Mailing Address:

Ecology Action of Texas
PO Box 1927
Austin, TX  78767

Phone: 512-322-0000

 

 

 

 

 

420 Kemp Street
Austin, TX, 78741
United States

512-322-0000

At Ecology Action of Texas, our mission is to educate and empower people to create a healthier environment. 

Ecology Action has been at the forefront of waste diversion and conservation efforts since it's founding in 1969, from creating Austin's first recycling program, to our current work of recycling the landfill itself! In 2015 we closed our downtown recycling center to focus our efforts at Circle Acres, where we are transforming a former landfill into a nature preserve to be enjoyed by all. Through tours, events, volunteer days, summer camps, and field trips, we engage our community in landfill diversion and remediation, towards a vision of a zero waste world.

Team

Eric Paulus, Operations Director and Land ManagerEric Paulus is the Operations Manager at Ecology Action’s Circle Acres Nature Preserve. Before joining Ecology Action, Eric owned a small farm and plant nursery called Regeneration Eco-Farm. Regeneration served as a model urban farm for sustainable production and ecological stewardship. He gained valuable horticultural experience working at various farms, plant nurseries and landscaping companies. He has a BA from the University of Texas at Austin in Geography and History. He has spent time in southern India working on a reforestation project, co-managed a community garden and arboretum, and taught workshops on vermicomposting, Integrated Pest Management and enhancing soil health by increasing organic matter. Aside from stints in Italy, India and Massachusetts, Eric has lived in Austin since 2000. He has a young son and is interested in the soil microbiome, biodiversity and native plants. As a former participant of the Rhizome Collective, Eric took part in the original clean up of Circle Acres in 2004/05 and has seen first-hand how far the site has come from its days as a toxic brownfield.

Eric Paulus, Operations Director and Land Manager

Eric Paulus is the Operations Director at Ecology Action’s Circle Acres Nature Preserve. Before joining Ecology Action, Eric owned a small farm and plant nursery called Regeneration Eco-Farm. Regeneration served as a model urban farm for sustainable production and ecological stewardship. He gained valuable horticultural experience working at various farms, plant nurseries and landscaping companies. He has a BA from the University of Texas at Austin in Geography and History. He has spent time in southern India working on a reforestation project, co-managed a community garden and arboretum, and taught workshops on vermicomposting, Integrated Pest Management and enhancing soil health by increasing organic matter. Aside from stints in Italy, India and Massachusetts, Eric has lived in Austin since 2000. He has a young son and is interested in the soil microbiome, biodiversity and native plants. As a former participant of the Rhizome Collective, Eric took part in the original clean up of Circle Acres in 2004-06 and has seen first-hand how far the site has come from its days as a toxic brownfield.

Joyce Bertolacini, Communications SpecialistJoyce Bertolacini is Ecology Action’s Administration and Communications Specialist. After working as both an ESL teacher and a bookseller, Joyce had a 24-year-long career with the State of Texas. She has a background in procurement, program and contract administration, and business outreach. As a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Coordinator, she assisted minority and women-owned companies with the complexities of certification and state contracting. Joyce is a lifelong nature nerd, a lover of all things vintage, and an avid reader. In 2020, she completed the Travis Audubon Society’s Master Birder Program, and is also a member of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Austin Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. She has volunteered with Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, the Austin Public Library, and Travis Audubon.

Joyce Bertolacini, Communications Specialist

Joyce Bertolacini is Ecology Action’s Administration and Communications Specialist. After working as both an ESL teacher and a bookseller, Joyce had a 24-year-long career with the State of Texas. She has a background in procurement, program and contract administration, and business outreach. As a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Coordinator, she assisted minority and women-owned companies with the complexities of certification and state contracting. Joyce is a lifelong nature nerd, a lover of all things vintage, and an avid reader. In 2020, she completed the Travis Audubon Society’s Master Birder Program, and is also a member of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Austin Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. She has volunteered with Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, the Austin Public Library, and Travis Audubon.