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.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 17, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Copperfield Nature Trail
Volunteer Trail Work @ Copperfield Nature Trails
Activity includes basic trail work and planting and other improvements. Meeting location Blakeney entrance to the greenbelt. Contact Alice Penney or call 835-2401 to RSVP.

Saturday, May 24, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory
Ecological Literacy Day at Hornsby Bend
Combining volunteer work with learning about local ecology, the day begins with several hours of outdoor work - ranging from trail maintenance to habitat restoration to work in the native plant nursery - and ends with at least an hour of learning about local ecology - birds, bugs, and more! Wear boots and work clothing, and be sure to bring your binoculars. For more information contact: Kevin Anderson at Kevin.Anderson@ci.austin.tx.us or 512-972-1960

Friday, June 6, 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Shoal Creek Greenbelt - Lower
2nd Annual Night Crawler Clean Up
Celebrate National Trails Day by getting dirty with REI. We'll be clearing a mountain of dirt from the trail near Duncan Park. Wear work gloves, a headlamp and waders if you have them. Bring your own refillable cup or water bottle. There will be free Amy's ice cream! Please register here

Saturday, June 14, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Wild Basin Preserve
Land Management Work Day
Help out Wild Basin with trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, revegetation, erosion control, and other land management projects. For more details, e-mail hike@wildbasin.org or call 512-327-7622, ext 17.

Saturday, June 14, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Mayfield Park and Preserve
Monthly Gardening Project
Enjoy beautiful Mayfield Park and help keep the gardens in tip-top shape at monthly volunteer days. Bring a trowel, gloves and garden clippers if you have them. Contact Barbara Watt at 477-6031 or prskid3@aol.com if you have questions.

Saturday, June 28, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory
Ecological Literacy Day at Hornsby Bend
Combining volunteer work with learning about local ecology, the day begins with several hours of outdoor work - ranging from trail maintenance to habitat restoration to work in the native plant nursery - and ends with at least an hour of learning about local ecology - birds, bugs, and more! Wear boots and work clothing, and be sure to bring your binoculars. For more information contact: Kevin Anderson at Kevin.Anderson@ci.austin.tx.us or 512-972-1960

Saturday, July 12, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Wild Basin Preserve
Land Management Work Day
Help out Wild Basin with trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, revegetation, erosion control, and other land management projects. For more details, e-mail hike@wildbasin.org or call 512-327-7622, ext 17.

Saturday, July 12, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Mayfield Park and Preserve
Monthly Gardening Project
Enjoy beautiful Mayfield Park and help keep the gardens in tip-top shape at monthly volunteer days. Bring a trowel, gloves and garden clippers if you have them. Contact Barbara Watt at 477-6031 or prskid3@aol.com if you have questions.

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.

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 www.ci.austin.tx.us/cepreserves/vol_opty.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) e-mail Gail McGlamery, Austin Water Utility's Wildland Conservation Division volunteer coordinator, or call 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.

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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!