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Give 5% to Mother Earth Day

It’s time, Friends! TODAY, April 20, is Give 5% to Mother Earth Day, and once again FBSP is proud to participate in this Earth Day campaign that raises funds and awareness for nine nonprofits working to protect and preserve our Central Texas environment.  Now in its 9th year, our generous local business sponsors for Give 5 Day will pledge to donate 5% of gross sales on April 20 to the Give 5 fund, which is split equally between all nine of our nonprofit beneficiaries, including FBSP.  So click the link above to find out where to eat, drink and shop to support the environment today (April 20)!  You will be supporting some great local businesses, as well as helping keep our environment clean, our parks tidy, our springs pristine, our trees aplenty, our open spaces preserved, and so much more!  #austingive5 #eatshopplay
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FBSP President’s Message — April 2018

President plants peck on plastic Anas platyrhynchos!

Friends,

Our year of volunteering at the pool officially started with It’s My Park Day on Sat(3/3) where we had an amazing group of volunteers that got the chance to work on a weekend.  We were able to distribute several yards of mulch, did some amazing ligustrum removal in the area behind the diving board, and all the gardens got some much needed TLC.  The pool was partially drawn down which was a treat for our volunteers to see the springs exposed.  Our April 5 cleaning will be the first Thursday cleaning of 2018, and we are excited to help with reducing algae, and do whatever it takes to put a shine on the pool.

We are advocating for a lot of little projects inside the fence this year, including planting more trees, and our Advocacy Chair (Nelson Guda) is spearheading this effort.  We attended a meeting with the team of folks replanting aquatic plants in the pool, and from what we learned after our 2nd attempt to make this work, we are optimistic we will find the right protocol for future planting success.  There is also a wall that is degrading near the pump station on the north side and the sediment accumulation at the bypass tunnel entrance that we are going to inquire about what can be done.  As always, our volunteer efforts are the main mechanism to learn about the pool, raise awareness to any issues we encounter, and advocate for changes to make the pool the best it can be.

On Tuesday, April 3, the Bathhouse rehabilitation design discussion was kicked off, and for me personally and for FBSP as a group advocating for the pool, this is a proud moment in moving forward what was laid down in the Barton Springs Pool Master Plan.  The bathhouse project was a main topic of the BSP MP in 2009, and was also addressed extensively in the Feasibility Study in 2016 where all the challenges that entangle any development at BSP were documented.  And now in 2018, we are going to embark on developing a design for the bathhouse that will insure its place in landscape of BSP for the next 50-70 years.  We encourage all our members to get involved in this process!!  This is the time to speak out about your concerns, issues, and what you think is important about the bathhouse. To find out more about this project or sign up for project updates you can visit the website (http://www.austintexas.gov/bartonspringsbathhouse).   If you wish to comment to me at (president@friendsofbartonspringspool.org), I would love to hear from you and carry your message the best I can as we advocate for the best design we can.

We are anxiously awaiting Give5 to Mother Earth Day on Friday (April 20), the fundraiser for Austin’s environmental non-profits, including FBSP.  At last count, we had over 200 businesses signed up to dedicate 5% of their sales to the fundraising effort.  If you want to know more about this and who the sponsors are that are participating go to https://austingive5.org/.

Have you swam at the pool lately?  Before our large downpour at the end of March, the spring flow was on a steady decline to about 45cfs, and with the onslaught of spring weather, we are experiencing an algae bloom at the pool.  Thankfully, with that 3-5 ” of rain, the spring flow is up to just shy of 70 cfs.  This will help with stripping the algae from the surfaces of the pool and allow it to move on down the creek.  If you ever want to know about pool flow or the latest about the aquifer, check out the links on the right side of our website to see the USGS Barton Springs Weekly Water Flow and Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.

And last but not least, we have been a supporter of the efforts to replace the tile facade at the Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater with a mural by the team headed by Wanda Montemayor.  If you do not already know about her work, check out the murals at Deep Eddy, and Barton Hills Elementary. I hope to have some of the concepts in our display case soon. So check them out and if you get a chance add your support to this effort.

See you at the pool,

Steve Barnick, FBSP President

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President’s Report — March, 2018

PRESIDENT’S REPORT (MARCH, 2018)

Friends,

We kicked off the new year with a board retreat in February where we discussed some very ambitious goals for 2018.  But first I would like to welcome our new Vice President, Ryan Cox.  Ryan expressed interest in getting involved with FBSP and we are all excited about having him on the board.  We are still seeking a membership chair so if anyone would like to get on board please get a hold of me and we will talk.

Fundraising is FUN

Fundraising is the main vehicle for us to supply tools and equipment used during our volunteer pool cleaning efforts. There are three very important fundraising events happening that we are proud to be a part of.

  • Amplify Austin is our city’s annual community wide day of online giving that’s  happening on March 1-2.  To make a donation for Friends of Barton Springs Pool, click this link https://amplifyatx.ilivehereigivehere.org/friendsofbartonspringspool2018 and make donation!  Thanks!
  • Give5 Austin to Mother Earth is an event specifically dedicated to benefit 9 local nonprofit organization FBSP being one of them. A first part of the campaign involves finding business sponsors that will pledge to donate to 5% of their revenue on Fri(4/20) Mother Earth day.  If you business would like to participate as a sponsor, please click this link, https://austingive5.org/signup, and sign up!
  • FBSP Booth is our chance meet folks, and spread our message at the south side pool entrance.  We offer an assortment of products for a donation and plan on sponsoring the booth on the Sunday before each of our first Thursday of the month pool cleaning events.  We are working on a new design for our t-shirts and other products so please come by and listen, learn and contribute to our cause.

Spring Cleaning is Fun, Too!!!!

In 2018, we are kicking off our year of volunteer cleaning at the pool by participating in the biggest city-wide volunteer event known as It’s My Park Day on March 3, 2018.  Sponsored by Austin Parks Foundation, participants can sign up for a shift at the Austin Parks Foundation site link, https://austinparks.givepulse.com/event/69299-Barton-Springs-FBSP-Barton-Springs-Volunteer-Pool-Cleaning. Just click the “Register” button, create an account (with name, zip, email, and password), provide the requested information (t-shirt size, allergies, emergency contact, DOB, address), click the waiver agreements, and you’re in!  Please share information with others using this link, https://givepul.se/u8hm3

This is a chance for our members to participate on a Saturday while the pool is closed for spring cleaning.  Our regular volunteer pool cleaning events on the first Thursday of the month will run from April to October.

Ongoing Challenges for Friends

We have a multitude of challenges both inside and outside the fence at Barton Springs Pool. As an nonprofit organization our true calling is inside the fence sponsoring volunteer pool cleanings. We take the knowledge and experience gained from these events to raise awareness of issues, advocate for change and work with the BSP Staff to find solutions. This year we have challenges that include planting trees, repopulating plants in the pool, removal of sediment at the bypass tunnel inlet, keeping algae in the shallow end under control, eliminating non-native plants, and of course putting a shine on the pool railings and the diving well ducks. We are also giving support to many outside the fence activities that in part are integral to the goals of the Barton Springs Pool Master Plan. This involves the renovation of the bathhouse, a Zilker Park visitors center, and feasibility studies on how to improve pool water flow.  We are also in support of the HOT funding for historic preservation, the city bond initiative for purchasing aquifer land, and stopping our neighboring communities from dumping treated sewage into the aquifer. If you have a chance please add your name in support of these very important challenges to Barton Springs Pool.

We are all about finding ways to put big smiles and foster good feelings at the pool. The celebration of the completions of Eliza Springs Day Lighting project , the annual FBSP member picnic, and organizing Council Cleans the pool will hopefully keep everyone smiling and wanting to make the pool the best it can be this season.

See you at the pool,
Steve Barnick, FBSP President

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You Are Invited to Attend the 2017 Give 5 to Mother Earth Day Kickoff Event!

Friday, April 21st, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. // JuiceLand, 2828 Guadalupe (29th & Guadalupe)

Join us for a morning celebration of the 8th annual Give 5 to Mother Earth Day at JuiceLand! Eat, Shop & Play at more than 160 business locations donating 5% of sales this Friday to Give 5 to Mother Earth’s 9 nonprofit beneficiaries.

Mayor Pro Tem Tovo will read the City Council’s Proclamation declaring April 21st to be Give 5 to Mother Earth Day in the City of Austin, and speakers from JuiceLand and Alamo Drafthouse will present as well. The morning will be emceed by George Cofer of the Hill Country Conservancy.

JuiceLand will provide free Yerba Mate shots and a 10% discount to all attendees between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and breakfast tacos will be available.

ALL ARE INVITED! Please feel free to spread the word.

Give 5 Day Kickoff Agenda

Give 5 Day 2017 Participating Businesses

Following the kickoff celebration, our friends George Cofer of the Hill Country Conservancy and Colin Wallis of the Austin Parks Foundation will be leading the Magical Mystery Bike Tour, a day-long bike cruise around town to visit some our sponsors and business partners. Everyone is invited to attend! 

Magical Mystery Bike Tour Agenda

City Council’s Give 5 to Mother Earth Day Proclamation

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Mayor Steve Adler Proclaims April 21st Give 5 Day in Austin

Mayor Steve Adler has issued a proclamation declaring Friday, April 21, 2017 as “Give 5 to Mother Earth Day” in Austin.  In the proclamation, Mayor Adler applauds the commitment of the local businesses and nonprofits coming together on Give 5 Day in order to protect and preserve our Central Texas environment.

“In order to successfully protect our natural resources and our Earth as a whole, our entire community – including local political leaders, community leaders, and business owners – must work together,” Adler wrote. “I call on all Austinites to join me in thanking the participating businesses for generously donating a portion of their sales [in honor of] Earth Day, and I urge citizens to celebrate Earth Day by patronizing these businesses.”

Friends of Barton Springs Pool sends a YOOOGE thank you to Mayor Adler for his support of our campaign, and we join him in urging all Austinites to get out on April 21st and “eat, shop, & play” at participating businesses!

Join us for a special Give 5 kickoff celebration the morning of Friday, April 21st at 10 a.m. at the JuiceLand location at 29th & Guadalupe! RSVP on Facebook for the latest updates.

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Give 5% This Earth Day!

Earth Day 2017 will take place on Friday, April 21st, and Friends of Barton Springs Pool (FBSP) is joining with other local environmental non-profits to harness the day for giving back to Mother Earth.Give5Graphic-1024x592

Together with local non-profits, Shoal Creek Conservancy, Hill Country Conservancy, Austin Parks Foundation, Sustainable Food Center, Waller Creek Conservancy, Pease Park Conservancy, TreeFolks, and Texas Campaign for the Environment Fund, FBSP is looking for local area businesses to take part in a campaign that will see 5% of their revenue from that day donated back to the non-profits.

These non-profits work tirelessly to ensure that the environment, which is a huge part of why Austin is Austin, and remains green, clean, and healthy!  So for the eighth Give 5% year in a row, get ready to eat, shop, play and more on Friday, April 21st at participating businesses and make a personal and significant contribution towards a great cause.

If you would like to sign up your business to participate in the Give 5% campaign or find out more information, click here!