<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3toSXn_0wFfN3ge00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3toSXn_0wFfN3ge00" width="2000" height="1500" ><figcaption>The new upgrades will affect both the facilities and the landscape.</figcaption></figure>An Austin environmental institution is growing along with its plants. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center recently announced plans to expand, adding a series of improvements to its amenities and facilities at 4801 La Crosse Ave. Some of the upcoming changes include upgrades to the 284 acres of gardens, horticulture program facilities, welcome areas, educational spots, and more. "We're incredibly thrilled to embark on the next chapter in the Center's remarkable journey with the exceptional team and to further our goals to conserve native plants and promote their use in our everyday landscapes," Wildflower Center Executive Director Lee Clippard said. The development will be made possible with the help of two Texas-based architectural groups: Lake Flato Architects, which operates in both Austin and San Antonio, and Studio Outside from Dallas. Lake Flato will work alongside the center to come up with a specific plan, focusing on conservation, research and educational efforts. Meanwhile, Studio Outside will assist with outdoor areas, such as the gardens and all-access trails.--Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.High Tensions<h2>Local climbing gyms locked in public feud over South Austin space</h2>Oct 17, 2024 | 11:44 amAustin's climbing community has been rocked by a real estate dispute between two gyms.In a social media post on Tuesday, Crux Climbing Center claimed that The Bouldering Project - Austin (ABP) negotiated with the landlord of Crux's South Austin location without their knowledge."It's honestly beyond heartbreaking to learn that another climbing business would do this to us. We are the ONLY local climbing gym in Austin," Crux wrote in the post, adding that, "There is room in Austin for multiple climbing gyms, and this was unnecessary."Crux said it will have to let go of some of its employees, but it plans to create "something better" at a new location.But ABP says Crux's claim isn't accurate.In its own social media post on Wednesday, the climbing gym said that it is excited to add a third location in Austin, but felt it needed to address Crux's comments.ABP said in 2022, Crux publicly shared plans to relocate its Pickle Road gym and, more recently, the landlord told ABP that Crux declined his terms to remain at that location, so he offered the space to ABP."We’ve always wanted to provide roped climbing to our members, so we signed a lease for the space. ABP did not interfere with the relationship between Crux and their landlord," the gym said. "We’re surprised by Crux’s response, given their plan all along was to close and relocate."--Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.</div></body>

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Austin wildflower center upgrades 284-acre garden, other facilities

An Austin environmental institution is growing along with its plants. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center recently announced plans to expand, adding a series of improvements to its amenities and facilities at 4801 La Crosse Ave. Some of the upcoming changes include upgrades to the 284 acres of gardens, horticulture...