THE TRAIL CHRONICLE
AUGUST 2023
THE ANN & ROY BUTLER HIKE-AND-BIKE TRAIL AT LADY BIRD LAKE
Establishedin2003astheTownLake TrailFoundation,TheTrailConservancy furthersthehistoriceffortssetforthby thosebeforeus
Today,asweembarkonamoreactive roleinoperationsandmaintenance,our missionremainstoprotect,enhance, andconnecttheAnnandRoyButler Hike-and-BikeTrailatLadyBirdLake forthebenefitofall.
HeidiAnderson
HannaCofer
CharlotteTonsor
GradyReed
MandiThomas
BarbaraBowman
NickBlok
MiriamCastro-Gutierrez
CourtneyDonilon
MaddyKelly
CollinMcMichael
JonatanSalinas
TraciStone
HollyThoden
StephanieVargas
CaitlinYoung
ChiefExecutiveOfficer
ChiefOperatingOfficer
ExecutiveProjectsDirector
ParkOperationsDirector
Communications&MarketingDirector Controller
CapitalProjectsManager
OfficeOperationsCoordinator
AnnualFundManager
Programming&MarketingCoordinator
ConservationManager
EcologicalRestorationCoordinator
GrantsAssociate
StewardshipAssociate
DevelopmentCoordinator
Culture&EngagementCoordinator
PHONENUMBER 855.448.7245 CONTACT US EMAIL hello@thetrailconservancyorg WEBSITE thetrailconservancyorg @thetrailconservancy @thetrailATX
STAFF
A WORD FROM THE CHAIR
Tosayalothashappenedsinceourlastissuewould notdojusticetowhatwehaveaccomplishedinthe lastyearandahalf.Thebiggestchangehappenedin June2022whenwesignedourParkOperationsand MaintenanceAgreement(POMA)withtheCity.The POMAdesignatesTTCastheprimarystewardofthe ButlerTrail,withTTCalreadytakingonsomeofthe day-to-daymanagementandprogramming Thisled toournewname–TheTrailConservancy– toreflect ouroperationalfocus.
ButthePOMAisjustoneofmanybigthings happeningontheTrail.Asyouwillreadinthe followingpages,wehavebeenbusywithshoreline restoration,addingnewamenities,hostingcommunity eventsandprogramming,andGOATS.
Wekickedoffourlargestfundraisingeffortyet-toreinventtheSeaholmIntakeFacility.Completionofthis projectwouldmakethebuildingaccessibletoallas yetanothergreatpublicamenity Wearealsointhe planningphaseofcreatingasignificantendowment fundtoensurethatTTCalwayshastheresourcesto sustainitsmissiontopreserve,enhanceandconnect theButlerTrailforall.
Noneofthiscouldhappenwithoutthesignificant financialsupportwereceivefromthecommunity.All ofthisworkrequiresmillionsofdollarsannually,and TTCdependsonitsfriends'andmembers'generosity todoallitdoes.TheTrailisallofours,andittakesall ofustokeepitthegemitis.
Pleasejoinusandhelpustopreserve,enhance andconnecttheTrailforeveryoneinAustin.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AndyAustin BoardChair
ClaireHempel
Chair-Elect,DesignWorkshop
ZachHunter
PastChair,Artis
TaraShaikh
Secretary,BarnesLipscomb&StewartPLLC
MikeShaw
Treasurer,RBank
LeahBojo
DrennerGroup
TaylorDavis
TBGPartners
AlejandroDelgado
TexasEducationAgency
LisaFritsch
DellTechnologies
SandraGonzalez
HDGlobal
MattHarriss
ButlerFamilyInterests
AshleyJones
Aquila
KevinLanza
UTHealthSchoolofPublicHealth
MikeMarin
BouletteGolden&MarinLLP
JimMatoushek
MunaMitchell
FreeseandNichols
ChrisRagland
RaglandCapital
BradStein
IntracorpHomes
ScottThomas
CirrusLogic,Inc
ChrisWhitaker
HorizonBank
ANDY AUSTIN BOARDCHAIR
BY THE NUMBERS
2023impactasofAugust1
10+ miles ofTrail
2,677,225 visitstotheTrail
300 acres ofparklandaround theTrail
6,776 hours ofvolunteer work
3,134 volunteers dedicatingtimeto theTrail
15,954 lbs trashremovedby volunteers
385 cubic meters ofmulchspreadto protecttreeroots
5,533 plants addedtotheparkland alongtheTrail
RESTORING THE SHORELINE
In2015,TTCcommittedto substantialexpansionofecological effortsinthepark,particularlythe restorationandstewardshipofthe shorelineandfloodplain surroundingLadyBirdLake.The partnershipbetween Watershed ProtectionandTheTrail ConservancyfortheLadyBird LakeShorelineStewardshiphas builtupontheextensiveand
2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
10 soil improvement events
5 rain gardens planted
5 invasive removal events
5 restoration plantings
1 new floating wetland
4 seeding & planting events in managed habitats
ongoingrestorationwork championedbytheTTC conservationteamwiththe followinggoals:
Restoreandenhanceplant communities
Repairandimproveecological function
Enhanceresiliency
Enhancetheuserexperience Facilitatestewardship
To learn more or sign up as a volunteer, visit: thetrailconservancy.org/volunteer
TTC's Lady Bird Lake Shoreline Stewardship Program is our dedication to a communitybased approach for improving the natural areas and shoreline around the Butler Trail at Lady Bird Lake. This program closely correlates with our volunteer program, as we strive to be a collaborative community partner and an industry leader in creating effective natural area management programs for our public green spaces.
FOCUSING ON THE EAST SIDE
Creating shade at the new Holly Lakefront Trail
FundedthroughtheUrbanForestryGrantProgram,TTCplantedover 60irrigatedtreesandprovidedestablishedirrigationtoover45cityplantedtreesalongthenewHollyLakefrontTrail.Thisprojectwillhelp establishthefuturetreecanopyalongthisnewsectionoftheButler Hike-and-BikeTrailwhilealsoprovidingtheinfrastructureneededto continueplantingandrestorationeffortsinthecomingyears.
Providing formal access for fishing near Pleasant Valley
TTC,fundedthroughtheHabitatandAnglerAccessGrantfromthe TexasParks&WildlifeDepartment,restored1/4acreofheavily degradedshorelineacrossthreesites.Theshorelinewasreinforced withover2,000nativeplants.Additionally,TTCformalizedtwofishing accesssitesbybuildingaccesstothewaterandinstallingfishhabitats inthelake.
Maintaining the floating wetlands in Lady Bird Lake
FundedthroughtheShorelineStewardshipProgram,TTCreplaced onelostfloatingwetlandandreplantedtheremainingthreewithover 300newplantstocombatlossesfromherbivory.Maintaininghealthy plantcommunitiesonthewetlandscreatesafiltrationsystemtoclean thewaterofLadyBirdLakeandreducefreenutrientcontenttolessen theimpactofblue-greenalgae.
NEW AMENITIES COMING SOON
Butler Exercise Enhancements
LocatedonW RiversideDr,theButler
ShoresExerciseEnhancementproject replacedoutdated,underutilized equipmentandaddedasolarchilled drinkingfountain,seating,andshade trees. ThisareaopenedinAugust, bringingnewexerciseopportunitiesfor variousagesandabilitiestotheTrail.
Rainey Street Trailhead
Soontobeunderconstruction,this trailheadsitsatthesouthendofRainey StreetbetweentheButlerTrailandEast Ave.Thetrailheadwillincludeanature playarea,gatheringlawn,seatingplaza, lighting,connectedsidewalks,afloating dock,andalotofnativerestoration plantings
New benches are available for dedication at the Rainey Street Trailhead!
Contact: development@thetrailconservancyorg
Holly Project
Wejustsubmittedasitepermitforthisproject! Wewillbeginworkingontheconstruction documentssoon,withconstructionanticipated tostartinthespringof2024.Theprojectwill includeafishingpier,additionalseating,lighting, andnativeplantrestoration
Tolearnmoreaboutourprojects,ortosponsoraproject,visit: thetrailconservancy.org/projects
THE G.O.A.T. (GREATEST OF ALL TRAILS)
Inmid-July,wewelcomed150workinggoatstotheTrailtohelpwithapilot programforvegetationmanagement In21days,thegoatssuccessfullycleared over6.5acresofpoisonivyandinvasiveplants,improvingthesightlinesinthe park.Ourteamwillreturntotheclearedareasinfallandwintertomulchand replanttheareawithnativeplants,mitigatingnewinvasivespeciesandpoison ivygrowth
Becausegoatsareaneffective,eco-friendly,andsustainableoptionfordoing thistypeofremovalwork,weplantocontinuethisprogrambasedontheresults weexpecttoseeinthenextsixmonths.
ADOPT A GOAT and help keep this program going!
Everyonelovesgoats!Youcanhelpfundthis programtoensurethatweareabletobringthe goatsbackthisfallaswellasinto2024.
Tolearnmoreaboutthegoatproject,ortosponsoragoat,visit: thetrailconservancy.org/goats
FUN ON THE TRAIL
Earth Day Jubilee
OnApril22,wehostedourfirstfree EarthDaycommunityevent Over2,000 joinedusforfreemusic,themed activationswithcommunitypartners, andeco-workshops.
Maudie's Moonlight Margarita Run
June8thmarked20yearsof Maudie's MoonlightMargaritaRun-our5Kfun runandFinishLineparty.Thisyear,we hostedourlargestrunwithover2,100 runners!
Arts+Culture Programming
CityCouncilapprovedourArts+ CulturePlanfortheButlerTrailinMay. Theplanwillguidetemporaryand permanentactivationscontributingto thespaceandTrailexperiencewithout overwhelmingorcomplicatingthe environment.Temporaryartprojects willbeginpoppingupontheTrail Springof2024.
Music on the Trail
Sincelaunchingthepop-upconcert seriesinOctober2020,morethan300 localmusicianshaveperformedonthe Trail.CatchyourfavoriteAustin musicianseverySaturdaymorningon theTrail.
Foracompletelistofall programmingandeventsonthe Trail,visit: thetrailconservancy.org/events
Twilight O N T H E T R A I L Tablesforourannualgalaare on-salenow,withtwoseatingsto
NOVEMBER 5 Scanformore information,orto reserveyourtable
choosefrom! SUNDAY,
OUR TRAIL COMMUNITY
TheTrailConservancy'smembersplayacriticalroleinthefuture successofthe10-mileTrailandalmost300acresofparklandasourrole growsandexpands.Ourmembershipprogramismadeupoflikemindedindividuals-justlikeyou-whoenjoyrunning,biking,walking, relaxing,andplayingontheTrail.
Bluebonnet Circle
BluebonnetCircleisformemberswhogivebetween$1-49annually.
Membershipbenefitsinclude:
Exclusivemembershipnewsletter
InvitationtoTTCmembershipevents
TTC&TrailHeadsdecal
Sage Circle
SageCircleisformemberswhogivebetween$50-174annually.
MembershipbenefitsincludealltheBluebonnetCirclebenefits,plus:
TTCt-shirt
Pecan Circle
PecanCircleisformemberswhogivebetween$175-249annually.
MembershipbenefitsincludealltheSageCirclebenefits,plus:
EarlybirdregistrationforTTCevents
Redbud Circle
RedbudCircleisformemberswhogivebetween$250-999annually.
MembershipbenefitsincludeallthePecanCirclebenefits,plus:
TTChat
InvitationforaRedbudCircleDayintheDirt
InvitationtotheannualRedbudCircleMembershipevent
Cypress Circle
CypressCircleisformemberswhogivebetween$1,000-4,999 annually.MembershipbenefitsincludealltheRedbudCirclebenefits, plus:
InvitationtoSpringTTCMembershipevent
PremiumTTCmerchandise
Toseedetailsonourmembershipoptions,andtojointoday,visit: thetrailconservancy.org/membership
Live Oak Circle
LiveOakCircleisformembers whogivebetween$5,000-$9,999 annually.Membershipbenefits includealltheCypressCircle benefits,plus:
Invitationtouniqueprogramming withconservationexperts
Conservation Circle
ConservationCircleisa3-year commitmentof$10,000ormore peryear.Membershipbenefits includealltheLiveOakCircle benefits,plus:
PrivateeventwithTTCCEO $25,000+permanentdonor recognitionontheTrail
INTRODUCING.....
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Jasmin Rostamnezhad
I give to The Trail Conservancy because...
IamafrequentuseroftheTrail.Iloveto grabacoffeeinthemorningandtakea walk,goforarun,andwatchturtlesin thewaterallontheTrail Ialwaystake myvisitorsforalooparoundtheTrail whentheyaskwhatIloveaboutAustin; theTrailisthefirsttocometomind
I volunteer with TTC because... Therearesomanypeoplethatbenefit fromtheTraileachday,week,month, andyearanditissoimportantto maintainitsbeautyandfunctionality.I donateandvolunteertohelppositively impacttheTrailineverywayIcan The Trailprovidesaservice[aconnectionto nature,astressreliever,asocialhub, andmoreinmylife.Idomybestto honorandsupportwhatIvalue.
I hope others will consider giving and volunteering with TTC because...
TheTrailisaspecialplace,andyouarecriticalto keepingitthatway!
Collectively,weareacommunityofTrailHeads WatchthisFallforafullcampaign-includinga newlineofmerchandisespecifictohowyou usetheTrail
HOW TO GIVE:
SCAN
EMAIL VISIT
TheQRcodebelowtodonatenow development@thetrailconservancy.org thetrailconservancy.org/donate
TheTrailistheheartofAustinand wealluseit.TheTrailConservancy offersmultiplewaystosupportthe Trailwhetherthatbethrough donationsand/or volunteering.
P O B O X 6 3 3 2 A U S T I N , T E X A S 7 8 7 6 2 T O F O L L O W U S O N L I N E : T H E T R A I L C O N S E R V A N C Y . O R G @ T H E T R A I L C O N S E R V A N C Y H O W T O G I V E T O D A Y : S C A N E M A I L V I S I T Q R c o d e a n d d o n a t e n o w . d e v e l o p m e n t @ t h e t r a i l c o n s e r v a n c y . o r g t h e t r a i l c o n s e r v a n c y . o r g / d o n a t e
