Partner Agencies. LPMN identifies “partner agencies” who offer volunteer opportunities likely to be suitable for our members or are providers of resources in exchange for services. We expect to review these partner agencies annually, so they may change. Currently, LPMN partner agencies include:
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Texas AgriLife Extension
- McKinney Roughs Nature Park
- Lower Colorado River Authority
- Pines and Prairies Land Trust
- Bastrop County Audubon Society
- Alum Creek Wildlife Management Association
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Austin Butterfly Forum
- Friends of the Lost Pines State Parks
- Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory
- Native Plant Society of Texas
- Tree Folks
- Keep Bastrop County Beautiful
- FireCAP, Inc.
- Native Prairies Association
- Keep Bastrop Sustainable
- Keep Smithville Sustainable
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Luling Foundation Farm
- Texas A&M Forest Service
- Texas Bluebird Society
Group activities. Group volunteer projects done on the premises or for the benefit of any of these organizations is automatically approved as acceptable volunteer hours. There is no need to request formal approval. We encourage group volunteer projects to offer opportunities for the most possible members.
Individual activities. Individual volunteer projects need to go through the formal request for approval process. Use the downloadable form, Request for Volunteer Project Approval, which can be found under the “Members” tab of our website. If the individual project will be recurring, one granted approval will cover activities for the calendar year. These recurring individual projects will be restricted to not more than 4 hours per month of volunteer credit.
Example #1. LPMN volunteer walks LPMN-supported trails individually picking up trash on a weekly basis. Request approval for volunteer credit. Granted approval provides for up to 4 hours per month of volunteer time through 12/31. If project is to continue into the next year, re-submit request for approval.
Example #2. LPMN volunteer individually takes water samples from Colorado River for LCRA. Request approval for up to 4 hours volunteer time per month.
Example #3. LPMN volunteers as a teacher for home schooled children on PPLT property. Automatically approved. This is a regularly scheduled group function, offered on Meetup. No hours restriction.
Example #4. LPMN works with others weeding McKinney Roughs gardens. Automatically approved. Even though you may occasionally work alone at the task, it is offered as a group function with regularly scheduled days of the week on Meetup. No hours restriction.