Skip to main content

Austin Youth River Watch (AYRW) provides multi-year

after school and summer programs for high school students.

We combine peer mentoring with intensive environmental education, and engage youth through nature-based and experiential service-learning programs in environmental science.

River Watchers collect, analyze, and publish water quality data from Austin-area streams and rivers. They report their data to local and statewide agencies.

River Watchers engage with community partners and local volunteers on environmental restoration and green infrastructure projects. Through these projects, they are actively working with community members to improve environmental conditions, and they learn about potential career paths.

River Watchers have opportunities for adventures regularly in our program. We help instill a love of nature in this next generation of environmental stewards by providing experiences in camping, paddling, and a wide variety of other types of outdoor activities. For most River Watchers, these are first-time ever outdoor adventure experiences.

 

Our Mission

Austin Youth River Watch transforms and inspires youth through environmental education, community engagement, and adventure.

As a result of our work, youth are better prepared to create positive outcomes for themselves and the environment, ensuring a better future for all.

Our Values

Equity

We believe in operating an equity-centered organization and incorporating antiracist practices at all levels and aspects of what we do as Austin Youth River Watch.

  • We are committed to removing barriers to participation and access, in regards to working with students and community members, with the understanding that needs are different across communities.
  • We are committed to representing the lived experiences and identities of our students and community in our board and staff.
  • We prioritize staff care in our organization through equitable wages, benefits, time off, and a supportive organizational culture.
  • We use community-centric fundraising approaches, and incorporate the core principles in our development strategies.
  • We prioritize a person-centered approach, taking the time to recognize and appreciate each individual’s unique strengths, needs, and goals, and providing holistic support.

Belonging

We believe that when people can bring their true selves into our programs and spaces, they are empowered to thrive with us and beyond us. At AYRW, belonging means creating a community where every individual feels seen, valued, and included.

  • We value belonging because it empowers individuals and strengthens community.
  • We ensure that our spaces are safe and inclusive, welcoming people of all identities, backgrounds, and experiences to participate fully.
  • We strengthen a sense of belonging in the outdoors through diverse experiences that enrich our collective relationship with nature and with each other.

Fun

We believe that when we laugh, explore, and share joy, we’re not just making memories—we’re building a community where everyone feels connected and valued. At AYRW, fun is the glue that holds us together and keeps us motivated to do our best.

  • We believe fun builds community and is a gateway to authenticity that allows everyone in the space to explore who they are.
  • We create opportunities for students to have fun with each other, build friendships, and share memorable experiences.
  • We encourage students to discover the joy of being outdoors and have new experiences.
  • We embrace the joy in our work and the excitement in celebrating our successes.
  • We believe having fun enhances learning.

Environmental Stewardship

We believe in a culture that fosters the next generation of environmental stewards, collectively building connections within our community and our ecosystems.

  • We work side by side on projects that clean waterways, improve watersheds, and promote sustainable practices.
  • We strengthen environmental stewardship by encouraging a culture of care, dedicated to nurturing and protecting our watersheds.
  • We drive meaningful action by equipping youth with the skills needed to generate a positive, lasting impact, and by empowering youth to explore and pursue green careers.

Lifelong Learning

We believe that lifelong learning inspires curiosity, drives innovation, enriches cultural understanding, and cultivates a deep, enduring connection to the natural world.

  • We promote professional and personal development at all levels of our organization, to foster a culture of continuous improvement and mutual support.
  • We update organizational policies and best practices to ensure that we remain adaptive, relevant, and responsive to both internal and external changes in the field.
  • We integrate feedback from participants to make sure program curricula remains impactful and engaging to the communities we serve.
  • We champion peer-to-peer learning by fostering a collaborative environment, enhancing collective growth.
Our History

In the early 1990’s, Jack Goodman and Wes Halverson led an effort to create Austin Youth River Watch.

Learn More
Our Staff & Board

Learn about our dedicated staff and board members

Meet the Team
Frequently Asked Questions

Asked and answered. Some of the most important questions about AYRW and what exactly we do.

Read FAQ's

In the early 1990’s, sparked by a belief that Austin could benefit enormously from a program that mentored high school students in both personal accountability and environmental stewardship, Jack Goodman and Wes Halverson led an effort to create Austin Youth River Watch.

With initial funding and long-term support from the City of Austin and LCRA, we began teaching students to collect and track water-quality data. Students also learned leadership skills and were encouraged to stay in school.

In the early days, Austin Youth River Watch’s first Program Director was Dani Apodaca, and Dani’s creativity and energy were essential in creating and building our core program. Back then, this combination of drop-out prevention and long-term environmental stewardship had never been tried before! In 1999, after establishing a sustainable and well-respected program at Austin Youth River Watch, Dani joined the staff at LCRA. Today, he is our primary liaison with LCRA, through their Colorado River Watch Network. (Learn more about CRWN here.)

After Dani left, the next Program Director at Austin Youth River Watch was a young woman who had been one of Dani’s earliest students, Elisabeth Welsh. Elisabeth was Program Director from 1999 through 2016. River Watch added a Program Coordinator in 2008, hired the organization’s first paid Executive Director in 2010, and began to expand its reach.

In the last few years, Austin Youth River Watch has engaged more community partners, grown in staff, expanded its program offerings, and has progressively served many more Austin-area students to become the organization it is today.

Indigenous Land Acknowledgment

Austin Youth River Watch (AYRW) would like to acknowledge that our office is situated on the Indigenous lands of Turtle Island, the ancestral name for what now is called North America.

Moreover, we would like to specifically acknowledge the Alabama-Coushatta, Caddo, Carrizo/Comecrudo, Coahuiltecan, Comanche, Kickapoo, Lipan Apache, Tonkawa, and Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, and all the American Indian and Indigenous Peoples and communities who have been or have become a part of these lands and territories in Texas.

AYRW further recognizes that the Lipan Apache, Tonkawa, Caddo, and Coahuiltecan were forcibly removed from this land in order for colonizers to settle on what is now known as the city of Austin. Despite this oppressive legacy of colonialism, we stand in solidarity with those that have historically suffered from racial injustices and those that continue to combat systemic racism in society. We seek to understand and celebrate both ancestral and contemporary contributions of Native peoples’ past, present, and future.

AYRW Board and Staff members understand that this land acknowledgement is
only one part of its mission to continuously educate, advocate for, and support
indigenous communities everywhere. With this in mind, AYRW is committed to the
following:   

  • Actively practicing anti-racist pedagogy specifically through the formation of an AYRW Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee that focuses on learning, action, and JEDI-informed systems change at all levels of our organization.
  • Incorporating educational components in our program curricula centered on the rich cultural customs, practices, and beliefs of native populations that have inhabited Hornsby Bend and Central Texas.
  • Participating in collaborative efforts with the Indigenous Cultues Institute and with UT’s Native American and Indigenous Studies Program that aim to inform and educate students, staff, board, and the broader AYRW community on indigenous cultures.
  • Attend the Austin Powwow annually along with students to learn and celebrate the traditions, heritage, and culture of American Indians, while supporting health and education initiatives for Native youth and families.

Resources: 

Our Staff

Melinda Chow

Co-Executive Director

Melinda became the executive director of Austin Youth River Watch in February 2016. She was drawn to River Watch because of her love of science, and her passion for community engagement and empowering young people. Previously, she served as manager of the science outreach series "Hot Science - Cool Talks" at The University of Texas Environmental Science Institute. Her professional experience spans over two decades and includes Austin public radio stations KUT & KUTX, Girls Rock Austin, the South Memphis Alliance in Memphis, Tennessee, and the National Multicultural Institute in Washington, D.C. She also served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in Memphis. Melinda has served on the boards of the international Girls Rock Camp Alliance, Girls Rock Austin, and The Dumpster Project, and she currently serves on the boards of Austin Outside and EarthShare of Texas. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Anthropology, and a master’s degree in Applied Anthropology.

Fidel Campuzano Gonzalez

Co-Executive Director

Fidel became the co-Executive Director of Austin Youth River Watch in May 2023. He first became involved with the organization when a friend in high school invited him to join this program that not only picked them up after school and fed them, but also paid them to explore the outdoors. He was a river watcher from the fall of 2010 until he graduated from Reagan High School (now Northeast H.S.) in May 2013. Fidel worked as an AYRW program intern for two summers and also served on the Board of Directors while earning his Bachelor's in Business Administration at The University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated in May of 2019. Prior to this role, he has been very active with the immigrant community in Austin. As a Dreamer himself, he proudly helped organize DACA clinics and worked at Lincoln-Goldfinch Law, an immigration law firm as the Firm Administrator for seven years. He's thrilled to have the opportunity to support our dedicated staff members in transforming the lives of students.

Chanel Davis

Co-Program Director

Prior to Austin Youth River Watch, Chanel served as an AmeriCorps member with 4-H CAPITAL as an Animal Science Team Leader. While at 4-H she developed inquiry-based STEM curriculums, cared for program animals, and supported team members with lesson planning and behavior management. She gained outdoor education experience through working as a camp counselor with the New York Department of Conservation, community outreach intern with Buffalo-Niagara Waterkeeper, and study abroad trips to Hawaii, South Africa, and Costa Rica. She graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY in 2018 with a BS in Animal Behavior, Ecology, & Conservation & Environmental Studies and a MS in Education.

Beth Bennett

Co-Program Director

Beth joined the Austin Youth River Watch team in August 2017 as a program coordinator, and since then has transitioned into the role of program co-manager in January 2022. What initially drew Beth to work with AYRW was getting to engage with youth directly, and helping facilitate a unique way for students to connect with nature through hands-on science activities and adventure. Previously, Beth has been an environmental educator and outreach leader at the Camacho Activity Center, the Austin Nature and Science Center, and the Colorado River Alliance. While at Camacho, she created and implemented Dirt Divas, a program in girls empowerment and sustainability. Additionally, Beth gained experience through various professional and community engagements while earning her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy at St. Edward’s University, where she graduated in December 2016. These include internships in International Water Policy, Global Understanding, and serving as a leader on campus sustainability initiatives.

Emma Walsh

Development Manager

Emma joined the AYRW team in 2017 as an intern, as since then has transitioned into the role of Special Projects Manager in 2022. Emma's role allows her to work directly with the River Watchers, helping to facilitate programming needs while also working on social media management, grant procurement and coordination of fundraising events. She has gained outdoor educational experience as a nature-based Activity Specialist at Camacho Activity Center and has led guided snorkel tours of the San Marcos River. Emma graduated in May 2019 with her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from UT Austin with a focus on geography and GIS applications.

David Morris

Operations Manager

David made his transition to staff after being on the Board of Directors and serving as Board Secretary for 3-years, where he actively engaged students via programming, extracurricular activities, STEM clubs and design competitions. His nonprofit involvement includes driving a 40-foot mobile science museum for Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME). As a consultant, David owns a design firm specializing in the construction and operation of building infrastructure systems; and another firm with an emphasis on product development and prototyping. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University.

Alondra Fleming-Parra

Program Coordinator

Alondra joined the program staff team after a semester as an AEL intern and has since transitioned into the role of Program and Social Media Coordinator. She works directly with River Watchers and Program Staff while also managing the organization’s social media presence. What drives Alondra’s work is the belief that anyone can be in the environmental field and make a positive impact on the world.

Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, Alondra hopes to one day bring her knowledge back to help preserve the natural environments of her home. She has gained experience in outdoor education through her internship at Texas Parks and Wildlife and her time as an AEL Intern. She also spent time working at Green N’ Growing, a plant nursery where she gained extensive knowledge of native plants and their role in sustainable landscapes. In addition to her role at AYRW, she serves as a committee member with Emerging Green Leaders (EGLs), a strategy under the Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) initiative.

Alondra earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology with a focus in Plant Biology from the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in May 2024.

Connor McLean

Program Coordinator

Connor graduated from Texas State University in December 2024 where he studied Biology and Secondary Education. While gaining experience working in the Biology department as a Lab instructor and peer mentor, he continued to develop his passion for Aquatic Science by learning more about the local environment. His internship with the Aquatic Education team at Texas Parks and Wildlife also allowed him to gain valuable experience working with youth in outdoor education. Connor is excited to work directly with the River Watchers and share his passion for fishing and the outdoors.

Andrea Bailey-Ortiz

Development Coordinator

After being an AEL intern and graduating from The University of Texas at Austin, where I pursued a major in Urban Studies and a minor in Architectural History, I continued my career with Austin Youth River Watch as a Program Specialist. After 3 years, I continue to be part of the organization as a Development Coordinatorator while I actively pursue a Master of Architecture at UT. My personal goal is to merge these two worlds and approach the architecture field with a holistic perspective and a conscientious philosophy that allows me to consider social, economic, and environmental impacts.

Jasalyn Franco

Program Specialist

Jasalyn Franco is a Program Specialist at Austin Youth River Watch. She first joined AYRW as a high school student at LBJ in 2021. After high school, she stayed involved in River Watch as an Austin Environmental Leaders (AEL) intern, before becoming a part-time Program Specialist in Summer 2025. She is now entering her junior year at the University of Texas, where she studies Exercise Science and Spanish. Her favorite part of being with the organization is the strong sense of community it fosters among staff, students, and nature. Fun facts: Jasalyn loves corgis, has visited two national parks, and her favorite outdoor activity in Austin is going to Barton Springs.

Our Board of Directors

Velissa Chapa

Velissa Chapa

Board President

Legal Counsel to Commissioner Representing Employers, Texas Workforce Commission

Dalia Esparza

Dalia Esparza

Board Treasurer

Procurement Quality Assurance Analyst, Accenture

Philip Aiken

Philip Aiken

Board Secretary

Samantha Sheffield

Samantha Sheffield

Board Member

Advisory Board

Alisa Miller

Alisa Miller

Development Committee

Freelance Writer and Copy Editor

Katy Avenson

Katy Avenson

Finance Committee

Partner at Avenson Hamann CPAs, LLP

Jonathan Barona

Jonathan Barona

Board Member

Special Projects Manager, Austin Community Foundation

Bryan Nya

Bryan Nya

Board Member

Consultant

Frequently Asked Questions

What do River Watchers do?

Our student participants, River Watchers, participate in our after-school and summer programs focused on environmental education, community engagement, and outdoor adventure. They learn to test water quality at local creeks, take part in restoration projects like native planting and trash clean-ups, and explore the outdoors through activities like camping, kayaking, and hiking. Along the way, they build leadership skills, connect with environmental professionals, make new friends and become advocates for their communities and local ecosystems.

How do students get in to River Watch?

There’s no GPA requirement or application process, just a willingness to show up, participate, and grow. Most River Watchers are referred by current River Watchers, friends, and family members. We also attend community events and give in-class presentations to recruit new students.

If you or someone you know is interested in  joining our programs, please fill out this form or contact our Program Director, Beth Bennett at beth@riverwatchers.org.

How’s the water quality in Austin?

We get this question all the time! Like all cities, Austin has its share of pollution. However, our water quality is surprisingly good for such a large urban area. Our students find that the pollution levels in our streams are somewhat variable, and that pollution tends to peak after a large rainfall, when rain washes motor oil, fertilizers, and other dangerous substances into local storm drains. It all ends up in the river!

For recent data on water quality, visit our data page here.

What is your federal tax identification number?

The federal tax identification number for Austin Youth River Watch is 74-2607076, and the organization is exempt under section 501(c)c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Download a copy of our W-9 here.

Where can I find your most recent 990 and audit reports?

Here’s a link to our most recent 990. Here’s a link to our most recent audit report.