Education

Family Wildflower Cave Tour

Come explore what’s underneath the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center with your tween (10-14 year old).  Enter a small, crawly cave to learn more about the cave environment that is the Edwards Aquifer.  Squeeze through a tight passage as you experience the path water follows as it travels underground.  Encounter the critters that call the cave home. Helmets, lights and kneepads will be provided.

Requirements: Participation requires the ability to crawl and be in confined spaces. One adult required per family. Waiver required to be signed before participating in tour. Please wear closed-toe shoes and long pants.  

The "Family Cave Tour" is led by City of Austin Watershed Protection Department (WPD) staff.  To learn more about WPD's youth education programs visit: www.austintexas.gov/watershed/youthed.

Date: March 2, 2013, Saturday (1 meeting)
Time: 9:30AM – 11AM
Location: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, TX, 78739, Map   
Price: $10/person. Registration includes the entry fee into the Center. No refunds for any reason allowed after registration and payment have been made.
Class limit: 16 people maximum (adults and children)

Instructor: Jessica Gordon     
Instructor Bio: Jessica Gordon is a Conservation Program Coordinator for the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department. Her work involves teaching about aquifers, watersheds, and how our actions affect water quality. She is passionate about outdoor environmental education and has over ten years of experience leading field trips to local caves, creeks, parks, and springs. Jessica earned a Master’s Degree from the Department of Geography and the Environment at the University of Texas and is working on her doctoral degree in Science Education. She enjoys exploring Austin’s amazing network of creeks and trails with her family and working with others to make positive changes in our community.

Instructor: Sara Heilman     
Instructor Bio: Sara Heilman is a conservation program coordinator for the City’s Watershed Protection Department and has been working in outdoor education for over 15 years. Prior to working for the City of Austin, Sara served as natural resource specialist for the Center for Coastal Studies at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi where she completed a master’s degree in environmental science and conducted research on water quality. Her passion for fostering environmental education evolved from previous work at outdoor education centers and working with children. Sara enjoys gardening, hiking, exploring natural places, and spending time with her husband and two young children.