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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center4801 La Crosse AvenueAustin, TX 78739Contact: 292-4200FAX: 292-4627E-mail: expert@wildflower.orgNet: www.wildflower.org

Purpose: The mission of the Wildflower Center is toincrease the sustainable use and conservation of nativewildflowers, plants and landscapes.

Projects/Activities: The Center’s education departmentconducts classes, workshops and demonstrations for allages throughout the year. The Center’s 279-acre headquar-ters has native plant gardens and natural areas, a VisitorsGallery, and Children’s Little House, all of which focus oneducating people about the importance of native plants.The Center also has one of North America’s largest rooftoprainwater collection systems, as well as the WildflowerCafé, and Wild Ideas (the store).

Volunteer Opportunities: Opportunities exist in allareas of the Center’s operations. Please call 292-4200, x 102,for additional information.

Newsletters/Publications: Native Plants, the Center’squarterly members’ magazine; brochures; as well as morethan 200 factsheets about native plants and vendors acrossNorth America.

Membership Dues: Starting at $30-40/year.Visiting Arrangement: Open Tuesday – Sunday, 9 AM

to 5:30 PM. Members free. Admission fees vary dependingon season and age.

Westcave Preserve24814 Hamilton Pool RoadRound Mountain, TX 78663Contact: John Ahrns (830) 825-3442FAX: (830) 825-3509E-mail: john@westcave.orgNet: www.westcave.org

Purpose: Westcave Preserve is an ecological commu-nity of exceptional beauty located in the Texas Hill Coun-

Parks & Preserves - Non-Profit

PARKS AND PRESERVES try. Its uniqueness stems from a semi-tropical grotto cutdeep within its sheltered canyon by perennially fallingwater. Orchids and cypress trees share the cool moist,terrarium-like setting while cactus and juniper grow in thehot, dry habitat above the canyon rim. It is located onHamilton Pool Road, off Hwy. 71.

The land is owned by the Lower Colorado River Au-thority, and run by a nonprofit organization that givestours, and provides security and restoration to the site.

Projects/Activities: Weekend tours at 10 AM, Noon, 2PM and 4 PM, weather permitting. Weekday tours fororganized groups can be prearranged.

Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed totrain as trail guides and to do trail maintenance.

Dues: Vary, beginning at $15.

Wild Basin805 N. Capital of Texas Hwy.Austin, TX 78746Contact: Walter Laich 327-7622FAX: 328-5632E-mail: hike@wildbasin.orgNet: www.wildbasin.org

Purpose: The mission of the organization is to preserveand maintain Wild Basin and to educate people about thenatural environment.

Projects/Activities: Wild Basin conducts environmen-tal education programs during the week and on weekends.Weekday programs were developed specifically for schoolgroups to learn about the ecology of the Austin Hill Coun-try. After-school programs are available for scouts. Pre-school tours and parent and preschool walks are sched-uled through the year. Other groups can schedule specialprograms during the week as well.

Weekend programs consists of a variety of topics in-cluding stargazing, full-moon walks, native plants, wild-flowers, geology, ecology, storytelling, snakes, and more.

Volunteer Opportunities: Office help, trail help, andteaching education programs.

Newsletters/Publications: The Wild Basin Magazine,quarterly.

Membership: $35/Individual; $20/Students and se-niors; $60/Family.

Admission: $2/Adults; $1 for Seniors, 5-12 year olds,and college students; Under 5 and members/free.

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1010 Lavaca, Suite 300P.O. Box 1748

Austin, TX. 78767Phone: (512) 854-7275

Fax: (512) 854-6474www.traviscountyparks.org

Take time to explore a land of amaz-ing diverse beauty – from lakes andhills to rivers and prairies – and more.Nowhere else in Texas will you findsuch a variety of recreational opportu-nities so close at hand.

Want to sail or scuba dive one of thecleanest lakes in Texas? Observe oneof the largest and most varied migra-tory bird populations in the country?You can do it right here in the parks ofTravis County, along with softball andsoccer, family picnics, hiking, naturestudy, or just kicking back to view aspectacular Hill Country sunset. Youropportunities are virtually unlimited!Enjoy the many park features and helpus maintain them so the future gen-erations may enjoy them as well.

Eastern Travis County Parks

The parks in eastern Travis Countyare as varied as their western counter-parts. These parks offer excellent oppor-tunities for group activities such as nu-merous picnic areas, well-maintainedballfields, soccerfields, and multipurpose

game courts. Boat ramps in Webbervilleand Little Webberville parks are 2 ofthe primary access points to the Colo-rado River, both for motor and paddlepower crafts. In contrast to the ruggedterrain of many lake parks, the easternparks offer the more gentle topogra-phy of the Blackland Prairies. EastMetropolitan Park is the latest addi-tion to the Eastern Parks with a swim-ming pool, sports fields, playgroundsand more.

Lake Parks

Travis County Parks include 13 sitesalong Lake Travis and Lake Austin,providing plentiful opportunities forboating, fishing, sailing, scuba diving,camping, and outdoor recreation.These parks range in size from the 3.6-acre Dink Pearson Park to the 1,368-acre Pace Bend Park. The Lake AustinParks are within minutes of down-town Austin, while some of the LakeTravis parks such as Pace Bend andArkansas Bend are more remote. Someof the Lake Parks include habitat forseveral rare plants and 2 endangeredbird species. Most of the Lake Travisparks are owned by the Lower Colo-rado River Authority and managed byTravis County.

Nature Preserves

Hamilton Pool (photo above), WildBasin, and some areas of Pace BendPark are operated as nature preserves.Special efforts are made to confinerecreational activities to designatedareas so that the unique beauty andnatural history of these parks can bepreserved for generations to come.Hamilton Pool is an excellent exampleof relatively undisturbed BalconesCanyonland’s geology and wildlife,

while Wild Basin provides a home forseveral uncommon birds and plants inthe midst of steady urbanization.Milton Reimers Ranch Park is TravisCounty's new western park that in-cludes rock climbing, mountain bik-ing, and fishing.

Balcones Canyonlands Preserve

The preserve, established by a per-mit with the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService, protects more than 30 endan-gered and rare species and providesseveral designated locations whereCentral Texas residents can enjoy andstudy nature. Preserve tracts areowned by public and private entitiesincluding the City of Austin, TravisCounty, the Lower Colorado RiverAuthority, the Nature Conservancy ofTexas, the Travis Audubon Society, aswell as private landowners, making itone of the country’s largest urban pre-serves. The managing partners havecurrently acquired over 27,000 acres.Public access by tours is available forpreserve tracts and is provided by theagency owning the tract.

Adopt-A-Park Program

Travis County’s Adopt-A-Park pro-gram is designed to enhance prudentstewardship of Travis County Parks.It utilizes volunteers, local businesses,and special interest groups to improveand maintain parks facilities.

Any person or group can partici-pate. Call or write for an application.When you mail it, an Adopt-A-Parkcoordinator will contact you. Onceyou are on board, your coordinatorwill work with you to schedule projectsthat are best suited for your group andthe park you’ve adopted. For moreinformation, please call (512) 854-7275.

Parks & Preserves - Travis County Parks

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Information &

Reservations

NATURE PRESERVES

1. Hamilton Pool Preserve 232 � � � � � � � (512) 264-2740

2. Wild Basin Preserve 227 � � � � (512) 327-7622

LAKE TRAVIS PARKS

3. Pace Bend 1368 � � � � � � � � � � � � (512) 264-1482

4. Dink Pearson 3.6 � � � � � � For all

5. Arkansas Bend 195 � � � � � � � � other

6. Sandy Creek 25 � � � � � � � � � parks

7. Cypress Creek 15 � � � � � � � call

8. Bob Wentz at Windy Point 211 � � O � � � � � � � ∆ (512) 854-PARK (7275)

9. Hippie Hollow ◊ 109 � � � � � � � � Monday-Friday

10. Tom Hughes 5 � � � � � � 9 am – 5 pm

11. Mansfield Dam 65 � � � � � � � � � � � www.traviscountyparks.org

LAKE AUSTIN AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS

12. Fritz Hughes 5 � � � � � � �

13. Mary Quinlan 5.8 � � � � � � � Or write:

14. Selma Hughes 5 � � � � � Travis County Parks

15. Loop 360 Boat Ramp 3 � � � P.O. Box 1748

16. Windmill Run 50 � � � � � Austin, Texas 78767

17. Allen Park 10 � � � �

EASTERN TRAVIS COUNTY PARKS

18. Richard Moya 100 � � � � � � � � � �

19. Del Valle Softball Complex 35 � � � � � � �

20. Webberville 135 � � � � � � � � � � � �

21. Little Webberville 6 � � � � � �

22. Ben Fisher 6 � � � � � � � �

23. Northeast Metro 420 � � � � � � � � � �

24. Southeast Metro 299 � � � � � � � � �

25. East Metropolitan Park 273 � � � � � � � � � �

WESTERN TRAVIS COUNTY PARKS

26. Milton Reimers Ranch Park� 510 � � � �

◊-Must be 18 years of age or older to enter O-Pets prohibited on point only ∆-Boat ramp restricted to sailcraft only�Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, and Fishing

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The 123 State Recreation Parks, Natural Areas, and Historical Parks, are living museums of Texas'natural and cultural legacy: A United States Navy Battleship, battlegrounds and commemorativesites of a forming Texas Republic, military outposts that safeguarded the United States westernmovement, the rock art of early native Americans, historic homes offering early glimpses ofancestral daily life, pristine waterfalls, rustic wilderness of flora and fauna untouched by themodern world, quiet, contemplative places that offer alternatives to the fast-paced hustle ofcontemporary urban lifestyles or a visit to yesteryear's childhood memories.

For tourism promotion, parks are divided into 7 regions closely following the state's ecologicalcomposition. Visit our Website at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park for more information.

STATE PARKS

Big Bend Country - This is the far west Trans-Pecosregion, a land of desert, mountains, mesas, canyons, andcactus. Camping, hiking, backpacking, sand surfing,birding and wildlife watching are just some of the activi-ties available at Davis Mountains, Balmorhea, MonahansSandhills, and Big Bend Ranch. The cultural heritage atCasa Magoffin and Fort Leaton reflect human determina-tion to conquer this vastness. Hueco Tanks and SeminoleCanyon preserve the heritage of Native American artistswho painted fascinating pictographs on cave walls andboulders. Indian Lodge and the San Solomon Courts(Balmorhea) provide some of the state's most popularlodging accommodations. The Barton Warnock Centerprovides opportunities to study the natural and culturalhistory of the Big Bend area.

Pineywoods - Loblolly and short-leaf pine tower overEast Texas Highways and by-ways, while blossomingdogwoods and redbuds herald the spring. Caddo Lake,Martin Creek Lake, Lake Bob Sandlin, Lake Livingston,and Lake Tawakoni, are havens for boaters, anglers, andwater-recreation enthusiasts. Atlanta, Martin Dies Jr.,Daingerfield, Tyler, and Village Creek invite visitors foroutdoors and water recreation and nature study. Culturallegacy is preserved at Sam Bell Maxey House, Jim Hogg,Hogg Shrine, Starr Family Home, and Mission Tejas. TheCaddoan Mounds illustrate the culture of the Caddo Indi-ans who brought farming to east Texas and visitors mayrelive the grand old days of steam trains on The Texas StateRailroad.

Hill Country - Rising out of the Balcones Escarpment,this region of stunning scenery offers numerous caves,cascading whitewater streams and deep blue lakes. Pock-ets of pristine nature have been preserved, and drawboaters, anglers, hikers, backpackers, horseback riders andoutdoor lovers to parks like: South Llano River, Hill Coun-try, Enchanted Rock, Colorado Bend, Longhorn Cavern,Lost Maples, Pedernales Falls, Inks Lake, and KickapooCaverns. Garner State Park hosts families of multi-genera-tions who have grown with the park. The Sauer-BeckmanFarm at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park recreates life on a1915 Texas-German farmstead. Scenic McKinney Falls, inthe city of Austin, provides outdoor recreation along withinteresting local history.

Steam engine at Texas StateRailroad Historical Park

Enchanted Rock (bottom)

Guadalupe River Park

Indian Lodge Courtyard Scene

Parks & Preserves - State Parks

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South Texas Plains - This region stretches through brushand mesquite plains dotted with blue water lakes, into thesubtropical environment of the lower Rio Grande. Historicsites such as Casa Navarro in San Antonio, the restoredMission at Goliad, and Fannin Battleground recall earlySpanish and Mexican culture and Texas' struggle for inde-pendence. Choke Canyon and Falcon offer excellent waterrecreation to winter vacationers and Bentsen-Rio Grande isa sub-tropical gem replete with birds and other animal lifefound nowhere else in the United States. Lake Casa Blancain Laredo is the state's only designated International StatePark.

Prairies and Lakes - Between the western plains and thepinewoods of East Texas lies the region of blackland prai-ries. Millions of years ago, giant dinosaurs roamed and, ashort century ago, Kiowa and Comanche warriors stoodagainst the pioneers. Patriots forged the Republic of Texasat Washington-On-The-Brazos, now a state historical park.Also preserving the heritage of Texas are Fanthorp Inn (ahistoric stagecoach Inn), Monument Hill/Kreische Brew-ery, and Fort Parker. Dinosaur Valley protects dinosaurtracks and provides dinosaur educational programs. Nu-merous reservoirs provide opportunities for fishing, boat-ing, and other water-related activities. Eisenhower Birth-place, Penn Farm (Cedar Hill), and Jones Farm (Ray Rob-erts) interpret the cultural legacy of the north Texas area.

Gulfcoast - Sparkling beaches and dunes echo the eter-nal cadence of surf against barrier islands. Texas' strugglefor independence is relived at the San Jacinto Complexcommemorating the battleground, monument and Battle-ship Texas. Varner-Hogg was once the site of a workingplantation. Fulton Mansion has been restored to its origi-nal Victorian elegance. Outdoor fun, recreation, and na-ture study are plentiful at Sea Rim, Lake Texana, LakeCorpus Christi, Brazos Bend, and Lake Houston. Fishingenthusiasts will be drawn to Goose Island, Copano Bay, orPort Lavaca. Environmental education opportunities areavailable at Sheldon Lake, or after the ferry ride toMatagorda Island.

Panhandle-Plains - This area encompasses the HighPlains of the Panhandle and the adjoining Rolling Plains ofnorthwest Texas. This area rekindles the spirit of the OldWest amid picturesque canyons of the Caprock Escarp-ment with towering rainbow-hued walls carved by theheadwater tributaries of the Red River. Parks in this regioninclude Palo Duro (The Grand Canyon of Texas), pictur-esque Caprock Canyons, the archeological and culturalexhibits at the Lubbock Lake Landmark (museum), theUnited States military frontier outposts of Fort Richardsonand Fort Griffin (home to the pure-bred Texas State Long-horn herd), and the outdoor and water recreational sites ofLake Arrowhead, Big Spring, Possum Kingdom, CopperBreaks, and Lake Brownwood.

Horseback Riding at Lake Somerville Trailway

Goliad Mission (above);Wildlife (right)

Goose Island (bottom)

Catamarans sailing atMustang Island (top)

View at Caprock Canyons

Parks & Preserves - State Parks

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Austin Nature & Science Center301 Nature Center DriveAustin, TX 78746327-8181Net: www.ci.austin.tx.us/anscIn Zilker Park off Stratford Drive, westof Zilker Botanical Garden

Explore Austin’s unique environment with hands-onexhibits, interactive nature trails and live Texas wildlife.The Center is dedicated to providing educational andrecreational activities that increase awareness and appre-ciation of the natural environment.

Hours of OperationMonday-Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PMSunday: 12 PM - 5 PMHoliday hours: Please call 327-8181Cost: Free. Donations accepted.

The ANSC is located in Zilker Park off StratfordDrive at 301 Nature Center Drive, Austin, Texas, 78746.

Come VisitOur animal exhibits feature more than 90 native Texas

animals that can’t be returned to the wild. Stroll throughthe woods; listen to the calls of hawks in our Birds of Preyexhibit. Visit the tiniestAustin residents in ourSmall Wonders Exhibit.

You can follow the pathof Texas fossil hunters andun-cover evidence of pre-historic life in the outdoorDino Pit. Other features ofthe exhibit include dinosaurtrackways, a field collectionand an observation deck.

Explore natural sciencespecimens and add to your own collection through theNaturalist Workshop and Trade Counter. The Workshopis a perfect place to explore the natural world: use micro-

scopes and magnifying glasses,use a balance, and use field guidesand touchable specimens for iden-tification of your finds. If you’rea collector of natural objects, you’llwant to check out the Workshop’sTrade Counter.

The Austin Nature & ScienceCenter is surrounded by an 80acre Nature Preserve with trailsand an overlook. Come on by andhelp us celebrate natural wondersof Austin!

Stay AwhileThe Austin Nature & Science Center offers a wide

variety of programs, including school programs, adven-ture activities, and camps. There are public programs forpreschoolers, kids, families and adults that offer hands-onand discovery activities.

School programs engage students in activities designedto integrate subject areas such as science, math, languagearts, and the use of technology while supporting conceptsrecommended in the National Science Standards and TexasEssential Knowledge and Skills.

Look in the Teacher Resource Guide or the NaturalSelections Brochure for more details (located online or call327-8181 for copies).

Explore the caves of the Edwards Aquifer and therole people play in its health and well being.

Hours of OperationTuesday - Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PMSunday: 12 PM - 5 PMHoliday hours: Please call 478-3170.Cost: Free. Donations accepted.Net: www.ci.austin.tx.us/splash/

The Center is located in the Barton Springs Bath-house in Zilker Park at 2201 Barton Springs Drive,Austin, Texas, 78746.

Stop byEnhance your understanding of the geology of Cen-

tral Texas with a visit to the Splash! Into the EdwardsAquifer exhibit. Experience entering deep inside a simu-lated limestone cave, view the “Carved in Stone” video,manipulate the watershed model, see native aquaticspecies including the endangered Barton Springs sala-mander, and learn about the aquifer with interactivecomputer games.

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Parks & Preserves - Austin Nature Center

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