Hiking the Reicher Ranch in Austin Texas

Chapel ceiling & window

Chapel

I just came back from the “Warblers, Wildlands & Water” hike at the 820 acre Reicher Ranch led by volunteers from the City of Austin’s Wildland Conservation Division. Today, Sunday December 7th, 2008 was a perfect day for a walk in the great outdoors. I wore a sweater over a short sleeved thin top but stripped my sweater off once we got moving. The Reicher Ranch road is located off RM 620 at the traffic light at Home Depot Blvd. near Falconhead. It was a relaxing way to get some exercise, learn more about the local ecosystem and see the Colorado River below the Mansfield Dam. The ranch was the home of Louis Joseph Reicher, first bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Austin. The City of Austin obtained the Reicher Ranch in 1994.

To learn more about the City of Austin’s Wildland Conservation Division see http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/ click “water” on the left, on the Water Programs page select “Wildland Conservation Division” or call the Environmental Conservation Information Specialist at (512) 263-6443. There are many volunteer opportunities and you get to enjoy natural, protected areas not open to the general public. On the city’s website there is a great photo (and sound) gallery of plants & animals such as endangered species, karst species, non-native invasive plants; also karst features, water features & other geological features of our area. Besides the guided hikes available on the Wildlife Conservation, Water Quality Protection Lands and Balcones Canyonlands Preserve properties, there are also educational presentations, school programs and community events held by the division.