The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is partnering with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to offer opportunities for the community to learn about outdoor ethics and volunteer at clean-up sites along the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Leave No Trace recently named the Barton Creek Greenbelt one of 14 "Hot Spots" around the nation.

Hot Spot locations are popular and beautiful outdoor areas that are heavily used and have visitor-created impacts, such as litter, impacts of pet waste, and trail damage. PARD is working with local organizations to help raise awareness among park visitors about outdoor recreation ethics in natural areas and to bring solutions to the community. These organizations include Austin Parks Foundation, Austin Resource Recovery, Barton Springs Conservancy, Capital Area Master Naturalists, Hill Country Conservancy, Keep Austin Beautiful, Pease Park Conservancy, Save Barton Creek Association, Save Our Springs Alliance, The Trail Foundation, and Watershed Protection Department.

“The Barton Creek Greenbelt is beloved and the Hot Spot designation will help to shed light on the unintended side effects of its popularity, such as litter, impacts of dog waste, and trail damage,” according to LeAnn Ishcomer, Park Ranger Program Manager for PARD. “Leave No Trace Principles can serve as a guide to help park visitors protect and preserve all of Austin's treasured natural spaces.”

Leave No Trace Events March 6-9, 2020

PARD and the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers invite the community to a series of events, which are free and open to the public. Attendance at each event is limited and registration is required.

Leave No Trace Rock-Climbing - An entry-level rock-climbing opportunity that will also teach about ways to protect natural climbing spaces. March 6 and March 9

Salamander Walk - A tour of springs in the Barton Springs Pool area and an opportunity to learn about the endangered Barton Springs Salamander. Attendees may get to see a salamander in its natural habitat. March 6

It's My Park Day - An opportunity for hundreds of volunteers to improve the Barton Creek Greenbelt. There will be six locations where the community can participate. It's My Park Day is hosted each spring and fall by Austin Parks Foundation. March 7

Leave No Trace Birdwalk - This program is designed to introduce participants to the basics of birdwatching, as well as Leave No Trace principles as they relate to birding. March 8

Citizen Science, BioBlitz - A BioBlitz involves making as many observations as possible of species within a certain amount of time. This BioBlitz will inspire stewardship, show participants how to contribute to their scientific community, and teach about the organisms present in the Barton Creek Greenbelt. March 8