Austin Youth River Watch

River Watch Open House

ayrw_brent — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:26:06 +0000

Please join us for an Open House on Sunday, February 26th, 2-5 p.m. Come learn about our programs and relax with River Watch students, staff, Board members, and our families.

If you’ve come to our open houses over the last couple of years, you know to expect fun conversations, tasty snacks, and family-friendly activities. This time, we’ll have archery from 2:30 – 3:30 and a nature hike from 3:30 – 4:30. We’ll also have some kites on hand for anyone who wants to give that a try in the open area next door.

The River Watch EcoHouse is at 10611 Platt Lane.

Directions: Take 71 east, just past the airport, to FM973. Turn left at the light, and go north 2.2 miles. Turn left on Platt Lane, which then doglegs to the left. River Watch is the third house on the left.

An RSVP is not necessary, but we would love to hear that you’re coming: Contact Brent Lyles at brent@ayrw.org or 512-773-9789.

In case of bad weather, check message at 512-773-9789.

Feel free to forward this invitation to other friends and family! See you there!

Volunteers needed for EcoHouse work day on Saturday, Feb. 25th

ayrw_brent — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:55 +0000

Volunteers needed! On Saturday, February 25th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., we need 10-15 people to help us tidy up and get ready for our Open House the next day. Come do some light cleaning around the River Watch EcoHouse; do some yard work; and help set up tables, chairs, and decorations. There will be two shifts, from 10 to 1, and from 1 to 4. If you’re interested and available, please email our Executive Director, Brent Lyles, at brent@ayrw.org

River Watchers attend Financial Education Workshop

ayrw_adam — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:59:07 +0000

February 1, 2012 Seventeen AYRW students attend Financial Education Workshop at the Wells Fargo Bank on Congress Ave. The workshop was led by Wells Fargo associates: Patty Lopez, Sherry Cooper, Francis Agulto, and Lalo Estrada.

River Watchers attend presentation at Watershed Protection Department

ayrw_adam — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:54:48 +0000

January 30, 2012 Ten AYRW students attend presentation by Oscar Garza detailing the work of the East Austin Environmental Initiative and later, a discussion on Aquatic Entomology and water quality by Todd Jackson.

River Watchers tour Hornsby Bend Ponds and Greenhouse

ayrw_adam — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:40:08 +0000

January 26, 2012 Volunteer Matt started working with the Travis High School group. Fourteen AYRW students went birdwatching and learned about the composting process at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant near the AYRW EcoHouse.

Young Women River Watchers call for owls and search for mussels

ayrw_adam — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:12:28 +0000

January 20 – 21, 2012 15 River Watch students from three Austin high schools spend the night at the Hornsby EcoHouse. Fun and adventure was had with games, a night hike calling for owls, and a morning freshwater mussel search. Photos from the hike.

River Watchers begin 2012 programs by setting semester goals

ayrw_adam — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:36:39 +0000

January 9 – 20, 2012 66 River Watch students commence 2012 programs by setting semester goals.

Introducing River Watch’s new Strategic Plan

ayrw_brent — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:56:48 +0000

It’s been nearly a year in the making, and it’s finally done! Our new Strategic Plan is available for download (see link below), and we welcome your comments and feedback.

What’s more, we’ll especially welcome your support as we grow over the next few years!

Our plan has three main goals:

Double the size of our core program;
Add new service-learning projects to complement our core program; and
Behind the scenes, grow our organizational capacity (Board, staff, infrastructure, etc.) to support this programmatic expansion.

Click on this link to download a PDF of our plan:

Austin Youth River Watch Strategic Plan 2012-2015

River Watchers Reflect on and Celebrate a Great Semester

ayrw_elisabeth — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 06:13:41 +0000

December 5 – 9, 2011 65 River Watchers reflected on the semester and evaluated how successful they had been at achieving their goals. With most students successfully reaching their goals, we celebrated for the last day of the semester with a new River Watch t-shirt for each student, hot cocoa and holiday cookies, of course.

A new grant for River Watch

ayrw_brent — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:39:00 +0000

We are pleased to announce that the Philip T. Bee Charitable Trust has awarded Austin Youth River Watch a grant for $5,000 to support our core programs in the coming semester. The Philip T. Bee Charitable Trust is based in Dallas, Texas, and supports a variety of charitable organizations in Dallas and Austin, as well as statewide programs benefiting all Texans. This is their first gift to River Watch, and we are honored to have been chosen for support — thanks, y’all, we’ll make you proud!