Friends of
Balcones Canyonlands
National Wildlife Refuge

Celebrating 150th Anniversary of the Golden-cheeked Warbler

Balcones Songbird Nature Festival
April 26-29, 2013
Registration begins February 15

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Conservation Giving

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge lies in the Hill Country just west of Austin Texas. The Refuge is intended to preserve a significant portion of this magnificent Texas Hill Country to protect habitat for two critically threatened songbirds – the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo. Development associated with the rapid growth of Austin is consuming these beautiful landscapes and wildlife habitat at a rate that threatens the ability to finish the Refuge, which is presently less than 50% complete. Conservation giving will help us complete the Refuge and keep this special landscape with its unique and valuable wildlife habitat now and for the future.

What is Conservation Giving?

Conservation giving can help conserve some of the most critically threatened habitat in the United States and preserve one of the most beautiful areas in Texas. Conservation giving may include donations of money or property. Your gift will be used to protect valuable habitat within the boundaries of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Monetary donations may help obtain matching grants and other funding to purchase key parcels of land. Donations of land or conservation easements meeting federal guidelines are also used to complete the Balcones Canyonlands Refuge.

Why is Conservation Giving Needed?

The Refuge was created to protect two endangered songbird species, but it does much more. It serves as a refuge for all wildlife and native plants in this part of the Texas Hill Country and provides opportunities for members of the public to enjoy unspoiled wild areas. Land purchases for federal wildlife refuges are funded by Congress. Unfortunately, in the last ten years federal appropriations for land acquisition have declined steeply to a mere trickle. At the same time, increasing development threatens to fragment the habitat Balcones Refuge is meant to protect. Land prices are high and increasing. If land is not protected soon, it may not be able to be protected for our children and future generations to enjoy. Conservation giving can protect this unique and valuable wildlife habitat now and for the future.

Act Now!

Without your help valuable habitat will be transformed into subdivisions or other urban landscapes. Now is the time to act to protect this special place in the Texas Hill Country, which is so rich in beauty and diversity. Act now to create your legacy and your gift to future generations so they too may experience the beauty and abundance of the Texas Hill Country.

Recognition

Because of the importance of these gifts, permanent monuments akin to those used for historical sites will be placed on individual tracts by Friends. The names of major donors will be on permanent display at Refuge head-quarters.

Ways of Giving!

You can donate any amount of cash to this Conservation Giving Program for Balcones Refuge. Your donation will be deposited into a special account and used specifically to purchase land or conservation easements for Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.

For details on donating, please use our Conservation Giving Application.
Donations of land or conservation easements can directly add to the Refuge. These must fall within the project area and meet federal criteria. For these reasons Friends will put you in contact with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff at the BCNWR who will see this through to be sure that your donation is accepted.