Educational Videos

Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer 101

UT Associate Professor Karen Kocher’s interactive Living Springs documentary series is the perfect introduction and overview of the natural and cultural heritage of Barton Springs.  Produced in short segments over 25 years, Living Springs invites us to “explore the rich history, fascinating science and unique culture of Austin’s famed Barton Springs.”  The Living Springs website features over 50 short videos and over 5 hours of total content.  Dive in!!
This 8 minute episode from PBS’s Urban Nature program gives an excellent overview of the challenge of  protecting Barton Springs in the face of rapid urbanization:  Salamanders in the Springs are the Canary In the Coal Mine.

​For a guide to “what is the Edwards Aquifer, where is it, and how does it work” try these videos from the Edwards Aquifer Authority.
For an important aquifer science detective story, delivered by the engaging Dr. Barbara Mahler, Research Hydrologist at the U.S. Geological Survey, check this U.T. Environmental Science Institute Hot Science - Cool Talk What’s in the Water:  The History and Future of Barton Springs from September 2004. (It’s 1hr25m, with q&a, and it’s still cool!)
​Join the Save Our Springs Guides for a fascinating tour of Parthenia, Eliza, and Zenobia Springs and discover the amazing “Barton Springs complex” right here in the heart of our city
1995 Underwater Footage of Barton Springs

Our changing climate, and what you can do

  1. Presentation by Khristen Hamilton, Zero Hour Volunteer Management Director, outlines common misconceptions of the Green New Deal and ways that it will help the communities most impacted by Climate change. 
    ​
  2. Texas Tech University Professor Katherine Hayhoe is an internationally-known atmospheric scientist, author, communicator, and Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech. She was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people by TIME Magazine in 2014.  She has also advised the City of Austin on managing its water supply with a changing climate.  Watch her UT Environmental Science Institute Hot Science Cool Talk. Climate and Faith, Money and  Politics:  Can We Build a Sustainable Future?(43 mins.)

Central Texas Aquatic Life:  Natives, Invasives, toxics, and endangereds

Presentation by Research Scientists Melissa Casarez and Adam Cohen on the status of their Texas eel research and their upcoming eel exhibit at the Texas Memorial Museum.
City of Austin Salamander Video
​Save Our Springs Attorney Bobby Levinski interviews Dr. Brent Bellinger, an aquatic ecologist with the City of Austin.
​David Hillis, Professor of Integrative Biology at UT (and MacArthur “genius” grant winner) delivers a Hot Science – Cool Talk on The Salamander that Saved A City.  It’s 1hr 25m, with q&a.  
Austin is home to three species of aquatic salamanders that occur no where else in the world except in and around this city: The Barton Springs Salamander, Austin Blind Salamander and Jollyville Plateau Salamander. Visit the City of Austin Salamander Page for information on the salamanders.

Sewage pollution:  Municipal wastewater problems and solutions

Excrement happens.  We all poop and pee.  For most of us, our body wastes wind their way to a treatment plant, where biological, chemical, and physical processes remove some of the waste, convert some of it to less harmful forms, and then discharge what’s left to a nearby creek or river.  For other communities, the treated wastewater is kept out of our streams, irrigated on fields or other landscaped areas and/or reused in other ways. ​

History, Culture, Politics, and Entertainment:

Laura Dunn’s award-winning 2007 documentary, The Unforeseen, tells the story of the 1990s battle over development along Barton Creek.  You can watch the trailer here, and stream the whole film (for pay if you don’t have a subscription) on Prime Video here.  It’s a powerful film, worth every one of its 89 minutes.