Our Mission
Save Our Springs Alliance is dedicated to the pursuit of charitable, educational, and scientific endeavors, aligning with the standards set for 501(c)(3) organizations. Our focus extends to comprehensive educational initiatives aimed at fostering appreciation and understanding of the remarkable Barton Springs, the Edwards Aquifer, and the broader natural, cultural, and civic landscape of Central Texas and its downstream regions.
We are committed to safeguarding the quality of Barton Springs, the Edwards Aquifer, and the natural environment of Central Texas by engaging in legal, research, and educational actions. Our paramount objective is to enhance the quality of life for Alliance members, encompassing their civic, aesthetic, recreational, scientific, professional, economic, property, and health interests, as well as their commitment to open, honest government and participatory democracy. Additionally, our strategic initiatives involve the judicious holding of conservation easements and other real property interests, ensuring their preservation through vigilant protection and defense.
We are committed to safeguarding the quality of Barton Springs, the Edwards Aquifer, and the natural environment of Central Texas by engaging in legal, research, and educational actions. Our paramount objective is to enhance the quality of life for Alliance members, encompassing their civic, aesthetic, recreational, scientific, professional, economic, property, and health interests, as well as their commitment to open, honest government and participatory democracy. Additionally, our strategic initiatives involve the judicious holding of conservation easements and other real property interests, ensuring their preservation through vigilant protection and defense.
Our WorkSince 1992, the Save Our Springs Alliance (SOS) has been the only public interest legal group dedicated to the protection of the Edwards Aquifer, its springs and contributing streams throughout the Texas Hill Country and a special emphasis on Barton Springs. With the rapid growth that the Texas Hill Country continues to experience, along with the increasing threats of drought due to climate change, the Edwards Aquifer remains uniquely susceptible to multiple threats that could diminish its water quality and water quantity.
SOS, through education, advocacy and legal action, works to enhance local, state and federal regulations to protect the Edwards Aquifer from overpumping, overdevelopment and pollutant contamination. |
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Our StoryThe Save Our Springs Alliance sprung to life in 1990 as a loose coalition of citizens fighting a massive development proposal for the Barton Creek watershed. On June 7, 1990, more than 1000 citizens signed up to speak to Austin city council in opposition to the planned 4,000-acre Barton Creek PUD. After an all-night meeting, council unanimously rejected the PUD, and a movement began to strengthen the 1986 Comprehensive Watersheds ordinance under the acronym SOS: "Save Our Springs".
Organized in 1992 as the Save Our Springs Coalition, we wrote and petitioned for the Save Our Springs Ordinance to protect the quality of water coming off of development in the fragile Barton Springs watershed. With the voter approval of the SOS Ordinance, developers went on the attack at the court house and the Texas Capitol. We incorporated as the Save Our Springs Legal Defense Fund in 1993 to defend developers' attacks on the SOS Ordinance. Expanding our scope to include building awareness and alliances throughout the Austin area, we became the Save Our Springs Alliance in 1997. We routinely work with local conservation groups to advocate for the protection of Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer. |
Our Team
STAFF
BOARD
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Vice Chair
John Barkley |
Chair
Tracey Whitley |
Treasurer
Erin Hamilton |
Alissa Sherry
Roy Waley Ben Livingston Lauren Ice |
