LCRA Lower Colorado River Authority

So they moved the city of austin transportation department down here from one texas center. Just an example of good and responsible management decisions. Btw, they also a city shuttle bus between the two locations.

During my current sabbatical from the high-​tech grind, I spent time doing a LOT of really cool and fun stuff.
I spent quality time with my kids, family, friends, and Unilocal friends. I traveled. I read a book (actually, a trilogy) for pleasure. I volunteered at my kids’ school. I got to hunt and fish. Got to try some great new restaurants and bars in Austin. It was very, very nice.
One thing I did that was unexpectedly cool was that I volunteered for a school tour at the LCRA facility on Lake Austin Blvd. If you are into water, conserving the environment, models and learning new ways of water conservation, then this is your kind of deal!
The folks at LCRA have their water curriculum down to a science. :D
They divided 2 classrooms of kiddos into 4 groups and there was a station where each group began. They learned about the water cycle, the dangers of unabated runoff, erosion control, forms of water pollution, water conservation, and waste water reclamation. No political hyperbole or chest thumping by the LCRA — but just a matter-​of-​fact-​telling of how water works, and how the decisions we make impact us, our wildlife and our environment. This program was ‘just the facts mam’ (as Joe Friday would have put it) and all of it taught with maps, simple associative activities and some built-​to-​scale/​interactive models that makes these abstract concepts hit home with the kiddos. The volunteers (and one employee of LCRA) demonstrated amazing passion as they passed on a wealth of knowledge to both children and adults in a short amount of time.
For me, the highlight was the replica of the Highland Lakes chain (formed by the Colorado River) built in LCRA’s own backyard — complete with springs, rivers, lakes and reservoirs complete with dams and gates. It is a phenomenal scaled-​down model that would normally be running if it weren’t for the recent drought. If this is your interest and you ever have a chance to check this out, you will not regret the time spent!
For me personally, I cannot wait for this opportunity to come up again with my 2^nd grader because I will definitely NOT miss this program again — but I probably won’t retire just so I can attend. Don’t miss it!