A coalition of groups tasked with protecting the Texas Hill Country has launched a survey to “inform the creation of a land, water, and natural infrastructure plan for the Hill Country.” As the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network explains, the confidential survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, “is designed to help us understand community priorities related to parks, open spaces, agricultural lands, water resources, and the environment.” After finishing the survey, you’ll be offered a chance to sign up to receive updates on the project and possibly win a $50 gift card.  Take the survey.

It’s a new month, and that means it’s almost time for a new Wild Neighbors webinar. In a talk titled “Parking Lot Birding,” Jennifer Bristol, former director of the Texas Children in Nature program of TPWD, will describe the birds one is most likely to see in urban areas, focusing on the purple martin, which is a truly fascinating and charismatic swallow. Formerly a park ranger, Bristol has also served on the advisory boards of the Texas Wildlife Association and Travis Audubon, and in 2018 and 2019, snagged the Most Valuable Birder award in the Great Texas Birding Classic. So if she tells you to look for birds in parking lots, do it. Friday, June 24, noon-1 p.m. Register here.

Next week a group of local conservancies will be holding a town hall that promises a deep dive into the city’s homelessness strategy. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at the Zilker Botanical Garden and promises an overview and update on the city’s plans concerning homelessness. Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly McNeeley and Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey will speak at the event, which is presented by the Trail Foundation, Barton Springs Conservancy, Pease Park Conservancy, Waterloo Greenway, and Shoal Creek Conservancy. Though the event is free, guests may RSVP online. Wednesday, June 8, 5:30-7 p.m.

If you’re concerned about the climate crisis, the city of Austin is offering an opportunity to be part of the solution: The city is seeking community members to serve as community climate ambassadors, a “paid opportunity for individuals who can meaningfully engage with communities that have been systematically left out of, misrepresented in, or ignored during climate change conversations.” During the six-month program, which runs from August 2022 to January 2023, you will “learn about environmental justice and racial equity and support the implementation of the Climate Equity Plan through community-based projects. These Community Action Projects will be shaped by the interests of ambassadors and focus on topics such as sustainable buildings, energy use, housing, anti-displacement, transportation, climate resilience, access to nature, and more.” Zach Baumer, who manages the climate program with the Office of Sustainability, said in a press release, “People and organizations across Austin are energized and engaged on the issue of climate change. Through this program, we want to amplify those voices and offer support and guidance for community-identified solutions.” Submit your application by June 22. If you are selected, you will be notified by the end of July. Learn more at austintexas.gov/climateambassadors.

This whisper has been corrected.

The Texas Supreme Court has requested the city of Austin to respond to a petition filed with the court that would require the city to hold elections in all City Council districts this November. Under the city charter, districts 1, 3, 5, 8 and 9 and the mayor’s office are scheduled for an election this year. However, petitioners living in districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10 who were previously in other districts filed suit because, from their point of view, they are being denied the right to vote under the Texas Constitution. Judge Lora Livingston ruled in the city’s favor last month, rejecting arguments from the plaintiffs and their attorney, Bill Aleshire. Aleshire took the matter to the 3rd Court of Appeals, which also rejected the suit. It is now up to the Supreme Court, which requested that the city file its response by 4:30 p.m. on June 10.

On June 4, the Austin Animal Center will host a free drive-thru microchip and rabies vaccine clinic for Austin-area dogs and cats. The event will take place Saturday, June 4, 8-11 a.m. at the Austin Animal Center (7201 Levander Loop). While no appointment is needed, the city does ask that dogs are leashed and cats crated.

Each year, on the first Saturday of June, anyone can fish on any public waterway without a license. This year, Free Fishing Day falls on June 4. “Free Fishing Day is a wonderful opportunity for anglers to share their knowledge, skills, equipment, and love for fishing with a new participant, yet it’s also more than that,” said Craig Bonds, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department inland fisheries director, in a statement to the press. “We hope those trying fishing on this special day will also learn that purchasing a license is an act of conservation. A fishing license purchase is one of the simplest and most effective ways people can support fisheries science and management.” More information about the state holiday can be found at TakeMeFishing.org. TPWD also has a number of resources aimed at fishing, including a primer on the basics of fishing, a lake finder and a river finder.

The Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC) will open its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program waitlist July 1 through July 8. The Housing and Urban Development program is designed to aid very low-income families in finding housing in the private market, by subsidizing rent through local housing authorities. “We are elated to finally open our HCV waitlist after nearly 8 years, due to the previous waitlist not being exhausted. There is a substantial need for affordable housing in Travis County, and we are steadfast in our efforts to alleviate the cost burden place on families,” said HATC Executive Director Patrick B. Howard in a statement to the press. Those who want to join the waitlist must submit an electronic application through the HATC website. Of those applicants, 500 will be lottery selected to join the waitlist. More information can be found here and an application can be found here during the first week of July.

In response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Council Member Mackenzie Kelly has proposed a resolution seeking to support Uvalde officials and exploring “future ways to improve morale among city of Austin public safety employees.” The resolution asks the city manager to expand the Stop the Bleed program to primary and secondary area schools. “In times such as these I firmly believe that it is important to publicly voice our support for those that are placed in harm’s way by selflessly protecting our communities,” Kelly wrote on the City Council Message Board. “I would like to invite each of you as a co-sponsor on this resolution to show our unified support for our public safety professionals in times of great tragedy and loss.” As of 7 p.m. on Thursday, no City Council member had yet responded to the post.

In observance of Memorial Day, most city administrative offices and municipal facilities will be closed on Monday, May 30. Among the closures are City Council offices; recreation, senior and cultural centers; the Austin Animal Center; Austin Public Library branches and utility walk-in payment centers. Austin Public Health vaccine and testing sites will be closed from Saturday through Monday. Not all city facilities are affected by the holiday: There will be no changes in trash and recycling collection schedules, swimming pools, golf courses, tennis centers, or Zilker Botanical Garden. The staff of the Austin Monitor will also be taking Monday off, with our regular coverage resuming Tuesday, May 31.

As you may recall, Lamar Beach at Town Lake Metro Park was recently renamed to honor Austin civil rights icon Volma Overton Sr. The Parks and Recreation Department invites the public to celebrate Overton’s legacy at a renaming ceremony for Volma Overton Sr. Beach. Overton, who served as president of the Austin chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, had a long history of civil rights advocacy and “critical and transformational” contributions to the city of Austin. According to PARD’s news release, “One of his many other accomplishments included desegregating the Austin Independent School District through a lawsuit he filed in 1970, which named his daughter, DeDra, as the lead plaintiff. Additionally, he fought alongside Boy Scout Troop #70 to integrate the swimming pool at Bastrop State Park in 1963.” The renaming ceremony will be held outdoors on Saturday, June 11, 9 a.m., Town Lake Metropolitan Park, 1003 W. Cesar Chavez St.

Dougherty Arts Center is celebrating Austin with Art-O-Rama 2022, a free public artstravaganza designed for the entire community. Besides take-home demos, crafty activities and a chance to learn about the art center’s programs, this family-friendly event features “carnival-themed booths, food, art gallery exhibits and live music.” Saturday, June 4, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Road.