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Explore our gardens and native areas. Learn about Hill Country plants and wildlife and what they have to offer to our daily living.
As a Texas Parks and Wildlife certified Wildscape, Riverside Nature Center offers the following:
| * Over 140 species of trees including some rare and endangered specimens |
| * Outstanding collection of native Texas Hill Country plants |
| * Approximately 200 species of wildflowers |
| * Xeric garden with cactus and other low water-use plants |
| * Ethnobotany berm with herbs and medicinal plants |
| * Sensory garden with Braille signs for the visually impaired |
| * Butterfly plant garden |
| * Natural area along the Guadalupe River trail for bird and wildlife habitat |
Birds
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A pair of rare green kingfishers make their home on the banks of Town Creek just below the Visitors’ Center. We are near the northern most range of this bird. Another year round resident, that is more often heard than seen, is the red-shouldered hawk. It is a forest dwelling hawk and enjoys an ideal habitat among the tall cypress and other trees lining the creek and river. The Yellow-crowned Heron (pictured left, top) has nested along the river for the past 2 years. Numerous other bird species, including, cardinals, chickadees, titmice, mockingbirds, and lesser goldfinches make the Nature Center their permanent home. |
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Winter birds include numerous species of sparrow and duck. Spring and fall provide opportunities to spy unusual bird species that make RNC one of their migratory stops. Summer brings many hummingbirds. The black-chinned hummingbird is the most common, but ruby-throated and rufous hummingbirds are also frequently observed at the Center. (Cactus Wren pictured left)
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Animals and Critters
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Whitetail deer, raccoons, opossum, armadillo, skunks and even porcupine inhabit the Nature Center. Even though they are not often seen, animals and "evidence" of their activity can be easily spotted by young nature detectives. Rabbits and squirrels are abundant, including the unique black squirrel. Butterflies are our most popular insects, though dragonflies are a close second, and RNC is home to numerous species of both. Other insects - flying, crawling, swimming and eating - can also be studied at the Center.
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Guadalupe River
The Guadalupe River originates from springs in western Kerr County. These springs are formed in the Edwards Plateau of the Texas Hill Country when rain water migrates through ancient limestone formations to resurface in rocky canyons as springs. The Guadalupe River winds its way through diverse habitats with many unique species of flora and fauna, including two endangered birds and many species of plants and animals that are indigenous only to the Texas Hill Country.
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The Riverside Nature Center Association is a non-profit, membership supported organization. Our telephone number is 830 257-4837. We get our mail at P.O. Box 293970, Kerrville, TX 78029. You can reach us by e-mail at: rnca@ktc.com
