Construction on Wetlands Board Walk at Spring Lake to begin soon

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS — Construction is scheduled to start shortly on the Wetlands Board Walk at Spring Lake, officials at Southwest Texas State University announced at the end of May.

The walk will include an interpretative center with informational displays regarding the ecosystem of Spring Lake and the flora and fauna found in and around the lake.

The floating walkway will be constructed of environmentally friendly “boards” made of 100 percent recycled plastic at the south end of the peninsula.

Wetlands Project organizers expect construction to be completed this fall or early winter.

The Biology Department has promoted this project, with funding from the Meadows Foundation.

Upon completion, the walk system will support academic research and offer the public an opportunity to see the ecosystem of Spring Lake in action.

The Wetlands Walk is just one activity in an ongoing effort of SWT to complete a full-scale wetlands restoration project, whose mission is threefold:

• To enhance SWT’s education, research, service and leisure activities,
• To promote the protection and preservation of the San Marcos Springs,
• To foster an appreciation and stewardship of natural and cultural resources.

The full-scale Wetlands Project, a community effort to restore the Aquarena Center grounds to more closely resemble Mother Nature’s original design, began earlier this years as Wetlands Project organizers involved a community team effort at removing exotic plant species. Removal of exotic species began with a full frontal assault on water hyacinths, an exotic aquatic plant that was literally choking out its native competition. Non-native trees and bushes have also been removed from the Aquarena grounds.

It is anticipated that K-12 schools will visit the site as part of their educational experience.