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| A beautiful canyon sunset |
David and I started volunteering at Government Canyon over 12 years ago before it opened to the public. Although the experience of being Park Hosts is new for us, the place is like an old friend.
Government Canyon is one of the newest properties in the
Texas State Park system and many of our friends that aren’t from around San
Antonio may not be that familiar with this ‘state-managed area.’ I use the quotes because Government Canyon
State Natural Area (GCSNA) is not a state park. Like the name says, it is a natural area. The difference is one of mission. A park’s purpose is primarily recreation
while a natural area’s mission is to protect the resource and to promote research
and education.
Natural springs have attracted people and wildlife to Government Canyon for centuries. From Native American occupation to an army supply route to western forts (thus the name, Government Canyon) followed by farming and ranching and then in the late 1970’s a proposed housing development for 80,000 – all have been part of Government Canyon’s history.
Today with San Antonio’s rapid development and the growing awareness of the importance of the Edwards Aquifer as the city’s main water supply, a new role for Government Canyon has emerged. During the past 15 years, over 12,000 acres of land were acquired to become GCSNA, much of it over the aquifer’s recharge zone. The idea is that this land will not be developed and that will keep many sediments, chemicals, pesticides, etc. from washing off and entering the aquifer. Texas Parks and Wildlife agreed to manage Government Canyon as a State Natural Area ensuring that resource protection would be the priority.
GCSNA may be one of San Antonio’s best kept secrets. There are just a few miles of road to the visitor center and the campground and then hiking and mountain biking are the only ways to get around. Dogs are allowed on the Front Country Trails. The Back Country Trails are over the recharge zone and are the habitat of several endangered species so those trails are for humans only. To help protect its resources and limit overuse, GCSNA is only open 4 days a week. It isn’t unusual for the trails to be closed after rains to prevent trail erosion or for sections to be closed during Golden Cheek Warbler breeding season.
Our time at Government Canyon has been so much fun! We have hiked and helped out and learned new
things. We’ve made some new friends with
staff and other volunteers. And mostly
we’ve enjoyed getting to be residents for a short time in such a beautiful and
wild place. It isn’t often you can be
out in the wild so close to such a big city.
We are going to miss those beautiful starlight walks with Maya where all
you can hear is your breath and maybe some howling coyotes or the calls of
owls. |
| Cindy on duty... |
Natural springs have attracted people and wildlife to Government Canyon for centuries. From Native American occupation to an army supply route to western forts (thus the name, Government Canyon) followed by farming and ranching and then in the late 1970’s a proposed housing development for 80,000 – all have been part of Government Canyon’s history.
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| Wildcat Ranch barn - part of the ranching heritage of Government Canyon |
Today with San Antonio’s rapid development and the growing awareness of the importance of the Edwards Aquifer as the city’s main water supply, a new role for Government Canyon has emerged. During the past 15 years, over 12,000 acres of land were acquired to become GCSNA, much of it over the aquifer’s recharge zone. The idea is that this land will not be developed and that will keep many sediments, chemicals, pesticides, etc. from washing off and entering the aquifer. Texas Parks and Wildlife agreed to manage Government Canyon as a State Natural Area ensuring that resource protection would be the priority.
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| David helps child 'Name that Snake' at this year's Snakefessst Event |
GCSNA may be one of San Antonio’s best kept secrets. There are just a few miles of road to the visitor center and the campground and then hiking and mountain biking are the only ways to get around. Dogs are allowed on the Front Country Trails. The Back Country Trails are over the recharge zone and are the habitat of several endangered species so those trails are for humans only. To help protect its resources and limit overuse, GCSNA is only open 4 days a week. It isn’t unusual for the trails to be closed after rains to prevent trail erosion or for sections to be closed during Golden Cheek Warbler breeding season.
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| Redbuds blooming - one of the first signs of spring |
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| And Mountain Laurels too... |
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