Here’s a summary and outline of the meeting:
The Austin Area Urban Nature Roundtable, led by Stuart Reichler from UT, aimed to foster collaboration among environmental professionals in Austin. Participants introduced themselves, highlighting their roles and organizations, such as the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department, South Creek Alliance, Shoal Creek Conservancy, and Austin Youth River Watch. Miriam Toro Rosario from Alianza de la Rio Piedras in Puerto Rico shared her experiences working with diverse groups on environmental issues. The meeting emphasized the need for cross-sector collaboration, information sharing, and problem-solving to address environmental challenges in Austin.
Stuart Reichler’s Background and Research Group
- Stuart Reichler shares his background, mentioning his 25 years as a faculty member at UT and his postdoc in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
- He introduces his research group, Urban Ecosystems, which works with undergraduates on environmental monitoring, including water quality work.
- Stuart talks about his recent trip to Puerto Rico for the 7th Symposium on Urban Stream Ecology and the tour hosted by Alianza de la Rio Piedras.
- He highlights the diversity of groups Alianza works with in Puerto Rico and his inspiration to create a similar organization in Austin.
Purpose of the Meeting and Initial Introductions
- Stuart explains the purpose of the meeting: to get to know each other, share information, and find opportunities for collaboration.
- He mentions the importance of sharing information and solving problems through the work of his research group and collaborations with various Austin organizations.
- Stuart invites participants to introduce themselves, keeping their introductions to about a minute.
- Participants begin to introduce themselves, representing various organizations and their roles in environmental work in Austin.
Participant Introductions and Roles
- Brent Bellinger from the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department discusses his focus on surface water monitoring and long-term reservoir management.
- Nico Howard from the South Creek Alliance talks about his work on groundwater tracing and water balances, and his experience with various conservation projects.
- Nara Rodriguez and Maggie, both students, introduce themselves and their work on environmental communications campaigns.
- Krista Kelly from Shoal Creek Conservancy discusses her role in volunteer coordination and various restoration projects.
- Julia Weatherby from the Native Plant Society of Texas introduces herself and her organization’s work on invasive plant education and native planting.
- Veronica from A Rocha USA talks about her organization’s faith-based conservation projects and their work in land restoration in Austin.
- Barb Dunnam from EarthShare Texas introduces herself and her role in strengthening systems and raising funds for environmental organizations.
- Miriam Toro Rosario from San Juan, Puerto Rico, shares her background as an environmental scientist and active citizen, and her work with Alianza de la Rio Piedras.
- David Ledesma from St. Edwards University introduces himself as a paleobiologist and ecologist, working with students on various monitoring projects.
- Valerie Salinas-Davis from UT’s Moody College of Communications discusses her work with environmental communications students and their projects.
- Kayla Reese from Austin Parks Foundation talks about their work on volunteer projects and their slogan “People Plus Parks.”
- Doug Dillow from Guadalupe Blanco River Trust discusses his organization’s focus on conservation and their wetland preserve near Lockhart.
- Emma Walsh from Austin Youth River Watch introduces herself and her organization’s work on environmental education and water quality testing.
- Alondra Fleming-Parra from Austin Youth River Watch discusses her role in providing transportation and programming for environmental education.
- Stephanie Insalaco from Southwestern University introduces herself and her focus on GIS and remote sensing in environmental studies
- Annalisa Peace from the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance discusses her organization’s work on water conservation and potential synergies with Austin organizations.
- Kevin Anderson from the Austin Waters Center for Environmental Research introduces himself and his organization’s focus on urban ecology and waterway conservation.
- Connor McLean from Austin Youth River Watch reiterates their work on outdoor programming for students.
- Timothy Keitt from UT’s Integrated Biology discusses his work on urban research and autonomous sensing for ecosystem monitoring.
- Marjesca Brown from the Great Springs Project introduces herself and her organization’s work on land conservation and the Great Springs Trail.
Closing Remarks and Next Steps
- Stuart Reichler mentions the plan to create a website to represent the work of the participants and the meetings.
- He invites Miriam Toro Rosario to share her experiences working across diverse groups in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- The meeting ended with announcements about local environmental events