2015 YEAR IN REVIEW
 
Hello River Watch Family!
 


As 2015 comes to a close, we are grateful to be able to share some of our successes, which are a result of the combined efforts of so many individuals. It has been an incredible year and we look forward to a rewarding 2016!

On behalf of our River Watchers, Staff, and Board of Directors, I would like to extend our gratitude for all you do to help support Austin Youth River Watch. We wish you and yours a happy holiday season, and we are looking forward to catching up with you in person in the New Year!

Respectfully,

Elisabeth Welsh, Program Director
Environmental Stewardship
As Environmental Stewards, River Watchers work to create a healthy and more effective natural environment. Thanks to YOU, during 2015, our programs transformed the lives of 129 high school River Watchers, who monitored and recorded water quality data from 25 sites along Austin creeks and the Colorado River and they completed the first full year of our new Service Learning Program.
 
Holistic Youth Development
Our programs take a holistic approach to education and experiences. Because of YOUR support, River Watchers explored desert oases in West Texas during the annual Eco-Adventure Spring Break Trip, participated in Benthic Macroinvertebrates / Fish Sampling Workshops, volunteered with Operation Blue Santa, completed Financial Aid Workshops, and stayed overnight in the Texas State University dorms while visiting the campus.
 
Academic Success             
In the 2014-2015 school year, just like the 22 years before, River Watch seniors maintained the nearly 100% graduation rate that demonstrates the long-term effectiveness of our program model. Twenty-six River Watchers graduated from high school and their GPAs and attendance rates far exceeded those of A.I.S.D. high school students on average.
This is YOUR work!
 
Updates              

EcoHouse
As many of you know, the City of Austin is renovating our EcoHouse. We have recently had the pleasure of working from Allan Elementary, but we hope to move back to the EcoHouse in the spring of 2016.

Seeking New Board Members
River Watch is growing, and we need to expand our Board of Directors! If you share our passion and can commit a few hours each month for two years to further our mission and growth, send your resume to:
[email protected]
Deadline: January 31, 2016.
December 28, 2015 
 
  How You Can Help    


Legacy Gift
Have you considered leaving a Legacy Gift?
This is a wonderful way to help ensure the future sustainability of River Watch and make a meaningful impact on our work in your name. 
Contact Us
Would you like to volunteer?   Do you have questions or suggestions for us? Would you like us to visit your business and share our work with your colleagues?
Donate
It is our mission to transform the lives of young people in Austin and support the collection of critical water quality data. We rely on the generosity of community-minded individuals,
just like you!
Please consider making a
Every donation makes a difference.

Follow Our Adventures
 


Our Mission: Austin Youth River Watch advances personal and academic achievement through environmental monitoring, education, and adventure.   
 
 Austin Youth River Watch is proud to receive financial and in-kind support for its programs from:
 
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
The Applied Materials Foundation
Balcones Resources
The City of Austin's Austin Water Utility
The City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department
The City of Austin's Watershed Protection Department
The City of Austin's Wildland Conservation Division
Cook's Canoes
EarthShare of Texas
Ecology Action
The ERM Foundation
Impact Austin
Keep Austin Beautiful
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
Pease Park Conservancy
The Philip T. Bee Charitable Trust
R.E.I. 
The Save Barton Creek Association 
The Shield-Ayres Foundation
SMS Photography
Texas Parks & Wildlife
The Texas Rivers Protection Association
The Trail Foundation
Travis County Parks
The Wilbarger Creek Conservation Alliance
Matt & Peggy Winkler 
The Wright Family Foundation

We will make you proud!

Austin Youth River Watch is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. We do not sell, rent, loan, or give out contact information to outside parties.