The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University will host the 13th annual Earth Day San Marcos Festival on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Spring Lake.
The event offers a day of celebration, discovery and connection at the headwaters of the San Marcos River.
The free, family-friendly event invites the community to explore environmental topics, connect with local organizations and enjoy live music, hands-on activities and interactive experiences centered on this year’s theme, “One Heart, Many Waters.” Free glass-bottom boat tours will be available throughout the day for a unique view of the headwaters.
“This year’s festival theme reflects the idea that while water takes many forms, it ultimately connects us all,” said Miranda Wait, deputy director of Spring Lake Education. “Earth Day San Marcos is an invitation for the community to see those connections more clearly and to recognize that caring for the environment is something we all share.”
More than 50 exhibitors—including nonprofits, community organizations and vendors—will provide opportunities for attendees of all ages to engage with science, nature and environmental work happening across the region.
The festival opens at 10 a.m. with a blessing at the San Marcos Springs led by the Indigenous Cultures Institute. Author Maria Rocha will read the newly released children’s book Napako: Our Journey, which presents an illustrated retelling of stories from the Coahuiltecan people, whose ancestors have lived in this region for thousands of years. Advanced copies will be available for purchase at the festival, and Rocha will sign books following the reading.
Live music starts at 10:45 a.m. on the Ozarka Spring Water stage, featuring a curated DJ set from Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice and live performances by local artists, including the San Marcos Youth Mariachi, Tracy Weinberg, Sophia Johnson Trio and singer-songwriters Vanessa Barbee and Veronica DeWitt. Food and refreshments will be available from Springtown Roasters, AJ’s Ranch Road Grill, Yapa’s Empanadas and Ollie’s Market.
A highlight of this year’s festival is a community art project. Attendees will contribute to a large, collaborative installation. Participants will make fabric “prayer flags” from repurposed materials to symbolize how water connects people, communities and ecosystems.
For those looking to dive deeper, a series of Eco Sessions in the Spring Lake Hall conference room will provide opportunities for conservation-focused learning and reflection:
- Exploring Aquifers through Art (11 a.m.–12 p.m.): Textile artist and TXST professor Gwendolyn Hustvedt will explore how art can inspire new ways of thinking about aquifers, ecology, and imagination. She will also discuss her latest exhibition, Groundwork, currently on display at the Meadows Center, which features silk banners with designs inspired by the Edwards Aquifer and the San Marcos Springs.
- Eco Philosophy Walk and Talk (12:30–1:30 p.m.): The Texas State Philosophy Department, in collaboration with the Sacred Springs Biocultural Conservation Program, will lead a guided walk around The Meadows Center grounds and the sacred San Marcos Springs. The walk will incorporate mindfulness techniques to help participants reconnect with nature and conclude with a discussion on the philosophical implications of human and natural cohabitation, led by Rob Dussler, Ph.D., Justin Williams, Ph.D., and Jeff Gessas, Ph.D., as part of the broader Philosophy Dialogue Series hosted by the Department of Philosophy.
- Exploring the Deep, A Spring Lake Virtual Reality Experience (2–3 p.m.): Experience Spring Lake from a scuba diver’s perspective through immersive virtual reality and discover its unique biodiversity through hands-on activities and interactive displays. Meadows Center staff will guide explorers of all ages through these engaging learning experiences.
For more information and to view the full schedule of activities, visit EarthDay.MeadowsWater.org. Those interested in volunteering can apply online.
This year’s event is made possible by the support of the presenting sponsor, H-E-B’s Our Texas, Our Future, which is committed to supporting the preservation of the state’s natural resources and inspiring environmental stewardship through awareness and education.
Stage sponsors include Ozarka Spring Water and its parent company, Primo Brands.
Additional supporting sponsors and partners include the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, Green Guy Recycling, Keep San Marcos Beautiful, the San Marcos Discovery Center, the TXST Environmental Service Committee, the TXST Office of Sustainability, What Goes Here Flows Here and the TXST Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
About The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University was named following a generous gift from The Meadows Foundation in August 2012. The Meadows Center inspires research, innovation and leadership that ensures clean, abundant water for the environment and all humanity.