I have been volunteering at the Headwaters almost as long as they have been in existence. I have always enjoyed being outdoors and enjoying Nature. Volunteering here has given me an opportunity to learn about invasive plants and why they are such a threat to our native landscapes. Volunteering lets me get away from busier parts of my life and help restore the land for the benefit of all.

Tom Willems, Volunteer Crew Leader and Primary Chainsaw Operator

Photo: right

We enjoy volunteering because we feel like we are giving back.  Spending quality time in nature at Headwaters at Incarnate Word is like being in God’s outdoor church.  Plus, we get to spend time around other Master Naturalist who enjoy being out in nature as much as we do and we are constantly learning more from them.  We also enjoy the teaching aspect as we have the opportunity to work with other volunteers of all ages and we can share the wonders of nature with them.

Pat & Becky McGuire, Volunteers at The Village Habitat Restoration Project & the Brackenridge Villa and Circle of Springs Pollinator Gardens

Photo: from left, second and fourth positions

I have been a volunteer at the Headwaters for over ten years.  I enjoy it even more today than when I first started - because now I can see the fruits of our efforts from many years ago.  New trails have evolved and natives are popping up where Ligustrum used to dominate.  It is the best kind of volunteering - no meetings, no minutes, great people, and enjoying nature!  And, I would encourage all our volunteers to take the time to come and visit on a non-work day.  Walking the trails of the Headwaters Sanctuary truly does renew and lift your spirits.  That's why we love to do it!

Jay Collins, Volunteer Crew Leader

Photo: right

I fell in love with the vision of a green sanctuary at the source of the San Antonio River – an urban forest of native plants and animals where people could find sanctuary too.

Howard Homan, Volunteer Coordinator, Board Member, and Go-To Volunteer

Photo: Always Smiling

I retired 5 years ago after a 24-year career. I found Headwaters shortly thereafter (as if being called) and have been here ever since.

I find Headwaters to have incredible history with an absurdly diverse flora, fauna and mushrooms, all caused by the power of this magnificent river. Some of the biggest Oak trees I have found, are on this shrine.

The San Antonio River has such an arousing power that causes this diversity, size, history. Native Americans were called to this spring field before anywhere else in the USA. Six missions came here and thrived, these same missions all failed at different locations, came here and thrived. The Sisters were drawn to these waters. The water of the river has been underground carving passageways and caves for centuries before seeing sunlight again. The jubilance exuberates as the water joyously screams out its glee.

This is what I feel when I work here. The intensity of the work forces deep breathing allowing all to inhale all the powers of this prosperous forest.

Jim Funk, Volunteer Crew Leader

Photo: far left

The Headwaters Sanctuary brings so much to me. When I began volunteering in the fall of 2012, the springs were dry but it still was a very powerful and spiritual place to be. I learned of the volunteering opportunities through the Headwaters at Incarnate Word website and stayed because of the lifelong friendships, knowledge gained, and the Congregations continued mission.

As a youth, I explored the Sanctuary in the mid-80’s before UIW crossed the San Antonio River. As a volunteer, I learned from the Headwaters staff and seasoned volunteers. As the Headwaters Land Steward, I was introduced to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. The Sisters taught me their mission and how it pertained to the healing of the land that brought them to Texas so many years ago. I was able to share their passion with volunteers by using the Sanctuary as a conduit for their message. Now as a Volunteer Field Leader, I can continue to share the knowledge I’ve gained through so many before me.

The Sanctuary is a place to learn, reflect, reconnect to Earth, heal, and grow as an individual and as a society.

Richard Duarte Sr., Volunteer Field Leader

Photo: Always working

I started volunteering at Headwaters at Incarnate Word when they first started redoing the landscaping for the Grotto. I had two selfish reasons for doing it. First, I wanted to earn volunteer hours for the Master Naturalists. Second, I wanted to learn how to plant native plants in landscaping, because I was considering redoing my own backyard. I accomplished both of those goals, but got so much more out of the experience.

I always try to get to Headwaters a little bit early. There is something so peaceful about being on that property that seems to nourish my soul. I love being surrounded by the trees, the birds, and even the college students as they came and go to class. The people that I work with while volunteering are all wonderful. They make me want to come back and see them again.

You get a great sense of accomplishment when you work on a project for someone else. But, after a while, you start to feel like you are a part of that organization, not just a volunteer. I am looking forward to a long relationship with Headwaters at Incarnate Word. I believe in their mission to protect that wonderful natural area in the heart of our city.

Jim Baker, Volunteer at the Brackenridge Villa, Lourdes Grotto, and Circle of the Springs Pollinator Gardens

Photo: Left, Carson shirt

I became a volunteer at Headwaters in 2015 after I retired and got certified as a Master Naturalist.  I selected Headwaters because of the iconic Blue Hole and have been volunteering there ever since. I like it here because of the uniqueness of an urban forest in the middle of San Antonio.  I also like the fact that we recycle the non-native, invasive plants into mulch for the trails for the community to use. So nothing is wasted. I learned just how important keeping these types of plants out of a natural area is. I also enjoy the other volunteers that come to help.

It is rewarding to know we help maintain this wonderful sanctuary that is home to such a biodiversity of plants and animals.

Sherie Gee, Volunteer Field Leader

Photo: Right

In today’s modern world of incessant partisan bickering and bluster of eternal nonsense, one thing we have in common is that nature is fundamental to the human experience.  The benefit derived from working at HIW is both personal and social.  On a personal level, there’s satisfaction from working on a cause greater than myself - restoring a severely damaged landscape back to its previous pristine glory.  Knowing the habitat improvement at HIW will be sustained far into the future for others to enjoy is deeply gratifying.  Socially, the opportunity to share my enthusiasm about the natural world with others is equally rewarding.  That is true whether I’m learning from those whose knowledge is far greater than mine or I'm getting to share my awareness with volunteers of less experience.  We always walk away from HIW as better human beings due to the sharing, caring, and learning.

Britt Coleman, Volunteer Field Leader

Photo: right

Due to the Blue Hole's life-giving source of fresh, clean water, this area has been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. It is the reason the city we all call home is even here. I'm eager to pay my respects to this sacred area, and I believe restoring this land to its natural, healthy state is one of the best ways I can do that.

Amanda Love, Volunteer in the Sanctuary and at The Village Habitat Restoration Project

Photo: right

I started volunteering at Headwaters during my Alamo Area Master Naturalist class beginning last Spring. I love the outdoors. My undergraduate degree was in Forestry, but I eventually became a CPA and did not have many opportunities to be outdoors until I retired at the beginning of 2019. One of my first volunteer opportunities was at Headwaters where I realized I could utilize some of my lost Forestry skills and get some exercise while helping the environment. Headwaters has a rich history, beautiful large trees, and when flowing the water from the Blue Hole is beautiful and relaxing. Although in the middle of San Antonio, I can forget the city and enjoy nature at Headwaters. The people that I work and enjoy nature with at Headwaters think a lot like me. It’s a pleasure to learn, teach, and work with all of those fine people. I’m looking forward for the Coronavirus threat to pass. There are usually opportunities to volunteer at Headwaters almost any day of the week.

Steve Holekamp, Volunteer in the Headwaters Sanctuary and Circle of the Springs Garden

Photo: Always ready to pitch in

As native San Antonians, we are drawn to the history of the Blue Hole, the Sanctuary natural trails, the Brackenridge Villa, and the Lourdes Grotto. The history of this space lives on because of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. They have made sure that the land will always be there for those who love history and nature. We use this unique urban forest in the heart of San Antonio to exercise and reflect as well as to volunteer.

The Sanctuary offers educational opportunities that we love to share with the community.  Volunteering is a chance to give back to the Sanctuary and to work with like-minded people.  Working with the wonderful staff and volunteers is a bonus to our labor.

Dave & Marti Nordstrom: Volunteers in the Sanctuary; Brackenridge Villa and Lourdes Grotto Pollinator Gardens; and The Village Habitat Restoration Project

Photo: Dave-above foreground; Marti- above background kneeling; 

Dave & Marti Nordstrom inspired Headwaters to begin the Lourdes Grotto Garden Project (removing invasive plants and introducing native pollinator plant materials).

I volunteer at Headwaters because I enjoy working outside and I have had a long-standing interest in nature and in ecological restoration. It is gratifying to see the slow but steady progress we are making in restoring Headwaters to a native Texas landscape and improving the habitat for native plants and animals. I also enjoy working with the other volunteers, whether veterans like myself, or high school/college students who have limited outdoors experience but are willing to work hard and show an interest in what we are trying to accomplish. The teamwork and camaraderie of the volunteers are a large part of the headwaters volunteer experience.

Leon LeVan, Volunteer Field Leader

Photo: A Can-do spirit