GOVERNMENT CANYON-PICTURES: A state park is expanding, 
and that means more habitat conservation and outdoor 
fun. Find out more on Passport to Texas.

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife 

The city of San Antonio recently voted to transfer three 
thousand acres of land to the Government Canyon State 
Natural Area because they didn't have the funds to 
manage the land themselves. 

Richard Heilbrun (High-ul-brun) is a wildlife biologist for 
TPWD. He says the new land is important because it 
provides habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked 
warbler.

This is golden-cheeked warbler paradise. You've got these slopes, 
you've got good diversity. You've got old shredding bark juniper like 
that one right there. I just have to believe that they're all over the 
place. :12.4

The land is full of a wide variety of trees, which are 
necessary for the warbler's survival. But the land is also 
important to the Edwards Aquifer. 

You can see just on the side of this road just holes in the ground, 
holes in the soil, and it goes directly into the aquifer. And this is 
why this is such a wonderful place because it has both habitat and 
aquifer recharge. :14.2

But as you look out over the land, you see newly built 
houses dotting the nearby hills. The land right outside 
the natural area is being developed because people want 
to live where there's a nice view. But new homes only 
mean less habitat for the warbler and other species.

Fortunately, TPWD will continue efforts to preserve the 
fragile habitat. And in five to ten years, the new land will 
have trails for public hiking and mountain biking, for all 
Texans to enjoy. 

That's our show. You can find pictures and more 
information at passporttotexas.org. For Texas Parks and 
Wildlife I'm Cecilia Nasti.

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