2006 HIGHLIGHTS

UT Students Give Back
September 12th, 60 volunteers from UT’s Beta Chi Theta & Omega Phi Alpha joined forces for a social mixer/service project to help the Blunn Creek Nature Preserve.  Volunteers removed non-native invasive Ligustrum plants that were threatening a majestic Texas Persimmon tree.  They also moved a tree that has fallen across the main trail, removed a large amount of trash, and laid flag stone in boggy trail areas.  October 1st, the TX Wranglers, TX Mavericks, and the TX Wrangler Darlings worked together at the Blunn Creek Preserve.  Together they removed 3.5 trailers of Ligustrum, took down an unsafe and unsightly overlook, removed large trash objects like a mattress, and painted over graffiti. 

Freescale Interns Help Keep Austin Wild
On June 15th, interns from Freescale Semiconductor helped to enhance an Austin wilderness area - the Stephenson Nature Preserve.  This 143 acre preserve in Southwest Austin is one of Austin’s most precious wilderness areas. Unfortunately, the preserve’s main trails have been damaged and random extra trails have been created throughout the preserve from prior use by motorcycles.  Freescale’s 75 Austin interns put in a half day of work primarily maintaining and defining the main trails to combat erosion and make them more accessible for visitors.  This work is part of the overall plan to heal the damage and restore the area to a more natural state. The Freescale interns also began restoring the preserve’s pond, trimmed trees and removed brush. 

JI Companies Ensure Mayfield Preserve’s Continued Beauty
On Friday, May 5th, employees from JI Companies braved the morning's rain to ensure Mayfield Preserve remains one of Austin’s natural treasures.  In just a few hours, volunteers enhanced and preserved this area by planting an Eve’s Necklace, weeding the native flower beds and entrance, removing invasive plants, trimming and edging the path, and removing fallen branches.