See What Nature's Developing

The vegetation, soils and structure of our diverse natural systems, such as wetlands, forests and floodplains, help to improve our water quality by:

• Protecting lands from erosion
• Filtering sediment and pollutants out of rainwater runoff
• Removing excess nutrients—such as nitrogen or phosphorus—from water
• Contributing to natural water purification by breaking down pollutants

Nature is a smart solution for so many things, and when it comes to keeping Texas’ water resources clean, the natural world that surrounds us often provides powerful, cost-effective and sustainable solutions.

For example, San Antonio is home to a range of these habitats. The Hill Country of the Edwards Plateau and the South Texas Plains meet in the city. The region’s expansive areas of open green space, cavernous networks of limestone and vegetation along our rivers and creeks have long worked together to keep water supplies clean and flowing.

But increasing pavement, removing natural vegetation and poor land management all diminish the effectiveness of these processes, rendering our highly important buffers unable to perform their natural tasks. Only through a better understanding of how nature functions and actively protecting and engaging in the ongoing management of our lands and waters can we repay the favor our natural infrastructure provides us every day.

By preserving and restoring our landscapes and using proven nature-based design and engineering approaches, we can maintain nature's state-of-the-art filtration systems. 

When sustainably managed, aquifers:

• Offer reliable access to groundwater
• Provide habitat for numerous plant and animal species
• Support surface water resources, like springs and rivers

Aquifers hold a mythical status in Texas, where these underground pockets of water are said to carry the stories and legends of the land, in addition to carrying water to our springs, rivers and other freshwater resources. Covering hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of square miles, aquifers also carry a significant portion of the state's water supply, representing a vital natural resource that needs protecting.

While aquifers can be vast and mighty, they are also susceptible to over-pumping, erosion and contamination from a variety of sources, and in some cases, these impacts can be irreversible. Excessive use, especially without sufficient ability to recharge, can also diminish water quality and ultimately cause an aquifer to run dry.     

For most San Antonians, aquifers have long played a significant role in their everyday lives, even if they don’t know it. The Edwards Aquifer is a major source of drinking water for the greater San Antonio metro area and beyond. This underground formation provides high-quality drinking water to the region and sustains natural habitats that support biodiversity and contribute to the health and resilience of our ecosystems and communities.

By prioritizing the protection of green space over and around water sources like the Edwards Aquifer we can ensure that this fundamental resource continues to safely flow.

Natural ecosystems such as forests, floodplains and wetlands and engineered nature-based solutions like rain gardens and stormwater parks can benefit people and nature in a variety of ways. They:

• Reduce stormwater runoff and flood risk
• Filter nutrients, sediments and other pollutants
• Support natural habitats
• Improve opportunities for recreation and access to nature

Texas' climate is one of extreme patterns, ranging from droughts to floods. Texans are known for our resilience and ingenuity, yet climate change is a threat multiplier that will make these extremes worse, resulting in hotter, drier droughts and larger, more intense floods. 

Floodplains, wetlands and natural open spaces have critical jobs to do when it comes to flood management; they act as a sponge that absorbs water, slowing down stormwater during flash floods and releasing the water over time. Riparian habitat and local greenspaces can help soak up floodwaters, stabilize soils and protect against erosion. Communities, businesses and properties are safer when floodwaters have room to disperse over wetlands, bottomland forests, riparian habitat and floodplains.

In addition to reducing risk from flooding, healthy watersheds and floodplains support water quality by filtering out sediments and impurities. They are also highly beneficial for aquifers, slowing water down long enough to infiltrate key recharge zones. Floodplains and urban nature-based solutions can serve as important recreational and biodiversity corridors and sanctuaries too.

The urban heat island effect is a growing concern in communities where buildings, roads and other paved surfaces have replaced natural features, holding heat and increasing overall temperatures as much as 15⁰ over rural environments. This effect, combined with airborne pollutants, can massively impact air quality and health. Resilient urban ecosystems—which contain healthy forest canopies, native vegetation and other nature-based solutions—are effective tools for reducing urban heat and improving air quality. These systems also provide multiple, stacked benefits for communities by:

• Improving community access to green space and recreation opportunities
• Improving physical and mental health
• Managing stormwater
• Supporting biodiversity

Unfortunately, many neighborhoods and communities most impacted by urban heat and air quality challenges are often found in underinvested areas with less access to greenspaces and forests. Access to nature's benefits—such as clean, cool air—should not be a luxury available to those who can afford it. It’s a right that goes to the core of human health and well-being.

Green infrastructure supports natural habitat while:

• Encouraging increased physical activity
• Improving mental health
• Enhancing community resilience

Spending time outdoors is linked to reduced stress, improved mood, increased physical activity and improved sleep. Being outdoors can also boost your immune system and reduce inflammation in the body, which in turn can help prevent chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Time spent in nature has also been shown to enhance creativity and cognitive function, which can improve overall mental performance.

When it comes to our communities, nature can also be a source of resilience. Nature’s ability to adapt and evolve is unlike any other. Our natural landscapes can heal themselves and help wildlife, businesses and communities bounce back from the impacts of major events like hurricanes, storms and wildfires. The natural world doesn’t just improve health; it helps protect us and allows us to recover faster.

Nature should be considered indispensable to our well-being. Beyond its ability to shape our lands, it also profoundly affects how it shapes all of us. The physical and mental health benefits of nature constitute a time-tested source of health and wellness—one that must be protected and cherished so that it can be handed down to future generations.