Equity in the outdoors has serious implications for so many Austin residents’ access to nature, participation in recreation activities, and opportunities to advance in green jobs. Key City of Austin Parks & Recreation and Equity Office staff, as well as community partners will discuss the goals and challenges of racial equity work, current initiatives, and why it’s so important for residents to be aware and engaged in this effort.

Volunteerism is critical to the health of our parks, and coordinated efforts between park stewards and city staff can lead to incredible positive outcomes in Austin’s natural spaces. Join Jerry Levenson and David Todd - veteran park stewards, Patrick Chaiken (City of Austin Park Ranger Program), James Duff (City of Austin Wildfire Division), and Barry Rivera (Volunteer Manager at Austin Parks Foundation) to discuss how volunteerism is a key component of keeping our parks safe and accessible.

How does pollination work? We'll look at some pollinators at Discovery Hill and see how they do their important work.