GREENBELT GUARDIAN 2008 SUMMARY REPORT

2008 was a highly productive, expansive, and creative year for the Greenbelt Guardians. From our initial work day in 2003 through our last work day in 2007, we logged a total of 2928 volunteer work hours on the greenbelt. In 2008 alone, we helped organize and oversee 1249 volunteer work hours! As of our last work day in 2008, we have contributed a total of 4177 volunteer hours toward the welfare of the greenbelt. Our core team grows stronger and more skillful, our collaborations with other volunteer groups is expanding, and our number of repeat volunteers is increasing.

In 2008, we exceeded our "quarterly" work day schedule by participating in 8 different work days, plus we collaborated with other greenbelt volunteer groups with planning, tools and materials support. The Austin Parks Foundation designated the Barton Creek Greenbelt/Greenbelt Guardians group as the "Park of the Month" in February, and recruited the help of the Austin Ridgeriders, Central Texas Trail Tamers, and the Hash House Harriers groups to help in our trail resurfacing project at Gus Fruh. The resurfacing work is holding up beautifully, and offers a smooth, natural and tranquil walk/ride through steep terrain to the creek.

Our work on removing invasive ligustrum trees also took a dramatic leap. Our Green Corps "rock and roll" team had a special work day, invasives removal was a major emphasis at each of our quarterly work days, plus we collaborated with numerous other organizations in special invasives removal work events (Austin Ridge Riders, Hill Country Conservancy, Tree Folks, and the Austin Parks Foundation). The Austin Parks Foundation donated 3 days of E-Corps crew time to our effort, and we funded 6 days of E-Corps crew through our Stones grant, which resulted in several acres of invasives being cleared. We also have several authorized volunteers who are working on their own to do invasives clearing as they have time. We have established some successful protocols that are becoming the standard being used by numerous volunteer groups. On Earth Day, KXAN did a TV spot featuring our invasives removal work on the greenbelt.

We also helped plan and support an Eagle Scout work day project at Sunken Gardens. Our work to promote increased security on the greenbelt resulted in a coordinated security initiative in March by the Austin Parks Police and APD, with a TV spot and several security "raids" that resulted in the removal of homeless encampments and drug and alcohol busts. Also, given the absence of running water this year, the vandalism, graffiti and encampments have been much reduced.

We are looking forward to 2009. There's still plenty to do! We are planning five Saturday work days: February 7, March 7 (the city-wide It's My Parks Day), July 18, and October 31. Please mark these days on your calendar and plan on joining us! It is productive fun.

We are very grateful for the continued support of BHNA for the Greenbelt Guardian program. You have provided us with funds for our work through the Stones grant, with fortifying food and volunteer leadership and labor for our work days, and with moral support through the years.

Glee Ingram
Greenbelt Guardian Coordinator
glee@greenbeltguardians.org