Meadows Center unveils pocket field guide for Spring Lake species
Posted by Jayme Blaschke
Office of Media Relations
November 22, 2016
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University has published a new pocket-size field guide for the flora and fauna of Spring Lake.
The Spring Lake Pocket Field Guide features more than a hundred common and unique species found at Spring Lake, including amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers and aquatic plants. Produced by The Meadows Center’s staff with guidance from local wildlife experts, it offers full-color photos and species descriptions. The field guide is also waterproof for handy field use.
“We designed this guide for people of all ages to learn about some of the common and not-so-common species that call Spring Lake home,” Communications Specialist Anna Huff said. “One of the greatest draws, and something we’re extremely proud of, is that all but eight of the species we highlighted were photographed right here at Spring Lake.”
The Spring Lake Pocket Field Guide was made possible through support from the REI Outdoor School, which awarded The Meadows Center an Explore Spring Lake Connector Grant as a way to promote wildlife appreciation and conservation. These guides will be used during the Stand Up Paddleboard and Kayak tours at Spring Lake that are led by the REI Outdoor School.
“Every time I paddle the waters of Spring Lake, I see a new piece of the world that lives there,” said Outdoor Program and Outreach Manager Cody Ackermann. “The Spring Lake Field Guide gives instructors at REI a way to instantly and easily access an amazing amount of information so that we can better educate people about this precious resource. Some places are so unique and so important, they need their own Field Guide.”
The Spring Lake Pocket Field Guide can now be purchased at The Meadow’s Center gift shop, located at 201 San Marcos Springs Drive, for $24.95. All funds will cover costs to sustain this resource for all guests who enjoy Spring Lake and the Spring Lake Natural Area.
About The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment was named following a generous gift from The Meadows Foundation in August 2012. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is dedicated to environmental research, stewardship, education and service.