On Tuesday evening, July 27, the Fredericksburg Chapter of the NPSOT is hosting John Ahrns, Texas Naturalist and one of the founding fathers of the Westcave Preserve. This 75-acre, non-profit education center near Round Mountain is where two ecosystems meet, creating a unique opportunity to see grasslands and wildflower meadows that border a sheltered limestone canyon, which are home to rare plants and cypress trees. The canyon jewel is the 40-foot waterfall backed by caves, tumbling over fern-covered travertine columns into an emerald pool. This site is a significant component of the US Fish and Wildlife Balcones Canyonland Preserve system. It is a premier site for viewing the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

Mr. Ahrns has been recognized as a leading naturalist and educator for whom an annual award for environmental education is presented each year.

Mr. Ahrns has been the sole preserve director and lead educator since Westcave was created in 1976 until January 2010, when he retired. Please join us for his presentation about the non-profit at 312 W. San Antonio Ave in Fredericksburg at 7:00 p.m. Information on the Westcave Preserve can be found at www.westcave.org