Speakers

Robber Baron Preserve contains a unique cave and species, but is located on a small lot along a busy street in the middle of a densely urbanized neighborhood of San Antonio. As a result, the cave and property have many special considerations. TCMA attempts to balance protection of the cave with education, science, and recreation while being part of the neighborhood it resides in.

The surface of the property has been transformed from an overgrown vacant lot into a park-like green space open for visitation. Non-native plants were removed, water flow was adjusted to prevent contaminated water from streets entering the cave, and the entrance was improved to permit more access by species that use caves as their home. By maintaining it as a publically open green space area, we are attempting be part of the neighborhood and provide a place to learn about caves and karst, while reducing vandalism issues. The Preserve has a short trail and bridge from which the sinkhole can be viewed. A kiosk provides information about Robber Baron as well as caves in general and TCMA. Two picnic tables are available for visitors, and steps lead down into the 40-foot deep sinkhole where the entrances may be seen.

Karl Schmalz is a retired oil and gas industry tax lawyer.  He grew up in Massachusetts and received his law degree from the University of Texas (a long time ago!). Karl is one of the founding members of Braver Angels Central Texas, the local chapter of the national organization, Braver Angels. He is the Red Leaning (or conservative) Co-chair of Braver Angels Central Texas. Karl is a long time member of the board of Communities in Schools Dallas Region, a “stay in school” non-profit that works with at-risk students.  He and his wife, Bonnie Martin, their two children and four grandchildren all live in Austin, Texas.

sponsor is Dr. Scott Sitterle

sponsor  Dr. Scott

sponsor:  Dr. Scott

In 1992, we purchased Bracken Cave and the surrounding 4.7 acres of land to protect the largest colony of bats in the world, up to 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) in the summer. Over 30 years later, through a series of additional land purchases, that small initial acreage has grown by more than 300% into our 1,458-acre Bracken Cave Preserve.

Together, we co-manage 3,462 contiguous acres of rugged Texas Hill Country with The Nature Conservancy. This protected wild space is 20 miles east of San Antonio and less than 10 miles from Interstate 35, amid one of the most rapidly urbanizing highway corridors in the United States. We have secured a meaningful buffer between the bats and the nearby growing human population, and developed a preserve that will serve as a home to the plants and animals that are native to the Texas Hill Country.