The Austin Native Plant Rescue Program is a volunteer-based program that rescues native plant material threatened by development projects in order to use them for city restoration projects. It provides low-cost, locally adapted plants while educating the public on native plant ecology and sustainability. Volunteers from diverse backgrounds help preserve ecosystem functions by rescuing plants and preventing the spread of invasive species. The program coordinates rescues when appropriate conditions are met and has storage facilities to phase replanting efforts. Its goal is to enhance green infrastructure and wildlife habitat while recognizing developers and volunteers for their contributions.

1. Austin Native Plant
Rescue Program
Louis Rene’ Barrera
Environmental Conservation Information Specialist
Austin Nature Preserves System
Natural Resources Division
Parks and Recreation Division
301 Nature Center Drive
City of Austin, Texas 78745
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/cepreserves/default.htm

3. What is the Austin Native Plant
Rescue Program?
 A volunteer based program designed to rescue
native plant material from public works and
commercial development projects.
 A low cost source for local or native ecotype
plants for city-based bioengineering, and
ecological restoration projects.
 A coordinated process to educate the public
about native plant ecology and sustainable land
practices to help enhance Austin’s biological
diversity.
 A way to enhance "Grow Green" and National
Wildlife Federation “Community Habitat
Initiative” practices.

4. Why do we save plants?
 Development foot prints are inevitable.
 Plants are direly needed for green
infrastructure areas.
 Threat of invasive non native species.
 It helps preserve the functional values that
plants contribute to ecosystems
 Carbon sequestration benefits “ healthy
biological diversity”

5. Who
 Volunteers from every walk of life…
 Americorps help rescue an entire wetland
from SH 130.
 Neighbors and community groups… help
relocate thousands of plants from South
Congress “So Co Lofts”
 They are as diverse as the plants
themselves.

6. Bull dozers happen…
Be prepared to be told no!
Be prepared to say no.
You can’t rescue the universe…
You can help others learn about the
benefits of plant rescues.

7. Keys to a successful program:
 Appropriate conditions are met to qualify as a
native rescue site:
 Proper identification of native plant communities
has been conducted by qualified personnel.
 Established pool of volunteer groups- including
staff to train, and run project from start to finish.
 Storage facilities and resources that allow phased
re- planting events. [Austin Biodiversity
Greenhouse and Hornsby bend greenhouse]
 Agreements between parties…” Hold harmless
liability release forms have been signed by all
parties involved with the rescue.

8. Invasion

9. LBJ Advanced Science Class
William Cannon Drive

11. One good turn…
 Recognize and thank developer‘(s) and
volunteers for their participation and goodwill
toward the community.
 Publicize program’s overall benefits.
 Promote opportunities for future native plant
rescues…

12. "A land ethic ... reflects the existence of an
ecological conscience, and this is turn reflects a
conviction of individul responsibility for the
health of the land. Health is the capacity of the
land for self-renewal. Conservation is our effort
to understand and preserve this capacity.“
- Aldo Leopold

13. “Keep Austin Wild”