Allandale Green Update

Wildlife Habitat Challenge Pictures - Check 'em out

2008-11-24T13:53:00Z

From Tom Linehan:

"F.Y.I. I worked with Cheryl Silver to put together information and photos about the Wildlife Habitat Challenge and Allandale's second place finish in the Challenge. It is on the web site: www.allandalereporter.org. You've got to see the photos! Where do we hang the Certificate of Recognition Allandale received?

Sample Austin Energy Work Plan

2008-11-20T01:11:00Z

From Carl Schattenberg, Austin Energy Utility Forester "Attached is a sample of the Vegetation Work plan (VWP) on the transmission work along Great Northern Blvd. This is a scan of the VWP for the area we discussed across from the ball parks where we met this morning.

Sample Work Plan for Austin Energy Transmission lines

Austin Energy Tree Trimming along Great Northern

2008-11-19T22:26:00Z

Austin Energy is scheduled to begin routine vegetation management work along the railroad tracks on the west boundary of Allandale beneath the transmission lines on the tall metal poles. With the exception of approximately 12 private properties, all of this vegetation management for the transmission lines is on City property and railroad right of way along Great Northern Blvd.

This work is intended to maintain transmission safety and reliability along these transmission lines which carry power from our generation plants to electrical substations throughout North and Northwest Austin, similar to the substations at the intersections of Northland Dr and Steck at MoPac.

Our approach is to remove fast growing, tall, incompatible tree species, in most cases chinaberry & hackberry trees, beneath the 138,000 volt transmission lines to provide 25 to 30 feet clearance from the transmission lines, at maximum sag, for a four to five year maintenance cycle. Trees which can not be trimmed to maintain a safe and viable tree will be evaluated for removal. Dead trees that may present a hazard beneath transmission lines will be evaluated for removal for safety.

Fortunately, the larger, desirable native trees, such as the live oaks and cedar elms, in most cases, can be effectively pruned to provide adequate clearance. These desirable trees will benefit from the removal of the invasive species which compete for sunlight and soil moisture.

We will retain low-growing, compatible trees and other vegetation, as screening vegetation and buffer, to fill in the right of way (for example, live oak, redbud, mesquite, soapberry, huisache, grape vines, selected wax leaf ligustrum, etc). Our crews will take care in removing overtopping trees so that they do not damage understory, screening vegetation.

We recognize the value the vegetation provides as a buffer to the neighborhood from Mopac and the RR tracks, therefore we’ll maintain as much low-growing vegetation as possible which is compatible with our need for safe clearances from the power lines overhead. By selectively removing certain incompatible, exotic or invasive species from the overstory, the residual native understory vegetation is released from overtopping competition to form a buffer that’s compatible with our overhead lines.

During this work, Austin Energy and our contractor, Asplundh, will maintain on-site supervision to oversee the Asplundh crews performing the work.

This work is separate from another tree maintenance project where property owners are now being contacted regarding tree work near the distribution lines on wooden poles in parts of the neighborhood. Much of our vegetation maintenance work will also benefit distribution line reliability and safety beneath our transmission facilities along Great Northern Blvd.

Previous transmission tree trimming maintenance was last performed in Fall, 2004, with good results and favorable neighborhood feedback.

Allandale's a Winner!

2008-11-14T22:29:00Z

Just in from Cheryl Silver:

"Hi Cheryl,

I would like to inform you as the Neighborhood Habitat Challenge contact
for Allandale that your neighborhood has won SECOND place in the City's
Habitat Challenge with 25 new NWF certified habitats within the
challenge period. Jester Estates took first place with 36 habitats and
Highland Park West came in 3rd place with 17 habitats."

Gullett Grounds Work Day, Sunday, November 16 2-5PM

2008-11-12T23:33:00Z

Just wanted to let everyone know we're having a grounds work day this Sunday,
November 16th 2-5pm at Gullett Elementary. We will be moving a shed at 2pm
(should be easy - on rollers), so please come right at 2 if you can help with
that effort. We will also be raking and moving gravel in the kindergarten/Life

Skills ramp as well as spreading newspaper, leaves and dirt among other things
to revamp our 2nd grade vegetable garden beds.

Please stop by anytime between 2 and 5pm this Sunday if interested, or contact
Laura DiCarlo at 323-6929

Austin Energy Tree Trimming Planned

2008-11-10T23:34:00Z

UPDATE - A map of the upcoming trimming has been provided by Austin Energy
Austin Energy tree trimming plan in Allandale fall 2008

===============================

Austin Energy has sent us a notice that they will be doing tree
trimming in Allandale.

At this point, we don't know the specifics, but we'll keep folks
posted as we get more information.

Until we know more about the locations here are a few reminders about
working with Austin Energy:

- If there is trimming along residential property, a notice with a
work plan will be placed on the door. (Just like other flyers.)

- The plan is specific to the address.

- If the plan is okay as-is, just sign the flyer and put it back on
your door.

- If not, mark the appropriate area on the form.. and a
representative will contact you to finalize a work plan.

- Contact Austin Energy ASAP with questions and concerns. Do not wait
until the work crew shows up! It is nearly too late at that point.

- If you cannot be present, you can designate a someone to represent
you at the time of the trimming. (Always helpful if there is an
issue later on.)

Contact me offlist if you have any questions.

Tree Planting, January 10 Mark Your Calendar

2008-11-06T21:02:00Z

[To volunteer contact Paul Smith at bluegeckoyoga@aol.com or call Linnea at 750-8902]

The City of Austin, Treefolks and neighbors are planting about 50 new trees along the medians of Northcross Drive next January 10th, 2009. These trees are provided by the City of Austin Urban forestry program along with the trees the city has committed to watering the trees for the first two years. However, we need help getting the trees planted!

Paul Smith, who lives in the Tiffany condos, developed this plan with the assistance of City of Austin Forester Emily King. Nine native and adapted tree species have been identified. We are in the process of assessing existing vegetation, utility lines, and changes related to the Northcross re-development to finalize this plan.

This is a great for groups and families. You can pick a tree for your family and then watch it grow.

The more volunteers we have, the easier it will be to plant these new trees.

If you are interested in helping, contact Paul Smith at bluegeckoyoga@aol.com.

All you need to bring is yourself a pair of gloves, sturdy shoes, sunscreen and a smile. The city will provide all other materials and supplies.

Paul will be in touch with all volunteers with more details and reminders as we get closer to the big day.

Last minute Submissions Welcome!

2008-10-31T02:58:00Z

You are probably getting sick of me <smile>......sorry.

Some folks are feeling that they cannot get certified yet because they
don't have a water source for animals.

Folks----this is very simple......you do not neet to install a pond or
stream or fancy fountain. If you have some saucers like you would put
under a flower pot, fill them with water, set them out in the yard on a
ledge or a rock or just someplace they can be found, keep water in them
and that will meet the criteria.

Trust me-----I don't have anything fancy but I have set up some shallow
containers in my front yard so I can see them from my living room, fill
them with water and I have a great time watching the birds come for a
drink.........and they are thirsty now!.

I also set some saucers in some sheltered places on the ground and the
toads are finding them........yippee!.

So--go take care of this and then go to
http://www.nwf.org/backyard/certify.cfm and send in your certification.

Our neighborhood Beautification Chair and I have spent some time this
morning getting all the paperwork in to the city to hopefully qualify
for one of the three prizes that will go out, but one of the criteria
relates to the number of homes certified.

You can do your part by doing this online.......it is fast, fast, fast.

Call me if you have questions........454-7219 . cheryl
silver

Not too late to join the habitat challenge

2008-10-21T03:00:00Z

In earlier emails I mentioned the Habitat Challenge that Austin
neighborhoods are being encouraged to participate in. To count your
yard in the Allandale total, the application *must* be submitted by
October 31st-----Yes! in just a few days!!

You may certify online or print out the form and mail it in but it must
be postmarked by October 31.

Go to the link below to do it.

Please feel free to give me a call if you have questions. My number is
454-7219 .

If you don't have a printer and don't want to do this online,
give me a call (454-7219) and leave your address on the callnotes if I
am not here and I will bring you a nice application form.

There is a charge of $15 to certify your yard--you can pay this fee
online, also.. There is an additional fee of $25 to get the cool sign
you can display in your yard but this
is *optional*.. I *just* submitted my application on line and I opted
to get the yard sign so, with the tax, the total was $41.56. The whole
process took under 2 minutes.

http://www.nwf.org/backyard/certify.cfm
<http://www.nwf.org/backyard/certify.cfm>

I would love it if you would drop me a note to let me know you sent your
info in.

Let's do it! cheryl silver on vine whose yard looks like a yard in
transition but it qualifies!

Sept. 14th 12-5pm Free Backyard Wildlife Habitat Expo at Austin Nature & Science Center!!

2008-09-09T17:45:00Z

National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat Exposition: Sunday, September 14th 12-5pm

Come Celebrate Austin Museum Day at the Austin Nature & Science Center and learn about how you can certify your yard as a wildlife habitat!

Event flyer here
********************

The Backyard Wildlife Habitat Exposition is First Class Boy Scout Daeland Angle's Hornaday Badge Project. The Hornaday Badge Award is an environmental service award for Boy Scouts. Only eight Hornaday Badges were awarded in Texas in 2007.

The Backyard Wildlife Exposition is an event to educate the public about the elements of wildlife habitat, importance of native plants, sustainable gardening practices, and habitat certification. As more and more natural habitats are destroyed by development, NWF's Certified Wildlife Habitat program and Wildlife Austin help raise awareness about the need to build habitat back into our landscapes to help wildlife survive in an urban setting.

Event: Backyard Wildlife Habitat Exposition

Location: Austin Nature & Science Center, 301 Nature Center Dr. 78746, phone- 327-8181

Date: Sunday, September 14th, 12 - 5 pm

Event sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 8787, City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department, Lower Colorado River Authority & Austin's National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward Volunteers.

Keep Austin Wild!