About this Event
In the wake of the recent July flooding, protecting the Pedernales River is more important than ever. It requires an area-wide commitment to clean water, responsible growth, and thoughtful stewardship to the surrounding land. On Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Friends of Fredericksburg Nature Center invites the public to a one-hour presentation Protecting the Pedernales — Lessons in Conservation and Stewardship, to be held at the Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court in Fredericksburg. The program will provide residents, landowners, business representatives and community leaders practical guidance on water conservation, preserving native streambank vegetation, reducing polluted runoff, protecting springs and recharge areas, and supporting development that respects floodplains and the river’s natural flow.
Guest speaker for the event is Lauro Martinez, Landowner Outreach and Stewardship Manager for the Hill Country Alliance. Martinez earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from St. Edward’s University and began his career conducting erosion and stormwater inspections at construction sites across Central Texas. Before joining the Hill Country Alliance, he served as an Outreach Coordinator with the Rio Grande International Study Center in South Texas, helping landowners and community members protect the region’s natural resources.
A few facts about the Pedernales River: Fed by springs and streams in western Gillespie County, the Pedernales River flows more than 100 miles before joining the Colorado River at Lake Travis. The spring-fed river supplies nearly 25% of Lake Travis’s inflow and contributes significantly to the Austin metropolitan area’s drinking water. Its nearly 1,300-square-mile watershed spans six Central Texas counties, including Kimble, Kerr, Gillespie, Blanco, and Hays. The river’s tributary network includes more than 3,000 miles of creeks and streams, and nearly 9,000 acres of public parkland and recreational areas. The river also fosters a sensitive ecological system, including dozens of rare plants, fish, and salamander species.
There is a saying that those who fail to understand nature are destined to deplete it - a pattern visible throughout the Texas Hill Country, especially along its rivers and streams. By contrast, understanding nature can inspire responsible care. Friends of Fredericksburg Nature Center invites the public to learn how responsible conservation and stewardship can benefit the Pedernales, protect wildlife habitat, preserve the character of the counties it flows through, and ensure the river remains a healthy, treasured, and vital part of the Texas Hill Country for generations to come.
The presentation is free and open to the public (donations are appreciated). Please RSVP to Gracie Waggener at [email protected]. The program is also approved for one hour of Texas Master Naturalist Hill Country Chapter advanced training credit.
Friends of Fredericksburg Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting environmental education and conservation in the Texas Hill Country. For more information on FFNC and how you can become a member of the organization, visit their website at fredericksburgnaturecenter.com. You can also follow them on Facebook.
Event venue & nearby stays
Gillespie County Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg, United States
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