On August 8th 1992, Austin voters overwhelmingly approved the SOS Water Quality Ordinance. A few months later, SOS Coalition leaders incorporated the SOS Alliance to defend and advocate for the SOS Ordinance, Barton Springs, and the Edwards Aquifer ecosystem.
Read "Save Our Springs Ordinance now 20 years old" in the Aug 06 Austin American-Statesman HERE.
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, August 7th
On Barton Creek
8:30 - 11:00 am
Hike, swim and snorkel the Upper Greenbelt with Bill Bunch - Meet at Scottish Woods Trail access - BYO snorkel & water - Please email sosinfo@sosalliance.org to reserve space
Barton Springs - South gate area outside pool
5:00 – 8 :00 pm
Watermelon, refreshments, maps, charts, photos and other exhibits on the natural, cultural and political history of Barton Springs and the SOS movement
Barton Springs - South hill inside pool
Anniversary Program
Please bring towel or mat for seating
5:30 pm
Welcome and introductory remarks by Brigid Shea and the 1992 SOS Coalition Steering Committee
5:45 pm
Why save Barton Springs? Remarks from a range of local voices
6:15 pm
Minor Mishap Marching Band
6:50 – 8:30 pm
Eliza Gilkyson and friends
8:30 – 9:45 pm
Screening of Dean Rindy’s 1992 Documentary (15 mins), Screening of Karen Kocher’s 1993 documentary Common Ground, the Battle for Barton Springs (28 mins), and Living Springs trailer (7 mins)
After party – location TBD
Wednesday, August 8th
On Barton Creek
8:30 – 11:00 am
Hike, swim and snorkel the Middle Greenbelt with Bill Bunch - Meet at Mopac Bridge access –BYO snorkel & water Please email sosinfo@sosalliance.org to reserve space
At Barton Springs - South gate outside pool
Noon – 6:00 pm
Watermelon, refreshments, maps, charts, photos and other exhibits on the natural, cultural and political history of Barton Springs and the SOS movement
Barton Springs University
all speakers and presentations will be in tent outside back gate of Barton Springs Pool
Noon
An introduction to the Edwards Aquifer Ecosystem
Dr. Tom Hayes, conservation biologist and Raymond Slade, hydrogeologist
1:00 pm
How the SOS initiative came to be –what it means to Austin today
Brigid Shea and Mary Arnold – SOS Coalition Steering Committee
2:00 pm
Past and present politics of Barton Springs
Mark Yznaga and David Butts, SOS campaign leaders
3:00 pm
Philosopher’s Rock - What Dobie, Bedichek & Webb mean to Austin past, present, and future
Discussion led by Bill Bunch
4:00 pm
“The Four Fountain Springs” of Texas and their role in pre-Columbian and contemporary indigenous cultures
Gary Perez of the Native American Church and the Indigenous Cultures Institute of San Marcos
5:00 pm
Group plunge in Barton Springs & after party - location TBD
