Garden @ City Hall07/18/2008  Austin City Hall was recently certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat!  On July 21st there will be a press conference to announce the big news. The landscape needs a little sprucing up so we are organizing a habitat work day to whip the City Hall grounds back into shape. Please bring gloves, comfortable working shoes/attire, hat, sunglasses, shades, etc.PARD will provide some latex gloves, all tools, mulch, water/Gatorade and a LUNCH! Date: July 18th  Time:  7:30am Location:  Austin City Hall Plaza 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX 78701Contact: alice.nance@ci.austin.tx.usNote:  Please rsvp by Friday, July 11th  

Garden @ Ann Richards School07/18/2008  Help fix 2 raised bed gardens, and till, weed, and plant a new garden area of 15' x 20'.   Date: July 18th  Time:  8:00am-11:00amLocation:  Ann Richards School, 2206 Prather Ln (Central Austin- 78704)Contact:  karen@sustainablefoodcenter.org 

Greenbelt Guardians Workday07/19/2008  Here’s a chance to show how much we REALLY LOVE the Barton Creek Greenbelt – come out and work with fellow volunteers in this stunning heat!  Greenbelt Guardians plan to bring cold watermelon snacks as enticement (plus the usual tacos, energy drinks and bars and water). Volunteers will be starting an hour earlier than usual to enjoy the moderate morning temperature. Plan to meet at 8:00 am at the sign-in table by the trail entry for Homedale Trail, 2010 Homedale Drive, across from the parking lot of Barton Hills Elementary School.Projects include: some re-grading and drainage work to do on the entry trail section to the kiosk, in preparation for resurfacing with the granite/polymer mix on our work day in the fall. We always have weed-eating and weed management to do in that section of the trail also. Invasives removal and restoration area upstream of the rock flats still has plenty of ligustrum and nandina to offer up. It is wonderful to walk this cleared area and see all of the native plants filling in the blank spaces, sprouting from the long dormant seed bank now that they have sunlight exposure. As well as doing invasives removal work, we will also be doing data collection and documentation for these restoration areas.There’s also more old ranch barbed wire to remove. And there is always the ample supply of beer cans and snack wraps and cigarette butts to remove. Sweat equity will have a whole new meaning at the end of the morning (they say it’s good for us)!Please RSVP so organizers have plenty of energy food, plus some special surprises being provided by the Austin Parks Foundation. Date: July 19th  Time:  8:00am-noonLocation:  Homedale Trail Entrance, 2010 Homedale Drive (Central Austin – 78704)Contact:  gleeful@earthlink.net 

Invasives Removal – Stennis Tract07/19/2008  Volunteers and staff will remove invasive woody plants from the riparian corridor at the city’s Stennis Tract.  Work will begin close to where Bull Creek crosses exits the tract.  Volunteers will use weed wrenches and hand tools to pull up invasives, including their roots.  Some of the target species include ligustrums, nandina and photinia. City staff will help identify invasives as necessary.   The Goal is to reduce the amount of woody invasives in the riparian area before it becomes inundated and invasives start to spread into the surrounding landscape.  At the moment, the infestation is still manageable.  Project requires participants to be able to transverse rough terrain, carry heavy and sharp tools.  Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.  Date: July 19th  Time:  8:30am-12pmLocation:  Participants will park in the Stennis trail parking area (NW Austin near Spicewood Springs and 360).  Work will begin near this location.  Directions will be sent upon registeringContact:  Daniel.Dietz@ci.austin.tx.us or 512-263-6443  Notes:  Volunteers should bring a water bottle that can be refilled and carried and a snack. Gloves and tools will be provided.  If you have a weed wrench you can bring, please inform city staff.   

Slaughter Creek Trail07/20/2008  Join the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club for a rewarding workday on the Slaughter Creek Trail.  Volunteers are currently working on re-routing a portion of the trail.  This re-route is approximately 500+ yards in length and we have about 100 yards of it completed.  The sooner it’s complete, the sooner the trail can open to the public. Date: July 20th  Time:  8am-noonLocation:  9901 Camp Ben McCullough Rd. (aka: FM1826) at Slaughter CreekDirections:

• 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 512-423-0889Notes:  Bring: sturdy shoes or boots, sun block, bug repellent, work gloves, eye protection, WATER, & food (i.e., energy bars and/or sandwich).  In the case of rain, please attend the next scheduled trail work day. 

Slaughter Creek Trail07/27/2008  Join the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club for a rewarding workday on the Slaughter Creek Trail.  Volunteers are currently working on re-routing a portion of the trail.  This re-route is approximately 500+ yards in length and we have about 100 yards of it completed.  The sooner it’s complete, the sooner the trail can open to the public. Date: July 27th  Time:  8am-noonLocation:  9901 Camp Ben McCullough Rd. (aka: FM1826) at Slaughter CreekDirections:

• 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 512-423-0889Notes:  Bring: sturdy shoes or boots, sun block, bug repellent, work gloves, eye protection, WATER, & food (i.e., energy bars and/or sandwich).  In the case of rain, please attend the next scheduled trail work day. 

Weed & Water Beds @ Neighborhood Green08/03/2008 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: August 3rd     Time:  9am-10amLocation:  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. 

Volunteers needed to spruce up and overhaul Martin Middle School’s garden. Individual volunteers, small groups and large groups welcome. Projects will include cleaning up the garden beds, weeding, soil amendment, watering, and planting seeds. KAB’s Green Teens program will be working with teachers and students to use the garden beds year round as an outdoor learning space – join us to kick start this effort.  Green Teens is an after-school environmental education program of Keep Austin Beautiful. Green Teens has partnered with Martin Middle School for three years to promote environmental stewardship. Date: Saturday, August 30thTime:  8:30am-12:00pmLocation:  Martin Middle School, 1601 Haskell (East Austin, 78702) - Garden located in gated area along south end of campus (visible from Comal Street)  To Register Contact:  Monica Magee: Monica@keepaustinbeautiful.org or 512-391-0619.Note: bring water bottle and gardening gloves. Tools, sunscreen, water, and some work gloves provided. 

Wild Basin Workday08/09/2008 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, August 9th  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 

Nicholas Dawson Park 08/09/2008 Join volunteers from the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association as they work to improve Nicholas Dawson Park.  Volunteers will be spreading mulch and doing some basic garden maintenance of their native landscape. Date: August 9th  Time:  8:30am-12:00pmLocation:  Nicholas Dawson Park, 614 Gibson St. (Central Austin – 78704)Contact:  mattcold@sbcglobal.net 

Invasive Species Removal – Stennis Tract08/09/2008 Volunteers and staff will remove invasive woody plants from the riparian corridor at the city’s Stennis Tract. Work will begin close to where Bull Creek crosses exits the tract. Volunteers will use weed wrenches and hand tools to pull up invasives, including their roots. Some of the target species include ligustrums, nandina and photinia. City staff will help identify invasives as necessary. The Goal is to reduce the amount of woody invasives in the riparian area before it becomes inundated and invasives start to spread into the surrounding landscape. At the moment, the infestation is still manageable. Project requires participants to be able to transverse rough terrain, carry heavy and sharp tools. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.Participants will park in the Stennis trail parking area. Work will begin near this location. Directions will be sent upon registering. Contact: Daniel.Dietz@ci.austin.tx.us or 512-263-6443 Date: August 9th  Time:  8:30am-12:00pmLocation:  NW Austin near Spicewood Springs and 360 (Directions will be sent upon registering.)Contact:  Daniel.Dietz@ci.austin.tx.us or 512-263-6443 

REI’s PEAK ProgramAugust 9, 2008 Kids love to have fun and get dirty, and with a little guidance they can turn their endless energy into thoughtful stewardship.  For more than 25 years, REI has proudly supported projects promoting outdoor recreation and a conservation ethic.  To register for this leave no trace hike, please call REI Downtown Customer Service at (512) 482-337.  NOTE:  You must pre-register for this event, so we can ensure at least 10 participants. Date: August 9, 2008Time:  9am – 10amLocation:  McKinney Falls State Park, 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway (SE Austin - 78744)Contact:  Downtown Customer Service at (512) 482-337

PLANT CONSERVATION:  Seed Cleaning Party08/09/2008Help out the Millennium Seed Bank Project at the Wildflower Center by cleaning seeds for storage at the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, and the Wildflower Center. Great project, fun company, and pizza lunches.Saturday, March 8, 10 am-2 pmSaturday, May 10, 10 am-2 pmSaturday, June 14, 10 am-2 pmSaturday, July 12, 10 am-2 pmSaturday, August 9, 10 am-2 pmIf you’d like to help, contact Flo Oxley at 512/232-0160 or oxley@wildflower.org.If these opportunities don’t ring your chimes, we have lots of other volunteer opportunities throughout the Center, including in horticulture and landscape restoration. Trust me, there’s something for everyone! For more information on other volunteer opportunities at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, contact Carrie McDonald, Volunteer Coordinator at 512/232-0102 or cmcdonald@wildflower.org. 

Slaughter Creek Trail08/16/2008  Join the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club for a rewarding workday on the Slaughter Creek Trail.  Volunteers are currently working on re-routing a portion of the trail.  This re-route is approximately 500+ yards in length and we have about 100 yards of it completed.  The sooner it’s complete, the sooner the trail can open to the public. Date: August 16th   Time:  8am-noonLocation:  9901 Camp Ben McCullough Rd. (aka: FM1826) at Slaughter CreekDirections:

• 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 512-423-0889Notes:  Bring: sturdy shoes or boots, sun block, bug repellent, work gloves, eye protection, WATER, & food (i.e., energy bars and/or sandwich).  In the case of rain, please attend the next scheduled trail work day. 

Eagle Scout Project – South Austin 08/16/08Please come and help Eagle Scout with a major project to improve Convict Hill Quarry Park in South Austin.  Projects will include building a waterfall and pond on the western trail below the water collection area.  Scouts will pour concrete with rebar and place stones all around.  They could use some extra helping hands, and you are invited to join the fun. Date:  August 16, 2008Time:  9am-1pmLocation:  Convict Hill Quarry Park, 6511 Convict Hill Rd (South Austin – 78749)Contact:  drjet@austin.rr.com 

Help with Eagle Scout Project08/16/08 Please come and help Eagle Scout candidate Matthew Milliron and  his nearby Troop 162 who will be working on a new 1./2 mile trail going eastward from St. Edwards Park Sat. Aug. 16 9am-4pm. The project volunteers will be spreading mulch, defining the trail, installing a trail sign and trail directional markers, trimming branches and grass. You may come at any time and stay as long as you want. You should wear long pants, close toe shoes, a hat, put on sun screen, bring your own water bottle, and can bring your own gloves and your own shovel, pitchfork, rake or limb lopper or whatever tool you like to use that will help with the tasks above. Gloves, tools, water, & snacks will be provided. Date:  August 16, 2008Time:  9am-4pmLocation:  St. Edward’s Park, 6828 Spicewood Springs Rd (NW Austin – 78759)Contact:  So organizers can plan the tools and refreshments, please email bullcreekvolunteers@gmail.com and include how many are coming with you and approximately which hours you plan to volunteer.  

Green Classroom08/16/08 Join The Green Classroom at Becker Elementary (in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood) and inspire young children to connect with nature through gardening. Beginning gardeners who want to learn basic organic gardening and seasoned gardeners who want to share their knowledge are welcomed. Volunteers will be assigned to a Becker class, and will teach one 30-45 minute class in the garden each week during the school year. Training in basic organic gardening and on how to plan activities for the children will be provided. Simple activities include planting seeds, watering, weeding, composting, collecting bugs, learning about pollination, etc. No experience necessary.If interested in volunteering or learning more about The Green Classroom, email Kelly Haragan at k.haragan@yahoo.com Date:  August 16, 2008Time:  9am-11amLocation:  Green Classroom, 906 West Milton (Central Austin – 78704)Contact:  Kelly Haragan,  k.haragan@yahoo.com