City of Austin Park Rangers

Our Seasonal Park Rangers have reported for duty and they're going through a training gauntlet over the next couple weeks. On the list this week - REPTILE TRAINING! You think you have what it takes to learn to wrangle a snake? Don't worry, this is a ranger pet - a non-venomous harmless carpet python. These trainees will be going out on patrol with our full time rangers really soon. See y'all on the trail!

https://www.austintexas.gov/parks/programs/park-rangers

Join Austin Park Rangers for a Guided Hike at Mary Moore Searight Metro Park on Saturday June 13th from 9-11am! This is the last guided hike until fall. We’ll examine the history of Mary Moore herself, the Slaughter Creek waterway, and the unique ecology that makes this park a beloved gem in deep South Austin. After the hike we will be swearing in Junior Rangers with our Junior Ranger Activity Book! Follow the park road off of Slaughter Ln. down to the parking lot near the pavilion, that’s where we’ll start and end.

Austin Park Ranger Guided Hike

Mary Moore Searight Metro Park

907 W Slaughter Ln., Austin, Texas 78748

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Saturday, June 13th

9:00am-11:00am

9:00-9:15am – Skins and Skulls Touch Table

9:15am-10:45am – Guided Hike

10:45-11:00am - Junior Ranger Activity Book

Free and open to the public! Free parking onsite.

No reservation is required. All Ages. Expect a 1.5-mile hike on a shared trail. Dress appropriately, bring water and snacks. Strollers and leashed pups are welcomed.

Stacked Rocks left in the creek? Rangers and cadets give it four thumbs down. On some remote trails, rock cairns mark the path. That isn't the case here at St. Edwards Greenbelt in west Austin.

These rock stacks can have negative effects on people and wildlife. For those wanting to immerse themselves in a pristine nature experience, these rock stacks spoil it. People visit greenbelts to get away from our urban reality. Ironically, that's what rock stacks can represent.

These rocks were habitat for macroinvertebrates, until they got stacked. Disrupted habitat means fewer critters. Macroinvertebrates are key indicators for stream health and play a huge role in riparian ecology. The creek's health is dependent on having lots of macros.

To those rock stackers out there, we have alternatives. We believe that environmental art is a way that people connect to nature. Use rocks that you don't have to dig up and aren't in the water. Take a picture and then take it down when you leave.

There is a learning curve to reducing your impact on nature. Use this as an opportunity to learn and grow. The more you are aware of your impacts the deeper connection you can make with our parklands.

https://www.austintexas.gov/parks/programs/park-rangers

Thanks to everyone who came to our hike! Also, thank you to our guest speakers Jordan Davis and Brad Jones. Jordan is an Anthropology PhD student and Brad is a state Archaeologist. They taught us about the recent and ancient history of the preserve. It was a delightful jaunt through a unique tract of land that we're lucky to have in our preserve system. We want to encourage strong connections with our park lands so that folks are inspired to care for them for generations to come. Thanks so much for coming out!

Our final guided hike until September is Saturday June 13th at Mary Moore Searight Park in south Austin. Keep checking back for more specific details about that free event.

https://www.austintexas.gov/parks/programs/park-rangers

We will be at Commons Ford every day this weekend coordinating the number of cars allowed into the park. Carpool or show up early to secure your spot.

ATX REMEMBER - Commons Ford parking operations are changing for the Memorial Day weekend. Beginning on Saturday, May 23, parking at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park will be limited to specified areas. Park Rangers will assist with directing traffic and explaining the change in operations. Please carpool when possible. The Memorial Day weekend parking changes address holiday weekend public safety concerns at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park. Get the latest facilities, pools and park closure information at: https://tinyurl.com/AustinParksClosures

Herping. That's what its called when you go looking for reptiles and amphibians. And now is the season for that. Herpeton - from the ancient Greek "creeping animal." It's also the root of the word Herpetology, study of reptiles and amphibians. We were showing our Park Ranger Cadets from Akins High School techniques for herping that minimize the impacts on nature and are safe for the herper. Those techniques include researching what animals might be found, gently replacing logs and rocks once flipped, not handling or harassing critters, and staying on the trail.

https://www.austintexas.gov/parks/programs/park-rangers

Here we are at Cook Elementary School with the best career table at the entire event. Yes, we are biased. But go ahead, ask the CPAs, dentists, Real Estate people, chiropractors, and anyone else tabling, "Who had the most engagement at their table?" They'll all say the same thing. "The Park Rangers!" Only APD or AFD can unsurp us when they bring their axes, ATVs, firetrucks, helicopters, and all their safety gear.

The school year is drawing to a close so we only have a few more career events until next school year. That'll give time to all those other folks to improve their career day table setups. Good luck y'all!

https://www.austintexas.gov/parks/programs/park-rangers

Is there anything more life changing than seeing a unicorn? Hell yeah there is - seeing a Barton Springs Salamander! Our Park Ranger Cadets from Akins High School had the opportunity go to Eliza Springs and get a presentation from an Austin Watershed Protection biologist. They learned about the daylighting project and the techniques Austin Watershed Protection biologists use in their capture/recapture sampling techniques. And yes, the cadets got to see a couple of wild Barton Springs Salamanders.

These animals are talked about at great length yet very few of us get to see them in person. Thousands of acres of land are protected so that the spring flows of the Edwards Aquifer remain great habitats for these endangered salamanders. Development of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone is very regulated, in part due to the endangered salamanders at many springs along the Balcones Escarpment. Of course, the aquifer is also a source of water for millions of Texans. These tiny critters are part of these big plans and still, not many folks have ever seen one.

That's what makes our Park Ranger Cadet program exceptional. These young people have seen these amazing amphibians in person and know just how fragile they are. We believe that this experience gives them an unique perspective as they move through their professional lives and future careers. We're honored that we get to make these connections to support their development.

This is one of their last classes of the school year. Don't worry, you'll see some of them again over the summer as Park Ranger Cadet Interns.

Click the link to learn more about Austin Water's Water Quality Protection Lands
https://www.austintexas.gov/water/water-quality-protection-lands