ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF ENCHANTED ROCK
 

The Friends of Enchanted Rock (FOER) is a volunteer based, non-profit organization committed to the preservation, protection and improvement of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.  Our mission is to work in partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife to maintain and protect the natural beauty of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area for future generations to enjoy. 

FOER Nature Walks focus on plants, geology and wildlife.	Trail Boss Barry Wilson Along with his dedicated crew.	Eroded Turkey Pass Trail Is now being worked on by FOER.

OUR PROJECTS

  TRAIL PROJECT

Join FOER Trail Boss Barry Wilson and his dedicated crew for our trail building work days. The work focuses on the badly eroded and impacted trails in the park. Come be a part of this strenuous, rewarding, and very important work! The trail building work days are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. No advance registration is required. Large groups, please email Barry bkwaustx@gmail.com so he can be ready for you.  

FOR MORE INFO & DATES OF THE 2011 TRAIL PROJECT, click here.
 

WHAT YOU WILL DO:    

• Load and haui rock, gravel and sand    

• Work with hand tools(shovels, hoes, etc)    

• Construct steps, retaining walls, water breaks and check dams

HOW TO DO IT:

Simply show up at the GAZEBO at the start of the Summit Trail at 9:00 am on the designated work day. A crew chief will be present to log you in at that time. The volunteers generally work from 9:00 am to 4:00pm, HOWEVER, you can volunteer as little as 4 hours of your time to receive free camping. If you would like to participate with less volunteer time than 4 hours, please feel free to do  so, but do not expect to camp for free at the park. Entrance to the park and camping are provided free of charge to all volunteers. Please identify yourself at the park headquarters as a "Trail Project Volunteer" and you will receive directions from the park staff about camping facilities. Volunteers can expect to get in the park with no entry fee on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Camping is available on Friday and Saturday nights only.

WHAT TO BRING:

To have a better volunteer experience and protect yourself from the elements, each individual should  bring the following items:

• sturdy footwear (like hiking boots),

• work gloves for your hands,

• sack lunch and water,

• hat and sunscreen. The Friends of Enchanted Rock will provide all necessary hand tools and equipment to perform the volunteer work, plus a portable radio and first aid kit for emergencies.

  SUMMIT TRAIL TOURS

THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY SUMMIT TRAIL TOURS ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED. PLEASE CHECK THE CALENDAR PAGE FOR OUR INFORMATIVE SUMMIT TRAIL TOURS GIVEN BY CERTIFIED INTERPRETIVE GUIDE, CARL FABRE.

Every third Saturday for 10 years FOER board members have given guided Summit Tours to ERSNA visitors of all ages. We are now fortunate to have volunteers from the Hill Country Master Naturalists involved in this project. Together, we can continue to offer these delightful, informal tours at no charge to ERSNA visitors. If you are interested in tour guiding with us, please email foer@swbell.net

Interested in taking a tour? Meet us at the Gazebo and you will take a guided tour to the Summit of Enchanted Rock for a spectacular 360 degree view of the park and the surrounding Texas Hill Country. Stand on top of the Enchanted Rock Dome and you will be on the edge of the giant Central Texas pink granite batholith. You will see limestone hills in one direction and fascinating pink granite formations in another. Our tour guide will stop along the trail to point out the many unique features in the Enchanted Rock Dome landscape. You will discover what makes the rock 'enchanted'.

Be sure to wear good hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat and bring plenty of water. We will have FOER Summit Trail Guide brochures available for $1. Meet at the Gazebo at 9:00 am and allow 1 to 2 hours for the complete tour. Scheduled tours are the third Saturday of the month beginning April, May, September, October, November, and December. Donations will be gratefully accepted to allow this program to operate. Private tours are available for groups with a donation. For dates of Summit Trail Tour, click here 

  Plant A Tree

Plant a tree in the Enchanted Rock campground to help replace trees that have been lost. For a $50 donation, FOER will match your donation for a 10-foot tree planted in the main campground. You may dedicate the tree in honor of a person, group or a significant event. This is a perfect gift or memorial.

We will send you a certificate suitable for framing with your name, the dedication and the GPS coordinates of your tree. Visit your tree and watch it grow!

Friends of Enchanted Rock is a 501 (c)3 non-profit incorporated organization. Donations are tax-exempt.

Please send your name, address, phone number, email address, dedication (optional), and a check for $50 made out to Friends of Enchanted Rock to:

Friends of Enchanted Rock
PO Box 2602
Fredericksburg, TX
78624
foer@swbell.net

Native trees & shrubs being planted in park:

• Cedar Elm
• Persimmon
• Live Oak
• Blackjack Oak
• Pecan
• Texas Sugarberry
•  Evergreen SumaC
•  Agarita
•  Whitebush
•  Kidney Wood
•  Bear Grass
•  Prickly Pear
•  Mexican Buckeye
• Button Bush
• Black Willow
• White Buckeye
• Texas Mountain Laurel

   MONITORING THE VERNAL POOLS 

Mike Lloyd, TPW Natural Resource Specialist and Jason Singhurst, TPW Aquatic Plant Specialist, have begun to monitor and map the Enchanted Rock vernal pools. With help from Hill Country Texas Master Naturalist volunteers, this effort to survey and map the rare plant life will provide a way to determine the impact that humans & animals may be having on the pools. This valuable project will ensure that these unique & fragile ecosystems remain healthy for future generations to be enchanted by. To offer your help with this project, call 830-685-3038.

   INTERPRETIVE SIGN KIOSK

The lovely ERSNA Gazebo, one of most popular spots in the park, has been transformed thanks to FOER fundraising efforts and Whole Earth Provisions. The new Interpretive Sign Kiosk, built in the same rustic style as the Gazebo structure, boasts a beautiful granite wall of interpretive plaques. The kiosk is handicapped accessible so that all visitors can learn about Enchanted Rock's unique geology and history while enjoying it's stunning beauty.

Financial support from Whole Earth Provisions has allowed us to begin plans on an Interpretive Nature Trail project. We thank our friends from Whole Earth Provisions for their continuing support of our work to preserve and improve Enchanted Rock.

   ONGOING EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Guided nature walks, summit tours, night sky viewings, and interpretive brochures are offered year round to visitors of all ages. For more information, click here.

Hill Country Wildlife

Getting to know our wild Hill Country animals thanks to Dale Schmidt, TPWD Wildlife Technician.

Comfort Boys and Girls Club

The Comfort Boys & Girls Club kids carefully examine one of the many different bats that  were shared by Nyta Brown, TPWD Natural Resource Specialist, Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area. The kids loved learning about our Hill Country bats!

Vernal Pools in Spring These fragile ecosystems need monitoring.	Location of Future Firewater Project The rainwater catchment system for the park will soon be underway.