Wells Branch Wild –
A Community Wildlife Habitat

by Jill Douglass

Wells Branch Wild is dedicated to connecting the human community to the natural world.  We invite all residents to participate in this journey by creating personal wildlife habitats.  One of the best changes we can make to support wildlife in our yards is to install native plants.  This is because native insects cannot, or will not, eat alien plants. When native plants disappear, the insects disappear, greatly reducing the food source for birds, lizards, toads, and even larger animals like foxes.  Foxes love to eat grasshoppers!  Traditional gardening methods often encourage us to eliminate insects that eat our plants, so supporting wildlife gardening really turns things upside down because we actually are inviting all those insects to eat!

The easiest way to welcome native plants into your yard is to identify “weeds” before you pull them.  They may be native plants that have naturally sprouted in their home environment.  Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) is a common native groundcover that often volunteers in our lawns.  Similarly, Prairie Tea (Croton monanthogynus), Pepper Grass (Lepidium virginicum), and Chili Pequin (Capsicum annuum) show up as volunteers in our flower beds.   The seeds of these plants were deposited by the birds who ate them. Helpful phone apps such as iNaturalist can help you identify plants to determine if they are native or not.

As we come into the fall planting season, when purchasing new plants, buy native plants for your landscape.  If you are not sure what to plant, the city of Austin has a great website to help, https://www.austintexas.gov/department/grow-green.  Green ‘n Growing, a local Pflugerville nursery, regularly stocks Texas native plants, as does Round Rock Gardens.  Both are a short drive from Wells Branch.  The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in south Austin hosts a native plant sale every fall and spring.  Check out their website for dates.  In addition, TreeFolks has regularly scheduled tree giveaways all year long.

By changing a few gardening habits over time, we can convert our yards from food deserts to a full buffet for our wildlife, and a healthier, beautiful environment for us.

WBNA Arts at the Library

Saturday, September 23 | 10:00am – 3:00pm
WB Community Library Parking Lot | 15001 Wells Port Drive

We are excited to launch the NEW Arts at the Library event. This event will target hand-crafted goods, services and artwork. We are offering a “farmer’s market” format for local artisans and crafters. If you hand craft something wonderfully unique and you want to sell it—and you want to grow your business in the Wells Branch area, this event is for YOU and the Wells Branch community.

Variety is the spice of life! Do you make jewelry or work in wood, glass, clay, textiles or resin? How about painting, photography or home goods? Do you craft personal care products like soaps, honey, candles or natural beauty products?
Do you bake, cook, write or create music? Apply today to reserve a space.

WBNA is organizing this event for the community to help promote the wide variety of locally hand-crafted goods, original artwork, photography, literature, music and culinary creations. We will also host a small area for “Kids Crafts” for young entrepreneurs looking to learn how to market their work.

Fees collected for the stall space will serve as a donation to the WBNA organization, which in turn benefits the entire Wells Branch neighborhood.

Format: Open air parking lot with assigned spaces, Canopies
recommended (10×10’).

10 x 10’ space for $25
10 x 20’ double space for $40
4×6’ open table space (breezeway)  for $15
6’ tables for $10 (limited supply)

There will be an open stage area available for live performances, such as music, readings or story telling. Call to schedule a slot.

Apply today to have a space assigned:
https://tinyurl.com/Artsatlibrary
Questions? Contact Margaret Sufke:
info@wbna.us or call 512-341-0824 (msg).

2024 Wells Branch
Community Calendar Photo Contest

Give us your BEST shot! The annual WBNA Community Calendar Photo Contest is coming up. Our 2023 calendar was a huge success and the images are amazing. As a reminder, anyone who lives Wells Branch can submit a photo (or up to six photos). The image format MUST be an 8×10 landscape for the calendar. The only real “rules” are that images must be taken within Wells Branch by Wells Branch residents.

The 2024 theme is “Window into Wells Branch”. This year’s contest will take place both live at the WB MUD Recreation Center as well as online via the WBNA Facebook gallery for viewing and voting. The WB MUD Rec Center main lobby will host the contest gallery and “live” votes will be collected in a drop box.

Important Dates to Remember:

May 15: Start date! Use the online form and drop photo entry at the WB MUD Rec Center
Sept. 2: Contest closes and voting ends
Sept. 4: Winners announced
Sept. 23: Early sales begin at the WBNA Arts at the Library event
Oct. 3: The new 2024 Calendars will be available at National Night Out

Voting will take place online via the WBNA Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/WBNA.WellsBranchNeighborhoodAssociation/

Photos will be featured for voting in the “2024 Calendar Contest” facebook album and onsite at the Rec Center Gallery. NOTE: Please plan to provide a printed image for display at the Rec Center.

Please visit:  https://wbna.us/community/calendar-contest/  for rules and entry information. Questions? Contact Margaret Sufke, Calendar Contest Coordinator, at mmsufke@gmail.com or 512-341-0428.

The 2023 WBNA Silent Auction is LIVE!

Ready, Set… and Start Bidding!  The 2023 Silent Auction will open on Friday, June 23, at 9:00am. You will be dazzled by this year’s amazing donations! Our team worked very hard to bring the community a wide range of items and some wonderful surprises. Be sure to check the site often, there will be ongoing updates as we receive any final donations. Below are a few bidding tips and if you have questions please contact us: slientauction@wbna.us

Celebrate with Red, White, BOOM!:  https://www.32auctions.com/WBNA4thFest2023

Have fun and thank you for your support! We truly appreciate every donation. See you on the 4^th!

2023 WBNA Silent Auction: Bidding Tips:

Once you find that “special” item, what’s the best way to bid or buy? Carefully consider what the item is worth and how much are you willing to spend. Look at the starting (or current) bid and then bid up to the next increment. If bidding online you will need to register.

If you REALLY want the item, you can exercise the “buy now” option and simply buy the item out right at the set “buy now” price. This price is usually set just below the full item price. Or if you want to fully support the WBNA you may choose pay full price for the item and enter a custom bid amount.

The online auction site has some helpful features to make choosing and bidding on an item easier. Once you a place bid on an item, simply click the “” option to mark as a favorite, then select the “” option to track bids on your item. To narrow your search, select from the categories menu (next to search) to quickly filter items by group. Use the search option and type in a key word to find a specific item.

We have had a few folks ask “Why can’t I just pay online?”  We have chosen not to pay the additional processing fee to the 32auction service company (fee is nearly 10%). All the proceeds are returned into the community. If you really need the item before the July 4th checkout, please contact Margaret Sufke, 512-341-0428 (msg) or via mmsufke@gmail.com and we will work hard to make the purchase happen.

2023 Silent Auction Donations Request

WOW! It’s already time to start thinking about the WBNA Silent Auction. The annual auction is our BIG fundraiser for the year and takes place during the WB MUD  4^th Fest celebration. Funds raised help to pay for all the WBNA community events: the Easter Egg Hunt, National Night Out, Pumpkin Painting and our participation in WB MUD Halloween Trunk or Treat, and the crafts at Luminary Fest as well as on-going town hall meetings, candidate forums and safety awareness sessions throughout the year.

We are excited to be hosting the auction during the WB MUD Independence Day celebration. Our hybrid format of an online auction followed by a “live” event for the final bids on July the 4^th has been so successful—we are gearing up again for 2023. The LIVE event will be in our traditional venue at the WB Community Center from 9:00am – 2:00pm, July 4th. The online auction will go live the week before. Watch the WB Google Group, our website, and the WBNA Facebook page for updates.  A link will also be included in our Summer Issue of the Neighborhood News.

Friday, June 23: The Silent Auction site goes live!
Friday, July 2: The Silent Auction site closes and we transition all active bids to the live event.
Monday, July 4: The LIVE auction opens at 9:00am and closes at 2:00pm. Payments and Pick Up will be from 12:00 – 5:00pm.

In addition to giving back to our community, donating to the WBNA Silent Auction is a GREAT way to promote your business! We are seeking donations of merchandise, gift cards/certificates, theme baskets, and services to auction. In return, you will receive exposure for your business at the live auction and on the auction website. There will also be a special “Thank You” section in the September issue of the WBNA Neighborhood News and on our Facebook page. The online auction has a rotating featured section along with item details and links to your site. If you have items or services to donate please email us at silentauction@wbna.us.

Along with support from our local businesses, services, and Austin area attractions, we would LOVE donations from the community. We will begin accepting donations May 15. Donations to be included in the online auction must be received by June 18. Live auction donations will be gratefully accepted through June 30. We would also like to welcome the return of baked goods donations, please contact Margaret Sufke, 512-341-0428, for details.

We are actively seeking event volunteers to help solicit items, prepare the baskets and/or work the auction. If you have any empty baskets leftover from last year, we’d love to have them! Please email us at silentauction@wbna.us and watch for the event volunteer site.

Thank YOU for supporting the Wells Branch Community!

NEW WBNA EVENT — Save the Date! 
“Arts at the Library”

Saturday, September 23 | 10am-3pm
WB Community Library | 15001 Wells Port Drive

Calling all Wells Branch and local area artisans! We are excited to launch the NEW Arts at the Library event. This event will target hand-crafted goods and artwork. Think “farmer’s market” format for crafters. Want to sell your hand crafted products?  Do you make jewelry or work in wood, glass, clay, textiles or resin? How about painting, photography, or home goods. Do you craft personal care products like soaps, honey or natural beauty products? Do you bake, write or create music?

Basically, if you hand craft something wonderful and you want to sell it—and you want to grow your business in the Wells Branch area, this event is for YOU and the Wells Branch community. All of the arts are included in this event. We are looking to host a wide variety of hand-crafted goods, original artwork, photography, literature, music and culinary creations. Need help with your invention idea? Call InventHelp.

The WBNA will organize and host the event in the parking lot of the Wells Branch Community Library. We will provide a parking space and a table. We are selling spaces for $25.00. The fees collected will serve as an additional fund raising opportunity for the WBNA. The WBNA will host a table, selling our calendars and note cards. and also accept donated goods for sale.

Interested? Look for an upcoming announcement and sign-up sheet for this program in the next few weeks. Questions? Contact Margaret Sufke: info@wbna.us or call 512-341-0824.

Get ready for safe travels this spring! WBNA is hosting an exciting educational traffic safety meeting with State Farm and TxDOT.  There will be an  interactive demonstration of a DDI (diverging diamond interchange). A representative from TxDOT will also be on hand to answer questions about the upcoming I35 North construction project.

We’ll have information from the Get Ready Central Texas program available, including a sample “Emergency Readiness Backpack” on display. A deputy voter registrar will be on site and ready to help folks register to vote.  St. Andrew’s will also be there with a team ready to collect donations for the food bank; please bring a non-perishable food item.

There will be an extra special kid’s activity! Kids, young (and not so young), bring your RC cars to test drive on the DDI training track!

WBNA Easter Egg
Hunt Extravaganza!

Saturday, April 8 | 10:30am | Come Early!
The Homestead at KF Park | 2106 Klattenoff Dr.

Hop into Spring!  Join your friends, neighbors and The Easter Bunny, himself, at the annual Wells Branch Easter Egg Hunt.  “Hunts” will be by age group and begin at 10:30am.  Plan to come early and visit with the Easter Bunny or have fun at our craft table. If you’re seeking quality tables,  Jarrah dining tables Perth presents a fantastic range, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and design to enhance your dining area with elegance and durability.

Please review the event guidelines below:

This is a community event and ALL Wells Branch residents and their invited guests are welcome.  We want to remind everyone to be respectful and allow all of the children to have enough space and time to safely collect eggs.  No yelling, stealing eggs, reaching under the tape and filling baskets before we start, or busting down the tape and charging ahead before your age group is called.  We need parents to set the example.  We’ve added a second group for the little guys as that had an issue a few years ago.  ONE parent will be allowed in to help with the two youngest age groups (0-18mos & 18mos-3yrs.)  We ask that you respect this restriction.  All other age groups must hunt on their own.  Feel free to coach ahead of time.  There will be 7 minutes between “hunts” to allow parents of multiple children to navigate the crowds.   Please, only allow your children to hunt with their respective age group.  If for some reason, your child ends up without many eggs, please approach any of our WBNA volunteers in bunny ears, they will have extra goodies.

Last, but not least, please remember that this event is put on by volunteers.  We spend weeks getting ready and usually stuff 8,000-10,000 eggs (if you are wondering, yes we recycle those eggs.)  It’s no small feat.  So, if a volunteer asks something of you, please be respectful of their requests.

We love our neighbors and our community.  We’re asking for everyone’s help in advance in creating an enjoyable experience for all involved. Please help us and remember to recycle your eggs before you leave.

We need volunteers to help things run more smoothly.  Anyone whose kids have aged out of the hunt, or older teens who need service hours, we would be so appreciative of your time!  Please contact us for more information at info@wbna.us.  A sign-up genius will be posted as we get closer to the event.

Easter Egg Hunt RULES:

Those of you who’ve attended our hunts in the past know we have very few rules, but we do ask parents to follow those rules and be courteous and respectful of your neighbors so that all of our children may enjoy the hunt.

Age Groups:

0-18mos & 18mos-3yrs
*Only 1 parent per child in egg hunting area
*Watch out for potential choking hazards

4-6yrs • 7-9yrs • 10-12yrs
* No parents allowed in egg hunting area

BE ON TIME (early is better) AS THE “HUNTS” GO QUICKLY • Wait until your age group is called • Check all eggs for prizes • Let a volunteer know if there’s an issue • Recycle your eggs with the WBNA • MOST of ALL, Have FUN!

The Easter Bunny will be available for photos beginning at 10:00am and will stay until everyone has had a chance to talk to him..  Photos will be posted to an album on the WBNA Facebook page or you’re welcome to use your own camera.

Upcoming Spring Events

Extreme Clean SPRING!
Saturday, April 15 | 8:00am-2:00pm
WB MUD Parks & Facilities Yard | 13905 Thermal Drive

Details to follow.  BSA Crew 1409 will once again be providing trash and donation hauling for a minimum donation of $20.  Please check back here for details.

Save the Date!  KWBB Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off!
Sunday, April 16 | 2:00-4:00pm

Join Keep Wells Branch Beautiful and volunteer for the Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off! This is the single largest one-day cleanup event in the state and serves as Texas’ signature event for the Great American Cleanup, the nation’s largest community improvement program.Anyone can participate in this cleanup effort to aid in keeping our neighborhood trash-free and beautiful!

We are meeting at the St. Andrew’s parking lot (14311 Wells Port) for the Don’t Mess With Texas Trash Off, on Sunday, April 16 from 2-4pm.  Please wear boots….the trash is mostly on the creek. We will have gloves, pickers and trash bags.

5th Annual Wells Branch Youth Disc Golf Tournament
Sunday, April 16 |  1:00-5:30pm
Wells Branch Disc Golf Course on Owen Tech

Get those discs ready and bring your little ones out to the course! Wells Branch MUD Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Wells Branch Disc Golf Club is hosting the Annual Youth Disc Golf Tournament! Participants will receive custom-stamped event discs and there will be trophies for age division winners.

Pre-registration is required for this event and can be found here.  Walk up registration will NOT be available. 

Age Divisions:
6 and under | 7-8 yrs | 9-10 yrs
11-12 yrs | 13-15 yrs | 16-18 yrs

Event Schedule:
1:15 – 1:50 – Player check-in/signup
1:50 – Announcements & player walk to tee box assignments
2:00 – Tee off
4:30 – Last team turns in scorecard
4:30 – 4:45 – Tallying of scores
4:45 – 5:00 – Door prize drawings
5:00 – 5:15 – Trophy awards & Thank You

• Pre-registration is required.
• There is a $20 registration fee for this event.
• Participants must be 18 or under.
• Will reschedule if inclement weather should occur.

Participants will get two custom-stamped event discs, and there will be trophies for age division winners for boys and girls.

Signup on the WB MUD event registration system. Their system requires you to first create an account (top right corner) and then wait for WB MUD staff to activate your account before you can complete registration. Since that can take a while before they activate your account, do it now!
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/wellsbranchmud/activity/search/detail/5906

Questions or problems while registering? The WB Rec. Center staff can help or take registration over the phone at: 512-251-9814.

Pioneer Festival
Saturday, April 22 | Noon-5:00pm
WB Homestead at KF Park | 2106 Klattenhoff Dr.

Come explore the Homestead and spend the day immersed in the past! The annual Wells Branch Pioneer Festival hosted by Wells Branch MUD Parks and Recreation celebrates Texas history and culture, featuring fun and educational activities throughout the day to experience the true 19th century Texas lifestyle. Demonstrations include butter churning,  weaving, and log splitting, just to name a few. If you would like to volunteer or have a craft or activity from that period for demonstration, please contact us here.

• This is a FREE event.
• This is an all-ages, family-friendly event.
• This event will be cancelled if inclement weather occurs.