Nature

Experience the Wonders of Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve

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Tony Maples Photography

 

In case you haven’t noticed, Austin – San Marcos – San Antonio is fast growing, which makes land like the 227-acre Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve as sacred as ever.

Partially maintained for university research, the serene and botanically seductive area is an Austin home for endangered species native to the Texas Hill Country, as well as an outdoor recreation area for residents in Central Texas.

In the 1970s, the land was seen as ripe for development by many,  but a few old ladies in the “Now or Never” society fought to have it proclaimed preservable to the public. At one point in the mid-’70s, the City of Austin dropped its financial support and thus federal and county support was withdrawn. Unable to see the land bought up by private interests, the little old ladies stood in front of the county and championed a deal that finally gave it to the people for good.

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Photo Courtesy of St. Edward’s University

Now anybody can hike its trails, identify Juniper trees and Sycamore trees peppered about the limestone hills along with a variety of wildflowers, all while gazing upon endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo.

Travis County owns part of it, and the rest is owned by St. Edward’s University. The private school uses Wild Basin as a laboratory for environmental education, research, and conservation & preservation.

The area boasts an impressive number of activities, such as star-watching parties at night and guided tours for bird watchers by day.

So, if you haven’t been out to experience the serenity for yourself, now is the time to do so.