Headwaters At Incarnate Word Inc

Environmental Education Program: During volunteer service sessions, Headwaters offered practical knowledge and guidance in land stewardship. Public response to our Sanctuary-guided bird and nature programming was strong. Community and school tours included a brief history of the ministry of Headwaters Sanctuary and an overview of our habitat programs. 2025 Guided nature walks, presentations, and tours will remain free and open to the public. Sanctuary wildlife and phenology survey work will continue. Our Environmental Film Series will resume when a facility with parking is secured.Donated Services (In-Kind) received for 2024 amounted to $3,173.

Public Access Program:Spirit Reach Project: In October 2021, the Bexar County Commissioners funded the Spirit Reach Project. Headwaters at Incarnate Word, University of the Incarnate Word, the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and the San Antonio River Authority signed a Memo of Understanding (MOU} to begin plans for a contemplative pedestrian route from the Brackenridge Park Lilly Pond, under Hildebrand Avenue to the Sanctuary's Blue Hole Spring and riparian forest. This contemplative walkway will complete a pedestrian route between the UNESCO World Heritage Site Missions to the primary source spring of the San Antonio River, the Blue Hole, providing a physical, cultural, historical, and spiritual connection by 2027.2025 Headwaters Plans:Spirit Reach Project-Contemplative Path to the Blue Hole and Beyond: The project will connect the Blue Hole to the World Heritage Site Missions along the San Antonio River. The contemplative path will bring visitors from Brackenridge Park under Hildebrand Avenue through the Incarnate Word campus to the Blue Hole and the Sanctuary main entrance near the Little Blue Hole. The project entails embankment stabilization, riparian restoration, an engaging contemplative path, and Blue Hole site preservation/restoration. Project construction begins in August 2025. Completion is anticipated in 2027.Great Oak Trail Bridge Project: By August 2025, the Great Oak Trail will reopen with three new pedestrian bridges thanks to the lronkosky Charitable Foundation. Visitors of all ages may then easily cross the creek beds along the trail surrounded by Mountain Laurels.Donated Services (In-Kind) received for 2024 amounted to $11,554.