Monday, October 8, 2012

Firewise Review

On September 19, we hosted Josh Portie, AFD Firewise Program Coordinator on a tour of the Bull Creek Greenbelt to discuss fire suppression ideas and projects that we can to to mitigate wildfires and fire risks along Bull Creek.
George Innis and Josh Portie discussing Firewise















Sunday, September 16, 2012

Volunteer Work Day Schedule

Here is the Fall 2012 - Spring 2013 Work Day Schedule for the Bull Creek Greenbelt:

Day Date              Time Participants 
Sat  September 15  9:00  General 
Sat  October     13  9:00  National Honor Society (NHS)
Sun November  18  9:00  General
Sun November  18  1:00  NHS                              
December           no workday 
Sat  January     19  9:00  NHS 
Sat  February    16  9:00  General 
Sun March        17  9:00  General
Sun March        17  1:00  NHS 
Sat  April          13  9:00  NHS 
Sat  May           11  9:00  General

Work areas are off-trail. Wear close-toed shoes and long pants. Long sleeved shirts and hats and sunscreen and eye protection are recommended. If you are susceptible to poison ivy get Ivy Block and put it on exposed skin. Please bring a water bottle. Bull Creek Foundation will provide tools, gloves, and additional water. Bring your own snack or lunch.

Please let George Innis know if you plan to participate so he can plan and bring enough tools.
RSVP to gsnsj AT sbcglobal DOT net

Monday, July 2, 2012

Bull Creek Trail Walk

Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail was visited by an informal Walking Group on July 2, and they trekked the Smith Trail on the west side of 360 and the creek side and bluff trails on the east side of 360. Here's a picture of the 22 folks guided by Skip Cameron.

The Monday/Friday Walking Group, started in the fall of 2001 as an 8 week introduction to the hiking trails in Austin and Central Texas. It was offered through the Lifetime Learning Institute www.lliaustin.org  which has lots of informal classes for people over 50. Alumni of that group and others who heard about the opportunity have continued walking together twice weekly (Monday and Friday). They start at 9:00am in Summer months, and visit some 30 trails that are scheduled based on time of the year, weather and creek conditions.  There are no dues and roll is not taken.  A monthly listing of the trails is emailed monthly and more detailed info on the next two walks is sent by email weekly, generally on Monday. Mario Wiedenmeier mawi1 AT mac DOT com sends out the schedule. Email Mario if you'd like to be on the notice list.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Workday, Sunday, April 15, 9:00 AM - Noon

Please join us for our April 15 work day.

Three removal projects:
1. trash. The area includes several old campsites.
2. invasives. Continue efforts favoring a diverse native plant community.
3. fence. A section of fence on Bull Creek's bank needs extraction.

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

Work areas are off-trail. Wear close-toed shoes and long pants. Long sleeved shirts and hats and sunscreen are recommended. If you are susceptible to poison ivy get Ivy Block and put it on exposed skin. Please bring a water bottle. Bull Creek Foundation will provide tools, gloves, a snack, and water.

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

George Innis

Monday, March 12, 2012

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.

Friday, February 24, 2012

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.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

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