Austin—April 14, 2009—In advance of upcoming Earth Day celebrations on April 22, The Nature Conservancy is encouraging Texans to spend time outdoors this spring and summer by offering open preserve dates at some of its most remarkable properties.

“For more than 40 years, The Nature Conservancy has worked tirelessly on behalf of Texans to protect this state’s most important natural places, so it’s always a treat when we have an opportunity to share our work with the public,” said Laura Huffman, Texas state director of The Nature Conservancy. “Our open preserve dates offer Texas families a fantastic opportunity to truly connect with nature in ways they might have never experienced before.”

The Nature Conservancy of Texas maintains more than 34 preserves and projects throughout the state, many of which are open to the public during select dates. The Conservancy also works with state and federal partners, including Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, to create and expand lands for public recreational use.

Upcoming opportunities around the state include:

Central Texas
Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve (Mason County) – Families can view the stunning sight of more than 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats as they make their evening emergence to hunt for insects in the Texas Hill Country. The eight-acre preserve features amphitheatre-style seating around the mouth of the cave, where visitors will be dazzled by a flurry of airborne bats forming a living cyclone just a few feet away. The preserve is open to the public from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday through Sunday beginning in the middle of May and running through early October, or depending on bat migrations. For information and directions, visit nature.org/texas or call (512) 263-8878. Although entrance is free, a donation of $5 per visitor is respectfully requested to ensure continued protection of this ecological treasure. 

North Texas
Clymer Meadow Preserve (Hunt County) – On Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. until sundown, visitors are invited to enjoy the serene beauty of some of Texas’ last remaining Blackland Prairie at the Clymer Meadow Preserve. Covering more than 1,000 rolling acres in northeast Texas, the preserve is home to vast expanses of native prairie grasses and incredible wildflower diversity, all of which will be on display during the preserve’s annual wildflower tour. Visitors should wear long pants and sunhats. They should also bring insect repellent, sunscreen, water and a lunch. Registration to the tour is strongly encouraged, since room is limited. For more information—including directions and reservations—visit nature.org/texas and click on “Events” or contact preserve manager Jim Eidson at (903) 568-4139 or jeidson@tnc.org. Admission is free.

Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary (Hardin County) – Open year round during daylight hours, the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary harbors a variety of plant communities, including one of the last remaining longleaf pine communities in Texas. A rare combination of swamp, open-floor forest and Southern pinelands, the preserve contains remarkable diversity, sustaining 727 plant species and 234 animal species. The preserve offers six miles of trails for hiking, photography, bird watching and nature study. An 8.5-mile section of Village Creek meanders through the preserve, offering a relaxing daylong float trip. Local canoe vendors offer equipment rental and shuttle service. For questions or detailed directions, visit nature.org/texas or call The Nature Conservancy of Texas’ Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary at (409) 385-0445. Admission is free.

Lennox Woods Preserve (Red River County) – Open year round during daylight hours, this 275-acre Conservancy preserve contains one of the most beautiful and pristine old-growth forests in the state. It is a vital refuge for several rare species of plant and animal communities supported by the waters of Pecan Bayou, one of the largest undammed watersheds in northeastern Texas. The preserve’s Martha Lennox Memorial Trail takes visitors on an easy to moderate hike through a variety of habitats. Depending on the season, sights along the trail range from spring wildflowers to spectacular fall color to bare branches against a stark, winter sky. Lennox Woods Preserve is located along State Highway 37 in Red River County, about 10 miles north of Clarksville. For more information and detailed directions visit nature.org/texas and click on “Places We Protect” or contact Wendy Ledbetter at (409) 385-0445 x12 or wledbetter@tnc.org. Admission is free.

West Texas
Davis Mountains Preserve (Jeff Davis County) – On Saturday April 26 and Saturday May 16, the iconic 32,000-acre Davis Mountains Preserve will open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for self guided hiking, picnics and birding. The preserve encompasses the heart of a functioning landscape with a unique assemblage of animals and plants—including some found nowhere else on Earth. Various birds of prey, ten species of hummingbirds and other avian gems—including the painted redstart and Grace’s warbler—migrate through the Davis Mountains. The preserve’s 2.5-mile Madera Canyon Trail provides a variety of terrain for hikers and spectacular views of Mount Livermore, the highest peak in the Davis Mountains, as well as Pine Peak, Sawtooth Mountain and Chico Canyon. For directions and information visit nature.org/texas or contact Jason Wrinkle at (432) 345-6773 or jwrinkle@tnc.org. Admission is free.

Photo credits: Heather Diehl/TNC (Mexican free-tailed bats, Lynn Mc Bride (Davis Mountains), The Nature Conservancy (Laura Huffman)

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The Nature Conservancy of Texas maintains more than 30 ecologically important preserves and conservation projects statewide. In addition to a dozen initiatives benefiting Texas rivers and creeks, the Conservancy also works with private landowners and municipalities, such as the cities of San Antonio, Austin and San Marcos, to protect critical freshwater resources like the Edwards and Trinity aquifers.

Over the past 45 years, the Conservancy has worked with state and federal agencies to create and expand beloved public areas, including Enchanted Rock State Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. The organization has also led significant marine habitat restoration efforts along the Gulf that benefit terrestrial and aquatic wildlife and help protect human communities from hurricanes and tropical storms.