About Us - Bull Creek Foundation

THE BULL CREEK FOUNDATION

promotes and encourages the balance between nature, recreation, and development in a unique and treasured 32-square mile watershed.

bullcreekfoundation

The cedar (juniper) limbs have been cleared from t

The cedar (juniper) limbs have been cleared from the main trail at Upper Bull Creek making it passable again. Maybe now those pesky social trails that appeared as a work-around will begin to show regrowth.

Here’s your seasonal reminder that poison ivy is

Here’s your seasonal reminder that poison ivy is THRIVING! We’ve put together this handy visual to demonstrate the simplest way to identify that pervasive plant that is troublesome to so many. Sometimes reciting “leaves of three” is not enough.

Leaning into the weekend like...

Leaning into the weekend like...

Dragonfly spotted along the Greenbelt yesterday. W

Dragonfly spotted along the Greenbelt yesterday. What would you say this is? A wandering glider? Wandering gliders show up on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. They don’t appear to follow specific migratory routes, but instead fly with the wind for food and favorable climes.

Smells like spring! These are wild onions. It's a

Smells like spring! These are wild onions. It's a perfect time to find these tiny delicacies. And like their cultivated cousins, all parts of the plant can be eaten. But always be sure they smell like onions before consuming since there are poisonous look-alikes such as the rain lily and crow poison (which just smell like grass).

Today, while hiking, we spotted a male, Texas spin

Today, while hiking, we spotted a male, Texas spiny lizard along the greenbelt! The underside is usually uniformly light grey in color, but males typically have blue patches on either side of the belly. Do you see it?

We asked the internet, “Does moss survive freezi

We asked the internet, “Does moss survive freezing temperatures?” And we got answers!

“As long as the surface is moist and exposed, moss photosynthesizes all year.”

“In winter, the plants absorb bright filtered light below bare tree limbs. They even photosynthesize under snow. Moss doesn't mind moving to frozen or semi-frozen surfaces as long as the surface is rough.”

Just over a year ago, at what was likely our last

Just over a year ago, at what was likely our last “normal” @generationserve cleanup event, a family had stepped just off the trail only to discover what appeared to be a 40+ year-old litter dumping site. They collected bags of bottles and cans that had a “vintage” appearance. Today we returned and managed to dig up more than two additional bags of the same - all cans and glass bottles among other odd items.

What was this area like in the 1970s and early ‘80s? It appears it served as a popular place to recreate near a swimming hole, and unfortunately, people were careless with their trash, much like today.

Let’s show we can be better than that in 2021.

Please be cautious on the trail at Upper Bull Cree

Please be cautious on the trail at Upper Bull Creek (Old Spicewood Springs Road). There are multiple downed cedar limbs and an entire tree just beyond the waterfall. Some block the trail and others hang over the trail. We have notified the City, but they’re pretty busy right now getting caught up. There appear to be safe routes around them.

Tree down at Link Falls! This is one notable chang

Tree down at Link Falls! This is one notable change to the landscape over the past few weeks, likely due to the recent winter storms. We expect these to remain in place since they do not interfere with designated trails, and should naturally decompose.

Interesting fact: Dead trees left to decompose naturally, or “snags,” and logs, provide habitats, food sources, and cover (a hiding place) for thousands of animal species. Wildlife uses nearly every part of a dead tree in every stage of its decay.

Contrary to the sticker, it’s not cute, it’s l

Contrary to the sticker, it’s not cute, it’s litter.

From @leavenotracecenter - “Orange peels can take as long as two years to decompose. There is a common misconception that “natural trash” such as orange peels, banana peels, apple cores, and shells from nuts and seeds are okay to leave behind on the trail, in campgrounds, or in other outdoor spaces.”

They go on to explain, “While these things are natural, they are not natural to the places they are being left. These types of trash attract wildlife to areas with human activity, affecting their health and habits.”

Remember that Bull Creek Greenbelt is adjacent to Bull Creek Preserve, which protects the golden cheeked warbler, among other endangered or protected species.

While views may differ on mask wearing in outdoor

While views may differ on mask wearing in outdoor spaces, we can all agree, THIS should not be an option. 😠

Please put PPE litter in its place. 🗑

Many of us are just starting to recover from days

Many of us are just starting to recover from days without power or water (or both!) due to winter storms Uri and Viola. We are hearing reports about how poorly birds, bats and other wildlife fared during the storm and if you are like us, your first thought was what can I do?

We’re sharing tips on how to prepare for spring after a rough end-of-winter in our stories!

Our latest newsletter is live! This month we are

Our latest newsletter is live! This month we are sharing all things iNaturalist. 📷 🌿🕷Click the link in our bio to view it in full and subscribe so it lands in your inbox on the first of each month.

Our Board President Rachel McGill grabbed these ph

Our Board President Rachel McGill grabbed these photos at the Bull Creek Greenbelt in its current, snowy state. She reports that it’s a bit slick out there.

Thank you for continuing to keep the Greenbelt cle

Thank you for continuing to keep the Greenbelt clean! Under stage 5 coronavirus restrictions, we are not allowed to organize any volunteer activities. That doesn’t mean park-goers can’t go out with members of their same household to take on the task themselves. All it takes is a few trash bags and grabbers or gloves.

Fall color at St. Edward’s Park/Bull Creek Green

Fall color at St. Edward’s Park/Bull Creek Greenbelt.

📷 @fording.the.river

#texas #austintexas #bullcreekgreenbelt #atx #texashillcountry #austinparks #optoutside #texasnativeplants #autumn #bullcreekfoundation #creek

Looks like the beautiful, fall wildflowers that li

Looks like the beautiful, fall wildflowers that line the Bull Creek Greenbelt trails are going to seed!

"The seedy activity in late summer and autumn leads to many positive results in spring, at least in the case of native plants."

📷: @jenmramos

#bullcreekgreenbelt #optoutside #nature #wildflowers #austinparks #bullcreek #autumn #seasonalchange #austintx #hiking

@austinparksfdn is hosting It’s My Park Day at a

@austinparksfdn is hosting It’s My Park Day at a Distance from Saturday, November 7th to Saturday, November 14th. 🌳💚As part of this great city-wide event, you can earn an IMPD tee, just by helping out and enjoying our parks!🙌🧑‍🌾 Volunteer registration is open now - LINK IN @austincityparks BIO. See you there!

#itsmyparkday

Lovely waterfall image to start your weekend, by @

Lovely waterfall image to start your weekend, by @michellemusslewhite who urges all of us to “leave no trace.” Happy Friday!

#bullcreekgreenbelt #bullcreek #optoutside #repost #linkfalls #optoutside #waterfall #bullcreekfoundation #austinparks #autumn #nature #landscapephotography

Load More... Follow on Instagram