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.
Jovanna Lopez, Urban Agriculture Community Coordinator
Jovanna Lopez is an Urban Agriculture Community Coordinator at Eco Centro and a farmer at the Garcia Street Farm, a community farm on San Antonio’s Eastside. She has over 10 years of experience working in urban farming/gardening and community health.
Torin Metz, Urban Agriculture Operations Coordinator
Torin works at Eco Centro and Garcia Street Farm and helps with the planning and implementation of agriculture initiatives.
Jason Rodriguez, Conservation Event Coordinator
Jason Rodriguez is Eco Centro’s Conservation Event Coordinator and Community Conservation Presenter. He has worked with many organizations including San Antonio River Authority, U.S. Forest Service, the solar industry, and public education. Jason supports conservation through work and education by volunteering and participating in public engagement initiatives. His academic background includes a BS in Resource & Environmental Studies focused on surface and groundwater resources. You can find Jason during his free time near or in water kayaking and fishing, on land hiking, camping, and surveying cave systems locally and in Mexico. He believes that continuing education is the best way for each of us to become more connected to the natural world and become better stewards of our natural resources for the betterment of all.
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.
Ariana Fuentes, Urban Farm Specialty and Native Crop Specialist
Ariana Fuentes is the Urban Farm Specialty and Native Crop Specialist at Eco Centro and a farmer at the Garcia Street Urban Farm. As well as helping with the management and maintenance of the farm and Eco Centro’s gardens, Ariana specializes in design, native plants and youth programs and helps with the management and maintenance of the many Eco Centro and Garcia Street Urban Farm spaces.
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.