Montopolis Wetland Restoration

Circle Acres is home to a diverse number of animal and plant species as well as a few distinct and significant ecosystems supporting that wildlife. I hiking trail cuts across the length of the 9.8 acre property connecting Circle Acres to the City of Austin Roy G. Guerrero Park. From this vantage point, one can experience open grasslands dotted with mesquite trees, bottom land forest with red tailed hawks perched in its branches, and a 4-5 acre wetland lined with cottonwoods and home to wandering deer and all manner of water fowl during rain events. Thanks to the work of the Travis Audubon Society, we have begun cataloguing the many bird species that call Circle Acres home on the e-bird.org database which can be viewed here: E-Bird Database

These ecosystems, and especially the wetland, act us a natural buffer against potentially harmful litter and contamination in storm-water runoff between the neighborhood and the Lower Colorado River. Our task, and challenge, is to make sure that wetland stays healthy and clean to continue serving such an important ecological function. We do that by removing litter and fallen debris that could be potentially harmful to wildlife and by thinking up new ways to help capture and filter more stormwater before it flows off of our property and into the watershed. In our current partnership with The Center for Maximum Potential and Glenrose Engineering, we are developing a comprehensive management plan to have a consistent, positive and long lasting relationship with this important ecological resource.

If you are interested in getting involved with wetland restoration projects, send us an email at volunteer@ecology-action.org. Or just come out to one of our Third Saturday Back to the Land Wetland Restoration Work Days beginning in February of 2013. Back to the Land Work Days involve helping us remove litter after major storm events, maintain walking trails and make green infrastructure improvements to storm-water access points like culverts and tributary breaches. Back to the Land Work Days are also an exciting way to get involved with a brand new conservation project from the ground up. We will provide work gloves, water and any necessary tools but please wear sturdy closed toe shoes and dress for the weather. Circle Acres is located at: 420 Kemp StreetAustin, TX 78741