20250702-003: Rain to River Update Presentation — original pdf

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A Strategic Plan to Protect Austin’s Creeks and Communities N I T S U A F O Y T I C Project Update & Current Engagement Effort Sari Albornoz, City of Austin Watershed Protection Department W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T What is Rain to River? A Strategic Plan to Protect Austin's Creeks and Communities N I T S U A F O Y T I C Guiding Blueprint for department Evaluation framework Communication Tool W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I C What are our goals for the update? ❖ Reflect the vision and values of our community ❖ Incorporate equity, climate resilience, and population growth ❖ Be informative and accessible W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I C Priority Stakeholders ❖ Under-served groups ❖ Impacted groups ❖ Organizations with relevant expertise And reach the full Austin community! W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T What’s the Project Status? N I T S U A F O Y T I C ❖ Phase 1 (2022-2023) WHAT does the community want? ❖ Community Activation Group (Fall 2024) ❖ Phase 2 (Summer 2025) HOW should we prioritize solutions? ❖ Phase 3 (Winter 2025-6) Seek feedback on draft plan ❖ Goal: Adoption by City Council Spring 2026 W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Broad Engagement Focused Engagement • RaintoRiverATX.com • • Community Vision Survey (April 2022 – March 2023) • Yard signs at community gathering spaces W Focus groups: 5 with MEASURE, 11 with organizations A T like Austin Youth River Watch E R S H E D • Community Ambassadors conducted 1:1 interviews • $5K mini-grants to 6 partner organizations who gathered additional input • Social media and radio ads • Postcards to 90K+ addresses in flood risk areas to • Statistically valid survey to validate Community Vision Survey results promote Community Vision Survey • 60+ community events to promote Community N I T S U A F O Y T I C Vision Survey D E P • 1:1s with community leaders to build and strengthen A R T relationships • Surveys with Austin Homelessness Advisory Committee (2021 & 2023) P R O T E C T I O N M E N T Phase 1 Community Engagement N I T S U A F O Y T I C The Rain to River Community Ambassador cohort Del Valle Community Coalition and WPD staff doing R2R outreach Focus Group with Foundation Communities residents Community Ambassadors share findings with WPD leaders Queertopia and WPD staff assembling care packages for people experiencing homelessness, including interviewees W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Learn What We Heard in Phase 1: www.RainToRiverATX.com N I T S U A F O Y T I C W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I C Community Activation Group (CAG) The CAG will ensure that the diverse voices of our community are integral to the Rain to River planning process and Watershed Protection’s work. • 15 diverse community leaders with expertise in the environment, community health, and/or disaster preparedness & recovery • Engaged 1 year: Fall 2024 – Fall 2025 • Facilitated by Measure • Helping shape Rain to River plan via: • Synthesis of Phase 1 community feedback • Community asset mapping to support community-engaged plan implementation • Helping design & broadcast survey W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Community Priorities Priority #1: Equity & Inclusion Ensure historically underserved communities have equitable access to resources and decision-making processes. Priority #2: Flood Mitigation & Emergency Preparedness Protect lives and property by addressing flooding and erosion proactively. CAG feedback: Should be two separate priorities. N I T S U A F O Y T I C Priority #3: Climate Resilience & Sustainability Integrate climate adaptation strategies to address drought, extreme heat, and habitat loss. W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Community Priorities Priority #4: Natural Resource Protection & Restoration Preserve, restore, and enhance Austin’s creeks, lakes, and natural spaces. Priority #5: Trust & Collaboration Build trust through transparency, active listening, and community-centered initiatives. N I T S U A F O Y T I C Priority #6: Accessibility & Public Engagement Ensure natural spaces are safe, inviting, and accessible for all residents. W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I C Community Priorities Priority #7: Sustainable Development & Growth Balance urban growth with environmental health and sustainability. Priority #8: Support for Unhoused & Vulnerable Populations Provide resources and safety for unhoused individuals while addressing systemic issues. Priority #9: Education & Youth Engagement Foster a culture of environmental stewardship and resilience among residents. W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Community Priorities Priority #10: Innovation & Leadership Position Austin as a model city for environmental stewardship and progressive practices. N I T S U A F O Y T I C W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Actions we've taken • Added mental health resources to www.ATXFloodSafety.com • Added flood safety signage to creeks and drainage channels to support flood safety for unhoused Austinites N I T S U A • Encouraged Austin Public Library to F O explore vital document storage for unhoused Austinites Y T I C • WPD is already doing many of the things community is asking for, but we need help prioritizing. W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Current Engagement Effort • June 18 – September 15 • With limited resources, asking for help prioritizing WPD's work • Goal: Reach all Austinites, with special efforts to hear from priority stakeholders • Strategies: • Your Voice: Shaping Our Priorities Survey • http://RainToRiverATX.com • Focus groups N I T S U A F O Y T I C W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Your Voice, Shaping Our Priorities Survey N I T S U A F O Y T I C Survey includes questions like: • "Some solutions make a big impact but reach fewer people, while others help more people in smaller ways. We will continue to invest in both—but we need your input on which approach should take priority as we move forward. When we have to choose between two options, which do you think we should prioritize?" • "Which, if any, of the following additional community outcomes should we prioritize when planning our long-term solutions in the face of climate change and population growth? Please select up to three." • "We all do our part to protect the water quality of Austin's creeks, lakes, rivers, and springs. Which of these actions do you think is most important for the community to help keep our waterways healthy? Please choose one." W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I C Our Asks: • Help us get our survey to your networks this summer! • Tell us about your events! W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I C Questions? W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I C Thank you! Please stay in touch! Sari Albornoz sari.albornoz@austintexas.gov www.RainToRiverATX.com W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T