WELCOME TO THE
Paradise Creek Pocket Meadow
A Blanco Library collaboration inspired by the conservation community in Blanco County. This living project is a space where people can learn how to play a meaningful role in the stewardship of land, water, and wildlife that we all share. By observing, restoring, and celebrating this hidden treasure, we're growing a deeper connection to place.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
WATER
Every storm is a chance to recharge our springs. With deep-rooted landscapes, berms, swales, and natural basins, we slow runoff. Natural infrastructure forces the stormwaters to slow down, sink in, support habitat, and seep into the aquifer. This is flood and drought mitigation at work.
LAND
Our community partners are helping us restore and improve the land in the meadow by sharing knowledge, seeds, landscaping materials, funding, and connections for better land management practices.
WILDLIFE
Every wildscape is a stepping stone. With native plants, water, and shelter, even small spaces create vital links that reconnect habitats. Pollinators find nectar, birds find rest, and wildlife moves safely across the landscape. Come see it here, and take the inspiration home.
Get involved.
Join us for an event, workshop, or volunteer day and become part of this hands-on collaboration. Work in the Meadow helps native plants and wildlife thrive while showing how thoughtful land stewardship can make a real difference.
Keep an eye on this space for upcoming ways to learn, pitch in, and connect with the community.
Wired Wednesday
DECEMBER 10TH
2PM - SUNSET
Our "Wired Wednesday" program takes a mini-field-trip to the meadow. Learn how tech can help us protect native plants and wildlife as we remove invasive species and record our observations using iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID. This citizen-science workshop will equip volunteers with skills and knowledge they can take home to support their own environmental stewardship.
Volunteer Day
DECEMBER 14TH
3PM - SUNSET
Help us install a rustic cedar post fence that provides some privacy for our neighbors, habitat for local wildlife, and whimsical winter solstice features for the delight of the community.
Thinking Like Water Docuseries
TBA
Enjoy some soul-warming chili and cornbread while watching the first episode of the docuseries Thinking Like Water. This educational series takes a deep dive into watershed restoration with the living legend Bill Zeedyck. After the show, take a stroll through the meadow with local conservationists to see these principles in practice in our own watershed.
Each project in the Meadow is an opportunity to learn. Learn as we collect data on rainfall, biodiversity, soil structure, and wildlife patterns. Learn as we increase water infiltration in the soil, and build rain harvesting systems into our landscape. Learn as we make space for both nature and the community to grow together. Watch this space, and follow us on Facebook to keep track of all the latest events and workshops happening in the meadow.
As this project evolves, volunteers are documenting what they observe. To explore the current plant list, share your own findings, and connect with fellow citizen scientists, visit our location at 1118 Main Street, Blanco, Texas on iNaturalist.
Our stunt team is working on concepts for natural playscapes. Want to take part? Watch this space or follow us on Facebook for our next Nature Makers event.
Help us document the wild on the iNaturalist App!
We're collecting precise rain data to calculate exactly how many gallons of stormwater our meadow helps infiltrate into the ecosystem and the aquifer.
Stroll through the meadow in spring and summer to see the pollinators at work!
Dragonflies are a sign of healthy habitat, clean water source, and ecological balance.
A Special Thanks to Our Conservation Partners
Donate to our Pocket Meadow
Donations that are specified for the Paradise Creek Pocket Meadow project, programs, and ongoing conservation management can be made using the button below. Your contribution helps us create a public space where people can enjoy nature, take part in outdoor education, and feel at home in a place where native plants, wildlife, and community thrive together.
The IRS says:
IRA owners age 70½ or over can transfer up to $100,000 to charity tax-free each year. These transfers, known as qualified charitable distributions or QCDs, offer eligible Americans a great way to easily give to charity. For those who are at least 73 years old, QCDs count toward the IRA owner's required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year and are tax free. (IR-2023-215, Nov. 16, 2023)
To make a QCD contact your IRA custodian. You may be able to make your QCD right from custodian’s website!
Send your QCD to:
Blanco Library Inc. 1118 Main St. Blanco, Tx, 78606
For more information about QCDs click here