Biodiversity Without Boundaries

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Conference Registration

Conferences & Training

Field Trips

Sign up when you register!

All trips include transportation, and will depart from the lobby of the Omni Southpark Austin at the times indicated.

Hornsby Bend Birding

Sunday, April 25, 7:00 a.m.
Thursday, April 29, 7:00 a.m.

Fee: $10 per person

Located less than a mile north of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Hornsby Bend is a highly recognized birding hotspot that offers a wide array of birds from wetland to forest species. This week is peak migration for hawks, shorebirds and songbirds, and Hornsby Bend is one of the best spots in Austin to find them. This field trip leaves from the lobby of the host hotel at 7 a.m. and, roundtrip, will involve less than 10 miles of driving. Bring good walking shoes and binoculars. The co-leaders are Cullen Hanks and Cliff Shackelford, both with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.  (Limit 15 participants per day.)

 

Bracken Cave

Sunday, April 25, 4:15 p.m.

Fee: $40 per person (includes box dinner)

Bracken Cave is home to the world’s largest bat colony. In fact, the 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats that spend summers in the cave make up the largest remaining concentration of mammals on earth. Approximately a 90-minute drive from downtown Austin, Bracken Cave is an international treasure, and it has the potential to offer unparalleled opportunities to scientists, educators and the general public for generations to come. The field trip will leave the hotel at 4:15 to arrive at Bracken Cave before sunset. Attendees will then be able to sit at the mouth of the cave and watch the emergence of the bats, lasting upwards of an hour. Bring cameras and binoculars. Flash photography is not allowed, but the emergence should begin early enough to allow for spectacular photos. (Limit 55 participants.)

 

Westcave Preserve (Travis County, Texas)

Wednesday, April 28, 12:00 p.m. SOLD OUT!

Fee: $20 per person (trip includes stop for self-paid lunch)

West Cave Preserve is a natural treasure of the Texas Hill Country, possessing unique and majestic beauty and ecological diversity. The Preserve's grasslands are scattered with wildflower meadows, ash junipers, oaks and cactus bordering a sheltered limestone canyon punctuated with rare plants and cypress trees. The highlight of the site is its 40-foot waterfall backed by caves, tumbling over fern-covered travertine columns into an emerald pool. This field trip is a great opportunity to see several Texas endemic plants. Suggested footwear should include good tennis shoes or hiking boots. Please bring water and binoculars if you have them as there will also be many bird species to observe. (Limit 14 participants.) Sold out.

 

Aquarena Center Wetlands (Texas State University)

Sunday, April 25, 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 28, 12:00 p.m.

Fee: $25 per person (trip includes stop for self-paid lunch)

Since 1946 the glass-bottom boat tours at Aquarena Center in San Marcos have given folks of all ages an "in-depth" look at the timeless beauty of the San Marcos river. As the boats glide across the crystal waters of Spring Lake at Aquarena you'll see why ancient peoples revered this place. You'll also see some of the 1,000 springs that form the headwaters of one of the most beautiful rivers in Central Texas, and catch glimpses of the inhabitants here, too. Bluegill sunfish, channel catfish, and soft-shell turtles all call Aquarena home. Back on shore, you can get eye to eye with these river dwellers when you visit the Aquarium. Share a walk through the grounds and enjoy the natural beauty of Texas native plants. Learn together when you visit the Archaeology Exhibit, Wetlands Floating Boardwalk or the Texas Rivers Center exhibit hall. In the Endangered Species Exhibit you'll see some of the fish and reptiles that make this part of the river a federally declared critical habitat. (No limit.)

 

Balcones Canyonlands Preserve

Hamilton Pool Preserve and the Jollyville unit are a part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP). The BCP is a 30,428-acre system of endangered species habitat owned by Travis County, the City of Austin, The Nature Conservancy, the Lower Colorado River Authority, and Travis Audubon Society, as well as privately owned lands. The BCP represents a regional effort to balance protection of endangered species habitat with economic development.

Jollyville Unit

Sunday, April 25, 8:00 a.m.

Fee: $20 per person

Hikers on this guided tour of Travis County's Jollyville Unit will observe native Texas plants and wildlife. The tour passes through both golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo habitat. These two songbirds have very different habitat types, but the two species are in fairly close proximity on this hike. Hikers will learn about the different ways Travis County protects these endangered birds. The Jollyville Unit has the largest colony of black-capped vireos on the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve because of extensive restoration of habitat at this location. This is a great hike for birders because they will likely see and hear the two endangered songbirds and many other birds as well. (Limit 14 participants.) Only four spots left*—sign up now!

Hamilton Pool Preserve

Wednesday, April 28, 12:00 p.m. SOLD OUT!

Fee: $20 per person (trip includes stop for self-paid lunch)

A hike through Hamilton Pool Preserve is both scenic and educational. This historic swimming hole was designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner's Court in 1990. Located less than a mile upstream from its confluence with the Pedernales River, Hamilton Creek spills out over limestone outcroppings to create a 50-foot waterfall as it plunges into the head of a steep box canyon. The waterfall never completely dries up, but in dry times it does slow to a trickle. However, the pool's water level stays pretty constant, even during periods of drought. The preserve is home to the golden-cheeked warbler and a great variety of other birds. The diverse vegetation of Hamilton Pool ranges from semi-arid species in the uplands to riparian species in the canyon. The uplands of the preserve are a juniper and oak savannah with a variety of native grasses and wildflowers. Several rare plant species including canyon mock-orange, red bay (western-most colony of this eastern species), and chatter box orchid are known to occur in the canyon areas along Hamilton Creek. Hike is moderate intensity with some hills and stairs near the waterfall. (Limit 14 participants.) Sold out.

 

Bat Bridge and Downtown Austin

Tuesday, April 27, 7:00 p.m.

Fee: No charge

Travel to downtown Austin to see the famous Congress Street Bat Bridge. Located in the greenbelt of downtown Austin, the Congress Street Bridge is home to between 500,000 and 1 million Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis). Watch from on top of the bridge or from the greenbelt below as hundreds of thousands of bats emerge for their nightly flight. The Congress Street Bridge is located within easy walking distance of many excellent downtown restaurants and live music venues for which Austin is famous. The shuttle vans will continue to run until 10:45 p.m. to take you back to the hotel. (No limit.)

 

Field trips are subject to change. Every effort will be made to notify registrants of any changes prior to the conference.

* As of 4/6/10.