Save Our Springs Alliance (SOS)

In 2023, Central Texas faced soaring temperatures and severe drought, drying up springs and river flows. SOS opposed new pumping permits, supported public purchase of key watershed protection lands, and pushed for protecting spring-dependent endangered species in the Blanco, Pedernales, and Barton Springs watersheds. We led many outdoor education outings and hosted Baron Springs University Day at Barton Springs, attended by 1,000 high school students and a few hundred others. We partnered with Save the Pedernales to protect Hamilton Pool Preserve, Roy Creek Canyon, and the Pedernales River from pumping and development. We sponsored the production of educational documentaries, including Steve Mims' Uncensored Zilker Inc., which exposed the plan to privatize and commercialize Austin's Zilker Park. We partnered with Earthjustice in litigation to protect the endangered Golden-cheeked warbler. We also continued our work against expanding South Mopac over the Edwards Aquifer and I35 over Lady Bird Lake. SOS also partnered with the San Marcos River Foundation, the Texas River Protection Association, and others in administrative and court proceedings to keep treated sewage out of our Central Texas waterways.