Activities are from 11 am - 3 pm with some at limited times*
Students will be pre-registered for the activities.  All others must register at the SOS Info Tent 

Water Quality Testing

​Students will take water quality measurements from buckets of water right out of Barton Springs and Barton Creek.  They will learn about differences in water quality between interconnected areas, water characteristics and pH and conductivity.
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Austin Caves

Nico Hauwert, Ph.D., P.G., Program Manager, Austin Water Balcones Canyonlands Preserve
with Drew Thompson and Colin Strickland, Austin Water Balcones Canyonlands Preserve

​Attendants will simulate a dye trace from the surface to see if it appears in a simulated cave. One team will inject dye and measure the flow. A second team will crawl into a simulated cave, measure a drip rate, measure air quality and collect samples to see where the dye discharges. Attendants will learn scientific data collection associated with groundwater protection, and see examples where dye studies are used to better understand and protect water supplies our cave heritage.​​​

Austin's Underground Frontier
Barbara Attwell, Artist

Austin’s Underground Frontier is series of large oil paintings. Each painting started with several days of research, including a great deal of help from the biologists and geologists at the Austin Water Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. Hidden in each work is a symbol of protection, drawn from ancient cultures. The artist will be present to talk about her process and answer questions. 
 
Austin is home to 260+ caves and their endangered wildlife. Most Central Texans are unaware of the network of caves that run under their feet, and this visual presentation is a way to introduce the inhabitants of this dark, mysterious world. Isolated below, these creatures evolved for an extra several million years, which created some remarkable characters, now particularly susceptible to extinction with our rapid urbanization. The caves are unfortunately regularly filled in for development, which makes this mission crucial. Cave life paintings on Austin cave life by artist Barbara Attwell will be exhibited in the Barton Springs Sheffield Education Center. * Activity held at 10:45 am, 11:45 am & 12:45 pm only 

Macroinvertebrate Collection

​Sara Heilman, M.S., Austin Watershed Protection Department 

​Students will sample and observe macroinvertebrates from buckets collected from Barton Creek. They will learn about the habitats and ecosystems of these organisms.
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The Importance of Local Endangered Species

​Justin Crow, Fish Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

​Featuring a 20 gallon aquaria housing several Barton Springs Salamanders that are part our the US Fish and Wildlife Service's captive assurance colony. Discussion about the Barton Springs Salamanders and the programs in place to help protect this endangered species. Additional discussions about endangered and threatened species, their importance, and their conservation. There will be several non-listed preserved specimens,for individuals to handle and discuss basic fish biology. 
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Live Austin Bats!

​Austin Bat Refuge
Dianne Odegard & Lee Mackenzie Founders

​Get up close and personal with Austin local bats. Veteran bat rehabilitators and educators with extensive experience in urban wildlife issues educate students about these fascinating animals. Bats are highly beneficial, harmless, and vital to the balance of nature. The Austin Bat Refuge gives bats a second chance through rehabilitation and release, conflict resolution and education.
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Eliza Springs Amphitheater Tour

​Nathan Bendik, M.S., and Sarah Donelson, Austin Watershed Protection Department

​The Eliza Spring Daylighting Project was completed in 2017. This project removed the old pipe draining Eliza Spring and recreated a stream in its place. This tour is a rare opportunity to see the beautiful new stream and salamander habitat up close. The amphitheater is usually closed to the public. Biologists will give a tour of the amphitheater and answer all your salamander questions. Eliza Spring is home to the largest known population of endangered Barton Springs salamanders. 
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Guided Snorkel Tours

Garrett Halbert, SOS Education and Outreach Coordinator
Joel Manzo, SOS Guide 

​We will be offering guided snorkel tours of the Barton Springs directly experiencing how and where Barton Springs flows from the Aquifer into the pool and discovering the plants and wildlife of the pool. We will provide snorkels and masks.

Participants will be in the water for 15-20 minutes and must know how to swim. Please indicate number of students that want this activity on your registration form. 
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Mini Lifeguard Training

​Barton Springs Lifeguards

​Join Barton Springs Lifeguard leaders for this session to see what it takes to try out to be a lifeguard. Attendees must know how to swim. Please indicate number of students interested in this activity on your registration form.  They will attempt to:
​~swim 150 yards/meters, head up to sight for a distressed or drowning patron without stopping
~swim 50 yards/meters, head up to sight for a distressed or drowning patron, rescue tube 
~tread water for one (1) minute without use of the hands 
~tread water for one (1) minute with use of the hands 
~Dive to the deepest part of the pool and retrieve dive brick ​

Walking Tour of the Little Zilker Creek Grow Zone

Ingrid Karklins, MNRD, CERPIT, Conservation Program Coordinator at Watershed Protection Dept. 

​Join us as we walk the Little Zilker Creek Grow Zone to discuss and explore some of the stewardship strategies used to guide a once-barren lawn towards a thriving riparian ecosystem. 

*Activity at 1:45 pm only 
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The Weirdest Fish in Texas

Hayley Gillespie, Site Supervisor, Austin Nature & Science Center
and Holland Austin, Eel Enthusiast 
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See live eels and learn about the incredible life story of the  weirdest and wildest fish who call Austin their home for part of their life.  Until recently there have been very few accounts of eels in Texas, but we are starting to see them more and more. What is causing eels to choose to seek freshwater in Texas all of a sudden? Researchers from the University of Texas  are attempting ​to answer that question.  
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