Midsummer in the Meadow

As the summer rains roll through Blanco County, the Paradise Creek Pocket Meadow continues to show what thoughtful land stewardship can accomplish. This midsummer update highlights measurable improvements in stormwater infiltration, habitat recovery, and biodiversity across the site. From water-harvesting structures to community-driven monitoring efforts, the summer of 2025 has offered a clear look at the landscape’s progress and the work still ahead.

WATER

In June of 2025 alone, the Paradise Creek Pocket Meadow captured about 100,000 gallons of rainwater in the landscape. This is rain that would have otherwise rushed downhill, eroding the riparian zone along Paradise Creek and contributing to flash floods and pollution in the Blanco River. Instead, it soaked into the soil where it belongs, where it can nourish native plants and recharge the aquifer. Early summer rains supported the restoration of native grasses and wildflowers. Thanks to the existing seed bank, a bucket of Blanco-native seed donations, and water conservation structures like rock weirs, a Beaver Dam Analog (BDA), and a 110-foot berm, we’ve been able to capture and soak in every last drop that fell in the meadow.

WATER CONSERVATION IN ACTION

Brad Lancaster’s Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond is a wonderful resource (available to checkout at the library!), and a huge source of inspiration for this project. In Volume 1, he breaks down the math of rainwater catchment potential with the following formula:

This simple calculation shows how much rainwater your land can soak in when you’re able to capture every drop. The catchment area in the meadow is about 0.8 acres (34,848 sq ft). For the month of June, Blanco received about 4.7 inches of rain (0.3917 feet). So if we follow the formula:

Thanks to healthy soil, dense plant cover, and thoughtfully designed water-harvesting features, the meadow was able to absorb nearly all this! But we are always learning and improving. One of the best times to reassess the land is right after a good rain, when the flow patterns, puddles, and signs of erosion reveal exactly where the water still wants to run. That’s when the next creative solution comes to life... another opportunity to slow it down, spread it out, and increase infiltration.

This is also a great time to see how stormwater runs ONTO the property (run-on)... adding even more rainwater harvesting potential for this space!

LEARNING FROM LOCAL LAND STEWARDS

One of the most rewarding parts of this project is seeing the land stewardship of longtime residents who have been practicing these methods for decades here in Blanco County. These included members of the Blanco Valley Wildlife Management Association, the Texas Master Naturalists, and volunteers who we have met through Keep Blanco Beautiful. As we continue to collect material donations and traditional knowledge from our supporters, we will be sure to share the techniques they have been using to capture rainwater. Here are a couple of landscapes from the folks we visited in the month of June:

LAND + WILDLIFE

Few things in life are more beautiful than a thriving meadow in the middle of summer. Slow, careful work has been done to encourage biodiversity, and if you take a slow, careful walk through the trails you can feel it. Birds, beetles, lizards, snakes, deer, foxes, bats, and dozens of different pollinators have been spotted at the Paradise Creek Pocket Meadow. The sounds, sights, and signs of wildlife make it clear that preserving and nurturing this piece of land is greatly appreciated by the wild locals here.

MOMENTS

Building an obstacle course with the meadow kids, planting a tiny garden with tiny people, sharing books and knowledge, finding historic artifacts, and seeing the sun rise from the top of the meadow are just a few of the treasured meadow moments for June 2025. We look forward to braving the heat of July and continuing to work for a more wild place to play, learn, and grow!

LOOKING AHEAD

We’re excited to announce the next big improvements coming to the Paradise Creek Pocket Meadow, and we need your help to make them happen!

First up: a hillside embankment slide that will give kids (and kids-at-heart!) a fun new way to enter the park.

We’re also partnering with volunteers from the Highland Lakes Master Naturalists to build a shaded seating area overlooking the meadow; complete with a roof, rainwater catchment, and a little library nook for nature-themed books.

Your support helps bring these ideas to life. Tax-deductible donations can be made at the front desk of the Blanco Library or by clicking on the link below:

Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=GGTX7LRD9LR8Y