. SPARK uses Reliant EcoShareSM funding to support public art installations in a new SPARK Parks. Local artists work with a school’s art teacher and the students to do an art installation for their new SPARK Park.
Reliant EcoShareSM Program Supports The Texas Solar Energy Society
The Reliant EcoShareSM program allows the Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) to be active participants in providing support for the environmental health of Texas. TXSES not only benefits financially from the Reliant EcoShareSM program but appreciates Reliant’s Simple Solar Sell Back plan that provides credit, using the same price a solar homeowner pays for electricity, for all surplus electricity generated and returned to the grid. That fits in with the TXSES mission to promote clean, safe, locally harvested solar energy for every Texan.
All Environmental Nonprofits Receiving Funds From the Reliant EcoShareSM Program
Audubon Foundation of Texas
Austin Parks Foundation
Austin Youth River Watch
Bat Conservation International
Big Bend Conservancy
BikeTexas
Blackland Prairie Raptor Center
Buffalo Bayou Partnership
Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems
Children’s Environmental Health Institute
Citizens’ Environmental Coalition
Colorado River Alliance
Ecology Action
Galveston Bay Foundation
Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance
Greens Bayou Coalition
Hill Country Conservancy
Katy Prairie Conservancy
Keep Texas Beautiful
National Wildlife Federation
San Marcos River Foundation
Save Barton Creek Association
SPARK: School Park Program
STAR: State of Texas Alliance for Recycling
Sustainable Food Center
Texas Campaign for the Environment Fund
Texas Solar Energy Society
TreeFolks
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
