Dig-In03/30/08Join the Green Corn Project (www.greencornproject.org) during the 2008 Spring Dig-In!  Volunteers will build organic vegetable gardens for families, at schools, and in community centers all over town. Dig-In dates this season, March 1st, 2nd, 8th, 29th, and 30th. Volunteers are also needed who are interested in the following opportunities to get more involved with GCP and ensure success in bringing healthy, affordable to food to folks in Austin!*Become a Dig-In Leader (see training requirements below)*Mentor a new gardener (no experience necessary; approximately 4 hrs/month)*Deliver compost, seeds, and starts to garden sites before the Dig-ins (owning a truck is very helpful!)*Help put together garden packets on the Wednesdays before the Dig-insPlease email greencornproject@usa.net with the following information:*Your full name, address, phone number, and preferred email*What opportunities you are interested in*What SPECIFIC dates you are available Dates: March 1st, 2nd, 8th, 29th, and 30th.Time:  9am-2pmContact:  greencornproject@usa.net 

Slaughter Creek Trail Building03/30/2008 Hosted by the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club (This Event Is Eligible For Pay Dirt Hours).  The proposed target date for completing and opening the Slaughter Creek Trail is March /April 2008, so come on out and lend a hand.   Date: Sunday, March 30th       Time:  9am-1:00pmLocation:  9901 Camp Ben McCullough Rd. (aka: FM1826) at Slaughter Creek, (SW Austin-78737) What to Bring: sturdy shoes or boots, sun block, bug repellent, work gloves, eye protection, WATER, & food (i.e., energy bars and/or sandwich).  Directions:

• From Austin, go to the Y in Oak Hill.  Continue west on Hwy 290 and turn left onto  Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826 (third traffic light after the Y). Drive approximately 2 miles, cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.  Drive up the driveway to the parking lot.
• From Circle C and other areas in South Austin, take Slaughter Lane to Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826. Turn left on Camp Ben/1826. Drive approximately 1 mile. Cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.  Drive up the driveway to the parking lot.

Contact: Britt Jones at bikejones2426@yahoo.com or call 512-423-0889

Sow Native Grasses 03/30/2008 Sow native grass seeds in some areas that were disturbed when juniper were removed this winter. For more information and/or to volunteer contact daniel.dietz@ci.austin.tx.us or call 263-6443. Date: Sunday, March 30th Time:  9:30am-12:30pmLocation:  Edwards crossing tract, just west of Shady Hollow.  Directions will be sent upon registration. Contact: daniel.dietz@ci.austin.tx.us or call 263-6443. 

RESTORE East Slaughter Lane 03/30/2008 Emmaus Austin with Keep Austin Beautiful is sponsoring another East Slaughter Lane Clean Up.  To see pictures and learn more about our last even go to http://emmausaustin.com/Emmaus_Austin/News_and_Photos/Entries/2008/2/17_restore%3A_slaughter_lane.html Emmaus Austin would like to team up with the citizens of South Austin to help make our corner of the City a more beautiful are to live in and be proud of.  Volunteers will be spending 3 hours on Sunday the 30th picking up the trash that haunts East Slaughter Lane, please join us, our city needs our care! Date: Sunday, March 30th Time:  9:30am-12:30pmLocation:  At the corner of East Slaughter and Narrow Glen - East of I-35Parking:  You can park inside the Crossing at Onion Creek Subdivision.Contact:  Matthew Hansen email at Mdh1199@gmail.com or you can call him at512.652.8793Note:  Emmaus Austin needs your help in Making South Austin a More beautiful place to live!  And don't forget to bring gloves if you have them! 

New Plantings/Mulch Beds Neighborhood Green03/30/2008 Bruning Green is a neighbor-maintained green space that was established in 2001 and has been developed into a beautiful little public space with a butterfly bed, path, stone seating walls, and bench. It is very precious to the neighborhood and needs regular maintenance to keep it in top condition.  Please bring work gloves, a pitchfork if you have one, and bottled water for yourself. Contact keeper@northfieldna.org to sign up for one of the work days Date: March 30th Time:  4pm-5pmLocation:  Bruning Green @ 52nd, Evans, and Bruning Avenue (N. Central Austin - 78751)Parking:  along neighborhood streets, please be courteous of neighbors and do not block drivewaysContact:  keeper@northfieldna.org to volunteerNote:  Please bring work gloves, a pitchfork if you have one, and bottled water for yourself. 

CLEAN SWEEP -  04/05/2008 Join KAB and thousands of volunteers for our BIGGEST event of the year!  Organize your own cleanup or join an existing one and then come together for a huge volunteer party. Last year more than 25 TONS of trash was removed from public spaces in just 2 hours! Date: April 5th  Times:  Cleanups (all over town):9AM-11AM/Volunteer Party (Waterloo Park): 11:30am-2:00pm  More Info:  www.keepaustinbeautiful.org/clean_sweep 

Wild Basin Workday04/12/2008 Like to get dirty, work hard, and have fun? Then join us for trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, revegetation, erosion control, and other land management projects on the second Saturday of each month.  Date: 2nd Saturday of every month, April 12th   Time:  8:30am-12:00pmLocation:  Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, 805 N. Capitol of TX Hwy (West Austin-78746)  Contact:  For more details, email hike@wildbasin.org or call 512-327-7622, ext 17.Note: Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes and long pants with a long-sleeved shirt; bring bottled water and gloves, plus a day/fanny pack to carry personal items. You need your hands free! Dress for the weather: hat & sunscreen for solar protection; raincoat/light jacket if it's chilly or raining lightly. We don't go out in thunderstorm conditions.Website: www.wildbasin.org  

It’s My Park Day!04/12/2008 Join the Austin Parks Foundation for “It’s My Park Day!” on April 12th.  Individuals and community groups lead projects in Austin’s parks ranging from general cleanups and repairs to trail building and playground installation.  Learn more at: www.austinparks.org/itsmypark.html  Date: Saturday, April 12th    Time:  varies by projectLocation:  All over AustinGeneral Info: www.austinparks.org/itsmypark.htmlRegistration:  http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1205/t/3511/event/distributedEventSearch.jsp?distributed_event_KEY=380  

Green your Home or Business while Supporting Small Middle SchoolWhat: Small Middle School Plant Sale - featuring the most student raised plants the school has ever offered. The emphasis is on native plants but they will also have some non-natives that are well suited to Austin's climate. A limited amount of Big tooth maples, as well as other trees, perennials, shrubs, grasses, and cacti available.  Where: Small Middle School - in front of the schoolWhen: Saturday, April 9th, 9am-1pmSmall Middle School Students are active gardeners with native plant beds now surrounding the school. Each year students raise plants for a spring plant sale. The proceeds will go toward the construction of the campus greenhouse, which they finally have a building permit for. The greenhouse is dedicated to Margaret Bamberger with the mission to study, propagate, and distribute native plants in their community.

Slaughter Creek Trail Building04/19/2008 Hosted by the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club (This Event Is Eligible For Pay Dirt Hours).  The proposed target date for completing and opening the Slaughter Creek Trail is March /April 2008, so come on out and lend a hand.   Date: April 19th        Time:  9am-1:00pmLocation:  9901 Camp Ben McCullough Rd. (aka: FM1826) at Slaughter Creek, (SW Austin-78737) What to Bring: sturdy shoes or boots, sun block, bug repellent, work gloves, eye protection, WATER, & food (i.e., energy bars and/or sandwich).  Directions:

• From Austin, go to the Y in Oak Hill.  Continue west on Hwy 290 and turn left onto  Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826 (third traffic light after the Y). Drive approximately 2 miles, cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.  Drive up the driveway to the parking lot.
• From Circle C and other areas in South Austin, take Slaughter Lane to Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826. Turn left on Camp Ben/1826. Drive approximately 1 mile. Cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.  Drive up the driveway to the parking lot.

Contact: Britt Jones at bikejones2426@yahoo.com or call 512-423-0889

Butterfly Garden04/19/2008 Help build a butterfly garden at a little known pocket park in South Austin.  Other projects will include litter pickup and trimming trees. Date: April 19th    Time:  9:00am-noonLocation:  SW corner of Emerald Wood and South 1st (half-way between Ben White and Stassney, across from Kindercare with red roof)Contact:  Nicole Sanford at nsanford@mac.com  

Tree Distribution04/19/2008 KAB received a surprise in-kind donation of 300+ trees that are going to be distributed to community groups for planting throughout Austin.  We’re gearing up for a tree pickup day on Saturday, April 19th and I could use several tree loving volunteers to make sure that groups get the correct number of each species they requested and to pass on any tree tips that you know and help load plants. Date: April 19th    Time:  10:30am-1:00pmLocation:  Austin Biodiversity Greenhouse, NW Corner of Mo-pac & Rollingwood (Central Austin – 78746)Registration:  Jessica@KeepAustinBeautiful.org or 512.391.0617 x 901  Note: please include your t-shirt size in your messageSkills Needed: knowledge about native TX trees and/or ability to move trees in 5-15 gallon containers 

Slaughter Creek Trail Building04/20/2008 Hosted by the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club (This Event Is Eligible For Pay Dirt Hours).  The proposed target date for completing and opening the Slaughter Creek Trail is March /April 2008, so come on out and lend a hand.   Date: April 20th  Time:  9am-1:00pmLocation:  9901 Camp Ben McCullough Rd. (aka: FM1826) at Slaughter Creek, (SW Austin-78737) What to Bring: sturdy shoes or boots, sun block, bug repellent, work gloves, eye protection, WATER, & food (i.e., energy bars and/or sandwich).  Directions:

• From Austin, go to the Y in Oak Hill.  Continue west on Hwy 290 and turn left onto  Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826 (third traffic light after the Y). Drive approximately 2 miles, cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.  Drive up the driveway to the parking lot.
• From Circle C and other areas in South Austin, take Slaughter Lane to Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826. Turn left on Camp Ben/1826. Drive approximately 1 mile. Cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.  Drive up the driveway to the parking lot.

Contact: Britt Jones at bikejones2426@yahoo.com or call 512-423-0889

KAB/Cap Metro Earth Day Bag Exchange4/22/2008 KAB and Cap Metro are teaming up for a fun Earth Day activity.  We’ll be promoting the environmental benefits of riding the bus and using reusable bags.  Bus riders that bring 5 plastic bags for recycling will receive a cool reusable bag.  Volunteers are needed to accept plastic bags for recycling and hand out free reusable bags. Date: Tuesday, April 22Time:  5am-8amLocation:  Cap Metro Park & Ride locations:·         Tech Ridge Park & Ride·         North Lamar Transit Center·         Oak Hill Park & Ride·         Northwest Park & Ride·         Pavilion Park & Ride·         Leander Park & Ride·         7th at Pleasant ValleyParking:  in the park & ride lotContact:  Brian Block at brian@keepaustinbeautiful.org or 391-0621 to volunteerNote:  We are looking for 1 or 2 volunteers at each of the 7 locations.  We know it is early – we can still use your help even if you can’t get there right at 5am.  This is a great opportunity if you already ride the bus from one of these locations or if you want to give riding the bus a try for Earth Day. 

Slaughter Creek Trail Building04/26/2008 Hosted by the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club (This Event Is Eligible For Pay Dirt Hours).  The proposed target date for completing and opening the Slaughter Creek Trail is March /April 2008, so come on out and lend a hand.   Date: April 26th        Time:  9am-1:00pmLocation:  9901 Camp Ben McCullough Rd. (aka: FM1826) at Slaughter Creek, (SW Austin-78737) What to Bring: sturdy shoes or boots, sun block, bug repellent, work gloves, eye protection, WATER, & food (i.e., energy bars and/or sandwich).  Directions:

• From Austin, go to the Y in Oak Hill.  Continue west on Hwy 290 and turn left onto  Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826 (third traffic light after the Y). Drive approximately 2 miles, cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.  Drive up the driveway to the parking lot.
• From Circle C and other areas in South Austin, take Slaughter Lane to Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826. Turn left on Camp Ben/1826. Drive approximately 1 mile. Cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.  Drive up the driveway to the parking lot.

Contact: Britt Jones at bikejones2426@yahoo.com or call 512-423-0889

Native Plant Rescue04/26/2008 On Saturday, April 26 (9 AM to 1 PM), Native Plant Society, Aspen Properties, and 2222 CONA will sponsor a plant rescue at the Aspen Property at the northwest corner of 2222 and River Place Blvd., south of Four Points Shopping Center. Rene Barrera will be available from the City to provide pots and a trailer to rescue lots of little bluestem. There are some other meadow species plus some understory plants as well. Grasses dug for the City will be utilized in restoration work, parks and preserves in the City. And you may salvage plants for your own projects but please bring pots for those. Be aware that you will be required to sign the release form before you begin; so first you must come to the registration table and sign in. Don't forget your shovels, gloves, etc.  Date: April 26th        Time:  9am-1:00pmLocation:  northwest corner of 2222 and River Place Blvd (West Austin – 78730)What to Bring: shovels, gloves, etc.Directions:-Coming from the north and Highway 620, turn south on 2222 and go less than a mile. Get into the right lane and watch for the major traffic light intersection at River Place Blvd. Just before that traffic light at River Place Blvd., pull to the right and drive onto the undeveloped Aspen property where you will see the "ASPEN FOR LEASE" sign. Park in the field. -Coming from the south, go north and west on 2222 past 360. Continue past City Park Road, Jester Blvd., Bell Mountain, and McNeil. Turn left at the next light which is River Place Blvd. Go one long block and turn right on Bonaventure (you will see signage for River Place Corporate Park). Follow Bonaventure through the Corporate Park area all the way around (winding a bit and crossing speed bumps as the street narrows) and back to 2222. Take a right on 2222 (going back south). Just before reaching the traffic light at River Place Blvd., pull to the right and drive onto the undeveloped Aspen property where you will see the "ASPEN FOR LEASE" sign. Park in the field. (It is a longer way around using Bonaventure but much safer this way than trying to turn left on 2222 without a protected turn!) Contact: Dale and Pat Bulla, dale-bulla@pobox.com, 345-9528 

Creek Beautification ProjectO4/26/2008 There is a beautiful little creek the meanders through a wooded area in east Austin that is in need of TLC.  Located just off of MLK out past Airport Blvd., it is adjacent to the new home of the Friends Meeting of Austin.  Volunteers from Friends Meeting of Austin would love to turn this place into a park like space with specific wildlife areas and have a landscape architect working on plans.  But first volunteers need to clean up the trash, clear pathways and remove old stuff blocking the creek. Come join other volunteers for community work followed by lunch. Date: Saturday April 26thTime: 9 am- 12pm (noon) followed by lunchLocation: 3701 East MLK Blvd.Parking: We have a big grassy parking lot at the back of the property.Contact: Dave Draudt at 512-291-0284 or ddraudt@austin.rr.com  to volunteer.Note: wear long pants, long sleeve shirt and bring work gloves and trash removing tools if you have them. 

Slaughter Creek Trail Building04/27/2008 Hosted by the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club (This Event Is Eligible For Pay Dirt Hours).  The proposed target date for completing and opening the Slaughter Creek Trail is March /April 2008, so come on out and lend a hand.   Date: April 27th        Time:  9am-1:00pmLocation:  9901 Camp Ben McCullough Rd. (aka: FM1826) at Slaughter Creek, (SW Austin-78737) What to Bring: sturdy shoes or boots, sun block, bug repellent, work gloves, eye protection, WATER, & food (i.e., energy bars and/or sandwich).  Directions:

• From Austin, go to the Y in Oak Hill.  Continue west on Hwy 290 and turn left onto  Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826 (third traffic light after the Y). Drive approximately 2 miles, cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.  Drive up the driveway to the parking lot.
• From Circle C and other areas in South Austin, take Slaughter Lane to Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826. Turn left on Camp Ben/1826. Drive approximately 1 mile. Cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.  Drive up the driveway to the parking lot.

Contact: Britt Jones at bikejones2426@yahoo.com or call 512-423-0889

RESTORE: South Austin Green Belt04/27/2008 Emmaus Austin with Keep Austin Beautiful are sponsoring another East Slaughter Lane Clean Up.  We would like to team up with the citizens of South Austin to help make our corner of the City a more beautiful area to live in and be proud of. Volunteers will spend 2.5 hours on Sunday the April 27th cleaning the green belt back in the Crossing at Onion Creek behind the address 1607 Melissa Oaks, please join us in keeping Austin Green! Date: Sunday, 04/27/08Time:  9:30am – 12:00pmLocation:  Behind 1607 Melissa Oaks in the Crossing at Onion Creek Subdivision in South East Austin, off of Slaughter Lane.Parking:  It is in a residential area, so park along the curb, but PLEASE do not block any drivewaysContact:  Mdh1199@gmail.com  & 512.652.8793 

Barton Creek Greenbelt Cleanup – Spyglass Entrance04/27/08 The Austin Eco Police are sponsoring a Clean Creek Cleanup along the Barton Creek Greenbelt from Campbell’s Hole to Spyglass entrance (one mile upstream).  The Barton Creek Greenbelt is the granddaddy of all hiking trails and is conveniently located within the Austin City Limits.  It is very precious to the neighborhood and needs regular maintenance in order to keep it environmentally safe and in top condition.  Volunteers are needed to help beautify this area by removing trash, glass and miscellaneous debris.  Come out and help us clean the creek before the busy summer season arrives!  Date: Sunday, April 27th, 2008   Time:  11 AM – 2:30 PMLocation:  Spyglass Greenbelt Entrance (intersection of Barton Skyway and Spyglass Dr.) right across the street from Taco Deli (1500 Spyglass Dr. Austin, TX 78746)Parking:  Along neighborhood streets; however, please be courteous of our neighbors and do not block their drivewaysContact:  Please feel free to call (512) 507-2255 and ask for Naomi in order to get more information or to volunteer.  Also, she can be reached via email me at nikieast@gmail.com.Note:  Please bring gloves and bottled water