San Antonio River Authority recreation Team Connects Fun with Ecological Stewardship
SAN ANTONIO, TX – The San Antonio River authority (SARA) is actively weaving environmental education into its recreational programming, fostering a deeper connection between residents and the health of the San Antonio River. Michael Gramley, SARA’s Recreation Superintendent, highlighted the agency’s approach in a recent blog post, emphasizing how even popular events like bike tours are designed to educate participants about local ecosystems.
SARA, despite its small team of four, partners with organizations like the City of San Antonio and Black Outside to maximize its impact across the four counties it serves. The agency focuses on increasing access to outdoor experiences – biking, hiking, dog walking, and simply enjoying the river’s edge – for a broader range of residents.
“We weave stewardship into everything-from our largest public events with thousands of attendees down to small hikes and programs,” Gramley explained. “For exmaple, the bike tour I supported today was focused on bats and pollinators. we connected what people were seeing on the trails to the ecological restoration work out there. We try to make sure that no matter what fun activity someone attends, there’s also a connection back to nature and the health of the river.”
Looking ahead, SARA aims to expand its offerings and team size, acknowledging the limitations of a seasonal calendar. The agency’s next major event, River of Lights, is scheduled for December 13th on the San Antonio River’s Museum Reach.
Interested individuals can find a full calendar of events at sariverauthority.org. The ”My River POV” series,featuring insights from SARA staff,aims to inspire greater stewardship of local creeks and rivers.
