Parkland Health and Hospital System and Texas Health Resources have been named to the Texan by Nature 20, which recognizes 20 companies with Texas operations that show a commitment to conservation. Texan by Nature is a conservation nonprofit led by former First Lady Laura Bush.
“At Texan by Nature, our firm belief is that our long term prosperity and health is dependent upon our natural resources. In launching the TxN 20, we aim to spotlight innovation in conservation and inspire more substantial efforts to create a new model of conservation for Texans and our shared future,” said Joni Carswell, CEO & President of Texan by Nature via release. “It is an honor to showcase and celebrate the Texas-led innovation, commitment and elevated practices spanning industries and our unique state.”
Parkland’s new 882-bed hospital and other facilities have all received the Gold recognition from LEED, and two outpatient centers have staff and patient gardens with vegetables, herbs, and pollinator plants. Produce is distributed to eligible patients and their households weekly while employing organic practices.
“The focus of Parkland’s sustainability program started out as an effort to increase recycling rates,” says Michael Wood, Parkland’s Director of Facilities Support Services via release. “It has now evolved to include initiatives centered on energy conservation, green building standards and land conservation, among others. One of our main themes during the renovation was to ‘put the park back in Parkland.’ We hope to continue to be on the forefront of sustainability and conservation practices.”
Texan by Nature implements conservation practices, hosts leadership roundtables, and shares best practices with different industries about how to protect the environment. It helps raise funds and activate projects that are working toward those goals throughout the state.
The full list of the inaugural honorees is below.
- Parkland Health & Hospital System
- American Campus Communities
- Apache
- Austin Convention Center
- Cactus Feeders
- CEMEX
- Cirrus Logic
- Comerica
- Darling Ingredients
- Dell
- DFW International Airport
- Farmer Brothers
- Harvest Seasonal Kitchen
- H-E-B
- King Land & Water
- NRG Energy
- Phillips 66
- Southwest Airlines
- Texas Health Resources
- Union Pacific
