Gay ruby dahlstrom nature preserve

THE GAY RUBY DAHLSTROM NATURE PRESERVEis a 384-acre tract of land in Buda operated by the Hays County Parks Department. In 2007 talks began to negotiate a conservation easement / preservation agreement. Gay loved the connection the land gave her to her heritage and to the environment, and she always wanted to share that connection with others.

Now – thanks to Gay’s vision – the public will have the opportunity to experience 384-acres of one of the state’s rare, pristine natural areas.

Thirty-five pounds of eosine were injected into Cripple Crawfish Cave on August 6, 2002 and arrived at Barton Springs in less than 3.5 days after the injection. These two aquifers are a primary source of water for millions of people. This unique public access agreement is all thanks to Gay Ruby Dahlstrom herself.

Gay Ruby Dahlstrom first arrived at her family’s historic ranch at the age of six and, until she died at 84, she walked the property regularly.

In 2008, a conservation easement for the 2,254-acre Dahlstrom Ranch was executed between the Dahlstrom Family, Hays County, the City of Austin, and the Hill Country Conservancy.

As part of this agreement, a unique decision was made to create a nature preserve on a portion of the easement that allowed for public access on private land.

We will be considered volunteers, so no reservations or fees will be required.

There is a porta-potty available at the entrance to the preserve. Thus, the creation of this nature preserve allows for the protection and management of a valuable recharge zone.

We apologize but this field trip is currently full.

These areas are incredibly important for groundwater conservation and are sensitive to surface pollution. Twenty-five pounds of sodium fluorescein were injected into Antioch Cave on August 2, 2002 and arrived at Barton Springs between 7 to 8 days after the injection. As an under-birded location, our observations will add to the understanding of the value of this preserve for birds.

She wanted to prevent the land from ever being divided or developed. She began to create a plan to preserve the ranch while allowing her family to continue to own and manage the land.

The Dahlstroms were concerned about whether they would have to sell some or all of their land in order to pay impending estate taxes. Gay loved the connection the land gave her to her heritage and to the environment, and she always wanted to share that connection with others. If you would like to be placed on the waiting list, please use the register button below.

This field trip is free for everyone, but registration is required.

Date: 7/12/2025
Time: 7AM – about 10AM
Location: Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Nature Preserve in Hays County

Join Shelia Hargis and Hays County Parks staff to explore one of the lesser-known birding locations in Hays County, Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Nature Preserve.

We will be walking on paved or gravel trails although we might have to chase an interesting bird into a rocky or grassy area. Their contact information is included in this trip description.