Zilker Park Natural Resource Inventory

• Cartography
• Conservation
• Natural Area Management
• Parks
• Preserves
• Site Assessment
• Urban

Siglo Group was commissioned by Barton Springs Conservancy in support of the City of Austin Zilker Park Vision Plan process to assessing existing conditions, ecological health, appropriate land management activities, and future opportunities of Austin’s premier park.  The report has become a key component of the vision planning process and has catalyzed ecological health as a key component of the vision plan.

The final Zilker Park Natural Resource Inventory & Management Guidelines 199 page report completed in 2020 contains over 80 maps and figures, countless photos, and a list of over 600 species observed, including 2 endangered species.  The reports creation was overseen by the Barton Creek Association board and was created by a 12-person team that included ecologists, botanists, ornithologist, ecological designers, and park planners. Over 20 City staff members and partner organization members gave feedback on the content of the inventory.

The Report recommends land management and ecological restoration practices that result in increased ecological health of the park’s plant communities, improved wildlife habitat, and a better visitor experience. Recommended best practices in the document would result in the enhancement of 185 acres of area currently managed as woodland, savanna, or meadow, as well as the restoration of 43 acres of currently underutilized to native plant communities. In addition, the Inventory calls out 66 acres appropriate for canopy enhancement to mitigate and allow for adaptation to climate change, as well as over 14 acres suitable for green storm water infrastructure that can slow down water, allow for its infiltration and support better water quality and creek health.