About

About Eco Centro

William R. Sinkin Eco Centro is an outreach center for community and environmental sustainability housed at San Antonio College. We strive to cultivate community – wellness, resilience and sustainability.

Eco Centro provides information and resources to positively address environmental and social challenges. Through education, outreach, service and research, we strive to create sustainable communities and built environments where all are empowered to succeed.

The LEED-certified, 3,000+ square foot facility serves as an example of sustainable building with a solar-photovoltaic system connected to 135 roof-mounted solar panels, a 2,700- gallon water catchment tank and five 40-gallon tanks, water-wise landscaping, four electric vehicle charging stations, and large composting and gardening areas. 

As it grows, Eco Centro has taken over space on San Antonio College’s campus and the Garcia Street Urban Farm, one of the largest urban farms in the city. 

Our Three Pillars

Water Resources

The coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources maximizes environmental, economic and social welfare in an equitable manner, and without compromising the sustainability of our vital ecosystems. We use a cross-sectoral approach based on the understanding that water resources are natural, social and economic resources that must be protected, valued, conserved and restored. In order to effectively and holistically manage our water quality and quantity, private and public stakeholders must collaborate across all water uses and boundaries. Eco Centro supports efforts to conserve municipal water supplies, reduce nonpoint source pollution and improve management of our limited water supplies.

Urban Food Production

Urban agriculture increases access to healthy, locally grown, and culturally appropriate sources of food. Growing and sharing food builds wealth in disinvested and underserved neighborhoods while preserving green spaces, providing places for neighbors to come together, and building community cohesion. Urban food systems lessen the burdens of food insecurity, diabetes, heart disease and other nutrition related health impacts. Locally grown food increases climate resilience, captures and stores carbon, creates urban wildlife and pollinator habitat, improves watershed health, reduces pollution, generates jobs and grows local economies. Eco Centro operates an 4.1 acre urban farm on San Antonio’s Eastside and a micro-farm at San Antonio College. Eco Centro collaborates with local partners to create pathways for sustainable, local, urban food systems where our community can access healthy, nutritious food.   

Green Building

Green buildings by design, construction and operation create positive impacts on our climate, natural and social environments. Green buildings preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life for occupants. Eco Centro offers educational workshops and professional training on green building to support the Alamo Colleges District, homeowners, local businesses and local municipalities to build better buildings and aid in their efforts to change the paradigms around the built environment.