The Great Spring Project is a new nonprofit that's proposing to set up a network of trails to unify "existing local efforts to address the most critical water, land, wildlife and public health challenges facing the Central Texas region," according to the project's official website. Specifically, Texans will get to enjoy a park-scale corridor of protected lands between Austin and San Antonio, which will connect Barton Springs, San Marcos, Springs, Comal Springs and San Antonio Springs.
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What that effectively means is that folks will be able to hike a 100-mile trail from Austin to San Antonio. Talk about outdoor fun.
"You’ll be able to hike or bike basically from the Alamo to the Capitol," said Deborah Morin, co-founder and board president of the Great Spring Project, to local news network KXAN. "Eighty percent of Texans [live] within a three hour drive of this area. So instead of thinking about driving eight hours to Big Bend, you could come here and immerse yourself in nature."
The group is still working on the details of the project, which they hope to complete by the Texas bicentennial in 2036. A yet unnamed local design firm and the National Parks Service are also involved in the plan designs.
As for financial backing, Morin told KXAN that "grants, public funds and donations from the public will be needed to purchase the land." Post-completion, volunteers and local government officials will be called upon to maintain the area.
According to an official press release, the project's ultimate goal is to "add an additional 50,000 acres of protected lands over the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contribution zones between the dense urban areas of Austin and San Antonio." According to Morin, cities in Central Texas highly rely on their vicinity to the "fresh, clean, flowing water" of the aquifer, rendering the latter in need of utmost protection and care.
The nonprofit is looking for as much support as possible so feel free to offer your services, make a donation and learn more about the project right here.
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