Water
Kuhlken Photography
2100 Stamford Lane
Austin, TX 78703
Mike Cannatti (512) 284-1784
E-Mail: president@bartonspringsconservancy.org
Net: bartonspringsconservancy.org
Facebook: facebook.com/bartonspringsconservancy
Instagram: instagram.com/bartonspringsconservancy
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/barton-springs-conservancy
Purpose: Barton Springs Conservancy (BSC) is guided by the mission to honor, preserve, and enhance the experience of Barton Springs for everyone through education and park improvements. BSC was formed in 2014 to work with key Barton Springs stakeholders to identify and support projects to benefit Barton Springs. Initial efforts focused on establishing fundraising capacity and providing community input to complete the Barton Springs Bathhouse Rehabilitation project called for in the 2008 Barton Springs Master Plan and partially funded by the 2012 Bond Package. Through the community input process, a number of facility improvement and education projects have been identified.
Projects/Activities: 1) the Conservancy has partnered with the City of Austin and Parks and Recreation Department to raise at least $8 million in public and private funds for a facility rehabilitation and renovation of the Historic Barton Springs Bathhouse; 2) We have raised $1.3 million private and public funding for new exhibits located at the Bathhouse to educate the public about the endangered Barton Springs Salamander, water quality, and conservation; 3) We build community support for conservation measures for Barton Springs and the Springs portion of the Edwards Aquifer.
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to help with monthly pool cleanings, special events, and educational programming. E-mail us for more information.
Newsletters/Publications: Monthly e-newsletter, sign up through our Web site.
Bull Creek Foundation
2800 Benbrook Dr.
Austin, TX 78757
David Cook (512) 799-6289
E-Mail: info@
Net: bullcreekfoundation.org
Purpose: The purpose of the Bull Creek Foundation is to promote the harmonious balance between nature, recreation, and sustainable economic development in the Bull Creek watershed, bounded roughly by Highways 2222, 620, 183, and Mesa Drive. This volunteer group believes that all who have a stake in this region can work together to achieve and maintain its delicate ecological balance, and since 1994 we have demonstrated this actually works.
Volunteer Opportunities: Varied. Please contact us.
Newsletters/Publications: See Web site.
Central Texas Water Coalition
P.O. Box 328
Spicewood, Texas 78669
Shannon Hamilton (214) 505-7839
E-Mail: Shannon.Hamilton.ctwc@gmail.com
Net: CentralTexasWaterCoalitionn.org
Facebook: facebook.com/CentralTexasWaterCoalition
Purpose: Central Texas Water Coalition’s primary mission to ensure a sustainable future for our region is to advocate for the preservation and conservation of the Highland Lakes, the primary source of Austin’s and the surrounding communities’ drinking water supply. With no new water projects planned for the immediate future and knowing that new water supply projects are going to be extremely expensive, it is imperative that we treat our water as the most important resource we have today. Investments in water conservation and efficiency, including but not limited to reducing water losses in water distribution systems, should be a top priority.
It is critical that residents, business owners, municipal officials, homeowner associations, and other various stakeholder organizations recognize that this is a finite resource, and that it is essential that the plan used to manage it is updated to protect this resource.
Friends of Barton Springs Pool
P.O. Box 685286
Austin, TX 78768-5286
E-Mail: info@friendsofbartonspringspool.org
Net: friendsofbartonspringspool.org
Purpose: We are dedicated to returning the Barton Springs Pool to its rightful glory. Since 2006, we have organized 7 pool cleaning events and 1,500 volunteer hours/year to make the pool a better place for the salamanders, springs and swimmers.
We worked with the City Council and Aquatics staff to develop a resolution to create and fund a Barton Springs Master Plan to repair the decaying pool facilities and infrastructure, which was adopted in 2009. Since then we have been advocating for improvements in the Master Plan including testing of dams, bypass tunnel repair, sediment removal, general grounds improvements, and rehabilitation of the historic Barton Springs Bathhouse.
Projects/Activities: Support Volunteer Pool cleanings; restoring aquatic plants in the pool; planting trees; and pursuing infrastructure improvements defined in the Master Plan. Advocate safety improvements in Barton Creek, as well as protection of the aquifer and springs. Major events include Council Cleans the Pool Day, New Year’s Day Polar Plunge, and Membership Picnic.
Meetings: Monthly Board Meeting, Feb. – Oct.
Volunteer Opportunities: See Web site
Dues: $25/year, or volunteer for a 2-hour pool cleaning session.
Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance
P.O. Box 15618
San Antonio, Texas 78212
Annalisa Peace (210) 320-6294
FAX: (210) 320-1457
E-Mail: Annalisa@AquiferAlliance.org
Net: AquiferAlliance.org
Facebook: facebook.com/Greater-Edwards-Aquifer-Alliance-GEAA-74467896453/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
Purpose: Founded in 2005, GEAA counts among our many successes the awful projects that you don’t see despoiling or polluting central Texas. We unite 52 diverse member organizations and thousands of Texans to advocate protection of the Edwards and Trinity aquifers and watersheds, flora and fauna, and the history and culture of the Texas Hill Country.
Projects/Activities: Member groups, citizens, news media, elected officials and public agencies rely on GEAA for technical expertise regarding management and protection of the Edwards and Trinity karst aquifers. We assist citizens in contesting permits, fundraising, development and advocacy of policy and best management practices.
Meetings: Ad Hoc meetings held to address various issues. Notice posted on Facebook page.
Volunteer Opportunities: Experts in the fields of hydrology, geology, biology, civil engineering, and other related specialties. GEAA partners interns with various experts for research projects for course credit.
Newsletters/Publications: Sign up for action alerts on Web site, especially when the state legislature is in session.
Dues: Individuals $75/year ($25/Seniors/students).
Protect Lake Travis Association
11110 Bonham Ranch Road
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Dan Roark (512) 7962919
E-Mail: roarkdr@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/protectlaketravis
Purpose: The Protect Lake Travis Association guards Lake Travis and its watershed from any events and conditions that could affect the health and safety of area residents, recreational users of the lake, and area wildlife. It also protects the aesthetic natural beauty of the area.
Projects/Activities: The Association is working on eliminating and preventing direct discharge permits to the lake, instead encouraging land irrigation with the treated wastewater. The Association promotes education of the citizenry on preventing pollution of the lake from septic tanks, lawn chemicals, and improper boating practices, and it participates and supports lake cleanup efforts.
Dues: Voluntary, $20/year suggested.
Save Barton Creek Association
P. O. Box 5923
Austin, TX 78763
Lee Burton (512) 480-0055
E-mail: SBCA@savebartoncreek.org
Net: savebartoncreek.org
Purpose: Save Barton Creek Association (SBCA) is dedicated to protecting all Central Texas streams and aquifers for future generations. We do this through public education, community outreach, and collaborative advocacy. We work to help protect water quality and supply, encourage conservation, prevent flooding, and promote environmental equity. SBCA was founded in 1979, making us one of the oldest citizens’ environmental groups in all of Texas.
Projects/Activities: We worked for the passage of Austin’s first watershed ordinance, the establishment of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, and the creation of Austin’s Water Quality Protection Lands program.
We are currently opposing several harmful wastewater permit applications in Central Texas. We are also working to advance the Pristine Streams Proposal, which would protect the Hill Country’s most iconic streams from wastewater pollution, including Barton and Onion Creeks. In addition to our advocacy work, we also maintain an active schedule of programs and events, including monthly Happy Hour Talks with guest experts; guided nature hikes; workdays with partner organizations; and in-depth panel discussions on larger topics.
Volunteer Opportunities: SBCA welcomes volunteers to help us with our programming and advocacy projects. Volunteers are needed for nature clean-ups and event organizing. We also appreciate volunteers with expertise and skills to assist with our advocacy work. E-mail us if interested.
Dues: $50/Individuals; $25/Students & Seniors. Contributions in any amount are greatly appreciated.
Save Our Springs Alliance
4701 West Gate Blvd., D-401
Austin, TX 78745
Pat Brodnax (512) 477-2320, Ext. 101
FAX: (512) 477-6410
E-mail: sosinfo@sosalliance.org
Net: sosalliance.org
Facebook: facebook.com/sosalliance
Instagram: instagram.com/saveoursprings
Purpose: Save Our Springs is a nonprofit alliance of activists, scientists, lawyers, and educators working to protect the springs of the Edwards Aquifer and the land, water, and wildlife of the Texas Hill Country. We accomplish this by steering development downstream and limiting pumping so our streams and springs keep flowing through droughts and a changing climate.
Volunteer Opportunities: See Web site.
Dues: $10/Students & seniors; $20/Basic; $50-200/Business partner.
Shoal Creek Conservancy
P.O. Box 11520
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 474-2412
E-Mail: info@shoalcreekconservancy.org
Net: shoalcreekconservancy.org
Facebook: facebook.com/shoalcreekconservancy
Instagram: instagram.com/shoalcreekconservancy/
Purpose: Shoal Creek Conservancy champions Austin’s Shoal Creek Greenway. We bring people together around Shoal Creek through free, public events and spearhead on-the-ground improvements that make Shoal Creek and the Shoal Creek Trail safer, more accessible, and more inspiring places to be. Shoal Creek Conservancy envisions a continuous network of green spaces stretching throughout the watershed, connected by hike-and-bike trails in a healthy habitat.
Projects/Activities: Shoal Creek Conservancy has spent years working with our community to develop actionable plans to make the Shoal Creek Trail an all-ages and abilities trail with greater connections to Austin’s wider trail network and to return Shoal Creek to a fishable and swimmable creek. With these completed plans now in hand, SCC’s team is working to implement specific projects and engage our community to begin moving toward their long-term goals.
Volunteer Opportunities: Join us for a volunteer workday to pick up trash, plant native grasses and seeds, and keep the Trail safe and clear of debris! We also offer Creek Tours on topics like fossil hunting and birdwatching, and regular social events along the creek and throughout Austin. See shoalcreekconservancy.org/events.
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