Nutrient Pollution - You Can Help

Learn about Nutrient Pollution and what you can do at
http://epa.gov/nutrientpollution/
One of America's most widespread, costly, and challenging environmental problems is excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the air and water.

In and around the home: Fertilizers, yard and pet waste, and certain soaps and detergents contain nitrogen and phosphorous, and can contribute to nutrient pollution if not properly used or disposed of. The amount of hard surfaces and type of landscaping can also increase the runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus during wet weather.

Nitrates, mostly from from lawn fertilizers are the #1 pollutants found in Bull Creek.
In NW Austin the soil does not need fertilizers high in nitrogen and phosphorus.
Do your part by using no fertilizer at all.
If you feel that you may need fertilizer, have a soil sample tested by the County Ag Extension,
1600-B Smith Road Austin, TX, 78721 (512) 854-9600
If you use a landscaper for yard maintenance, please ask them to not use any fertilizer, or any fertilizers high in nitrogen and phosphorus, but rather use organic fertilizer that does not migrate into the karst limestone beneath your soil and into Bull Creek.

Sat. Feb. 25 1 PM - Dedication of sign and bench in memory of Dr Morris Beachy

Brian Ellis' Eagle Scout Project was completed in January, installing a sign and bench on the Bull Creek Trail in memory of Dr Morris Beachy.
Dr. Beachy was a renowned music professor at UT, lived on the banks of Bull Creek since the early 1960's and was one of the first residents to
promote the preservation of the creek. He died last year.
The dedication this Saturday February 25, from 1:00 to 1:40 pm.
The approximate location is:
7600 N Capital of Texas Hwy
Austin, TX 78731
Map location:
http://tinyurl.com/868t6sd
Enter the driveway to the office buildings and immediately turn right, go to the end of the parking area, turn left and follow the driveway to the rear
of the buildings where there is parking.
There's a sand volleyball court behind the office building at this location, and the trail head that leads to the site is on the right hand side of the back
edge of that court.
Traverse the trail a short distance along the fence behind the Canyon Vista Apartments until you Please come.

Volunteer Work Day Sunday Feb. 19, 9 - 12

Our February Volunteer Work Day will be Sunday Feb. 19, 9 am - 12 Noon.

For this workday 3 removal projects are planned:
1. Trash. The area includes several old campsites.
2. Fence. A section of fence on Bull Creek's bank needs extraction.
3. Invasives. Continue efforts favoring a diverse native plant community.
Our main focus will be #1 and #3 while #2 will require a crew of 2 or 3.

We will meet at the paved lot at 5350 Old Spicewood Springs Rd., 78731
Map at http://tinyurl.com/3yk7fog

Work areas are off-trail. Wear close-toed shoes, long pants, long sleeved shirts, and hat.
Please bring a water bottle. Bull Creek Foundation will provide tools, gloves, a snack, and extra water.

Please email gsnsj AT sbcglobal DOT net if you plan to participate.
The number of volunteers that we can accommodate is limited.

See you there!
George Innis

Paradise Lost - Bull Creek District Park

Ben Wear wrote this article in the Sunday 9/4/11 Austin American Statesman on Bull Creek District Park
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/paradise-lost-1818477.html
There is a really neat historical video on this page showing what the park used to be.
Or you can play it with this link:
http://tinyurl.com/3cjt7cy

Volunteer Work Days

Here are the scheduled volunteer work days for Fall 2011 and 2012:

Sunday 10/23 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Saturday 11/12 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Sunday 12/11 9 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Saturday 1/21 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Sunday 2/19 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Saturday 3/17 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Sunday 4/15 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Saturday 5/12 - 9 AM-12 Noon

The normal work time will be 9 AM-12 Noon.
The meeting point will be 5350 Old Spicewood Springs Rd. 78731 unless otherwise announced.
Google Map is at http://tinyurl.com/3yk7fog
Schedule changes will be announced here and via email about 10 days before a work day.
We will start at 8 AM on 9/17 to take advantage of the cooler early part of the day.
If you'd like to participate, respond by email to gsnsj AT sbcglobal DOT net so we can plan tools and refreshments.

We will be happy to accommodate special group requests for other dates/times.
Please contact us at bullcreekvolunteers AT gmail dot com

July-August Volunteer Opportunities

Below you will find the work party schedule for the next few weeks.

JULY

22 7:00 AM Invasives along Creek Nature Trail. Volunteers needed: 3

23 6:30 AM Large ligustrum at St Eds. Volunteers needed: 10

AUGUST

7 7:00 AM Paper Mulberry - by parking lot near 7900 Loop 360. Volunteers needed: 10

Additional work parties form as interested individuals suggest them.
Please let me know if you'd like to schedule a specific date and time.

If you'd like to participate, respond by email to gsnsj AT sbcglobal DOT net

George Innis

Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt Schedule

Below you will find the Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt Schedule for the next couple of weeks. Check it out, see where you'd like to participate, and respond by email to George Innis at
gsnsj at sbcglobal dot net

JUNE
28 Nothing yet scheduled.
If you'd like to help out, let me know, and we'll set up a time and an activity.

30 6 PM Ligustrum removal. Volunteers needed: 2 more.

JULY
2 Nothing yet scheduled.
If you'd like to help out, let me know, and we'll set up a time and an activity.

3 7 AM Chinaberry removal. Volunteers needed: 1 more.

4 Nothing yet scheduled.
If you'd like to help out, let me know, and we'll set up a time and an activity.

5 Early Underbrush thinning. Volunteers needed: 2 more.

7 Early Wire removal. Volunteers needed: 2 more.

6 PM Invasive survey at St Eds. Volunteers needed: 0.

8 Nothing yet scheduled.
If you'd like to help out, let me know, and we'll set up a time and an activity.

9 Early Invasive removal. Volunteers needed: 3 more.

10 Early Remove down cedar. Volunteers needed: 2 more.