Hello Greenbelt Fans,

The BHNA Greenbelt Guardians are planning our first work day in 2009. We will be working at the Homedale Trail, 2010 Homedale, on Saturday, February 7, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

We’ve got lots to do. Due to a water leak from a city water main, a whole new crop of Ligustrum plants have sprouted in the drainage creek near the entry. We have also gotten permission to remove the very large seeding Ligustrum trees next to the trail entry. We’ll be expanding the windrows on both sides of the drainage creek with the large trunks and branches.

We will be regrading the entry trail to improve drainage and prevent erosion, and packing it with roadbase. This is the first step toward a more long-lasting renovation, which will culminate in covering the trail with decomposed granite mixed with a polymer mix, like we did on the Gus Fruh trail.

We’ve got some trees that were donated by Keep Austin Beautiful that we will be planting across from the entry kiosks, to fill in the old Ligustrum-filled area that we cleared years ago.

We’ll be improving the appearance of the entry by painting the entry posts and cleaning up the kiosks, and weed-eating the overgrowth on both sides of the entry trail. And, as always, we’ll be picking up trash along the trailsides and the creek bed.

We are excited to begin our sixth year of work on the greenbelt. We’re hoping to have a good showing of volunteers for a fun and productive work day. Please RSVP so we will have plenty of breakfast tacos and tools to support you in your work. Thanks!

Glee Ingram
Greenbelt Guardian Coordinator
(512) 443-7522
gleeful@earthlink.net

The season has turned and it’s time to go love on our greenbelt again! It will be wonderful working in cooler weather. Hopefully there will be some rain before then, to perk up the wilted vegetation. It is amazingly hardy, and usually shows immediate appreciation after rain events.

We are going to work on the Gus Fruh trail this time, located at 2642 Barton Hills Drive. We will begin with sign-ins and task instructions and a jump-start Maria’s taco treat at 9:00, and work until 1:00. We have tasks for all ages and skill levels, and for those who can just stay part-time. We provide all of the necessary tools and supplies. You just need to come wearing proper clothing (long sleeves and pants and closed-toe shoes) and a readiness to team up and work with others who want to give back to the greenbelt.

The wall building crew is avid to continue their work down by the swimming hole. We will need lots of hands there to gather and place and mortar rocks. We also want to gather and stockpile some flat stones that can serve as steppers up a slippery slope (when it’s wet) that connects with the main trail on the other side of the creek from the stone wall. As always, we will be doing ligustrum and nandina removal, and arranging the removed branches and trunks into windrows. The area by the trail entry needs some weeding, and a few of the drain swales along the side of the trail need to be cleared of debris.

The trail resurfacing that we did last spring is holding up very well. Come on out and enjoy a beautiful day in the woods with us.

Please RSVP so we will know how many to prepare for.

Glee Ingram
Greenbelt Guardian Coordinator
(512) 443-7522
gleeful@earthlink.net

Dear Greenbelt Guardians,

This is a confirmation that we are on “GO” on our trail work day, tomorrow, Saturday, July 19 from 8:00am to noon. We will meet up at the Homedale Trail entry, 2010 Homedale Drive. We will provide all of the work tools, team leaders and tasks, plus energy food and snacks.

Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes for protection. It would be a good idea to wear a sun hat, and bring a personal water bottle to keep with you. We will have water refills and energy drinks. At this point, we are expecting about 35 people – if you have not yet RSVP’d, please do so quickly so we can assure that we have plenty of supplies and surprises (Austin Parks Foundation is bringing a “thank you” gift for each person that will be the envy of your friends and family…).

We’re looking forward to another great work day – see you there.

Glee Ingram
Greenbelt Guardian Coordinator
(512) 443-7522
gleeful@earthlink.net