The following announcement comes from the City of Austin's Water department, which is responsible for managing the Water Quality land preserves (often called Prop 2 land, which refers to the ballot option in 2001 that allowed the city to buy up large land tracts, including the one north of Circle C West and just west of our Park West subdivision). This land is roughly 1200 acres that the city commission recommended opening up to the public for horse and hiking trails. The project can start as soon as they have enough volunteers from the neighborhood who will pledge to maintain the park.
This is the first step - come join us!
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February MVP (Monthly Volunteer Project) Description
Date: Saturday, February 5, 2005
Time: Arrive 9:00 a.m., work until 12:00 p.m. or when all trees planted
Location: Water Quality Protection Land (Prop 2 land) ?– Slaughter Creek
Contact: Call Circle C Home Owners Association Office: 288-8663
Who: Office Manager, Deinse Nordstom.
Enter: FM 1826 gate south of the Slaughter Creek crossing.
(aprox 1 south or left on FM 1826 where Slaughter Lane ends)
Task: Revegetation/Restoration
The Details:
The goal is to plant approximately 80 trees along a section of Slaughter Creek. Twenty (20) volunteers are needed. Children are welcome to attend with their parents but must be supervised by their parents at all times.
Type of Activity:
This restoration activity occurs on a Water Quality Protection Land owned by the City of Austin. A previous planting in the area occurred prior to an exceptionally hot and dry spring and summer and experienced a low survival rate. For this planting, an irrigation system will be installed to provide watering as needed in an effort to achieve a better success rate. Participants will be utilizing existing holes from failed trees and possibly digging new ones. Tree sizes will range from 5 to 7 to 10 gallons and be a variety of species recommended for the site. Participants may also be installing T-post supports, using wheelbarrows to move soil short distances, and filling in soil around newly planted trees as needed. The planting area will be a narrow stretch on both sides of a section of Slaughter Creek.
Safety and Considerations:
Participants should be physically able to use a shovel, bend or kneel on the ground, use a wheelbarrow, and walk over small distances. The terrain is relatively flat to gently sloping but rocky in the planting area.
Volunteers may be walking through tall grass near the creek in some places. Participants will be made aware of possible encounters with snakes, spiders, scorpions and other wildlife.
Activity will occur in cloudy or drizzly conditions, but will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
Site is remote without indoor or portable bathroom facilities.
Those with allergies to bee stings or fire ants should be prepared as necessary. Nearest medical facility is approximately 10 minutes away. A first aid kit will be available on site.
Participants MUST wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, preferably hiking boots. Participants should wear work- appropriate clothes and dress appropriately for weather conditions. Despite possible cold weather, sun protection may still be necessary.
Gatorade, as well as work gloves, tools, and eye protection will be provided. Participants may want to bring their own water bottle that can be refilled and kept with them as they work.
It is recommended that participants bring/wear hats for sun protection, sunscreen, a water bottle, and a lunch and/or snacks if needed.
This is the first step - come join us!
=====
February MVP (Monthly Volunteer Project) Description
Date: Saturday, February 5, 2005
Time: Arrive 9:00 a.m., work until 12:00 p.m. or when all trees planted
Location: Water Quality Protection Land (Prop 2 land) ?– Slaughter Creek
Contact: Call Circle C Home Owners Association Office: 288-8663
Who: Office Manager, Deinse Nordstom.
Enter: FM 1826 gate south of the Slaughter Creek crossing.
(aprox 1 south or left on FM 1826 where Slaughter Lane ends)
Task: Revegetation/Restoration
The Details:
The goal is to plant approximately 80 trees along a section of Slaughter Creek. Twenty (20) volunteers are needed. Children are welcome to attend with their parents but must be supervised by their parents at all times.
Type of Activity:
This restoration activity occurs on a Water Quality Protection Land owned by the City of Austin. A previous planting in the area occurred prior to an exceptionally hot and dry spring and summer and experienced a low survival rate. For this planting, an irrigation system will be installed to provide watering as needed in an effort to achieve a better success rate. Participants will be utilizing existing holes from failed trees and possibly digging new ones. Tree sizes will range from 5 to 7 to 10 gallons and be a variety of species recommended for the site. Participants may also be installing T-post supports, using wheelbarrows to move soil short distances, and filling in soil around newly planted trees as needed. The planting area will be a narrow stretch on both sides of a section of Slaughter Creek.
Safety and Considerations: