What we’re about
This group is operated by the City of Austin's Wildland Conservation Division and Travis County Natural Resources (1/14/2020). It was created to encourage awareness of and access to the Balcones Canyonland Preserve (BCP). Through the promotion of public educational opportunities, our members will be in the loop of special access hikes, lectures and volunteer opportunities. The BCP is not one single tract of land but a system of preserves located in Travis County that exists as a multi-agency conservation effort operating under a regional 10(a) permit issued under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFW). In addition to existing as habitat for endangered species, these lands provide habitat for numerous native plants and animals and contribute to improved air and water quality and quality of life for the people of Austin.
Check out the BCP events calendar to see all upcoming events on the BCP:
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=hikeandlecture@gmail.com&ctz=America/Chicago&pli=1
Upcoming events (3)
See all- First Friday Walk and Talk with Wild Basin StaffWild Basin Wilderness Preserve, Austin, TX
TO ATTEND SIGN UP USING THE WILD BASIN RESERVATION LINK IN THE DETAILS BELOW:
First Friday Walk and Talk with Wild Basin Staff
Staff, Title, Date and Focus
Trevor Rice; Preserve Manager - May 3rd: Do you ever wonder who maintains the trails at Wild Basin or monitors the preserve for invasive plants? Come meet me and share some time on the trails to learn about the land management work being done to protect this unique piece of the Texas Hill Country.Come walk the trails and talk with one of the Wild Basin Creative Research Center's staff members as they take you on guided adventure.
During this 1.5 - 2hr. experience, you will walk some of the trails and learn more about the history, operations, programs, and ongoing research happening at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve and in the Creative Research Center.
This adult-focused opportunity is designed so participants get to know Wild Basin better and have direct communication with the Center's staff. Some parts of the trails cover rugged terrain and have steps without railings. A hiking stick or trekking poles are encouraged.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a full water bottle. Space is limited so make sure to reserve your spot. Cost is $5/person and supports the Preserve. Additional donations are encouraged.Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve is located at 805 N. Capital of Texas Hwy (Loop 360) Austin, TX 78746 (About 1 mile North of FM 2244 - Bee Caves Rd.)
Learn more about Wild Basin Creative Research Center: https://www.stedwards.edu/wild-basin
No registration or waiting list on Meetup. You MUST visit the Wild Basin reservation site to reserve and pay to attend: First Friday Walk and Talk with Wild Basin Staff
- Bird Walk with BCP BiologistTravis County Natural Resources Field Office, Austin, TX
Difficulty: Easy – some slight inclines and declines
Distance: 2.5 miles – 2.5 hours
Location: We will meet at the Travis County Natural Resources Field Office, off of RR 620.Grab your binoculars and join us for a birding hike with Travis County Natural Resources Biologist Paul Fushille. We'll explore the Nootsie and Vireo Ridge tracts of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP). Everyone is welcome, from beginners to more experienced birders.
The BCP is one of the nation’s largest urban preserves, covering more than 33,000 acres – about 50 square miles. It is made up of more than 140 individual tracts managed by both public and private partners. The BCP was created in 1996 and continues to protect habitat for seven endangered species and other species of concern found on the preserve. It has some beautiful scenic views and great habitat to see the black-capped vireo and endangered golden-cheeked warbler, which are both in the middle of their breeding season.
This is a great chance to see and learn more about the bird species we protect and manage for on the BCP. This is a two-and-a-half-hour hike, and the terrain isn't particularly challenging except for a few areas with steep hills. Be prepared to walk roughly 3 miles, and we recommend wearing comfortable closed-toed shoes or boots and bringing water.
We'll meet in the parking lot at the Travis County Natural Resources Field Office. Don't forget your binoculars, but we will have a few extra pairs for you to borrow.
If you have not joined us on Travis County's BCP for an event in the past, please fill out and submit a volunteer waiver.
- Full Moon Night Hike on Bat Pond Trail8160 Tahoe Parke Cir, Austin, TX
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – one steep incline and decline on a paved road
Distance: approx. 2.5 miles – 2 hours
Location: We will meet and park in the cul de sac of 8160 Tahoe Parke Circle.Did you know Texas is home to an estimated 32 species of bats, the highest diversity of any state in the U.S.? Join Travis County BCP’s Jaya Torres on Thursday, May 23 from 7:30-9:30pm for a full moon bat walk on the Grandview Hills Bat Pond Trail. Bring a headlamp or flashlight, but we will also have some that can be borrowed.
On this unique night hike, you’ll learn about which species can be found here in the Hill Country, where they live, what they eat, how they communicate and navigate in the darkness, and more. We’ll start our bat walk with a short introduction and as the sun sets, we’ll make our way to the pond. Our guides will have bat detectors so we can listen to their echolocation calls as they forage on the wing. On the return trip we will use flashlights and blacklights to seek out critters in the night.
The out and back trail winds approximately 2.5 miles through open fields and dense forest and ends at a large pond created for livestock by the former landowners. Overall, the terrain is easy-moderate with a few areas of incline and lose rocks.
If you have not joined us for an event in the past, please fill out and submit a waiver. We will meet at the Tahoe Park Circle cul-de-sac. We will park and meet in the cul de sac near 8160 Tahoe Park Circle.
More detailed directions will be sent to all registrants before the date of the bat walk.