Volunteer

The many projects and programs of the Austin Parks Foundation can use your help! Volunteers of all skills and interests are always needed. Sign up for our volunteer list to receive notice of special projects and time-sensitive volunteer openings.

More events here.

Upcoming Events

Friday, February 12, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tree Planting at Nature and Science Center at Zilker Metropolitan Park

We will be planting 12 large trees and 10+ smaller trees near the Nature and Science Center at Zilker Park. About 15 people are needed. Tools and guidance will be provided. Please RSVP to Ruth Herzberg.

Saturday, February 13, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Install Tee Signs, Spread Mulch at Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park

It's time to install teesign poles, spread more mulch, and anything else we have ready to go by next weekend. Of course, workdays are weather-dependent, but we're hoping for clear skies all week so we can have another great workday. Thanks to everyone that came out last time, and thanks in advance to everyone that makes it out this time! Contact Stephanie Allen with questions.

Saturday, February 13, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
New & Existing Trees Mulch-a-thon at Barton Springs Pool

The mulching of new and existing trees has been rescheduled from 1/23 to the new date of Sat, 2/13 from 9 am to noon. Please come out and mulch our 65 plus new trees as well as existing ones around the pool. Register here.

Saturday, February 13, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Mulching, Pruning & Invasive Removal Volunteer at Pease District Park

We will be spreading mulch, removing storm damage and invasive species of plants. We also may scrape and sand the old restroom building in preparation for painting at a later date. RSVP to Richard at 925-5306 or richardcraig2004@yahoo.com

Saturday, February 13, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Monthly Gardening Project at Mayfield Park and Preserve

Mayfield Park and Preserve has a workday the 2^nd Saturday of every month to help tend the gardens, work on the ponds, and help out in the preserve. Individuals and groups are welcome. Children need to be attended by an adult.

If you have a group please contact us in advance so we can put together a nice project. A group size of 20 or less people works best for us. We can also put together special workdays for dates other than these. Please bring gloves. Contact Nadene Morning with questions, ntmorning@hotmail.com, 467-8132.

Saturday, February 13, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Mulch and More at Pease District Park

We will be spreading mulch, removing storm damage and invasive species of plants. cleaning flower beds and picking-up trash. So there will be something for all skill levels and strength. It should be fun and give us a head start on a general Spring cleaning and spruce up for the the park.

Just show up at 1100 Kingsbury (by the picnic tables at the south end of the park) that morning with some work gloves and any extra tools that you have and we will put you to work. Wheel barrows are always particularly needed. Working together, we can all "Give Pease a chance!" T-shirts and refreshments will be provided to our great volunteers. If the day is a rain-out, we will roll the clean-up over to the following Saturday. Contact Richard Craig with questions, 925-5306.

Saturday, February 20, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
WBCG Cleanup and Invasive Species Removal at West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt

Please join us and help restore the natural health and vitality of the greenbelt. We will meet every third Saturday. Coffee in the morning and refreshment at the end of the work session will be provided.If you have handsaws, shovels or rakes, please bring those. We also recommend wearing boots, long pants, long-sleeved shirt and gloves as protection against poison ivy. Meet at South 6th Street entrance to the greenbelt. To confirm work days, or for questions, please contact: Ingrid Weigand (512) 663-4632.

Saturday, February 20, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Invasive Tree Removal @ the Hill of Life at Barton Creek Wilderness Park

Meet at the top of the Hill of Life (just north of the intersection of Scottish Woods Trail and Camp Craft Rd).

We will be using weed wrenches and saws to remove invasive trees and plants from the left bank of the creek between the bottom of the Hill of Life and Sculpture Falls. Our focus will be on Common Privet and Waxleaf Ligustrum. This is a vanguard of these invasive flora into Barton Creek Greenbelt, which makes this a particularly important area to protect from these flora.

What to bring:
* gloves
* eye protection (e.g., sunglasses)
* sunscreen
* sturdy boots or shoes
* water bottle or CamelBak
* Long pants and sleeves recommended.

Maximum number of volunteers: 25

RSVP to bart.bombay@gmail.com

Saturday, March 6, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
It's My Park Day 2010 at AAA All Parks
Join us for our annual citywide volunteer workday in parks. We hope to beat our 2009 record of 2,500 volunteers at 60 park improvement projects. Call for projects in January, volunteer sign-ups in February!

Saturday, March 6, 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM
It's My Park Day at Veloway

See www.austinparks.org/itsmypark.html

Saturday, March 6, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Headstone Photo-Documentation with SAC at Oakwood Cemetery
NOTE: Time may vary from this listing. Join this event with Save Austin's Cemeteries and help preserve history. Bring your digital camera, along with your USB cord. If you don't have a digital camera, come along anyway and we'll pair you up with a camera-toting volunteer. At the end of the session, we'll download your fabulous digital pics onto a laptop to be archived. For October 09, meet at Oakwood Cemetery in the Old Grounds in Section 1. Hours and meeting point vary monthly, so check www.sachome.org for details.

Saturday, March 13, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Monthly Gardening Project at Mayfield Park and Preserve

Saturday, March 20, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
WBCG Cleanup and Invasive Species Removal at West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt

Saturday, April 3, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Headstone Photo-Documentation with SAC at Oakwood Cemetery
NOTE: Time may vary from this listing. Join this event with Save Austin's Cemeteries and help preserve history. Bring your digital camera, along with your USB cord. If you don't have a digital camera, come along anyway and we'll pair you up with a camera-toting volunteer. At the end of the session, we'll download your fabulous digital pics onto a laptop to be archived. For October 09, meet at Oakwood Cemetery in the Old Grounds in Section 1. Hours and meeting point vary monthly, so check www.sachome.org for details.

Saturday, April 10, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Monthly Gardening Project at Mayfield Park and Preserve

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities and Events

Escape from Your Desk (and See Your Boss Sweat)

Did you know Austin Parks Foundation offers park volunteer days for corporate and civic groups? Give us a call and we'll set up a weekday or weekend workday for you and your ~~closest friends~~ coworkers. Ask for Rosie or Charlie at 477-1566. Get some fresh air and make a difference for Austin's parks. Weekday events are available October through December. Call early for best availability!

Be a Park Superhero!

Want to be a superhero? You don't have to be bitten by a radioactive spider to get started! We're looking for individuals with the skills and motivation to:

Adopt one of Austin's 209 parks
Provide on-site guidance to neighborhood or community groups working on their neighborhood parks

Ready to get started ? Call us at 477-1566 to talk park power.

Preserve Preserves!

Volunteer opportunities at 15 different preserve areas include: ecological restoration, construction of trails, invasive species research and suppression, educational programs, biodiversity research, wildlife and habitat monitoring, native plant propagation and native plant rescues. To learn more, contact Rene Barrera or visit http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/cepreserves/volunteer.htm

Volunteer at Texas State Parks

A list of upcoming volunteer opportunities at State Parks can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

Support Farmers at the Austin Farmers' Market

Volunteers are needed for a wide variety of Market tasks on Saturdays. Visit www.austinfarmersmarket.org for more information.

Make a Move for Giant Chess

Knee-High Chess is available for public use at Wooldridge Square on Saturdays, from 12:30pm-3:30pm(subject to availability of the park). Volunteers are needed for set-up and monitoring on an ongoing basis (chess skills not required, but welcome!). To volunteer or find out more, contact Scott Johnson (447 - 4595) or Chris Riley

Be a Land Manager - or Just Look Like One!

If you or a group you belong to would like to volunteer on Balcones Canyon Land Preserve or Water Quality Protection Lands (Prop2 lands) contact Austin Water Utility's Wildland Conservation Division volunteer coordinator at 263-6437.

Get to Know the Animals at Austin Nature and Science Center

Volunteers are needed year round for the Austin Nature and Science Center. Volunteer Opportunities at the ANSC include working with the horticulturist on the ANSC's 15 acre site and assisting with care and feeding of the animals. Call or email Kathy Maddox at 327-8181 to sign up. Visit the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department's Austin Nature and Science Center home page for more information.

Subscribe!

Our monthly newsletter features Austin Parks Foundation events, park news and volunteer opportunities.

Already a subscriber? Update your profile.

Become a Member

Austin Parks Foundation is supported by individuals like you. Members are our life blood and for $35 and up, you can become a member for a full year. Sign up now!