The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) is a 30,000-acre system of preserves near Austin, Texas, that was established to protect eight endangered species (Golden-cheeked Warbler, Black-capped Vireo, 6 karst invertebrates) and 27 species of concern (Canyon Mock-Orange, Texabama Croton, 25 karst invertebrates). The BCP is the result of one of the first regional multi-species habitat conservation plans/incidental take permits ever issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and has served as a national model for other communities. The BCP is managed by multiple partners, including Travis County and City of Austin in cooperation with the Lower Colorado River Authority, The Nature Conservancy of Texas, Travis Audubon Society, and private landowners. The BCP provides habitat for a number of rare and endangered plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth. This field trip will highlight the habitat of these species and focus on the challenges of managing endangered species in a rapidly urbanizing area. While the Golden-cheeked Warblers will be on their way back to Central America in August, we may still see or hear Black-capped Vireos and some of our more common Hill Country specialties, such as the Painted Bunting. We will hike through prime warbler habitat and visit areas being actively managed for vireos. We will visit springs that support rare salamanders and caves that harbor endangered and rare fauna. We will end the day either swimming on Barton Creek (if it is flowing in mid-August) or at Barton Springs Pool. For more information about the BCP: http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/bccp/bc_preserve.asp http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wildland/bcp.htm