Austin Watershed Protection

06/11/2026

We won a Texas Environmental Excellence Award for Education! 🩵🏆

Last night, we had the honor of attending the awards ceremony and celebrating alongside so many people dedicated to protecting and improving Texas' environment. One of the highlights of the evening was seeing a 3-minute video about River Watch on the giant IMAX screen at the Bullock Texas State History Museum ✨

We're incredibly grateful to the TCEQ team for recognizing our work and for putting together such a special event. This award is a reflection of our students, alumni, families, staff, volunteers, and community partners who make River Watch what it is! 🌊

Check out our 3 minute video here: https://youtu.be/bcM_JQxIIN4?si=oaZlTefbXqFEfpwz

06/10/2026

🌟 Phase II of Waterloo Greenway - The Confluence - is officially open! 🎉

On June 6, Waterloo Greenway, the City of Austin, community partners, & neighbors from across Austin came together to celebrate the grand opening of this park expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided park tours, live music, family activities, & more.

The Confluence transforms 13 acres along Waller Creek, from 4th Street to Lady Bird Lake, into a vibrant urban park.

Highlights include:
• A biofiltration pond to treat 26.2 acres of urban stormwater
• Nearly 1,600 new trees + 200,000 native plants to restore the creek’s natural habitat
• A 1.5 mile trail for exploring & enjoying the Waller Creek District

💵 Thank you to the federal partners, multiple City departments, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, & philanthropic supporters for making this project possible. Additionally, $5.2 million grant from the Austin Urban Forest Replenishment Fund ensures that these natural systems will thrive over the long-term.

Come take a stroll, enjoy the scenery, & experience this incredible new chapter of Waterloo Greenway! 🌿✨

06/09/2026

¿Está trabajando para abordar problemas relacionados con la alimentación, el cambio climático o la resiliencia? Descubre cómo una Subvención para la Equidad Alimentaria y Climática puede ayudarle a liderar un cambio transformador en tu comunidad.

📆 Aplique antes del 16 de julio
💵 Subvenciones de hasta $3K disponibles
👉 Aprenda más: AustinTexas.gov/FACE

06/09/2026

Are you working to address issues related to food, climate change, or resilience in your community? Austin's Food and Climate Equity Grants may help you meet your project goals by providing direct financial assistance.

06/09/2026

⚠️ Before you or your pets get near Austin’s lakes & creeks, check the water first.

We have recently observed blue-green algae in different parts of Lady Bird Lake & Lake Austin. As temperatures rise through summer, we expect to see more algae growing in our waterways.

Blue-green algae mats may be toxic to people & can be deadly for dogs. They usually look like dark blobs floating on the surface, either on their own or mixed in with other vegetation.

Help protect yourself, your family, & your pets this summer:
- Avoid touching or swimming near algae
- Do not drink or let your pets drink from lakes or creeks
- Rinse yourself & your pets after contact with lake or creek water
- Do not let pets lick their fur before rinsing

ℹ️ Learn more about potentially harmful algae at AustinTexas.gov/Algae.

📸 Photo of floating blue-green algae mats near Red Bud Isle Park

Austin’s waterways are home to many different types of algae that play important roles in the natural world. However, if there’s excessive algae, it can hurt rather than help the environment.

06/08/2026

Visit Zilker Botanical Garden for FREE & be sure to visit our on-site Grow Green Demonstration Garden for local inspiration! It’s designed with beauty & sustainable landscaping practices in mind.

📅 Free Day – June 21
🕧 8am - 4pm
📍 Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd.
ℹ️ https://zilkergarden.org/hours-admissions

06/05/2026

⛈️ Locally heavy rainfall is predicted late this afternoon through 1 a.m.

Please monitor US National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio Texas & local media for updates on the weather forecast.

🚧 If you need to drive, find road closure information at ATXFloods.com or the X (Twitter) account. Anytime you see water flowing over a road, find another route—Turn Around, Don't Drown!

ATX Floods - Real-time flood monitoring, road closures, and traffic camera information for Austin, Texas

06/04/2026

Students from IDEA Health Professions recently completed a rigorous training to become certified Watershed Detectives! They learned how to conduct creek observations & to perform water quality testing. They also kayaked in Lady Bird Lake to remove trash from the water.

🤝Thanks to the City of Austin Park Rangers who partnered with us to train the next generation of environmental stewards!

06/03/2026