Celebrating 50 Years of Wild Basin: Advancing Conservation Through Stewardship, Student Research and Education

AUSTIN, Texas — Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve is marking its 50th anniversary, commemorating five decades as one of Central Texas’ most cherished natural areas and a hub for conservation, education and community engagement.

Established in 1976 through a grassroots effort led by seven women and other local advocates, Wild Basin became Austin’s first nature preserve. It continues to reflect the impact of community-driven environmental stewardship.

Today, the 227-acre preserve is co-owned and co-managed by Travis County and St. Edward’s University, combining publicly accessible outdoor recreation and environmental programs with private education and research. It welcomes more than 25,000 visitors each year and offers access to hiking, recreation,education, research, and nature art programs, along with opportunities to experience the Texas Hill Country. As part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve system, Wild Basin also contributes to regional efforts to protect biodiversity, preserve native habitats and support clean water and air.

“What makes Wild Basin a unique Central Texas gem is how it brings together conservation, research and education in one place,” said Barbara Dugelby, Executive Director for the St. Edward’s University Wild Basin Creative Research Center. “As we look ahead, we’re focused on expanding opportunities for students and ensuring this landscape remains protected and accessible for future generations.”

At the center of this work is the St. Edward’s Wild Basin Creative Research Center, a private university-owned and operated field station that is housed within the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve just 10 miles from campus. The Center serves as a “living laboratory,” providing enrolled students across all disciplines with hands-on opportunities to design and pursue independent research and creative works, further supporting the university’s commitment to experiential learning. Additional support to expand and enrich these opportunities is available through programs such as the Hook Fellowship.

Students study a range of environmental topics, including water quality in Bee Creek, pollinator population dynamics, soil microbial communities and wildlife behavior. The preserve is also an important site for monitoring endangered species such as the federally endangered Golden-cheeked warbler and for examining the ecological impacts of urban expansion across Central Texas.

The Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve also serves the broader community as an outdoor classroom. Each year, thousands of K–12 students participate in environmental education and nature-based programs that build curiosity and a deeper understanding of local ecosystems.

The Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve remains a treasured public asset and a vital part of regional conservation efforts. As the preserve marks this milestone, the Center is also looking ahead — focused on expanding student research opportunities and deepening community engagement in the years to come.

The St. Edward’s University Wild Basin Creative Research Center recently launched its 50th Anniversary Campaign — a bold $5 million initiative to strengthen the Center’s endowment and support its long-term stewardship, research, and educational work within the preserve. Funds raised will directly support the Center’s student research programs, field-based learning opportunities, and its ongoing contributions to conservation and ecological stewardship at the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. Funds will also be used to continue environmental outreach programs for the public, including outreach to underprivileged and disadvantaged school groups. Through this effort, the Center is inviting supporters to invest in a lasting legacy that will sustain both its environmental impact and its role as a hub for student-driven research and creative work.

About St. Edward’s University

St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,000 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 55 undergraduate, seven master’s degree programs, and a doctoral program. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students with distinctive academics and extensive internships, research, and service-learning opportunities on a vibrant, inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 22 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2026 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #5 in the Best Regional Universities in the West.

About Travis County and the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve

At the request of local advocates, Travis County secured federal grants to acquire and protect the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. Originally established to preserve the land in its natural state and serve as an accessible outdoor classroom, the Preserve continues that mission today.  The Preserve later became part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, protecting habitat for endangered species. Travis County partnered with the Committee for Wild Basin which was later assumed by St. Edward’s University to manage the Preserve for environmental education, public access, and endangered species conservation, with each partner contributing its expertise to support the overall mission.