Thank you to our Headwaters Community who made 2018 a year to remember.
You make it possible.
Please continue to support Headwaters with a year-end gift.
What’s in a Name?
Headwaters is thus named for the centerpiece of the Sanctuary: the source spring of the San Antonio River. But, Headwaters means more than that. Headwaters means home for countless native birds and other wildlife. Headwaters means a sacred place for both Indigenous peoples and others. Headwaters means community, a place where all are welcome to enjoy nature’s gifts. So, what does Headwaters mean to you?
January
Inspired by Nature
Ansel Adams helped us bring in 2018, kicking off our ever growing environmental film series.
You make our environmental film series, our guided walks, and our environmental workshops possible with your support. Thank you.
February
Cleaning Up
Headwaters saw no better way to celebrate the city’s tricentennial than by cleaning up the only nature sanctuary in the heart of San Antonio. Over 100 volunteers came out to do their part for Basura Bash 2018.
Throughout the year, our volunteers maintained the Sanctuary for the enjoyment of all visitors through invasive species removal, trail improvements, and trash collection.
March and April
Celebrating the Springs
The Headwaters’ staff and volunteers pulled no punches for the event of the season! We staged an award-winning art exhibition, “Art of the Sacred Texas Springs.” During its six weeks, the exhibition welcomed over 1,000 guests to the UIW art galleries, related lectures, musical performances, outdoor poetry event, and the San Antonio debut screening of the award-winning film “Yakona | water rising”.
Donations and the generosity of our contributing artists made this event possible.
Looking Forward…Reaching the Community
Our upcoming 2019 Environmental Film Series “Tipping Point” is made possible through donations. Documentary films provide insight into humanity’s relationship to environmental crises and how we can modify our behaviors to find local and global environmental remedies.
In the coming year, we will collaborate with community partners to screen titles from our film library. Support our environmental film series.
May
Give the Gift of Time
April showers are nice, but this year our volunteers brought the May flowers. 2018 saw the revitalization and restoration of landscape beds at the Lourdes Grotto and the Brackenridge Villa with native plants. These plants benefit pollinators, birds, and insects alike.
June
Getting WILD
Headwaters led multiple Project WILD workshops this year, teaching local educators how to bring the wonder of nature into their classrooms. These workshops are another way your support allows Headwaters to provide services for the city of San Antonio.
July
Beat the Heat
Looking Forward…Restoring the Sanctuary
A significant spring tree planting will be made possible thanks to the 2018/2019 Apache Tree Grant Program. We will also implement a strategic invasive plant management plan. This plan will control the growth of destructive invasives, allowing our beneficial native plants to prosper.
We need additional tools and supplies to ensure our new spring trees will thrive and our invasives management plan is successfully executed. Support ecological restoration.
August
Forming the Circle
Months of hard work and dedication by our volunteers started to take shape this summer. The Circle of the Springs Garden provides sustenance for all pollinators including Monarch butterflies. It is another bridge between the cultural history of the land and the modern use of the Headwaters Sanctuary.
September
All About Kids
2018 was a year for kids with growing Headwaters youth programming, including the new Headwaters in the Classroom initiative. By September Headwaters had already brought the beauty of the Headwaters Sanctuary to over 800 students.
October
Nothing Scary About Nature
October may be a time for ghosts and goblins for most, but for Headwaters this time of year is when we don our best nature-themed costumes in celebration of wildlife and pets. This year’s Blessing of the Animals and Paws on the Trails were the best yet!
Looking Forward…Expanding Programming
We will continue to enhance our public offerings: meditation walks, corporate retreat opportunities, environmental workshops, and guided walks. Family Birding will be introduced in 2019 to compliment our 3rd Friday Birding Series. Additionally, our collaborations with institutions of higher education will increase.
We need supplies and general support to continue providing experiences for the community. Support environmental education.
November
Recognizing the Blue Hole
Thanks to our 2017 year-end supporters, we were able to apply for Official Texas State Historical Status for the Blue Hole, including an historical marker. We are currently awaiting a decision on our application.
Our 2018 Big Give campaign was just as successful, raising much needed funds for restoration equipment to aid our dedicated volunteers.
December
Reflection
So, what does Headwaters mean to you? Take a moment to consider how nature has impacted your life. Please make supporting Headwaters, supporting wildlife, supporting habitat restoration, supporting local history, supporting environmental education, Your New Year's Resolution.
