Header Navigation User SEU Search Block MENU Wild Basin Creative Research Center About Wild Basin Breadcrumb Home Academics Centers & Institutes Wild Basin Creative Research Center About Wild Basin Main menu Education and Outreach About Wild Basin Research at Wild Basin Donate to Wild Basin Contact Us Hours Trails are open Mon-Sun, sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is closed to the public. Contact wbasin@stedwards.edu (512) 327-7622 Join the conversation! Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Located along Capital of Texas Highway, Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve was founded in 1974, thanks to a 25-year grassroots effort. Today, Wild Basin continues as a legacy for urban wilderness and environmental education in Texas. Wild Basin has served as a constituent of the larger Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) system since its inception in 1996, promoting the protection of eight endangered species, as well as 27 species of concern. Through collaborations with St. Edward's University and Travis County, Wild Basin Creative Research Center serves as a local gateway to the BCP, facilitating research, public awareness and preservation of Austin’s wildlands. In addition to the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler, Wild Basin is host to several at-risk and threatened species of both flora and fauna. Wild Basin Fire of 1961 Master Naturalist John Barr shares how the fire shaped Wild Basin's landscape. We ask that you respect the natural beauty of this hill-country landscape by staying on-trail and leaving no-trace during your visit. Furthermore, bikes, pets, smoking and picnics are all prohibited within the preserve. Our History Wild Basin was founded by seven visionary women who were members of a 1970s environmental group called Now or Never, which was established to preserve a natural area for science classes and teacher training. When the master plan for West Lake Hills was completed, it became evident that Loop 360 would be built. The Audubon Society noted that the beautiful area north of West Lake Hills, known as the Wild Basin, was worthy of preservation. The insightful members of Now or Never adopted the establishment of Wild Basin Preserve as their bicentennial project. Martha Hudson, president of Now or Never, and Janet Poage, chairman of the Committee for Wild Basin Wilderness, first approached the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) about the possibility of making Wild Basin a state park. TPWD said Wild Basin was too small for a state park. The founding women then talked to city officials, the Capital Area Planning Council, the Nature Conservancy, County Commissioners, Mrs. Dolph Briscoe (then the governor's wife), and anyone else who would listen. They were determined to secure funds to purchase the land. In 1975, Travis County allocated $175,000 to buy the property, providing the City of Austin would allocate an equal amount. The U.S. Department of Interior agreed to consider a matching funds grant if the county and city would jointly provide $350,000. In August 1975, the City of Austin put $1.6 million into the purchase of land to lengthen the Barton Creek Greenbelt west of Loop 360. At this point, the city's support for Wild Basin Wilderness was dropped and the federal and county funds were withdrawn. Undaunted, the seven little old ladies in tennis shoes, as they called themselves, persevered. They continued to pursue the county commissioners endorsement. Finally, the county commissioners agreed to sponsor an application for matching Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR) funds if the Committee for Wild Basin Wilderness could raise $175,000. Only governmental units, like the county, could apply for federal BOR funds, which is why the county commissioners involvement was so important. With overwhelming community support, the committee raised $80,000 in three months. Over the next three years, $284,000 cash and more than $370,000 worth of donated land were given to Travis County for the establishment of Wild Basin. Matching funds of $654,000 were granted to buy the land. The 227-acre preserve was completed in the early 1980s when Davenport Ranch donated 12 acres and the U.S. government matched the donation to purchase the remaining holes in the preserve. Our Mission The Wild Basin Creative Research Center, in its role as an interdisciplinary laboratory of St. Edward's University, exists to protect and maintain its urban wilderness, and to promote the importance of environmental education, research, conservation and preservation. Collaboration between Wild Basin and St. Edward's enables the creation of programs and initiatives that serve to fulfill the mission. Our Staff About Balcones Canyonlands Preserve St. Edwards University St. Edward’s University 3001 South Congress Austin, Texas 78704-6489 855-468-6738 (toll free) 512-448-8400 Campus Information Maps & Directions Contact Directory Careers Site Map Policies Disclosures Accessibility Title IX Covid-19 St. Edward's on Social Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube Sticky bar Apply Now Request Info Visit Deposit HIDE