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Shudde Fath tract – Restoring Nature on Barton Creek
Thanks to support from our members, SBCA is currently working on one of our most ambitious conservation efforts in years. We’ve partnered with the Barton View Neighborhood Association (BVNA) to rehabilitate the Shudde Fath Tract, a 77-acre property in southwest Austin next to the Barton Creek Greenbelt. The tract was purchased by Austin’s Water Quality […]
Shop at HEB, donate to EarthShare, and help SBCA!
Do you shop at H-E-B or Central Market? Through May 23, you can make a donation at any store to EarthShareTexas and support more than 30 environmental nonprofits, including SBCA. Look for the EarthShare placard (at right in photo) to add a donation when you check out at either a full-service or self-service register. If […]
SBCA is HIRING!
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALFOR OPERATIONS SERVICES Save Barton Creek Association (SBCA) isseeking an experienced independent contractor to provide business operations services.The ideal candidate must have experience in office management, communications andoutreach, and administrative and financial support. Job Description Anticipated start date: July 15, 2023 Contract length: 6 months with possible yearly extensions Negotiated compensation based on […]
TCEQ Rejects Pristine Streams Petition — But Admits Wastewater Pollution Is A Problem
TCEQ Rejects Pristine Streams Petition — But Admits Wastewater Pollution Is A Problem Thanks to your support for the Pristine Streams Petition, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has acknowledged that it needs to do more to protect our state’s most beautiful rivers and creeks from treated wastewater. Let’s get the bad news out of […]
Judge Tells TxDOT: Stop Bulldozing Protected Trees in Oak Hill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Monday, August 2, 2021 CONTACTS:Cynthia Wilcox, 512-771-5755, cbwidaho@gmail.comKaron Rilling, 512-468-1692, karon.rilling@gmail.comKelly Davis, 512-477-2320 x6, kelly@sosalliance.org Judge Tells TxDOT: Stop Bulldozing Protected Trees in Oak HillAUSTIN — A federal judge on Friday instructed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to stop destroying protected trees as it begins reconstruction of the Oak Hill Y interchange at U.S. 290 […]
Protesting like Your Life Depended on It
(Originally published with NRDC https://www.nrdc.org/stories/protesting-your-life-depended-it) Photo caption: Zabcik (left) and Aldyn McKean brief ACT UP members on a protest at the National Institutes of Health in May 1990. (Photo: Dona Ann McAdams) Editor’s note: SBCA’s Brian Zabcik was invited to write this Pride Month column for the website of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). […]
Statement on Zilker Café Conditional Use Permit
Save Barton Creek Association(SBCA) has had a special interest in protecting the water quality and experience at Barton Springs Pool since our founding in 1979. SBCA submits these comments on the Zilker Café Conditional Use Permit, after much discussion among SBCA’s board of directors. Save Barton Creek Association is opposed to amending the zoning of […]
Breaking: Developer nixes sewage plant on Barton Creek!
Breaking: Developer nixes sewage plant on Barton Creek! Pending legislation would prohibit similar sewage permits. AUSTIN – A Houston-based developer who planned to build a sewage treatment facility on Barton Creek withdrew his permit application on Wednesday, one day after intense opposition to his proposal was expressed at a public meeting held by the Texas Commission on Environmental […]
SBCA Earth Month Scavenger Hunt All April Long!
Save Barton Creek Association is celebrating Earth Month with a self-paced scavenger hunt all month long with a show-and-tell storytime on April 30th. Download the spreadsheet here to see what challenges are on the hunt list and the points that are associated with each challenge. Tallying your points is optional. What we really care about […]
Check out our New Membership Video!
Check Out Our New Membership Video! We formed in 1979 in response to community concerns about the impact of urbanization on Barton Creek and Barton Springs. SBCA has been a leading conservation organization in Austin working to ensure that future generations may enjoy the cool, clean waters of Barton Springs. But we can’t do it […]
First Creek Crew Virtual Clean-up!
First Creek Crew Virtual Clean-up! Check out all of the litter our Creek Crew collected during our first virtual clean-up event! Held the first week of September, Creek Crew folks were encouraged to collect litter from their favorite local green space. It was a HUGE success, with the Crew collecting 15 bags of trash, along […]
Settlement May Clear Path for New Oak Hill Highway
Settlement May Clear Path for New Oak Hill Highway See the press release below from Angela Richter, SBCA’s Executive Director. For Immediate Release: September 21, 2020 (Austin) A federal judge has ordered negotiations in a lawsuit over a planned freeway in southwest Austin, the “Oak Hill Parkway” (US 290 / TX 71). Plaintiffs in the […]
Virtual Event Featuring the Barton Creek Timestream Exhibit
Virtual Event Featuring the Barton Creek Time Stream Exhibit Join SBCA and our friends at Living Springs, as we take a walk through time and discover the history of advocacy that saved Barton Creek! Hear from Barton Creek Time Stream creators Karen Kocher and Monica Flores, and folks that were there when it all happened. […]
Help the Save our Springs Alliance Keep Sewage Out of the Blanco River – and Barton Springs
Help the Save our Springs Alliance Keep Sewage Out of the Blanco River – and Barton Springs We are helping spread the word for our friends at Save Our Springs Alliance on this important issue concerning water quality in the Hill Country, which effects us all! Spread the word and take action today! Please take […]
SBCA Membership Drive
SBCA Membership Drive Hey friends! We need your help. Our capacity to remain effective is under threat due to funding losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Your membership will ensure our important work continues, such as: A report on Wastewater Pollution Problems and Solutions in the Texas Hill Country to be published in September 2020. Continuing […]
Check Out Our New Social Media Campaigns!
Nature Notes with SBCA It’s plain and simple, nature is healing for the soul. We have always known the importance of connecting to the great outdoors, and during this time of quarantine, it feels even more so. We here at SBCA want to help bring the beauty of nature to you. Join SBCA for videos […]
TAKE ACTION TODAY- Less Highways, more trails!
TAKE ACTION TODAY- Less Highways, more trails! Friends, Want to do something positive for the world right now? Send a message to tell officials that you DO NOT SUPPORT MORE HIGHWAYS/pavement over the EDWARDS AQUIFER recharge zone and DO SUPPORT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION TRAILS! The public comment period on the draft CAMPO 2045 draft plan is set to close […]
Land Development Code Update
Land Development Code Update Save Barton Creek Association’s persistent advocacy throughout the multi-year land development code process is paying off. With every draft of the land development code, we accomplish more of our water and environmental goals. Some of the improvements in the latest draft that came out on Friday, were items that we were previously told […]
Explorer’s Guide Challenge!
Explorer’s Challenge! Complete the below tasks by the month of June to receive an SBCA explorer pin! Challenges include exploring sites in the Guide, sharing the Guide with friends, and attending a Guide related event! The first person to complete the challenge will win the grand prize. Don’t forget to join the Explorer’s Challenge Facebook Group for […]
Explorer’s Guide Spring Events!
Explorer’s Guide Spring Events! The Explorer’s Guide to the Hill Country Oasis is here! Come celebrate with us and pick up your very own copy at one of these upcoming events! JOIN US! RSVP to our Release Party here Help us Promote the Explorer’s Guide Please consider posting about the Explorer’s Guide on your social […]
2019 Annual Report
Check out everything we accomplished in 2019 thanks to your generous support! (Click on the image to read)
Save Barton Creek Association 2019 Award Recipients
Save Barton Creek Association 2019 Award Recipients Congratulations to our award recipients! Read about the work of these incredibly dedicated environmental heroes below. Jackie Vay received our Rising Star Award. A St.Edward’s University Alumni, who interned at SBCA during her undergrad, today she works full time for the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer District as Outreach Specialist, working on […]
Letter Sent on Behalf of Six Organizations to City Council Concerning the Land Development Code
Letter Sent on Behalf of Six Organizations to City Council Concerning the Land Development Code “We are working to ensure that Austin’s future land development code, likely to be adopted in February or March, is as green as possible. We have a once in a generation opportunity to confront the incipient dangers of climate change and threats […]
Bluegrass & Beer at Jester King Brewery
Bluegrass & Beer at Jester King Brewery We had a blast with our friends at Save or Springs and the Texas Brewshed Alliance at the event at Jester King Brewery on October 11 to keep Sewage out of Long Branch and Barton Creek. It was a huge success as well! We had 103 concerned citizens […]
Spotlight on Environmental Concerns in Barton Creek
As you may remember, the Long Branch permit plans to dump 92,000 gallons/day of treated sewage into a tributary into Barton Creek, which is the same as dumping three standard sized pools (20 ft by 40 ft) filled with wastewater into the creek every day. SBCA is concerned about this permit because new research indicates that miles of Barton […]
An Innovative Solution to Wastewater
With population growth, many cities are resorting to dumping treated sewage into waterways, which communities depend on for drinking water, recreational use and habitats for aquatic species. Texas allows treatment plants to pollute our waters, but cities are choosing better ways to manage their wastewater that protects waterways and saves them money. One city in […]
First Water School in Texas
The Wimberly Independent School District (WISD) created and implemented a new school, the first Texan One Water Campus, that will use One Water strategies to use 90% less of groundwater from the Trinity Aquifer compared to traditional construction standards. The construction of the new school will reuse rainwater, HVAC condensate and wastewater treatment to reduce […]
SBCA and others File Lawsuit Against Oakhill Parkway
Save Barton Creek Association, Fix 290, Save Oak Hill, South Windmill Run Neighborhood Association, Clean Water Action, and resident landowners represent the plaintiffs in a new lawsuit filed against the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) in relation to the Oak Hill Parkway construction project planned at the […]
Hays County Sues Kinder Morgan
On Apr. 22, Hays County and the City of Kyle joined a lawsuit with 20 landowners and city leaders against the natural gas pipeline set to run through Central Texas. The suit aims to stop construction until the Texas Railroad Commission acquires management of the proposed route. Since last year, dozens of cities, counties, and […]
SBCA asks Council to take Flooding and Water Quality seriously in Land Code Changes
In case you missed it, the land development code process (formerly called CodeNEXT) which was formerly placed on hold by the Mayor has begun again. To begin this process, City Manager Spencer Cronk asked for the City Council to weigh in on five key issues that were contentious in the last code process. What resulted […]
New Wastewater Solutions Report and Happy Hour!
Join Save Barton Creek Association, Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment as we release a new report on preferred wastewater systems for the Texas Hill Country! The report by Susan Parten, PE, provides guidance on a variety of cost-effective wastewater solutions for the Texas Hill Country. “Preferred Wastewater […]
Texas Water Symposium – Legislature Edition
Texas Water Symposium – Hill Country Representatives Speak On Thursday, March 28 state representatives from the Hill Country will engage in a conversation and public question and answer session to discuss bills that address flooding, treated effluent discharges, water well protection, growth, and support of sound science oriented natural resource policy. The program, titled Water and […]
Oak Hill Parkway “reluctantly” funded by City of Austin
Save Barton Creek Association continues to be concerned about TxDOT’s plan for the Oak Hill Parkway (reconstruction of US 290/SH 71 near the Oak Hill “Y”). Recently, on January 31st, Austin’s city council voted 8 to 2 (with one member absent and not voting) to execute a construction agreement (MOU) with TxDOT and authorized $3.3 […]
LEGAL QUESTIONS ARISE ABOUT OAK HILL PARKWAY
BREAKING- Yesterday, SBCA received a memo from our lawyer on the Oak Hill Parkway stating that he “Found significant areas of concern regarding how this NEPA process proceeded and the results thereof.” Read the Memo Here
Austin City Council Watershed Protection Meeting
Come with us on Thursday, Jan. 31, at Austin City Hall as Council members vote on MOU with the TxDOT regarding watershed protection! Additionally, the meeting provides a chance to speak out about the Oak Hill Parkway project that would add 71 acres of new impervious cover in the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zones. […]
New Year Message from Craig Smith
A message from SBCA Board Vice President, Craig Smith– I hope that you are having a happy New Year. At the start of 2019, I’d like to recap of the challenges to the health of our drinking water aquifers in the past year and suggest how I think that they could be met. It is my […]
Trail Project with Austin Ridge Riders
Come with us to the Country Club Creek Greenbelt to help clear a new path with the Austin Ridge Riders on Saturday, January 19 from 11 AM – 2 PM. We will focus on removing invasive Ligustrum (Japanese privet) and cleaning up litter in the area. SBCA will provide trash grabbers, weed wrenches, and loppers. […]
Water Forward Plan Goes to Council
On Thursday, November 29th, the Water Forward Plan, Austin’s Water Supply Plan for the next 100 years goes to City Council for a vote. See SBCA’s letter to City Council below about the content of the plan. November 27, 2018 Re: Water Forward Plan To: Mayor Adler and Austin City Council Save Barton Creek […]
Annual Party is November 19th
It’s that time of year again. SBCA is busy preparing for our annual membership party on Monday November 19th at 6:00 pm at Zilker Clubhouse and holding our membership drive. The party has music, BBQ, and a bar. We encourage you to renew your membership online before the party. Membership donations start at $25. Inspired by our work and want to make a larger […]
Oak Hill Parkway Presents Danger to Aquifer, Creek, and Springs
The Oak Hill Parkway project, centered on highways 290 and 71 at the Y, presents serious concerns for the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer. SBCA has been busy elevating this issue by presenting this letter to Austin City Council and communicating with numerous other entities about the project. We aim to get the project changed in ways […]
Hill Country Conservancy Celebrates Puryear Ranch Conservation Easement
On Saturday, September 22 the Hill Country Conservancy celebrated the acquisition of their new conservation easement holding, the Puryear Ranch. Puryear Ranch lies in the Texas Hill Country of southwestern Travis County. It is located within the contributing zone of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, specifically containing over a […]
20th Anniversary Celebration of the Water Quality Protection Lands
On Saturday, October 6 the City of Austin’s Wildland Conservation Division is hosting their 20th anniversary celebration from 10 AM to 3 PM in Driftwood, TX. Highlights include guided hikes, tacos, live music, and a family-friendly cave simulator. Additionally, come see the premiere of the documentary film A Wild Idea about the Water Quality Protection […]
Fecal Bacteria Pollution in 60% of Austin Waterways
Yuck! Environment Texas recently put out a report on bacteria pollution in Texas waterways. They found that 60 percent of testing sites at Austin waterways had unsafe bacteria at least once in 2017. Luckily Barton Creek and Barton Springs were not among the affected waterways–yet. Other Austin waterways like Shoal and Waller Creek were affected. It […]
New Education Program Coordinator
Help us welcome Teresa Johnson to the SBCA team! Teresa earned her Master’s in Environmental Management & Sustainability from St. Edward’s University and a BS in Natural Resources Conservation from the University of Massachusetts. She has previous experience leading environmental education programming. Teresa is passionate about fostering a connection to the environment in others and […]
SBCA Submits Comments To BSEACD On Electro Purifcation
June 25, 2018 Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board of Directors 1124 Regal Row Austin, Texas 78748 e-mail: bseacd@bseacd.org RE: Public Comments for Electro Purification LLC Production Permit in Middle Trinity Management Zone Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board of Directors, Save Barton Creek Association (SBCA) appreciate the critical […]
TWO AQUIFER DISTRICTS JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRIPPING SPRINGS WASTEWATER
May 28, 2018 (AUSTIN) – A preliminary hearing was held last week by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), resulting in the addition of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) and Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) to the battle against the contested Dripping Springs wastewater permit. These two districts now join […]
“BARTON SPRINGS ETERNAL” MUSIC VIDEO REMASTERED
Exhumed from the archives! We’re happy to present this epic legendary all-star recording of Austin’s music community coming together to sing the praises of The Soul of Austin, remastered from the original 1992 tapes. As you watch, check out those SBCA banners and vintage tees! Thanks to Bill Oliver and all the artists, “Barton […]
SBCA in Contested Case Hearing over Dripping Springs Wastewater Permit
March 7, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Questions to: Angela Richter, Executive Director, Save Barton Creek Association 512-480-0055, angela@savebartoncreek.org Dripping Springs Permit Referred to Contested Case Hearing (AUSTIN) – A state agency decided this morning (March 7th) who can challenge a controversial plan allowing Dripping Springs to dump nearly a million gallons of […]
PRESS RELEASE: State May Allow Landowners, Citizens to Fight Dripping Sewage Plans
February 20, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State May Allow Landowners, Citizens to Fight Dripping Sewage Plans (AUSTIN) – A state agency is considering who can challenge a controversial plan allowing Dripping Springs to dump nearly a million gallons of treated sewage a day into Onion Creek, a major source of water for Austin’s famous Barton Springs. […]
#NoDrippingSewage
The No Dripping Sewage Campaign is the combined effort of a number of nonprofit organizations and citizens interested in a less polluting future for the Edwards Aquifer and Texas Hill Country. We educate about the problems associated with direct discharge and the benefits of more sustainable alternatives. We support a ban on dumping treated sewage […]
#GiveBartonCreek
As the year draws to a close, we would like to say thank you. Thank you for your enthusiasm and your generosity! With the holidays approaching, we ask that you please remember Save Barton Creek Association in your holiday plans. In support of our work, please become a member of SBCA today. Generous donors […]
SBCA Weighs in on 2nd Draft of CodeNEXT
SBCA sent a letter to Austin City council and others today about the latest draft of codeNEXT. With our partners, we showed support for some measures in the draft, while pointing out several issues that need improvement. See the press release below and full letter here. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 31, 2017, 12:00 p.m. […]
SBCA Weighs in on Edwards Aquifer Rules
SBCA recently supplied the comments to the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program comment period. Our focus was to prohibit direct discharge of wastewater in the contributing zone of the Edwards Aquifer and to ask for a public process to evaluate the rules in the context of new science and engineering best practices. The full comments letter can […]
SBCA Officially Adopts Barton Creek!
This summer SBCA officially adopted the section of Barton Creek from the 360 entrance to Spyglass! The Adopt-a-Creek program is a collaboration between Keep Austin Beautiful and Austin’s Watershed Protection Department. The adoption means that SBCA is committed to at least 4 cleanups a year on the trail. We will also be stewarding the Barton […]
Bill Oliver’s Mother Earth Day Festival
Bill’s annual Mother Earth Day festival will be September 15th this year. This is the 16th year that we’ve had families and lovers of Barton Springs come together to celebrate the end of summer and the start of the school year. Bill the “Environmental Troubadour” has reminded us year after year to fight for what […]
Save Our Springs 25th Anniversary!
It has been 25 years since our momentous group effort to protect our beloved Barton Springs. We want all of our SBCA members to come to the South Entrance “big tree” on August 8th from 8pm to 9pm. We will be watching “Common Ground” a documentary by Karen Kocher. This occasion will help organizers of […]
Austin Council Approves Green Infrastructure Resolution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16, 2017 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Brian Zabcik, Environment Texas, 512-479-9861 Angela Richter, Save Barton Creek Association, 512-480-0055 AUSTIN COUNCIL APPROVES GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE RESOLUTION Environmental Advocates Applaud Decision to Create Integrated Green Plan AUSTIN — The Austin City Council on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution that calls […]
SBCA on CodeNEXT
Save Barton Creek Association strives to be an objective opinion on Austin’s development in regards to water quality and green space integrity. Our organization analyzes Austin’s CodeNEXT zoning code to determine the cities ability to protect our creeks, rivers and watersheds. Read More: https://savebartoncreek.org/codenext-viewpoint/
Sewage Update: Dripping Springs and the Legislature
There have been several new developments this Spring in regards to Dripping Springs’ proposal to dump nearly a million gallons a day of treated sewage into Onion Creek. While SBCA and our partner organizations were optimistic the legislature may pass a bill banning direct discharge of wastewater in the contributing zone to the Edwards Aquifer, […]
SBCA Maintains Opposition to SH45 SW
SBCA board members Steve Beers and Clark Hancock recently wrote an article for the Austin American Statesman on the SH45 SW project and the threat it poses to the aquifer. We encourage you to read the article to understand why SBCA has continues to hold a position against this project. “This time, endangered-species habitat is […]
CreekFest Sponsors
Thank you to those who have already signed up as 2017 CreekFest Sponsors! Austin Parks Foundation Hills Cafe Asakura Robinson Valley Mills Vineyards Big Frog Custom T-shirts Austin Ridge Riders Montopolis Greenbelt Dick Kallerman Roy Waley, Barbara Hilliard Realtors Becky Jolin and Jon Beall Craig Smith and Mary Ann Neely Karen Kocher and Tom Schatz […]
New Letter on Dripping Springs Effluent to Austin City Council
March 6 2017: SBCA and five other organizations sent a March 6th Letter to Austin City Council Members asking them to withdraw from a bad settlement proposal and continue negotiations with a goal of no discharge. Read the press release and February letter to Austin City Council. We also recently discovered that US Fish and […]
Recent Aquifer Study Shows New Data for Recharge Water
The new aquifer study “Stream Recharge Water Balance for the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer” was published in December 2016. The study recalculates the amount of contributions of recharge into the aquifer. The new study found the contributions of local rivers and creeks are: Onion Creek: 32.6% Barton Creek: < 10.5% Slaughter Creek: 7.2% Bear Creek: 6.2% […]
SBCA Part of Coalition on CodeNEXT Benchmarks
SBCA helped draft and support “Community Priorities for CodeNEXT” a document written and supported by a diverse stakeholder group including several environmental organizations. SBCA looks forward to reading the draft of CodeNEXT, the City of Austin’s land development code rewrite, and measuring it by the benchmarks in the document. SBCA is particularly interested that CodeNEXT […]
SBCA Hires New Director in 2017
SBCA would like to share the news that we have officially hired Angela Richter as Executive Director in 2017! For the past five months, Angela has served as Interim Executive Director and will continue to uphold SBCA’s legacy into the new year. Come meet Angela at one of our upcoming events or shoot her an […]
Great News! EPA Issues Objection to Dripping Springs’ Draft Permit
We heard from our friends at Protect Our Water this morning. In September, they petitioned the EPA to review the Dripping Springs’ TCEQ wastewater permit. Today, the EPA issued an Interim Objection to the permit. EPA’s objection is based on the fact that TCEQ inadequately analyzed the Draft Permit and the pollution is not justified. EPA […]
#NoDrippingSewage Rally a Success
On October 28th, SBCA held a #NoDrippingSewage Rally at Barton Springs Pool. The event was a great success that got news coverage, educated people about the issue, and generated over 50 letters to Austin’s mayor and City Council members, and a similar number to TCEQ. Why are we writing to Austin City Council? Because, they have been in negotiations with […]
PRESS RELEASE: Coalition of Six Local Environmental Groups Urge City of Austin Not to Allow Treated Sewage Discharge into Onion Creek
On October 11, Save Barton Creek Association and five other environmental organizations sent a letter to the Austin City Council urging them not to allow treated sewage discharge into Onion Creek. Read the press release and letter below. TAKE ACTION FOR ONION CREEK NOW FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Coalition of Six Local Environmental Groups […]
SBCA Receives APF Grant for Goat Cave Karst Preserve
On December 5, 2015, SBCA received a $8,860 grant from the Austin Parks Foundation to replace the existing kiosk and add additional educational signage at Goat Cave Karst Preserve, located at 3900 Deer Lane in south Austin. Goat Cave, like most cave and karst features, is a conduit for water from the surface to the […]
SBCA Embarks on New Trail Project
SBCA and a stakeholder group comprised of City of Austin departments & nonprofit and community groups plan to apply for grant funding this year to build a sustainable trail on City Water Quality Protection Lands named after Austin icon Shudde Fath. For more information, watch an interview with our Director of Development and Community Relations, […]
Zoning and Platting Commission Focuses on Creeks
Report: February 2nd Zoning and Platting Commission Meeting Presentations from Mike Kelly and Kevin Shunk from the Austin Watershed Protection Dept. In a recent city Zoning and Platting Commission meeting on February 2nd, a briefing was held regarding development impacts on Austin creeks. To start the discussion, two speakers from the Austin Watershed Protection Department […]
Who Builds our City?
Article taken from SBCA Newsletter, Volume 36 Issue I – Fall 2015 Recently, observers of Austin City government were surprised to hear that most applications to develop land typically don’t get seen by the public, boards or commissions or city council. Instead, they are approved by the bureaucracy out of public view. At the August 5th […]
First Segment of Violet Crown Trail Opens
Today, August 14th 2015, marked the ribbon-cutting of Hill Country Conservancy’s Violet Crown Trail. Save Barton Creek Association is proud to be a major sponsor of the regional trail system, which will begin at Zilker park and span 30 miles south into Hays County. Hill Country Conservancy announced today that they will be […]
SBCA Featured on Public News Service
We’re proud to be featured on the Texas section of the Public News Service site for our work on the Shudde Fath Tract this Saturday, June 6th. Read the article. It’s not too late to help! We still need a few more volunteers to help us clean trash from the 77-acre tract that borders […]
Living Springs Installation Celebration
The SBCA-supported Living Springs project will debut the new installation at Splash! at Barton Springs this Saturday, April 25th. Stop by any time from noon onward to check it out. After Saturday’s event, the documentary film will be available at all times for viewing at the Splash! Exhibit. Karen Kocher and her team […]
Shop and Support SBCA with Amazon Smile
Great news! Now you can shop on Amazon Smile and support Save Barton Creek Association. Follow the link to get started. Click Here to Support SBCA on Amazon Smile!
35th Anniversary Photos
THANK YOU to everyone who helped us celebrate 35 YEARS of preservation at the Zilker Clubhouse for the Annual Membership & Awards Banquet! If you would like to see photos from the event, please visit our facebook photo album.
A gathering of Barton Creek protectors
Click here to read Michael Barnes’ “Out & About” column in the Austin American-Statesman.
Announcing the Reliant EcoShare program!
Save Barton Creek Association is pleased to announce the second year of The Reliant EcoShare, a way that Texans can support SBCA and offset their own carbon production at the same time. Reliant and EarthShare of Texas have launched a program that allows Reliant customers to help reduce their carbon footprints through the purchase of […]
Living Springs Interactive Documentary
NEW: A trailer for this amazing new project has been released! Click here to check it out! SBCA is proud to support the new interactive documentary by Austin-based filmmaker, Karen Kocher. Living Springs will present the history, science and culture of Barton Springs from many different perspectives. Using a multi-linear, user-driven format, viewers navigate through […]
Help Keep Mopac Local!!!
Mopac was built for Austin commuters – help us keep it that way! Go to KeepMopacLocal.org and send a clear message to Travis County Commissioners and the Austin City Council to “Keep Mopac Local.” Currently Mopac operates as a local commuter highway, primarily serving local commuters. But a renewed push to connect the southern end of Mopac over to […]
2011 Annual Party!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who joined us in celebrating our 32nd year of working to protect the six watersheds of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer! WHAT: Annual Party and Awards Ceremony. WHERE: Zilker Clubhouse, 200 Zilker Clubhouse Drive WHEN: Monday, November 21st, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. WHO: Save Barton Creek Association Board, members, […]
Proposal Request for Water Quality of Barton Springs
SBCA is soliciting proposals for “ground-truthing” the effectiveness of water quality control structures and/or land application wastewater treatment systems in the Barton Springs zone of the Edwards Aquifer. This study would be in the interest of preserving the water quality of Barton Springs and the Barton Springs Aquifer that recharges it, so please, if you […]
Vote for Proposition 2!
Early voting for bond propositions began Monday and will end Nov. 4th so get out there and VOTE! Travis County voters can decide on $82.1 million in bond projects to improve parks and greenways, preserve natural spaces and buy land for parks, including proposals to acquire vast swaths of land in the eastern and western […]
Barton Springs Salamander Update
The Edwards Aquifer contains numerous intermittent and perennial springs throughout that are home to several species of solely aquatic, perennibranchiate (“always gilled”) Eurycea salamanders. Two of these species have two of the smallest known ranges of any vertebrate species, residing only in the complex of springs known as Barton Springs. Eurycea sosorum, the Barton Springs […]
Recent Developments and Publications Impacting Barton Springs
As many of you may know, there’s been a steep decline in the number of proposed development projects in the Barton Springs Zone and an increase in projects elsewhere. The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has published “Desired Future Conditions” and “Sustainable Yields” reports in response to these changes. To read this report, click here. […]
In Memorium
In 2010 we said goodbye to two of Save Barton Creek Association’s longtime friends and supporters – Wayne Gronquist and Susan Bright. To learn about the lives of these amazing people and their advocacy for clean water and healthy communities, please click here to read their remembrances.
President’s Farewell Letter – Jon Beall
As we begin this new year I appreciate this opportunity to recap 2010 for you and I am also pleased to announce that I have handed the Presidency gavel off to my dear friend and colleague for the past twenty years at Save Barton Creek Association – Jackie Goodman. A few events occurred last year […]
SBCA Teams Up With Karen Kocher
The Save Barton Creek Association is proud to announce that we are working with local media producer Karen Kocher on an exciting new project. Living Springs will be a media-rich website about the culture, history and science of Barton Springs pool. The website will engage young adult and adult learners in an interactive exploration of […]
2009 SBCA Annual Newsletter
We’re pleased to announce that our annual newsletter is now available by clicking here:
2009 was a busy year, with municipal elections, conservation victories, and the usual fights against bad developments and short-sighted transportation policies. We also lost a dear friend to the Association, Bert Cromack.
Overall, however, there is reason to be optimistic about the future. As we enter into our 31st year, may our biggest victories lie ahead.
Creekmore Fath, 1916-2009
Besides being a dear brother-in-law to our long-time Treasurer Shudde Fath, Creekmore Fath was an important force in Democratic politics in Central Texas and at the national stage for over 70 years. His memorial service will be held this Thursday morning, 11:00am at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 3125 North Lamar Blvd. Creekmore was a great friend to the Association and to Austin and I’d encourage everyone to attend and pay their respects. After the fold is more information and his obituary.
Susan Bright, Bill Oliver et al on Aielli Unleashed
Listen to Bill Oliver, Danny Britt, Beth Gallager, Marvin Dykhuis sing and play tree and river songs. SBCA Board Member Susan Bright reads a new tree poem. Bill Bunch talks about our Heritage Trees at Barton Springs.http://kut.org/music/show/75
SBCA Treasurer Shudde Fath wins Liveable City Environmental Vision Award!
SBCA is proud to report that our own Shudde Fath won the 2009 Liveable City Liveable Vision award in the category of Environment. Shudde was a founding member of of the Association in 1979 and has served as our treasurer ever since. During her speech to the assembled audience, she received multiple standing ovations. Congratulations, Shudde!
Liveable City’s writeup:
Environment: Shudde Fath with the Save Barton Creek Association. In tireless efforts spanning 27 years (sic – actually it’s 30!), these environmental champions have worked to protect that which sustains us all – the six watersheds of the Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer.
Photo Credit: Jana Birchum, Austin Chronicle