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EVENTS 

Artist: Chris Vest

Hello! We're glad you're here! 

To Sign-up, select your preferred event below and click "Register".

Please note: Events are popular and fill quickly! If an event is full, we encourage you to add yourself to the waitlist.

Traveling from out of town? Or want to plan a local staycation? Friends of Balcones event attendees are eligible for 10% off at the Mustard Seed Bed and Breakfast in Llano, Texas. Promo code: BALCONESVIP




Upcoming

  • Trail Workday - 2nd Saturday of Each Month

    • Monday, February 05, 2024
    • 8:30 AM
    • Monday, December 30, 2024
    • 11:30 AM
    • Various Trailheads
    Register

    Volunteer on the Trails!

    If you love hiking the trails, here's a chance to roll up your sleeves and make a difference.  Trail workdays are scheduled from 8:30am-11:30am on the 2nd Saturday of each month, rotating among the trails. Come join this fun and energetic group of dedicated trail volunteers. 

    Please contact Ryan Beach at trails@friendsofbalcones.org if you are interested in participating and would like additional information. 

    Listed below are the monthly trail maintenance workdays at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge scheduled for 2024.  (Dates  in the summer months are at Warbler Vista where we have lots of shade!)

     13 January  11 May   14 September
     10 February  8 June  12 October
     9 March  13 July  9 November
     13 April  10 August  14 December

    The team is always pleased to welcome new volunteers! Please join us! 

    Questions? Contact trails@friendsofbalcones.org

    Thank you!

    Show details

  • Pollinator Garden Workday - 1st Monday of Each Month

    • Tuesday, February 13, 2024
    • 9:00 AM
    • Monday, December 02, 2024
    • 11:00 AM
    • Refuge Headquarters: 24518 E FM1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654
    Register

    Volunteer in the Pollinator Garden!


    Join us on the first Monday of the month from 9:00AM to 11:00AM to help in the pollinator gardens at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. Volunteers participate in planting, weeding, mulching, and watering. The gardens attract numerous butterfly and bee species to an array of native flowers from Spring through Fall. Bring your favorite garden gloves!

    Listed below are the monthly garden workdays scheduled for 2024.  

     January  6 May   2 September
     5 February  3 June  7 October
     4 March  1 July  4 November
     1 April  5 August  2 December

    The team is always pleased to welcome new volunteers! Please join us! 

    Questions? Contact Janet Rogal at janet@friendsofbalcones.org.

    Thank you!

    Show details

  • Wildflower Wander at Peaceful Springs

    • Wednesday, May 01, 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Flying X Ranch: 9480 S FM 1174, Bertram, TX 78605
    • 10
    Register

    Explore the Beauty of Wildflowers at Headquarters!

    Stop and smell the wildflowers on this wander at Peaceful Springs!

    On this wildflower wander, we will stop and take the time to get to know the beautiful wildflowers. We will work together using guides and nature applications to identify the flowers and appreciate their purposes and uses.

    This hike is a great opportunity to learn about wildflowers, and take a break from the busy pace of life :) This is also a great opportunity to learn how to use your wildflower guides and get to know some of the nature applications you can use to identify flowers wherever you are!

    Who is this hike for?

    If you enjoy spending time getting closer to nature, this is a great hike for you! Wildflowers come in many different shapes, sizes and colors, and we will take the time to examine them as we move through the trail.

    If you are familiar with flowers and plants, we welcome your knowledge on this hike as well all work together to learn more about the natural world around us.

    We will stay on easily accessible, relatively flat trails and move at a slow pace. 

    How difficult is this hike?

    The hike begins at the Flying X Ranch House and follows 2-tract and fire-break roads. This hike has minimal elevation gains. The route has little shade with moderate slopes. Be sure to bring plenty of water. There are no facilities on the trail.

    What should I bring on this walk?

    Please consider bringing a camera and your wildflower guide if you have one! There will be plenty of time to appreciate and photograph the flowers, as well as use the wildflower guides to identify them.

    We also recommend the following nature based applications to help you identify birds and flowers. Please download these in advance if you’d like to use them because Doeskin Ranch has very limited reception. We may not be able to use these on the trail based on the limited reception, but we will attempt to use them where it is available so we can demonstrate how to use them -

    • Seek (by iNaturalist)

    • iNaturalist

    • Merlin (by Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

    PHONE RECEPTION: Some phone-based GPS’ will not work in this area. A printable/downloadable map can be found here.

    WEATHER ADVISORY & OTHER CANCELLATIONS:In the event that we need to cancel due to extreme weather or other unforeseen conditions you will be notified via email before 10:00 AM on the day of the hike.

    PARTICIPANT CANCELLATIONS:Our hikes are popular and often have wait lists, if you need to cancel, we ask that you try to do so at least 48 hours in advance so that a wait-list participant is notified in adequate time to be able to join us on the trail! You can cancel in two ways:

    • Log in to your profile on the Friends website and use the my event registration link to cancel your registration

    • Send us an email at hikes@friendsofbalcones.org.  Looking forward to seeing you at the Refuge!



    Show details

  • Second Saturday Group Guided Hike at Warbler Vista!

    • Saturday, May 11, 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Quarry Canyon Trailhead; Warbler Vista, West of Lago Vista on 1431
    • 10
    Register

    Connect with nature and other nature-lovers with a group hike at Warbler Vista!

    The second Saturday of every month we will have a group hike at Warbler Vista guided by our trail guides so you can learn about the birds, plants, history and MORE of this wonderful public trail!

    Join us for multiple months to see the beauty of the Refuge evolve across the seasons


    Our guided hiking tours on public trails are a great introduction to the trail system at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.

    These hiking tours move at a moderate place, with stops along the way to discuss the birds, plants, history, geology and habitats of the Refuge. We see many native plants and beautiful views along the way.

    Who is this hike for?

    If you are interested in learning about the beautiful Refuge right in Austin’s backyard, this guided tour is for you! Spend time with experts on the trail learning about this beautiful environment that is open for you to visit year-round!

    What kind of hike will this be?

    This is a 2.1 mile hike through a beautiful oak-juniper forest. On this hike, we will take a path that meanders up the steep new Quarry Canyon trail, then over to Vista Knoll and Cactus Rocks before descending on the Boulder trail.

    We consider this a moderate difficulty hike due to the inclines, descents, and the occasionally rocky or slippery portions of the trail. We hike at a moderate pace, with about 8-9 pre-determined stops to share information about this wonderful place that so many plants and animals call home!

    On this hike we will pause at moss-covered seeps that feed the Colorado River watershed, wander through the forested hillside, see huge limestone boulders and canyons, and have stops throughout to share information about unique Texas plants and animals that call the refuge home.

    In the Spring time, we have many feathered friends at the Refuge, so we may take longer pauses at various areas to listen to the bird calls and identify birds. Bring your binoculars to look with us!

    MEETING LOCATION: There are multiple trailheads at Warbler Vista. We will meet at the Quarry Canyon Trailhead. There is parking available at the trailhead.

    RESTROOMS: There are restrooms at Warbler Vista at the Warbler Vista parking lot which is the next parking lot after the Quarry Canyon Trailhead.

    EQUIPMENT:As always, wear appropriate shoes, bring plenty of water, bug spray, and sunscreen. Due to slippery rocks on the trail, hiking poles are also highly recommended.

    GROUP SIZE:Registration is limited to 15 participants for this hike.

    WEATHER ADVISORY & OTHER CANCELLATIONS:In the event that we need to cancel due to extreme weather or other unforeseen conditions you will be notified via email and text at least two hours prior to the hike start time.

    PARTICIPANT CANCELLATIONS:Our hikes are popular and often have wait lists, if you need to cancel, we ask that you try to do so at least 48 hours in advance so that a wait-list participant is notified in adequate time to be able to join us on the trail! You can cancel in two ways:

    • Log in to your profile on the Friends website and use the my event registration link to cancel your registration

    • Send us an email at hikes@friendsofbalcones.org.  Looking forward to seeing you at the Refuge!

    Show details

  • *WEATHER RESCHEDULE* Photography Hike at Doeskin Ranch

    • Saturday, May 11, 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Doeskin Ranch Trailhead: 10645 FM-1174, Bertram, Texas, 78605
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Bring your cameras and enjoy the many photo opportunities at Doeskin Ranch!

    Photo by Richard Gaines


    This photo stroll will be a great way to stop and appreciate the beauty of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.

    Guided hike leader and photographer Richard Gaines will share information on the refuge and share photography tips to help you get some great photos of this beautiful area!

    You can view some of Richard's art and photographs here!:https://www.rgainesstudiosart.com/

    Who is this hike for?

    If you are interested in nature photography and continuing to expand your skill sets, then this hike is for you! Any level of photography experience is welcome, we will walk and experiment together. 

    We recommend you only bring gear that is easily portable.

    EQUIPMENT:In addition to bringing your photography equipment, wear appropriate shoes, bring plenty of water, bug spray, and sunscreen. Due to slippery rocks on the trail, hiking poles are also highly recommended.

    PHONE RECEPTION: Some phone-based GPS’ will not work in this area. A printable/downloadable map can be found here.

    WEATHER ADVISORY & OTHER CANCELLATIONS:In the event that we need to cancel due to extreme weather or other unforeseen conditions you will be notified via email.

    PARTICIPANT CANCELLATIONS:Our hikes are popular and often have wait lists, if you need to cancel, we ask that you try to do so at least 48 hours in advance so that a wait-list participant is notified in adequate time to be able to join us on the trail! You can cancel in two ways:

    • Log in to your profile on the Friends website and use the my event registration link to cancel your registration

    • Send us an email at hikes@friendsofbalcones.org.  Looking forward to seeing you at the Refuge!


    Show details

ANNUAL Birding Festival HIGHLIGHTS


Sparrow

Sparrowfest

Feb 3, 2024 

SparrowFest is an annual event that celebrates the nearly 20 species of sparrows that spend their winters in Texas. Guided by experienced birding guides, local bird lovers flock to the refuge to see how many different sparrows they can spot and to celebrate the diversity of the little brown birds.

Bird list from 2023.

Songbird on a branch

BALCONES SONGBIRD FESTIVAL

April 26-27, 2024

The Balcones Canyonlands Songbird Festival is an annual celebration of nature through a collection of interpretive events designed to help you experience both bird species and their habitat. Experienced guides host bird walks on closed portions of the refuge and help birders from around the world add to their life lists. 

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

2024 Tours and Programs: Hill Country Birding, Identifying Bird Song, Birding the Plateaus and Springs, and The Power and Purpose of Nearby Nature.

2024 Guides: Shelia Hargis, Cheryl McGrath, Lee Kothmann, Rob Hardway, Jack Cochran, Byron Stone, Paul DiFiore, Jeff Osborne, Joseph Plappert, Jennifer Bristol, Carlos Cardenas and more!


SPRING BREAK ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Kinder-3rd Grade  (Downloadable PDF)

4th-7th Grade (Downloadable PDF)

High School (Downloadable PDF)

Nature Tracks Guide (Downloadable PDF)

PAST ACTIVITIES

Here’s some examples from previous events.  

Keep an eye on the calendar as many of these previous events and activities were so popular that we will be scheduling them again!

Opt Outside Hike: Where would you rather be on Black Friday, fighting the crowds or enjoying the peace and quiet of nature on a lovely guided hike. We started with an easy-to-moderate hike through grasslands, and along the north end of the creek. We saw lots of diverse habitat and plants, and heard lots of birds. Then we continued the hike along the creek, up the hill, circled the ridge along the Rim Rock Trail for some amazing, long-range views. A much better place to be on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Native Plants: Are you ready to go native? What makes a plant a “native”? Why should we care? If I buy Lantana at a box store, isn’t it a native? If I want to attract birds, bees and butterflies, what should I plant? Are cedars and mesquite native? Are their good and bad natives? What's wrong with St. Augustine? Presenters from the Native Plant Society of Texas, Linda O’Nan and Jan Warren, answered these questions and so many more. Their talk was followed by a plant walk along two of our most popular tails.
Reptiles: Daniel Carter talked about native reptiles. A great activity for kids. Daniel shared some of his turtles, snakes, salamanders and lizards, and discussed their unique characteristics and explained their importance to our habitat.
Science Mill: From their bio lab to exploring the human body, a slice at a time, from the story of water to the mystery of fractals in nature, our tour guide helped us experience how nature, science and art intersect to create a world of curiosity and beauty in their creative and interactive exhibits. By igniting the curiosity of students, it inspires them to pursue post-secondary education, the Science Mill experience starts students on the path to a life-long career in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Olive Oil: We took a field trip to the Texas Hill Country Olive Company is family-owned and they are passionate about what they do, and the most awarded olive oil company in Texas, located in the beautiful and beloved "Texas Hill Country" of Dripping Springs Texas. Since day one the focus has been on preserving the natural beauty of the area while providing fresh locally produced extra virgin olive oil and other premium quality products. We had a private tour in the olive grove and went into the Mill to see (and taste) some of their award-winning olive oils. It was a fascinating education on olive tree growing and producing extra virgin olive oil with a wide range of flavors.


SUGGESTIONS/COMMENTS

We welcome your ideas for future events! 
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Owl

About Us

The Friends of Balcones Canyonlands NWR is a 501(c)(3) organization whose primary purpose is to support the mission of the Refuge in restoring and protecting the habitat. The Friends are committed to building a diverse, vibrant community that appreciates, supports, and connects with nature in a meaningful way.

Become a Member

Join the Friends in protecting the wildlife and habitat, and supporting the mission of the Refuge. Start by taking a hike or  attending an event, by watching the seasons change through what’s blooming, or by just watching a hawk soar, or even just sitting still and listening to the songbirds sing. You can have a positive impact. Come find your refuge at the Refuge and join the fun!

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Mailing Address:


PO Box 4678

Lago Vista, TX 78645

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