With record heat in May, brutal temperatures on the horizon and predictions of a dry, hot summer thanks to La Niña, it should come as no surprise that Austin has enacted watering restrictions. Austin Water implemented Stage 1 watering restrictions yesterday. Stage 1 reduces the hours that automatic irrigation systems can operate.

“Our community has embraced water conservation year-round and I’m confident they will step up to this additional restriction,” interim Austin Water Director Robert Goode said in a press release. The only change between Conservation Stage and Stage 1 is the reduction of automatic irrigation watering hours. “Watering only in the early morning or late evening hours, when temperatures are coolest, will help reduce unnecessary water loss through evaporation and that continues to support Austin’s water conservation efforts.” The restrictions were triggered by dropping lake levels; lakes Travis and Buchanan currently have a combined storage level of 1.409 million acre-feet of water, and that is expected to drop to 1.4 million acre-feet in the next few days.

Parents desperate to get their hands on baby formula can look forward to some support from the city, which is partnering with a coalition of groups “to provide information about the baby formula shortage, where families can get resources, information on available programs and how individuals can donate and support these efforts.” Nakeenya Wilson, interim executive director of Giving Austin Labor Support, one of the organizations in the coalition, said in a press release, “Families are being faced with the very stark reality that they don’t know where their baby’s next feeding will come from. Shelves are barren and driving across town to several stores is a choice that many vulnerable families do not have due to limited financial resources and transportation access. It’s a scary position for any parent to be in, and desperation is prompting some to resort to watering down formula and using substitutes that lack the proper nutrition babies need to stay healthy.” Find more details about the effort at Community Resilience Trust.

You’d have to be living under a rock not to have heard that Covid-19 cases are once again on the rise. Not only that, but cases are “increasing locally as two new omicron subvariants have been detected in Travis County,” according to Austin Public Health. As Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority, warns, “These rising numbers and new subvariants are very concerning, especially at a time when many will be traveling and gathering with loved ones. We need everyone to get vaccinated and boosted, especially children who are now eligible for boosters. Masks also provide an extra layer of protection for yourself and others.” If you’re not up to date with your vaccines or booster shots, there’s no time like the present. If you’ve been at a gathering with other people or just returned from traveling, get yourself tested; a third round of free Covid tests is available from Covid.gov. Testing and vaccinations are available at APH clinics, no appointment necessary. And APH’s mobile vaccination clinic will come to your business, church or other facility at request. There’s no time like the present.

Mayoral candidate and state Rep. Celia Israel released her plan to make housing more affordable at a press conference Thursday, saying, “This election is about who can afford to live in Austin, and who gets to decide.” Israel, who throughout her speech referred to rising housing costs as a “crisis,” has six overarching goals: expedite permitting and review for two- to 12-unit buildings; build more affordable housing on city-owned land; increase density and reduce parking requirements along transit lines and major streets; make accessory dwelling units easier to build and encourage preservation of existing homes so seniors can age in place; provide relief for renters with rental assistance, tenant protections and more housing supply; and overhaul the permitting process. “The spirit of Austin is defined in many different ways, by many different people, but the spirit of Austin is fading,” Israel said. “And it will fade completely if we don’t move forward with urgency on more kinds of housing for more kinds of people.” Other declared candidates in the mayor’s race include former Mayor Kirk Watson and Jennifer Virden.

A coalition of groups tasked with protecting the Texas Hill Country has launched a survey to “inform the creation of a land, water, and natural infrastructure plan for the Hill Country.” As the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network explains, the confidential survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, “is designed to help us understand community priorities related to parks, open spaces, agricultural lands, water resources, and the environment.” After finishing the survey, you’ll be offered a chance to sign up to receive updates on the project and possibly win a $50 gift card.  Take the survey.

It’s a new month, and that means it’s almost time for a new Wild Neighbors webinar. In a talk titled “Parking Lot Birding,” Jennifer Bristol, former director of the Texas Children in Nature program of TPWD, will describe the birds one is most likely to see in urban areas, focusing on the purple martin, which is a truly fascinating and charismatic swallow. Formerly a park ranger, Bristol has also served on the advisory boards of the Texas Wildlife Association and Travis Audubon, and in 2018 and 2019, snagged the Most Valuable Birder award in the Great Texas Birding Classic. So if she tells you to look for birds in parking lots, do it. Friday, June 24, noon-1 p.m. Register here.

Next week a group of local conservancies will be holding a town hall that promises a deep dive into the city’s homelessness strategy. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at the Zilker Botanical Garden and promises an overview and update on the city’s plans concerning homelessness. Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly McNeeley and Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey will speak at the event, which is presented by the Trail Foundation, Barton Springs Conservancy, Pease Park Conservancy, Waterloo Greenway, and Shoal Creek Conservancy. Though the event is free, guests may RSVP online. Wednesday, June 8, 5:30-7 p.m.

If you’re concerned about the climate crisis, the city of Austin is offering an opportunity to be part of the solution: The city is seeking community members to serve as community climate ambassadors, a “paid opportunity for individuals who can meaningfully engage with communities that have been systematically left out of, misrepresented in, or ignored during climate change conversations.” During the six-month program, which runs from August 2022 to January 2023, you will “learn about environmental justice and racial equity and support the implementation of the Climate Equity Plan through community-based projects. These Community Action Projects will be shaped by the interests of ambassadors and focus on topics such as sustainable buildings, energy use, housing, anti-displacement, transportation, climate resilience, access to nature, and more.” Zach Baumer, who manages the climate program with the Office of Sustainability, said in a press release, “People and organizations across Austin are energized and engaged on the issue of climate change. Through this program, we want to amplify those voices and offer support and guidance for community-identified solutions.” Submit your application by June 22. If you are selected, you will be notified by the end of July. Learn more at austintexas.gov/climateambassadors.

This whisper has been corrected.

The Texas Supreme Court has requested the city of Austin to respond to a petition filed with the court that would require the city to hold elections in all City Council districts this November. Under the city charter, districts 1, 3, 5, 8 and 9 and the mayor’s office are scheduled for an election this year. However, petitioners living in districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10 who were previously in other districts filed suit because, from their point of view, they are being denied the right to vote under the Texas Constitution. Judge Lora Livingston ruled in the city’s favor last month, rejecting arguments from the plaintiffs and their attorney, Bill Aleshire. Aleshire took the matter to the 3rd Court of Appeals, which also rejected the suit. It is now up to the Supreme Court, which requested that the city file its response by 4:30 p.m. on June 10.

On June 4, the Austin Animal Center will host a free drive-thru microchip and rabies vaccine clinic for Austin-area dogs and cats. The event will take place Saturday, June 4, 8-11 a.m. at the Austin Animal Center (7201 Levander Loop). While no appointment is needed, the city does ask that dogs are leashed and cats crated.

Each year, on the first Saturday of June, anyone can fish on any public waterway without a license. This year, Free Fishing Day falls on June 4. “Free Fishing Day is a wonderful opportunity for anglers to share their knowledge, skills, equipment, and love for fishing with a new participant, yet it’s also more than that,” said Craig Bonds, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department inland fisheries director, in a statement to the press. “We hope those trying fishing on this special day will also learn that purchasing a license is an act of conservation. A fishing license purchase is one of the simplest and most effective ways people can support fisheries science and management.” More information about the state holiday can be found at TakeMeFishing.org. TPWD also has a number of resources aimed at fishing, including a primer on the basics of fishing, a lake finder and a river finder.

The Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC) will open its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program waitlist July 1 through July 8. The Housing and Urban Development program is designed to aid very low-income families in finding housing in the private market, by subsidizing rent through local housing authorities. “We are elated to finally open our HCV waitlist after nearly 8 years, due to the previous waitlist not being exhausted. There is a substantial need for affordable housing in Travis County, and we are steadfast in our efforts to alleviate the cost burden place on families,” said HATC Executive Director Patrick B. Howard in a statement to the press. Those who want to join the waitlist must submit an electronic application through the HATC website. Of those applicants, 500 will be lottery selected to join the waitlist. More information can be found here and an application can be found here during the first week of July.