Gary Cocke and Carole Fergusson share their journeys in sustainability and community conservation, revealing how partnerships between universities, cities, and local organizations create meaningful environmental impact in Waco and beyond.
• Gary's background in biology and ecology led him to sustainability work, first in water conservation during drought conditions
• Carole entered sustainability through nonprofit marketing and event planning, combining her personal passion for gardening with professional skills
• The Baylor "Bearly Used" program diverted 13 large pods of student move-out items to community partners instead of landfills
• Keep Waco Beautiful volunteers generate approximately $200,000 in economic impact annually through their service hours
• The Green Communities Conference brings together academia, government, nonprofits, and citizens to address local sustainability challenges
• Both leaders emphasize that sustainability is fundamentally about people and building community resilience
• Climate impacts are increasingly visible in Texas through longer heat spells, winter storms, and worsening allergy seasons
• Small personal actions like composting and planting native species create "pockets of joy" while contributing to larger solutions
Join us at the Green Communities Conference on September 17-18 in Waco, Texas to connect with sustainability leaders and learn practical approaches to building greener communities.
As always, thanks so much for listening! Subscribe, rate, and review Planthropology on your favorite podcast app. It helps the show keep growing and reaching more people! As a bonus, if you review Planthropology on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and send me a screenshot of it, I'll send you an awesome sticker pack!
Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey.