Teacher Resource Guide

Westcave Preserve Teacher Resource Guide Educational Programs

Westcave Preserve, a natural treasure of the Texas Hill Country, has been offering unique educational opportunities to students since 1974. A field trip to Westcave Preserve combines the opportunity to observe the plants, animals, and geology of the Edward’s Plateau with a hike into a cool, sheltered canyon to see a thrilling view of a 40-foot waterfall and cave formations and lush plant life which are seen in few other places in Texas.

At the Preserve’s Warren Skaaren Environmental Learning Center, students can learn how natural cycles and forces have interacted to create and sustain this sanctuary. Exhibits at the Environmental Learning Center explore Westcave’s geology, water, weather and energy. The building’s centerpiece is a solar observatory demonstrating the earth’s changing position in relationship to the sun.

Location

Westcave Preserve is located in Southwest Travis County about 45 minutes from downtown Austin.

Programs

Programs include a guided tour of the Preserve, classroom discussion, and, time permitting, the opportunity to explore the exhibits at the Warren Skaaren Environmental Learning Center. The hike into the canyon and back is roughly one mile, so students should be advised to wear comfortable shoes.

Programs are tailored to the age and interest of your group. Teachers may choose from one of our standard programs or may request a customized program that fits the needs of their individual class. The depth of material increases with the age of students for all programs.

Learning objectives met by each of our programs are listed in Table 1. A separate document, Westcave Preserve Learning Objectives and TEKS Correlation, may be obtained from our website, www.westcave.org, or requested by contacting the Preserve at 830-825-3442.

Program Offerings

The Westcave Story (All Ages)

In this overview program, students will learn about the plants, animals, hydrology and geology of Westcave Preserve. Additionally, students will learn about Westcave’s cultural history and witness the importance of environmental conservation by hearing the story of damage Westcave suffered from overuse in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Program Length: 3 hours

Animal and Botanical Marvels (All Ages)

Animals and Botanical Marvels focuses on the wildlife and plants of the Preserve, including rare and endangered species. Students will learn about the importance of plant communities, habitats, and biodiversity and then study the Preserve’s biodiversity by conducting a biological survey.
Program Length: 3 hours.

It All Begins with the Land (3rd Grade and up)

In It all Begins with the Land, students gain an understanding of Central Texas’s geological past by learning about clues remaining in the area’s rocks and fossils. Students will also study properties of rocks, soils, minerals, and fossils and will practice identifying minerals and fossils. Program Length: 3 hours.

Water: Lifeblood of the Earth (3rd Grade and up)

Water: Lifeblood of the Earth examines our most precious resource. Students will learn about the hydrologic (water) cycle groundwater aquifers, and nonpoint-source pollution. Student will also examine the Westcave Preserve rainwater collection system and discuss the importance of conservation.
Program Length: 3 hours.

Customized Programs (All Ages)

Teachers may customize our programs to fit the needs of their individual class. Contact the Preserve to discuss the needs of your class

Nature Explorers’ Treasure Chest (Grades 2-3)

The Nature Explorers’ Treasure Chest is an excellent pre- and post-visitation tool for classes planning a field trip to Westcave. The chest includes natural objects from Westcave Preserve, a Westcave Preserve videotape, relevant books, activities, student worksheets, and listing of TEKS addressed in each section. Much of the material in the chest is applicable to additional grades. The chest is available from Westcave Preserve and the Austin Independent School District Science and Health Resource Center

Learning Objectives	Westcave Story	It All Begins with the Land	Animals and Botanical Marvels	Water: Lifeblood of the Earth
Observe Westcave’s lush plant life and understand the importance of plant communities, habitats, and ecological diversity.	X	X	X	X
Gain a better understanding of the interaction of water and geology on plant and animal communities.	X	X	X	X
Experience the sounds of nature without urban background noises.	X	X	X	X
Understand the importance of conservation at Westcave and their own communities	X	X	X	X
Understand the formation of the following geological features present at Westcave Preserve: limestone canyon, artesian spring-fed waterfall, limestone cave, travertine columns, stalactites and stalagmites.	X	X		X
Gain knowledge of the geologic events which led to the formation of the Edwards Plateau.	X	X		X
Gain an increased understanding of the reasons groundwater aquifers form and their properties.		X		X
Learn the meaning of non-point source pollution and its significance.	X			X
Learn the meaning of the hydrologic (water) cycle and increase understanding of the processes that underlie the exchanges of water between its various states and locations.				X
Learn the system used to classify rocks, soils, minerals, and fossils. Inspect the rock and soil series present at Westcave Preserve.		X
Learn to conduct an environmental survey and increase identification skills by gathering information such as plants, insects, spiders, birds and/or nests, and habitat components present in a specific area of Westcave Preserve.			X
Gain an awareness of the historical use of Westcave Preserve and the surrounding area by people and animals.	X		X

Westcave Preserve Field Trip Information

Registration

Advance registration is required for all school group programs. To register for a program:

Contact Westcave Preserve at 830-825-3442 or e-mail info@westcave.org to discuss date availability and size restrictions.
To complete the registration process, return a completed Westcave Preserve Registration Form to Westcave Preserve. The Registration form may be mailed to Westcave Preserve, 24814 Hamilton Pool Road, Round Mountain, Texas 78663 or faxed to Westcave Preserve at 830-825-3509.

Payments

Payment is due upon arrival. Westcave Preserve accepts cash or checks made out to Westcave Preserve.

Cancellation

If it is necessary for you to cancel your reservation, please call at least two weeks in advance.

Arrival Time

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled arrival time with your total number of participants. Should your group arrive late, your program may have to be shortened. Reduced fees are not offered if your program is shortened due to a late arrival.

Water

Westcave Preserve does not have sufficient water available to meet the needs of all students. We request that you bring water for each of your students.

Picnic Area

Picnic tables are available. However, we cannot provide water or trashcans.

Student Preparation

Please stress to your students that they will need to stay with the group and on the trail at all times. No leaves or flowers may be picked from plants.

The hike into the canyon and back is roughly one mile, so students should be advised to wear comfortable shoes and socks. The students should also be advised to dress weather appropriately: light, loose clothing on a hot day and layers on a cold day.

Parking

Parking spaces are limited. Please request that chaperones carpool.

Rain Policy

No tours can be conducted in the event of rain. Please contact the Preserve to discuss weather conditions and rescheduling your field trip if necessary.

Additional Information

Additional information regarding Westcave Preserve may be obtained from our staff at 830-825-3442 or from our website, www.westcave.org.

Teacher Resource Guide
in MSWord .doc format.

830-825-3442 Fax: 830-825-3509