Austin Native PlantAustin Native PlantRescue ProgramRescue Program

Louis ReneLouis Rene’’ BarreraBarreraEnvironmental Conservation Information SpecialistEnvironmental Conservation Information Specialist

Austin Nature Preserves SystemAustin Nature Preserves SystemNatural Resources DivisionNatural Resources Division

Parks and Recreation DivisionParks and Recreation Division301 Nature Center Drive301 Nature Center Drive

City of Austin, Texas 78745City of Austin, Texas 78745http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/cepreserves/default.htmhttp://www.ci.austin.tx.us/cepreserves/default.htm

What is the Austin Native PlantWhat is the Austin Native PlantRescue Program?Rescue Program?

A volunteer based program designed to rescueA volunteer based program designed to rescuenative plant material from public works andnative plant material from public works andcommercial development projects.commercial development projects.

A low cost source for local or native ecotypeA low cost source for local or native ecotypeplants for cityplants for city--based bioengineering, andbased bioengineering, andecological restoration projects.ecological restoration projects.

A coordinated process to educate the publicA coordinated process to educate the publicabout native plant ecology and sustainable landabout native plant ecology and sustainable landpractices to help enhance Austinpractices to help enhance Austin’’s biologicals biologicaldiversity.diversity.

A way to enhance "A way to enhance "GrowGrow GreenGreen" and National" and NationalWildlife FederationWildlife Federation ““Community HabitatCommunity HabitatInitiativeInitiative”” practices.practices.

Why do we save plants?Why do we save plants?

Development foot prints are inevitable.Development foot prints are inevitable.

Plants are direly needed for greenPlants are direly needed for greeninfrastructure areas.infrastructure areas.

Threat of invasive non native species.Threat of invasive non native species.

It helps preserve the functional values thatIt helps preserve the functional values thatplants contribute to ecosystemsplants contribute to ecosystems

Carbon sequestration benefitsCarbon sequestration benefits ““ healthyhealthybiological diversitybiological diversity””

WhoWho

Volunteers from every walk of lifeVolunteers from every walk of life……

AmericorpsAmericorps help rescue an entire wetlandhelp rescue an entire wetlandfrom SH 130.from SH 130.

Neighbors and community groupsNeighbors and community groups…… helphelprelocate thousands of plants from Southrelocate thousands of plants from SouthCongressCongress ““So Co LoftsSo Co Lofts””

They are as diverse as the plantsThey are as diverse as the plantsthemselves.themselves.

Bull dozers happenBull dozers happen……

Be prepared to be told no!Be prepared to be told no!

Be prepared to say no.Be prepared to say no.

You canYou can’’t rescue the universet rescue the universe……

You can help others learn about theYou can help others learn about thebenefits of plant rescues.benefits of plant rescues.

Keys to a successful program:Keys to a successful program:

Appropriate conditions are met to qualify as aAppropriate conditions are met to qualify as anative rescue site:native rescue site:

Proper identification of native plant communitiesProper identification of native plant communitieshas been conducted by qualified personnel.has been conducted by qualified personnel.

Established pool of volunteer groupsEstablished pool of volunteer groups-- includingincludingstaff to train, and run project from start to finish.staff to train, and run project from start to finish.

Storage facilities and resources that allow phasedStorage facilities and resources that allow phasedrere-- planting events. [Austin Biodiversityplanting events. [Austin BiodiversityGreenhouse and Hornsby bend greenhouse]Greenhouse and Hornsby bend greenhouse]

Agreements between partiesAgreements between parties…”…” Hold harmlessHold harmlessliability release forms have been signed by allliability release forms have been signed by allparties involved with the rescue.parties involved with the rescue.

InvasionInvasion

LBJ Advanced Science ClassLBJ Advanced Science ClassWilliam Cannon DriveWilliam Cannon Drive

One good turnOne good turn……

Recognize and thank developerRecognize and thank developer‘‘(s) and(s) andvolunteers for their participation and goodwillvolunteers for their participation and goodwilltoward the community.toward the community.

Publicize programPublicize program’’s overall benefits.s overall benefits.

Promote opportunities for future native plantPromote opportunities for future native plantrescuesrescues……

""A land ethic ... reflects the existence of anA land ethic ... reflects the existence of anecological conscience, and this is turn reflects aecological conscience, and this is turn reflects aconviction of individul responsibility for theconviction of individul responsibility for thehealth of the land. Health is the capacity of thehealth of the land. Health is the capacity of theland for selfland for self--renewal. Conservation is our effortrenewal. Conservation is our effortto understand and preserve this capacityto understand and preserve this capacity..““-- Aldo LeopoldAldo Leopold

““Keep Austin WildKeep Austin Wild””