UPDATE: Environmental Meeting on Zilker Plan

Environmental Commission Update from the Rewilding TeamSo many of you showed up to speak and your speeches were SO GOOD!  They brought many of us to tears.  We cannot overstate our gratitude to be in this fight with you.  We simply couldn't do it without you.  Thank you, thank you.
We were also unexpectedly  joined by four powerful women advocates including  three legendary former City of Austin Commissioners and a recently named Rising Star (we can see why!)

• Ana Aguirre, President of Austin Neighborhoods Council, former Environmental Board Commissioner, former Zoning And Platting Commissioner
• Audrey Barrett Bixler, former Environmental Board Commissioner,
• Sarah Faust, former Parks Board Commissioner
• Daniela Silva, former candidate for City Council D3, currently community engagement specialist with Equity Austin

They each spoke in favor of the Rewild  Zilker community recommendations and added a much appreciated boost to our Rewilding team’s ongoing efforts.  
The Environmental Commission listened closely to our concerns (staying past 12am!) and gave us a couple of big wins: 

• They joined the Parks Boards in recommending no umbrella non-profit, trying to reign in further privatization and commercialization of the park.  
• They asked for specific and accurate impervious cover calculations and noted the lop-sided and inequitable investment in construction versus the environment.  
• Staff is still working on the final recommendations and video of the meeting. We will share once we have them.  

So, what's next?
The Zilker Vision Plan still has to go to the Design Commission (still not scheduled) and then back to the Parks Board for final approval April 24.  The Consultants say then it's off to the City Council in late Spring, early Summer. 
With Gratitude,
Your Wild Rewilding Team
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Please mark your calendars for April 24th Parks Board Meeting.  We will need a strong showing!  We will have another community zoom meeting leading up to it.  We will send details next week. 
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The Environmental Commission staff is still working on the final recommendations and the complete video of the meeting.  We will let you know when they are available but they will be posted in the next few days HERE.  The meeting video is complete until 11:50 pm when the recording stopped but you can still watch the amazing speakers and most of the comments from the Commissioners.   Very informational so please try to watch. 

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