About Us
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.
Our People
Rose Flores, Director
Rose Flores is the Director of Eco Centro at San Antonio College in San Antonio, Texas. Rose leads the Eco Centro Team in providing quality community education on topics that cover sustainable practices such as water conservation, urban food production and green building practices. She comes from Palo Alto College where she was an Assistant Professor and a Program Lead for the Horticultural Sciences Program where along with teaching, she oversaw the development, installation and operation of the campus community garden and 1-acre vineyard. She brings her passion for promoting soil health and addressing the food insecurity issue to the Eco Centro team. Rose has a BS in Agriculture and an MS in Integrated Agriculture Sciences from Texas State University and considers herself a lifelong student. In her free time, you can find her in community gardens, greenhouses and shopping for plants to sustain her plant collecting habit.
Jordyn Biesenbach, Conservation Events Coordinator
Serving as Conservation Events Coordinator for Eco Centro, Jordyn is passionate about engaging the community through impactful events that promote sustainability and environmental awareness. In her free time, she enjoys exploring nature trails with her three dogs.
Quinton Rowland, Urban Agriculture Service Coordinator
Quinton’s experience is a blend of education and professional development surrounding regenerative agriculture and water resource management. He has spent 5 years as an owner/operator at a small market garden farm established in Converse, Texas and brings a cornucopia of knowledge surrounding regenerative and sustainable farming to help usher in a new age of healthy, sustainable agricultural practices. At Eco Centro Quinton’s focus is on community and student life, operating as a beacon for anyone interested in learning methods to grow food sustainably.
Savannah Santos, Urban Agriculture Campus Coordinator
In addition to managing San Antonio College garden spaces, Savannah specializes in bridging connections between campus programs and student success. She has worked with students through her previous role as an Academic Lab Technician for the Campus Greenhouse with the Palo Alto College Horticultural Science Program.
Cynthia Baker, Administrative Services Specialist
Cynthia Baker is the Administrative Services Specialist for Eco Centro, whose background includes education in environmental studies with a focus in ecology and many years of professional experience in the field of education. Cynthia’s role at Eco Centro focuses on providing the Eco Centro/Garcia Street Farm team with administrative support, and providing resources and information pertaining to Eco Centro’s mission to SAC students, faculty, and staff, as well as San Antonio community members.