GOVERNMENT CANYON: A triumphant partnership yields a 
breathtaking outcome in the Texas Hill Country ... we'll 
explain ... on Passport to Texas ... 
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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Government Canyon State Natural Area is a public-private 
partnership. It brought together state, federal and local 
agencies with citizens and conservation groups to fund 
land acquisition to protect the watershed over a critical 
recharge zone of the environmentally sensitive Edwards 
Aquifer. Deirdre Hisler is the area manager for the site. 

"Government canyon is a project that the community has been 
waiting for a very long time -and waiting patiently. It is a state 
natural area, which means that we are here to protect a valuable 
resource in the Edwards Aquifer. That's our primary concern for 
the project. Though, resource protection is a driving force, we 
also are real excited to be able to eventually offer recreational 
opportunities in the form of hiking, bird watching, mountain 
biking, trail running, and we will we will have some of our 
dedicated trails that are off of recharge, available to 
equestrians."

The 86-hundred-acre site, 16 miles from downtown San 
Antonio, has been accessible on a limited basis only for 
special events and volunteer opportunities. On Saturday, 
October 15 it will open its gates to the public on a daily 
basis. 

Find more details on the TPWD web site: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us .

That's our show for today ... now go outside and play ... for 
Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti.