Parks board honors land-management team for wildfire and ecological work, approves letters of support

The Parks and Recreation Board voted unanimously on March 23 to send letters of support praising the department's Land Management team and its recent work to restore natural areas and reduce wildfire risk across the city.

Amanda Ross, division manager for natural resources, introduced the team and said the Land Management program's work covers more than 10,300 acres. Matt McCall, the program manager, described the program's mission to restore natural areas, mitigate wildfire risk, and provide ecosystem services "in perpetuity." McCall outlined accomplishments including council approval of the land management plan in 2023, more than 1,900 acres of restoration and fuel-mitigation treatment implemented since 2020 across 32 parks, and a goal to "take action" on all plan lands by 2040.

McCall described the program's relatively small core staff and reliance on contractors, park rangers and community partners. He highlighted the department's in-house prescribed-fire crew, established around 2021, that draws trained personnel from forestry, safety, watershed protection and land-management teams for controlled burns and fuel mitigation.

Board members thanked staff and moved to approve a written letter recognizing the team's contributions. A motion to approve the letters carried unanimously.

Board members asked questions about equipment transitions (EVs) and about how prescribed burning is planned and permitted; staff described multi-agency planning, permitting with Austin Fire, and robust training and qualificationsfor burn staff.

Next steps: Parks staff will coordinate follow-up briefings and maintain engagement with community partners supporting restoration work.