Balcones Canyonlands Refuge

Through interlocal city agreements, Serene Hills has donated and built over 4,000 linear feet of fenceline protecting the Balcones Canyonlands Refuge.

From the viewpoint of a gliding red-tailed hawk, the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge straddles the divide between the Colorado and Brazos watersheds. The beautiful canyons facing Austin are deeply etched by erosion from the Colorado River tributaries. This rugged terrain has spared old Ashe juniper and oak woodlands from logging and shelters some of the best golden-cheeked warbler habitat. Endangered songbirds depend on very specialized habitats to make a living, and those places grow fewer by the day. That's why this refuge has a critical role to play in both preserving and restoring their homes.

The refuge harbors 245 bird species for part or all of the year. Because of its importance to birds, this refuge is significant for world bird conservation and officially designated a Globally Important Bird Area. The American Bird Conservancy recognized Balcones Canyonlands NWR as an IBA for its significant role in conserving the golden-cheeked warbler, the black-capped vireo and their habitats.

The refuge is home to The Edwards Aquifer, the source of many Central Texas springs and beautiful Hill County rivers.  These rivers flow into the marshes, estuaries and bays along the Texas coast. The refuge transforms to brilliant wildflower gardens each spring, accenting the emerald, olive and forest green of the Hill Country. This area is home to ringtail cats, raccoons, brown bear, chirping frogs and whitethroat salamanders. The flowers in turn attract a myriad of butterflies. In summer, at least 37 kinds of dragonflies zip across refuge ponds, streams and meadows in hot pursuit of their insect prey.

Serene Hills is a proud to be a part of supporting and protecting our beautiful Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.

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