Photo by Todd Sellers.

Texas Parks and Wildlife is hosting a webinar about the harmful algae blooms in Lady Bird Lake in 2019 and 2020. After a number of dogs got sick and died after “being exposed to toxic cyanobacteria mats” in the lake, the city’s Watershed Protection Department and TPWD began to monitor the lake for the presence of toxins in the algae. Senior environmental scientist Brent Bellinger will discuss the findings of the studies and “the conditions that have given rise to the blooms in the reservoir.” Tuesday, March 9, 6:30 p.m. Register here.

In dispiriting news, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is urging places that sell aquarium products to remove items known as “moss balls” from their stock after highly invasive zebra mussels were found to be traveling the country on them. According to a press release from TPWD: “These ‘moss balls’ are a species of algae that form green balls up to a few inches in diameter and are sold as an aquarium plant under names such as ‘Betta Buddy Marimo Balls,’ ‘Mini Marimo Moss Balls’ and ‘Marimo Moss Ball Plant.’ They may be sold separately or provided with the sale of betta fish. These moss balls are believed to have been imported from the Ukraine and distributed across the continental U.S.” The agency confirms that Petco stores have been working to remove the product from their shelves, and urges all other stores and aquarium owners in possession of the product to dispose of them. At home, this can be done by “completely drying, freezing, or placing the moss balls into a plastic zipper bag and then disposing of it in a garbage bag. Aquarium water should be replaced, and filters/cartridges replaced or disinfected. Aquarium water can be disinfected prior to disposal by adding one cup of bleach per gallon and allowing it to sit for 10 minutes before disposing the water down the drain. This method can also be used to disinfect gravel, filter, and other structures, and is highly recommended if zebra mussels are found attached to the moss or in the aquarium.” Zebra mussels have been wreaking havoc on Texas waterways as the invasive mollusk continues to work its way through the state. “It is important that we take all possible precautions to prevent them from being introduced elsewhere,” said Brian Van Zee, TPWD inland fisheries regional director. More about the mussels and other invasive species in Texas can be found at the TPWD Stop Invasives website.

While the governor continues to ignore the science that finds face masks help to slow the spread of Covid-19, HEB says it will “continue to expect shoppers to wear masks while in our stores. Additionally, we will still require all our partners and vendors to wear masks while at work.” In a press release dated March 5, the San Antonio-based supermarket chain declares it “has always been a strong proponent and advocate of mask use even before mandates and orders were passed.” HEB has had “several safety protocols in place since the early days of the pandemic, and until all Texans including our partners have access to the Covid-19 vaccine, we will continue these efforts.” In a subtle slap at the governor, the chain says that the lifting of the state mask order puts “real pressure on retailers to enforce an emotional topic for many. We ask for kindness and understanding from our customers in our expectation of them to wear masks in our stores.” The press release ends with a plea for common sense and unity: “As Texans helping Texans, let’s continue to protect each other while in our stores. Let’s keep wearing masks, to protect yourself, our fellow Texans, and our dedicated partners who are committed to helping our communities throughout this pandemic and every other crisis this state may face.”

Just about a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, state Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) has filed a series of bills that address how municipalities are handling open government issues under a constant state of emergency in which public meetings are held over videoconferencing software. The seven bills, which address a variety of issues, were filed individually and also bundled into Senate Bill 923 as an omnibus bill. If passed, meetings broadcast live and held by videoconference would have to provide video and audio feeds of the meeting online and allow the public to participate via videoconference, and open meetings will be available to the public within 24 hours of their conclusion. The legislation would also define a “business day” in order to prevent municipalities from claiming “skeleton crew days” that are not considered business days. The bills further define the rules around public information requests for electronic records. “Transparency is essential to preserving democratic governance,” Zaffirini said in a press release about the bills. “The more complicated our government becomes, the greater the potential damage of poor stewardship or outright abuse – and the greater the need for transparency. … This is especially true during emergencies, whether they’re winter storms, pandemics, or even recessions. The public’s right to the truth never changes, but its need for it is never greater than during times of crisis.”

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri, food insecurity has escalated dramatically in Central Texas, and demand for the Central Texas Food Bank’s services have skyrocketed. In the hopes of reaching as many hungry people as possible, the food bank is planning several mass food distribution events this month. The food bank will distribute “an assortment of food items which will vary, depending on available supplies. While these food distributions are primarily designed as drive-through events, no one in need of food will be turned away.” Find the locations and hours for Austin-area food distribution events at centraltexasfoodbank.org. The website also shows locations where those in need can “Find Food Now.” If you are in a position to help others, Central Texas Food Bank is in need of monetary donations to buy food for hungry families. Want to pitch in with your own two hands? Volunteers are needed to help with distribution events and with food sorting in the warehouse. Learn more about volunteering for the Central Texas Food Bank here.

TreeFolks has come up with an ingenious way to “show the direct impact of planting trees beyond their carbon capture abilities,” and the local landscape design firm dwg. has become the first private company in Texas to take advantage of it. A TreeFolks news release explains how it works: Companies may purchase credits through the tree-planting nonprofit’s Carbon+ Credit program that offset their carbon emissions. The money is then invested back into the community through TreeFolks’ reforestation work in Travis County and neighboring counties, allowing local communities to reap the benefits. “This localized climate action paired with other sustainability practices could be replicated in other cities and counties as a realistic pathway forward for the carbon economy and business sustainability practices,” says the release. Said dwg. founder Daniel Woodroffe, “We envision a world where creativity leads to great social and environmental change, and could not imagine a better partner than TreeFolks to help us reach our vision.” Learn more about Carbon+ Credit at Treefolks.

Summer is just around the corner and in Austin that means, among other things, immersing oneself in water as much as possible. Or as it’s also called, swimming. However, in order for people to enjoy Austin’s many pools, there need to be enough lifeguards to staff them. PARD’s Aquatics Division has more than 600 vacancies for lifeguards so the need is critical. The dilemma is that the division will not conduct any in-person training or hiring while Austin remains in Stage 4 of the Covid-19 risk-based guidelines. But applications are being accepted, so interested parties can get a start on the process by applying online. Find everything you need to know to apply at LifeguardAustin.com. By the by, be prepared for lifeguard training to look a little different in the era of Covid: training courses will be limited to 5 participants per instructor; most of the instruction will be outdoors; and face masks must be worn at all times (except when practicing water rescues).

Yesterday Gov. Greg Abbott ended the state’s mask mandate and touted the importance of reopening businesses to 100 percent capacity. The same day, Mayor Steve Adler and County Judge Andy Brown sent a letter to the governor, urging him not to discard the face mask mandate. “Supported by our public health professionals, we believe it would be premature and harmful to do anything to lose widespread adoption of this preventative measure,” they wrote. The governor’s order comes as Austin moves out of stage 5 Covid restrictions to stage 4, largely due to the widespread adoption of mask-wearing and other precautions that have succeeded in slowing the spread of the virus, according to county health officials.

Editor’s Note: Andy Brown is on the board of the Capital of Texas Media Foundation, the parent nonprofit of the Austin Monitor.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order yesterday rolling back the state mandate to wear face masks in public areas, spurning the advice of public health professionals who warn that eliminating masks could lead to a spike in Covid hospitalizations. In response to the governor’s order, Capital Metro announced that it “will continue to maintain the federal requirement to wear a face mask on our vehicles and at our facilities, in compliance with the federal order requiring the wearing of masks … to protect the health and safety of our customers, staff and community.”

Today Austinites will get the opportunity to ask some burning questions about the city’s curbside composting program. Austin Resource Recovery team members Memi Cardenas and Amy Moosman are hosting an #AskMeAnything from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Reddit, where they will take questions about, well, anything related to curbside composting. So keep it clean, people. If you’re unable to attend the AMA, you can learn more about the curbside composting service here.

After losing their case in the 3rd Court of Appeals last Wednesday, Linda Durnin, Eric Krohn and Michael Lovins asked the Texas Supreme Court to force Austin City Council to use the trio’s preferred ballot language for the Save Austin Now proposal to prohibit public camping. On Monday, the Supreme Court asked City Attorney Anne Morgan and the city’s outside counsel, Renea Hicks, to respond to the writ of mandamus no later than 10 a.m. today. That makes for a very tight timeline. Council is meeting today and could change the ballot language, which Durnin, Krohn and Lovins argue must match the caption on the petition signed by voters. However, if the court does not rule today, Council is not likely to act. Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir has said Wednesday is the last day to change the ballot language for items on the May 1 ballot.

Central Texas residents impacted by winter storm Uri will be able to receive emergency assistance later this week at an intake center operated by Austin Disaster Relief Network. The intake center will be staffed by skilled volunteers who will help residents with food, gas, housing and repairing storm damage to their homes. Volunteers are also trained to help “connect residents with available resources including FEMA support and funds donated to the ADRN Winter Storm 2021 Fund.” ADRN Executive Director Daniel Geraci said in an announcement, “Many Central Texas residents still have damage to their homes from fallen trees and debris as well as pipes that burst during the deep freeze. Our network of churches stands ready to walk with these families impacted by the storm with the physical, emotional and spiritual support they need until they’ve fully recovered. It’s hard to overstate the impact this winter storm continues to have on families needing help with plumbing so they can have safe water, or they may even be unable to live in their homes at all because of flood damage. We’re here to help.” Pre-register for assistance at ADRN.org. The intake center will operate on Friday, March 5, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (last appointment begins at 4 p.m.) and Saturday, March 6, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (last appointment begins at 3 p.m.) at Promiseland Church, 1504 E. 51st St.