“The power of education is not in filling a bucket, but in lighting a fire—and nowhere is that more important than in environmental education.” — Barbara Kingsolver
The River Authority Education and Engagement team’s mission is to inspire citizens of all ages to take action in their communities toward the stewardship and sustainability of the San Antonio River and its tributaries. This past year was another success for this small but mighty Education and Engagement team! The team travels extensively throughout the watershed, from the northern edge of Bexar County to the riverside town of Goliad, to bring river-centric education into classrooms and local parks.
During the 2024-2025 school year, the team served over 18,000 students, teachers, families and community members across the four counties of the San Antonio River Basin as well as surrounding counties and even some out-of-state groups.
Learning Along the River’s Edge
The River Authority works closely with teachers to bring students to the banks of the San Antonio River for hands-on field experiences at nature-based parks including Confluence Park, San Pedro Creek Culture Park and Acequia Park in San Antonio, Helton Nature Park in Floresville, Escondido Creek Parkway in Kenedy, and Branch River Park in Goliad. These educational field trips offer water quality lessons, nature-based explorations, and science-themed games to uncover the influence of personal and collective choices on the San Antonio River and give students the opportunity to get out in nature and learn from experts while participating in their community, which also helps build ownership of their landscape.
This school year, the River Authority hosted and/or served as a partner at fields trips for over 2700 students and their teachers.
Bringing River Science to the Classroom
The River Authority also offered TEKS-aligned, inquiry-driven classroom presentations for 1st through 12th-grade students in Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad Counties. These presentations were conducted either virtually or in person and explored topics ranging from aquatic biology to engineering for flood control and non-point source pollution.
This school year, the River Authority conducted classroom presentations for over 3000 students and their teachers.
Inspiring Stewardship, One Event at a Time
The River Authority’s Education and Engagement team hosted and participated in a number of large events this past year including the River Authority’s signature events—Fall Festival, Mission Reach River of Lights, and Fiesta Flotilla—as well as the Lonesome Dove Festival, Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival, San Antonio River Foundation’s Pollinator Tea Party, Girl’s Inc. RockIT Into the Future Science Festival, Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), San Antonio Missions Education Day, San Antonio’s Basura Bash, Goliad State Park’s Rio! Rio! Education Day, CAST Schools Speak Up Speak Out San Antonio Civics Fair, and SA Smart Mayor’s K-12 Smart City Challenge. The team interacted with over 11,000 students, teachers, and families and community members who attended these events!
The team again joined creative forces with the River Authority’s Environmental Sciences and Engineering departments aided by generous funding from the San Antonio River Foundation to host the second San Antonio River STEM Challenge for students at NEISD STEM Academy at Nimitz Middle School! The winning project went on to compete in the Alamo Regional Science & Engineering Fair, competing with 24 other projects in their category and winning 1st place!
Honoring the Educators Who Support and Inspire Us
Thanks to educators and school staff that came out to visit our team at the San Antonio River, invited us into your classrooms, conducted a campus cleanup, used online curriculum, volunteered with our River Warrior volunteers, or attended an educator workshop! Thank you for going above and beyond to nurture the future generation of environmental stewards and encourage action for healthy creeks and rivers. We appreciate you today and every day!
Powered by Partnerships
The work of the River Authority’s Education and Engagement team would not be possible without our fantastic and dedicated local partners, including the San Antonio River Foundation, who is a key ally in our efforts to provide cost-free field trip opportunities at Confluence Park. This past year, we also partnered with many organizations including the Alamo Area Master Naturalists, Texas Children in Nature Network, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, The Witte, Texas A&M AgriLife and 4H partners in Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad Counties, Texas Wildlife Association, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Confluence of Young Conservation Leaders, Wilson County Master Gardeners, Region 20, H.E. Butt Foundation Outdoor School, and the Texas Floating Classroom.
Bring River Education to Your Group—For Free!
Whether you represent a community organization, scout troop, a K-12 school, or homeschool group, we look forward to working with you on providing information about the San Antonio River. All presentations are free, and they are booked on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you’d like to receive information about teacher workshops, field trips, and presentations, sign up for our educator contact list!
Have a wonderful summer and we’ll see you in the fall!
