Save Texas Streams
Protecting Central Texas Waterways Since 1979
What We Do
Save Texas Streams (formerly Save Barton Creek Association) is a Central Texas nonprofit dedicated to protecting water quality, preserving natural spaces, and promoting sustainable development. For over forty five years, we’ve combined policy advocacy, public education, and community engagement to protect Barton Creek, the Edwards Aquifer, and local ecosystems from threats like overdevelopment and pollution.Â
As our work has grown, so has our mission—expanding beyond Barton Creek to protect streams and aquifers throughout Texas. Our new name reflects this broader vision and continued commitment to the waterways that define our state. Aquifers cross county lines and so do we. To learn more about how our organization has evolved and the people who made it possible, we invite you to click the button below to explore our rich history.
Our HistoryLatest Updates
Salado Creek Wastewater Permits
Twelve new wastewater permits could send up to 8 million gallons of effluent per day into one of Texas' pristine streams.
Pristine Streams
If passed, the Pristine Streams Proposal would protect Texas’s environmentally vulnerable rivers and creeks by stopping new wastewater discharge that fuels algae outbreaks.
TCEQ Permit Guide
Our permit guide shows you how to easily find, track, and comment on wastewater permit applications using the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s improved online tools.
Upcoming Events
Guided Walks: Ecotherapy
March 14, 2026, 3 - 4 PM CT
March 17, 2026, 9 - 10 AM CT
Step out of the city, take a breather from SxSW, or simply get your daily dose of vitamin D on this 1-hour walk to explore a slice of Texas Hill Country while learning about how nature is our original therapy. We'll be led by certified ecotherapist, Chi-Wei Chang.
 Monthly Talk: Lichens
March 24, 2026, 7 - 8 PM CT
Join us at la Madeleine and listen to Zane Porterfield, Public Engagement, Advocacy and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Watershed Association, as she showcases the diversity and adaptations that have allowed lichens to inhabit the most inhospitable places on earth.
Volunteer Workday: Invasive Plant Removal
March 28, 2026 | 2 - 4 PM CT
Help us restore the Barton Creek Greenbelt to its native habitat by girdling invasive privet, chinaberry, and nandina trees. The event will be led by invasive plant removal expert, Cliff Tyllick, who will demonstrate how to effectively sever bark to block nutrient flow.
Recent Newsletters
Early Spring Blooms of Central Texas
Learn about the Texas native flowers that are nourishing our pollinators in early spring!
Protecting Riparian Areas for Wildlife
Animal tracks in snow reveal the importance of maintaining healthy watershed habitat.
Central Texas's Seasonal Songbirds
Read up on the feathered winter migrants that take refuge in Central Texas.
Support Our Work
Even the tiniest donation can make a massive difference for our beloved Central Texas streams and rivers. Your support helps us protect clean water, safeguard natural habitats, and educate the community about the importance of conservation. By giving today, you’re investing in a future where our children and grandchildren can swim in the cool, clear waters of Barton Springs, hike along healthy, flowing streams, and experience the wonderment of Texas's natural treasures. Together, we can keep our waterways—and our community—thriving for generations to come.
Donate Today