Perhaps nothing better exemplifies the magic of our Central Texas/Hill Country region than the four iconic springs between San Antonio and Austin: San Antonio Springs, Comal Springs, San Marcos Springs, and Barton Springs.
The Edwards Aquifer, the source of these life-giving springs, is one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world, providing drinking water to Central Texans – 2.2 million in Bexar and Comal counties alone. Spring waters sustain this landscape, form its rivers, and, in fact, are the reason our growing communities were established here and continue to thrive.
It’s not our imaginations – Texas is becoming hotter and drier. Our groundwater is being pumped faster than it can be replaced by rainfall. Add to that the rapid growth along the I-35 corridor, and there’s no doubt our region’s landscape and our fragile water resources will be permanently lost to future generations without proper preservation.
Enter the Great Springs Project (GSP). This recipient of our 2023 High Impact Award in the Environment, Recreation & Preservation category is working to conserve 50,000 acres of land over the Edwards Aquifer. Through its Landowner Engagement Initiative, GSP is working with owners of 1,400 land parcels of 50 acres or more to conserve this precious land and create a green corridor—a 100+ mile network of spring-to-spring trails connecting San Antonio to Austin.
Their deadline? 2036, the Texas Bicentennial. To accomplish their mission on time, GSP needs to build seven miles of trails and conserve 5,000 acres every year.
Our HIG has enabled GSP to complete the Landowner Engagement Initiative a month ahead of schedule, engaging 831 landowners representing over 274,000 acres. Two properties have now moved into conservation, the ultimate goal of the program.
“Having the support of Impact San Antonio has helped GSP accelerate our work and advance our time-sensitive mission to conserve irreplaceable, high-conservation land,” says Emma Lindrose-Siegel, Chief Development Officer, GSP. “We’ve now successfully engaged every landowner identified in the Initiative and are working toward the goal of conserving 50,000 acres of Central Texas Hill Country.”
Want to get more involved? GSP can always use extra hands for trail building, creek and trail clean-up, and participation in various community events. Visit greatspringsproject.org for more information and check out their beautifully illustrated Annual Report.
