2026219-002: Austin Youth Riverwatch Presentation — original pdf

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From streams to Stewardship AYRW Mission, programs, & impact Melinda Chow Fidel Campuzano Gonzalez Jasalyn Franco OurMissionAustin Youth River Watchtransforms and inspires youththrough environmental education,community engagement, andadventure.A Brief History 1990s 2000s 2019 & 2020s Today 1991: Jack Goodman and Wes Halverson founded the Colorado River Watch Foundation. Dani Apodaca is the first youth program director. 1999: Elisabeth Welsh, a River Watcher, becomes program director. 2019: New logo. 2020: Austin Environmental Leaders career-focused young adult intern program added. 2022: Distributed leadership structure begins. Community demand for AYRW equity-centered environmental education programming continues to grow! 2008: Office moves toHornsby Bend.2014: Restoration added toprogramming.2016: Name changes officiallyto Austin Youth River Watch.2017: Programming expands,more environmental topics.value: Equity We believe in operating an equity-centered organization and incorporating antiracist practices at all levels and aspects of what we do as Austin Youth River Watch. Removing barriers, understanding different needs Representing lived experiences Prioritizing staff care - equitable wages, benefits, time off, supportive organizational culture Community-centric fundraising and development Prioritize person-centered approaches, recognizing each person’s uniqueness Equity - in practice In our programs, we provide: Free, participation in all activities, including all equipment and supplies Transportation Food, and additional meals support Stipends Bilingual (Spanish) communication Technology support - loaned laptops and hotspots Representative lived experiences in board and staff Person-centered approaches to each student additional values Belonging - We believe that when people can bring their true selves into our programs and spaces, they are empowered to thrive with us and beyond us. At AYRW, belonging means creating a community where every individual feels seen, valued, and included. Fun - We believe that when we laugh, explore, and share joy, we’re not just making memories--we’re building a community where everyone feels connected and valued. At AYRW, fun is the glue that holds us together and keeps us motivated to do our best. additional values Environmental Stewardship - We believe in a culture that fosters the next generation of environmental stewards, collectively building connections within our community and our ecosystems. Lifelong Learning - We believe that lifelong learning inspires curiosity, drives innovation, enriches cultural understanding, and cultivates a deep, enduring connection to the natural world. OUR IMPACTAYRW students are primarily from the Eastern Crescent. Highest concentrations live in 78723, 78724, and 78753. The work of our students impacts all 10 Austin city council districts, and nearly all of Austin’s watersheds. Afterschool crews DEL VALLE HIGHSCHOOL2025 Program Youth Summer Program students also attended the following schools: Ann Richards School Bowie High School Hays High School KIPP Austin Renaissance Academy 129 total students Income 69% Economically disadvantaged Race/Ethnicity 53% Hispanic American, Chicana(o)(x), or Latina(o)(x) 18% Black, African American, or African 12% Mixed Ethnicity 14% White, Caucasian, Anglo, or European 3% Other Gender Identity 68% Cisgender Women 28% Cisgender Men 4% Transgender or Non-Binary Austin Environmental Leaders (youngadult interns) attended:Austin Community CollegeUniversity of Texas at AustinSome interns still working on going tocollege.Student impact 100% High School Graduation Rates Diversifying environmental, STEM, and outdoor spaces: 67% choose to continue in these career paths AYRW alumni today - small sample City of Austin Shoal Creek Conservancy Keep Austin Beautiful LCRA SWCA Environmental Consultants Autin Youth River Watch Student impact 92% more confident in outdoor settings. 92% increased care for the environment. 83% more aware of environmental career opportunities. 68% increased interest in environmental and STEM careers. 92% more confident in their understanding of science and environmental topics. 85% more able to communicate environmental concepts to others. Student impact 85% felt a stronger sense of belonging. 81% made a new friend through the program. 77% felt they had become a better student. 68% improved leadership skills. AYRW increases a sense of Austin pride, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement. Water Quality Monitoring 20+ sites all over the Austin area Specific Conductance PH Level Nitrates Dissolved Oxygen E.Coli Testing creek cleanup barton creek cleanup video Environmental Impact 2025 Environmental Impact Collected 48 water quality data sets Sites (cont) Across 22 Sites: Barton Creek - 2 sites Blunn Creek Boggy Creek Buttermilk Creek Colorado River - 9 sites East Bouldin Creek Shoal Creek Tannehill Branch Waller Creek - 2 sites Wells Branch Wilbarger Creek Williamson Creek Tested 2 sites for E. coli levels Poquito Creek Waller Creek All data becomes public and is shared with Austin Watershed Protection & LCRA. 2025 Environmental Impact Improved 35+ acres Removed nearly 5,000 lbs of trash Removed 30 lbs of invasive Ligustrum Dispersed 279 native seed balls Planted 182 native trees and grass plugs Eastern Gamagrass Mexican Buckeye Texas Persimmon Osage Orange Button Bush Restoration and GSI Sites Bartholomew Park Boggy Creek at SFC Buttermilk Park Dottie Jordan Park Dawson Park Hornsby Bend (Platt Lane) Roy G. Guerrero Park Shoal Creek at Woodview Ave Rain garden maintenance Marked 43 storm drains Zilker Park Boggy Creek Watershed Williamson Creek Watershed AYRW water quality and restoration activity Impacts all 10 austin city council districts and beyond! Community partnerscity of austin support Financial Support 1991-2011 Nearly 100% of AYRW Budget Gradual decrease since then 2011-2020 About 40-50% of budget 2021-2024 About 30% of budget 2025 - About 24% of budget Today - About 15% of budget* In-Kind Support 2008 AYRW EcoHouse office, facilities in Hornsby Bend Today - Lease renewal in process, renews in 2028 impact of more support Serve many more studentsRoadblock with wraparound support – our commitment to equity in practiceTransportation, Meals, and StipendsCurrently 37 students on the afterschool waitlist 48 students turned away in Summer 2025Better focus on program quality, outputs, outcomes, and impactLess worrying about cash flowServe many more sites with water quality and restoration activitiesMore requests from the community than we have the capacity to meetMore connections for students for their career paths, espcially in environmental fieldswork with us! Visit our EcoHouse in Hornsby Bend - take a hike with us on the River Trail Join after-school or summer programming Invite us to your groups, events, etc. Connect with us on ideas to collaborate! upcoming Community events Keep Austin Beautiful Day Trash Cleanup at Buttermilk Creek April 25, 2026 th 35 Anniversary Celebration City recognition of “River Watch Day” May 15, 2026 Thank you! Additional questions? melinda@riverwatchers.org fidel@riverwatchers.org jasalyn@riverwatchers.org follow us oninstagram!follow us oninstagram!Visit ourwebsite!Visit ourwebsite!