The fall semester was filled with Green Teens completing service projects, taking fieldtrips, and hosting guest speakers to learn about Lady Bird Lake and other waterways, to take an in depth look at local plants and wildlife, and to better understand the impact of trash.

 

 

I think I can, I think I can chimed Green Teens as they tried to stand on a stand up paddle board and keep their balance in a canoe during an on the water Lady Bird Lake cleanup hosted by the Expedition School. Students collected trash along the shoreline, on the water and came out with a new appreciation for recreational water sports. Students from Martin Middle School and Eastside Memorial High School visited the lake several more times to fish, study the aquatic habitat, and continue cleaning the shoreline. LBJ Green Teens extended their commitment to service by cleaning up and adopting an illegal dumpsite near their school.

 

 

 

LBJ Green Teens have never shied from dirty work – cleaning litter from shorelines, canoes, the side of the road, and storm drains.  This year, the students applied their hard working skills to a well-known dumping site on the corner of 183 and Purple Sage Drive and hauled litter out of places it’s sat for potentially over a decade.  By far the coolest item found is an antique knife that was used on the end of a musket!  Next semester, the Teens hope to host a community cleanup to raise awareness about neighborhood litter and keep the area clean once and for all.  

 

After learning about the impact of litter Akins Green Teens were inspired to create signs and skits about the impact of litter that they posted around campus and presented to Menchaca, a nearby feeder Elementary School to educate fellow students on the importance of not littering. To continue their commitment to raising awareness about litter students marked stormdrains and held a campus cleanup to set an example of being environmental stewards.

 

 

This fall wildfires destroyed homes and destroyed the native habitat in Bastrop. In connection with Healing Hands, Healing Lands Green Teens at all schools made seed balls to reseed burned areas in Bastrop and help the land heal and restore the habitat and provide food for birds and other wildlife.

 

 

This fall KAB kicked off a pilot program to compost at Texas football games. The initiative proved bigger than we could have imagined. On 11/15, Green Teens joined the initiative to cheer on the horns and help educate fans about how to dispose of their waste and sort through trash to separate compostables!

 

Rehabilitators from Austin Wildlife Rescue took a break from chirping baby birds, bottle feeding squirrels, and cleaning cages to give students from LBJ and Eastside Memorial a sneak peek at what it means to care for injured wildlife.  Susan, a dedicated raccoon rehabber, brought out birds, turtles, possums, and of course a beautiful juvenile raccoon who clung to her like a koala bear.  While learning what to do when you find an injured animal – call 311 – and what not to do – feed squirrels cow’s milk – Susan was able to connect the students with animals all around us struggling to survive amid traffic, suburbia, and domestic pets to enjoy their Austin habitat just as we do.  

 

As elementary students, Akins Green Teens frequently visited Mary Moore Searight Park just down the street from their school to explore Austin’s parks.  So when we decided to invite native plant expert Leslie Bush to tour us through a preserve, it was great to hear her insight on Brodie Wild.  A small preserve to help keep the recharging aquifer water clean, Brodie Wild had fun things to offer despite the drought.  Students tasted Oxalis leaves, identified mesquites and persimmons, and detoured to investigate a rotting deer carcass that was being munched on by durmestid beetles.  

 

 

After a semester filled with service, learning about wildlife, flora, and water quality ALL 6 Green Teen sites, 35 students joined up on Saturday, 12/10 for a trip to Enchanted Rock. Challenged by cold winds and a 425ft steep pink granite rock we are proud to share that all the Green Teens made it up Enchanted Rock AND down safely (and tired! Exercise outdoors is always good). Many of the students also overcame their fear or small dark spaces while working as a team to encourage each other through the onsite cave. Green Teens stayed energized for the climb with lunch donated from ThunderCloud Subs – thank you Thundercloud!

 

When students couldn’t get away for fieldtrips speakers came to them…

 

Local Beekeeper, Karl Arcuri and Central Texas Bee Rescue are on a mission to save honey bees. Local Beekeeper Karl visited Fulmore Middle School where he shared his mission and knowledge with Green Teens along with bringing a taste of honey and his beekeeping gear. After the presentation, students ventured outside to investigate a natural bee hive found in a tree nearby. The new local nonprofit, Central Texas Bee Rescue visited Martin Middle School, LBJ High School, and Eastside Memorial High School to teach Green Teens Everything about bees while students observed a live bee hive! After the presentation students built bee hives that will be used in an upcoming bee rescue. Learn more about Central Texas Bee Rescues presentation on our KAB Blog.

 

Experts from the Austin Nature and Science Center brought some of the center to Akins and LBJ High School including a live barred owl, dove, and quail. Feathers, bones, sample nests, and a stuffed owl all added to learning about the many ways birds adapt and survive in an urban habitat. Expectations were set high as students discovered how to be a good animal steward.

 

 

During a visit to Eastside High School, students from Martin Middle School learned about local spiders, venomous and non-venomous from local expert Spider Jo. Their study included an up close look at a brown recluse and a black widow spider. At Travis High School local reptiles, including a Gopher Snake and Geckos came for a visit one day. Students got up close and personal with these fascinating critters, while learning about different types of snakes and lizards found in central Texas and the conservation efforts being made to protect them.