Adult Events and programs

Adult events and programming through Headwaters includes workshops, film screenings, birding, guided walks, special events, and much more. These events are designed for older teens and adults.

— Headwaters programming is always offered at little or no cost. Help us keep these programs free by donating when you can. —

Workshops

Workshops at Headwaters are for anyone interested in diving deeper in to environmental conservation, history, or activism. The Headwaters BIG TREE Workshop held on January 19th, 2018, led by two Texas Forest Service professionals, trained participants in the importance of mature trees, proper methods to measure Big Trees, how to nominate a Big Tree for the Texas Big Tree Registry. Other workshop topics have included invasive insects, invasive plants, wildscaping, and pollinator gardening. 

If you are looking for a space to host your environmentally-themed workshop, contact Pam Ball, pamela.ball@headwaters-iw.org.  

Films

Because nature touches all aspects of our lives, it is important that we learn about nature in a variety of ways. Film is a fantastic medium for environmental education and inspiration. Whether you are interested in the history of great environmental leaders like Aldo Leopold, want to experience the awe of artists like Andy Goldsworthy who take their inspiration from nature, or are interested in new ways to combat climate change, Headwaters films are for you.

Scroll through the image gallery to the right to view past screenings.

Birding

Third Friday Birding is for anyone fascinated by the sights and sounds of birds. Birding at Headwaters is an opportunity for beginning to intermediate birders to develop and improve their identification skills. Walks are led by local community birding experts from the San Antonio Audoboun Society and Bexar Audoboun Society. Each walk is limited to 12 participants.

Guided walks

Guided walks at Headwaters are more than just leisurely strolls around the Sanctuary. Led by local experts, walks are informative and cover the widest range of topics of all our opportunities. Past walks have included: ethnobotany, the history of Peyote Pilgrimages through Headwaters, St. Francis and birds, Yanaguana, the Spirit among the Great Oaks, the history of George Brackenridge and Headwaters, and the lessons of environmental leaders such as John Muir and Aldo Leopold. 

special Events and more

Headwaters constantly strives to provide opportunities for community members to connect to nature and the headwaters of the San Antonio River. We provide a tranquil and welcoming atmosphere for reflection, connection, learning, and growth.

Native Wildlife and Habitat Celebration: Held in October, this family-oriented, gathering on the grounds of the historic Brackenridge Villa provided information about bees, bats, birds, snakes, native plants, invasive plants, rain gardens, and the importance of milkweed.

The Great Hush: This series of sessions offered outdoors in the beautiful Lourdes Grotto included practice of Pranayama - breath refinement, Asana - gentle stretching, and centering techniques to release tension and quiet the mind. Sessions were conducted by Emilie Rogers, founder of the Esther Vexler Yoga School, the first Y. A. teacher training program in South Texas.

The Art of the Sacred Texas Springs Exhibition (ongoing): Headwaters proudly partnered with a group of professional artists to bring the Art of the Sacred Texas Springs Exhibition to life. This month-long gallery from March 9th to April 8th also includes special events like lectures, a debut film screening, piano recitals, and poetry reading. Click here for more information on this event, which is still ongoing.