T HE G ROTTO A Publication for Members of Westcave Preserve
WESTCAVE PRESERVE SPRING 2013
10th Anniversary Celebration for the Warren Skaaren Enviromental Learning Center
visitors can interact with nature by being immersed in the site and building and its learning exhibits and the natural environment around it.” Planning for the building began in 1997, six years before its opening. Significant collaboration was present at every stage of the project. LCRA and Westcave Preserve worked closely with one another throughout the building’s construction. Experts from across many disciplines joined together on the development of exhibitry as well as the grounds. As Jackson explains, “This was a dream project. The work was fun and rewarding, and the people I worked with made the experience unforgettable.”
On March 23rd, Westcave will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Warren Skaaren Environmental Learning Center (WSELC). When the WSELC opened, our visitor and education center moved from a double-wide trailer to a state of the art, 3,300 square foot, world-class learning facility. The impact was felt across Westcave’s programs as overall visitation increased by 60%, new exhibitry was incorporated into our school programs and public programs such as Star Nights and special family events were offered at the Preserve. The WSELC was designed by Robert Jackson & Michael McElhaney Architects of Austin and has won seven major architectural awards, most notably the “Top 10 Green Project” award from the American Institute of Architects / Committee on the Environment (see page 2 for a complete listing of awards). When discussing the design of the building, Architect Robert Jackson stated, “The learning center provides a gateway to the Preserve….. The idea was to provide outdoor classrooms – not just a building – where
Westcave Preserve remains most grateful to the numerous donors to the capital drive for the WSELC including lead gifts from LCRA, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust, Lee Walker and Jennifer Vickers and the Betty Norsworthy Family. We hope that you will be able to join us as we celebrate with an Open House Day at the Preserve including guided tours of our Rim Property, canyon and the ELC. More information can be found in our Program Calendar insert.
PRESERVE UPDATES Interview with Paul Vickery Westcave’s new Education Director
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In October, Paul Vickery joined the Westcave Preserve staff as its Education Director. Paul came to us from Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas where he spent 13 years as a member of their education team. Below is an interview with Paul conducted by staff educator and administrative coordinator Addie Broussard.
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Addie: Tell me about your family. Paul: My parents have lived in Austin since 1990. I have two younger brothers and a grandmother that also live in Austin. My wife Jennifer works part time as a dietitian and full time as a mother of our two boys, Jackson 4 yrs and Weston 1yr. We also have a dog named Bella. There is never a dull moment with two growing boys in the house. Addie: What was your last job like? Paul: I was the assistant program director for a camp, conference and retreat center outside of Houston. I was involved with the environmental and adventure programs during the school year and supported various conference center and specialty camps during the summer months. Most days were spent outside in the piney woods enjoying the laughter and chatter of children exploring nature. Addie: What one word best describes how you feel about Westcave? Paul: Intriguing
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Addie: How does it feel to be back in Austin? Paul: This is not the Austin I left 15 yrs ago. So much has changed and I am amazed at all the development. I am excited to be closer to my extended family and making memories as we have frequent gatherings. I am looking forward to exploring Austin with my wife and boys.
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Paul: The amount of time it has taken for the grotto and cave area to form. Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, the water flows and has created an amazing place.
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Addie: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned since you’ve been on the preserve?
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Proposed West Cave Pathways West Cave Property Line
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West Cave Preserve Proposal for Pathways
Coming soon: The wonder and joy of Westcave Preserve seven days a week! Late in 2008 we acquired the "rim around the canyon" - an additional 45 acres surrounding Westcave's canyon, cave and waterfall. After much hard work and planning, we are ready to develop a new one-mile, self-guided loop trail on the rim property for visitors to use seven days a week, and to build a wildlife viewing station where visitors can stop to observe one of the many bird species who call the Preserve home, or a passing porcupine, white tail deer, or jack rabbit. We are grateful to our supporters who have made this significant project possible including the Davidson Foundation, the Reese Foundation, Dudley and Mari Houghton as well as many additional private donors.
DESIGN AWARDS FOR WESTCAVE’S WARREN SKAAREN E.L.C. 2007 Demonstrated Leadership in the Living Building Challenge, Beauty and Inspiration 2006 AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects Award 2005 Texas Society of Architects, Honor Award 2005 AIA/CAE National Educational Facilities Design Awards, Award of Excellence 2005 Design Share: International Forum for Innovative Schools, Merit Award 2004 Design Award, Texas Recreation and Parks Society 2003 Austin Chapter AIA, Merit Award
WHO WE ARE BOARD, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hayden Brooks, Chair Max Scoular, Immediate Past Chair Peggy Winkler, Vice Chair Laura Scanlan Cho, Secretary Bill Keenan, Treasurer Carmel Borders Victor Emanuel Dr. David Kauffman Jennifer Mull Andrew Sansom Buddy Steele David Tetreault Lee Walker John Covert Watson, Member Emeritus
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Amber Gosselin, Chair Beyrl Armstrong Sue Barnett Chris Caran Jarrod Depew Tom Hegemier Tom Martine Sam Meacham Peggy Murphy Terri Siegenthaler Tom “Smitty” Smith Tara Tetreault Murray Walton John Worrall
EDUCATION COMMITTEEE
Flavia Gaskin, Chair Chris Caran Nourah Caskey Nan Hampton Robert Jackson Ethel Kutac Erich Rose Nate Rosenberg
STAFF Molly Stevens, Executive Director Addie Broussard John Gerhart Amber Gosselin Jane Jones Kinsey Junek Paul Vickery Linda Wofford
MAJOR DONORS 2011-2012 FOUNDATION SUPPORT
Austin Community Foundation The Brown Foundation James A. “Buddy” Davidson Charitable Foundation Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Dell Children’s Medical Center Foundation Educational Foundation of America Greater Houston Community Foundation Jacob & Terese Hershey Foundation The Junior League of Austin Georgia B. Lucas Foundation Fund Lester E. Kabacoff Family Foundation The Lowe Foundation The Prentice Foundation Powell Foundation Reese Foundation Shield-Ayres Foundation St. David’s Community Health Foundation Stark Martin Charitable Trust Still Water Foundation The Tapestry Foundation Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust William & Salomé Scanlan Foundation Winkler Family Foundation Earth Share of Texas represents Westcave Preserve in workplace payroll contribution plans throughout Texas. For more information about how you can support Westcave Preserve and other leading environmental groups at your workplace, call 1-800-GREENTX, or visit www.earthshare-texas.org.
CORPORATE SUPPORT
Backwoods Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Cooper-Free Froup at RBC Wealth Management FGI Services Henna Chevrolet HEB Robert Jackson & Michael McElhaney Architects, Inc. LCRA Locke Lord LLP Maxwell Locke & Ritter National Instruments REI Riverside Resources Texas Parks & Wildlife Thundercloud Subs Wells Fargo Bank Whole Earth Provision
NON PROFIT SUPPORT
Community Investment Corporation El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission El Ranchito Explore Austin La Familia de la Tierra Owners Assoc. The Nature Conservancy
GROTTO GUILD We are pleased to recognize our Grotto Guild Members for 2012. Grotto Guild members provide annual support of $1,000 or more and receive special benefits, including tours and events. Please consider joining at this generous membership level. You may contact
[email protected] for additional information. Bob & Margy Ayres Inelle Bagwell Shelly & David Bain Holly & Jim Bohart Carmel & Tom Borders Anne Brockenbrough Hayden & Lynn Brooks David Braun Brandi Clarke Burton Nourah & Bobby Caskey Anu and Punit Chadha Laura Scanlan Cho & Ken Cho Mary & Bob Cocke Malcolm Cooper Victor Emanuel JoLynn Free Mike & Jean Haggerty Kathie & Dick Hanson Gary Hendrix Karen & Tim Hixon Dudley Houghton Dee and Robert Jackson
MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES
Bill & Rita Keenan Heather & David Kuhlken Carolyn Long JoAnn McKenzie Bettye & Bill Nowlin Pam & Mike Reese Patricia Henna Rowe & Mark Rowe Nancy Scanlan Marika & Jonathan Schoolar Max Scoular Buddy & Maggie Steele Mary Simmon Stinchcomb Grant & Margot Thomas David & Tara Tetreault Kate Watson-Toth Nick & Linda van Bavel Lee Walker & Jennifer Vickers John Covert Watson Peggy & Matt Winkler Jan & Neile Wolfe Ira & Roxanne Yates
Westcave offers a free year of The Grotto newsletter to anyone who requests it. Members receive the newsletter as our way of saying thanks and keeping you informed. Membership also includes free weekend visits to the Preserve and invitations to special events. If you are interested in becoming a member of Westcave Preserve or renewing your membership please visit www.westcave.org/join/.
Westcave Preserve 24814 Hamilton Pool Road Round Mountain, TX 78663 Phone: 830-825-3442 Fax: 830-825-3509 www.westcave.org
Printed in Texas on recycled paper with soy-based ink
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Caroline first visited Westcave Preserve in August of 2012 as a camp counselor at the Austin Nature and Science Center (ANSC). She says that she fell in love with the place the moment they came down the staircase and entered the canyon. We fell in love with Caroline the moment we saw her interacting with her ANSC campers. Caroline is not only a great summer camp counselor, but she is also a gifted and talented Natural Sciences Educator. Caroline is from Fort Worth, TX. She graduated from the University of Texas in May of 2012 with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Biology. She studied abroad in Costa Rica and focused on conservation and land use issues in the various regions of the country. She especially liked working with the communities to develop economically and ecologically sustainable businesses.
Featured Westcave Volunteer Caroline Taylor
Caroline is currently an ANSC Environmental Educator working with the after school programs and with public events. She continues her work in conservation as an intern at the Rainforest Partnership and as a weekend docent at Westcave Preserve. Her friendly, positive, energetic personality is a real asset to the preserve and with her bare hands she has killed enough Malta Star Thistle to ensure the preserve’s next generation of wildflowers.
