If you ever wonder what happens to the invasive Chinese Ligustrum that we remove all along Bull Creek, our lead Ligrustrum removing volunteer leader Jerry  Levenson takes some of them home and makes furniture!  Jerry is retired from IBM, lives right next to Bull Creek and is keeper/caretaker of out tool shed.

Jerry's latest - a Ligustrum 4 poster bed frame

Jerry Levenson's Ligustrum Rocker

Saturday May 11, 2013 saw an energetic group from LBJ Liberal Arts and Science Academy and several other volunteers and crew leaders do Spring trail widening along 2 miles of the Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail, and a Firewise Management wildfire suppression and old oak tree preservation all in one project, removing small new growth understory and cutting it into small pieces and laying it flat under the canopy of a majestic oak tree. This prevents a wildfire from jumping to the oak canopy which would kill it, and directs any fire close to the ground which does less damage and can be fought more easily.

 

February 16 Work Day 9-12

   Removal of Waxleaf Ligustrum, a well known exotic invader, will be our main objective for this outing. Specifically, we will work on stands of this plant near the blue pin on the right on the map at
http://tinyurl.com/a5j47m8
where you will also see where to park.
   Please remember, before you leave home, leave or store all things that can be viewed through your vehicle window in the trunk or below hatchback covers. Leave nothing in view after you park.
   We will be off-trail so close-toed shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats are advised. Please bring a drinking bottle for water. BCF will provide jugs of water, tools, supervision, and gloves. Our gloves are well used and mostly large, so if you have your own work gloves, you might want to bring them.
   At the work site, you will sign in and be introduced to the plant, tools, and safety measures.
   I look forward to working with you and to a productive and pleasant day.
George Innis

Brian Ellis gets Eagle Scout Award

On January 27, 2013 Brian Ellis received his Eagle Scout Award. His project was to create a spur off the Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail west of Hwy. 360, install a bench and a memorial sign remembering Morris Beachy, one of the folks who worked from the 1960s onward to preserve Bull Creek from environmental impacts. Brian's Dad Jonathan and Mom Julie join Brian as he accepts his Eagle Certificate.

Sylvia, Diana, Frances Beachy at the dedication of the Morris Beachy memorial bench.

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

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

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.

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

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.