Community Almanac

Hello, I am a 5-year resident of Pflugerville and have long had a dream of bringing my passion for Nature and the Environment to the City which I now love and care for as my own hometown. I am meeting with a Director of the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne next week to discuss start-up and development processes. I am in the very beginning stages of my dream and any input would be appreciated, please email: BowerbirdDesign@gmail.com

Proposal for Development of a Pflugerville Nature Center

Phase I: Getting Started

 

“A person’s heart away from Nature becomes hard… Lack of respect for growing, living things soon leads to lack of respect for humans too.”  - Native American Tribesman

 I. Goals for a Community Nature Center within the City of Pflugerville

    A. Foster awareness of the importance of the City of Pflugerville’s and the Earth’s natural resources through environmental educational programs, exhibits, community activities, etc. for all citizens.

    B. Provide an educational, fun, and family-friendly resource for all citizens of the City of Pflugerville.

    C. Provide an outdoor classroom for schools, youth groups, adult groups, etc.

    D. Inspire a sense of personal responsibility for the City of Pflugerville’s (and the Earth’s) natural resources and environment.

    E. Foster a deeper sense of pride and appreciation for the City of Pflugerville’s (and the Earth’s) natural resources and environment.

 

II. Benefits of a Community Nature Center within the City of Pflugerville

   A. A Nature Center is a beneficial and innovative way to preserve land and natural resources.

  B. Existing trails, City Parklands, already in place

       1. Development of a Nature Center with Environmental Education Programs would have low-cost start-up and would be relatively self-maintaining via volunteer, school, youth, programs

       2.  Development of a Nature Center with Environmental Education Programs would be low impact to existing Parklands, i.e. little disturbance of existing greenspaces.

   C. Focus the spotlight on the City as a desirable place to live and raise a family

       1. Nature Center in Northern part of the Austin metroplex would be bring in like-minded people and groups from surrounding communities, e.g. North Austin, Round Rock, Hutto, Georgetown,

       2.  An Environmental Education and Nature Center Resource within the City of Pflugerville would exemplify to all surrounding the City’s devotion to and concern for its citizens.

   D. A Nature Center would be a potential tourist attraction which would help to bring in revenue for the City.

   E. A Nature Center is a unique way to engender a sense of community among a diverse citizenry while, at the same time, promoting a respect for life.

 

III. Types of Programs Provided by a Nature Center

A.     Conservation curriculum for students in local schools

B.     Gilleland Creek cleanup and informative workshops on wildlife, geology of Creek

C.    Workshops on wildlife management, land use management, watershed management

D.    Xeriscaping classes

E.     Recycling and composting information and workshops

F.     Youth group activities

G.    Bird-watching outings

H.     Night-time animal watching, i.e. bats, owls, etc.

I.         Wildflower workshops

J.      Tree planting

K.     Live animal presentations

   L.      Outreach programs to schools, elder-care facilities, etc