GenWaller Brings Young Professionals Together for Austin Conservancy

Austin boasts a vibrant outdoor culture. This is part of our charm. The Waller Creek Conservancy is bringing us more park space in which to recreate and Generation Waller, known as GenWaller, offers a myriad of ways to get involved.

GenWaller provides young professionals a way to become involved in the Waller Creek Conservancy initiative. The Waller Creek Conservancy is creating a large, multipurpose green space in the heart of Austin. GenWaller holds events focused on networking, education, physical involvement and inspiration. Some recent events have included park clean-up, happy hours, kayak tours, concerts, kickball tournaments and removal of invasive plant species. The organization is recruiting new members from among Austin professionals. This is a great group to join!

GenWaller in Action

The GenWaller leadership team, made up of young professionals with backgrounds in environmental law, landscape architecture, real estate, marketing and much more, gives Austin residents a way to engage immediately and directly with the conservation, revitalization, and fundraising activities for Waller Creek Conservancy.

Speaking with GenWaller Vice President, Ben Rhem, GenWaller Treasurer, J. Pieratt and Waller Creek Conservancy Communications Manager, Dana Efthim, I felt the sparks. They excitedly spoke of the conservancy and GenWaller events they’ve held and are currently planning. I couldn’t help but feel excited, too. I had to sign up!

GenWaller Membership

GenWaller is organized into three committees, each with specific goals, but none that are mutually exclusive. When new members join, they can select to receive information about the Volunteer, Community Engagement and/or Events Committees.

Through the Volunteer Committee, volunteers get their hands dirty with activities such as cleaning up and beautifying the green areas along Waller Creek, and in Waterloo and Palm Parks. The Community Engagement Committee works with a diverse range of community organizations and creates civic partnerships, with the goal of spreading the word about Waller Creek Conservancy. GenWaller members have recently been out sharing information and answering questions for community members in venues including farmers’ markets and neighborhood associations.

The Events Committee plans and hosts creative and social events, such as the recent Waller Creek Live! free music, comedy and educational show at Palm Park, happy hours, a kickball tournament and twilight kayak tours.

What’s in it for You?

The perks of membership are many. Members are invited to all Waller Creek Conservancy and GenWaller events throughout the year and are the first to know who is playing the Annual Benefit Concert at Stubb’s–always top-notch talent including Gary Clark, Jr. and Shakey Graves in past years. This year’s headliner is HAIM, and the Oct. 5 concert is a late-night ACL Fest performance at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater.

Members are also invited to volunteer opportunities, such as the upcoming Waller Creek Clean-up on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 24, happy hours for networking and educational purposes, and the Waller Creek Appreciation event. Nothing beats that warm, fuzzy feeling that you’re part of helping revitalize one of Austin’s natural resources and create a beautiful public space for Austin.

Waller Creek Conservancy Events

You do not have to wait to participate. The interactive “Hurlyburly” art exhibit by artist Orly Genger is open to the public now through February 2017. The exhibit, presented by the Waller Creek Conservancy, is the first collaboration with The Contemporary Austin and is composed of upcycled, painted and knotted lobster rope, reminiscent of waves on the ocean.

The second round of Palm Park Conversations takes place on Sept. 15 and 17, and the community is invited to learn how their feedback is playing out in the newest developments of the park, share additional ideas and ask questions. Also around the corner are family days, another presentation in the expert speaker series, movies in the park and the popular light show along Waller Creek, an event that draws more people and becomes more impressive each year.

GenWaller Now

The GenWaller and Waller Creek Conservancy teams are covering their bases by planning a whirlwind of interesting, inclusive activities. Their passion for Austin and the revitalization of our public land and green spaces is evident. They cite The High Line in Manhattan as an example of what the Waller Creek Conservancy can become: a public space that serves as an energetic arts, culture and recreation hub and draws scores of visitors each year, both locals and tourists.

I urge you to check out their events, go to Palm Park and follow GenWaller for the inside scoop!

 

@theAustinot wants to know:

Have you to any local events related to the revitalization of Waller Creek?