Name the service event – Adopt-a-Creek workdays, Lake Travis Underwater Cleanup, or Clean Lady Bird Lake and Richard Maness is not only participating but leading the workday. The kind of volunteer you keep on speed dial due to his willingness to always step in and lead. At a given project, you can find Richard inspiring others as he shares his love and knowledge of the outdoors. Richard has lived in Austin for most of his life. He remembers his love of nature starting at a young age playing in Little Walnut Creek by Dottie Jordan Rec Center.
Richard dropping some knowledge on a new group of Lady Bird Lake volunteers.
Richard has been a part of the Adopt-a-Creek program for several years now. He has worked diligently to keep his section of Williamson Creek litter-free. This year, he engaged 160 volunteers for a total of 320 volunteer hours, which contributed to the removal of 3,620 pounds of trash from Williamson Creek! Richard has taken his creek adoption to the next level by working on creek restoration projects in his adopted creek Grow Zone. He has spent many hours removing invasive plant species from the creek banks and establishing native species to increase the diversity of the creek ecosystem. Richard collaborated with the Watershed Protection Department to create a restoration plan for the Grow Zone, and has a volunteer workday each month to achieve the goals put forth in the plan.
Volunteers tending to the Grow Zone under Richard’s guidance.
Richard has also been an amazing steward to Williamson Creek beyond his adopted section. He works tirelessly within his community to recruit other adopters for different parts of Williamson. He has already recruited two new adopters this year, both of whom came to volunteer at one of Richard’s monthly workdays and left inspired to adopt their own section of Williamson Creek. Richard Maness is truly a pillar of environmental stewardship. His passion and drive to protect and restore Williamson Creek is remarkable, and he inspires his community to get more involved with each workday. We are proud to honor Richard Maness with the Keep Austin Beautiful 30th Annual Dennis Hobbs Individual Achievement Award.
Richard making short work of an invasive Nandina tree.
