Barton Springs Watershed Land Donated to Austin, TX

Austin, Texas, 2/20/2007:The Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced Friday that it would donate a 44-acre parcel of land to the City of Austin to enhance the Barton Creek Wilderness Park. The property is part of an important Austin viewshed, located in the Gaines Ranch area, south of Highway 360 and just west of MOPAC. The land was deeded to TPL several years ago as a gift.

Thanks to the individuals and corporations that have supported TPL’s work in Central Texas in the last year, TPL is able to donate the land outright to the City.

TPL has been a longtime partner to the City in the effort to conserve sensitive watershed lands over Barton Springs. Between 1993 and 1996, over four separate acquisitions, TPL assembled almost 1,000 acres of the most environmentally sensitive land to establish the nationally known wilderness park.

Since its founding in 1972, The Trust for Public Land has helped protect more than 2.2 million acres of land in 46 states. In Texas, TPL has protected more than 30,000 acres for communities, including areas in and around Arlington, Austin, Dallas, Denton, Houston, and San Antonio. In addition to the Barton Creek Wilderness Park, TPL has partnered with the Austin community to acquire land the Guerrero Colorado River Park and the Balcones Canyonland Preserve. The Trust for Public Land depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve its land for people mission. For more information please visit TPL on the web at www.tpl.org