Introduction

As urban development replaces ranches and farms, our native fauna and flora is increasingly restricted to green belts and small fragments of semi-protected habitat.  Such habitat islands and the fragmented populations that rely on them represent a major focus of current ecology and population biology.  At UT Austin the field biology program is anchored by one such urban habitat fragment, but biologists rely on a network of such sites in the region for monitoring population changes, for genetic samples, for study of how biodiversity is maintained, for how pest organisms invade and for educating students about their biological legacy using hands-on experience. The diversity of soil types, topographies, soil conditions and land-use history in the Austin area provides a rich fabric of habitat conditions that no local site provides. 

"Gill Ranch”

In fall 1982, Mr. Richardson Gill acquired several hundred acres from Mrs. Nellie Boothe Moehring along Little Barton Creek near the intersection or HW 2244 and HW 71.  Mr. Gill’s intentions included converting some of those and additional acres to residential development while creating a natural area to be kept aside for research and education.  A member of several departmental visiting committees at UT Austin, including Physics and Zoology, Mr. Gill approached Dean Robert Boyer of UT’s College of Natural Sciences with the idea.  Dr. Larry Gilbert, Director of the Brackenridge Field Lab, visited the property with Mr. Gill soon there after and found it to provide habitats and organisms not available at BFL.  The true selling point in supporting the use of the area was the convenience and usefulness of 24-hour access with a minimum of conditions.  From that point on graduate students, post docs and faculty from UT Austin began using the area, initially including 295 acres deeded to Mr. Gill and 79 acres retained by the original owner Nellie Moehring. 

By the mid 1980’s Gill had added another 313 acres to the area available to UT research and teaching.  So what was called “Gill Ranch”, the area available for research and teaching, consisted of over 600 acres.  Things changed dramatically in 1989, after the mid 1980’s real estate market crash forced Mr. Gill had to withdraw his ambitious plan.  Mrs. Moehring then resumed ownership of her original tract and Sunbelt savings of San Antonio and later NAJD II Corp. took over the remainder. UT made arrangements under these ownership changes to continue using the area and continued to call it “Gill Ranch” at least until 2000.  Uses of the area included visits by field biology classes, research projects by graduate students, a source for plant stocks for habitat restoration at a UT field station and a location for visits by international workshops at UT on ants and parasitic insects.

Bee Caves Ecology Laboratory (BCEL)

After the passing of Nellie Boothe Moehring, her heirs sold most of her original holdings to Mr. Daniel Porter who has developed much of the original 300acre tract.  However, Mr. Porter, along with Nellie’s nephew Terry Boothe, wished to continue the two-decade tradition of keeping the core of the area bordering Little Barton Creek available as a natural area to be used for research and teaching.  The map shows the approximatly140 acre area that constitutes the current study site.  As the development of the area surrounding BCEL approaches a saturation point, the future configuration of the area available for long-term study has become more predictable.  Plans for trails, fencing and signs are under discussion and a residence field station is a potential future option.   Also in progress is an endowment fund for research at BCEL and surrounding areas established by Porter and Boothe with The College of Natural Sciences at UT Austin.   Once the fund reaches a minimum size the interest it generates will provide annual grants for student research.

Directions to BCEL and navigating the site

To enter the area turn south (Coming from Austin you will turn left.) at the intersection of HW 2244 and HW 71.   To access the East side of the area take the first left and follow the road that circles eastward and then south on the bluff above Little Barton Creek.  Proceed through a development of multi-story condos bearing right.  The road will end at a parking area * at residence “B” on the map.  The 8-acre area around the residence is available for collecting and study and a takeoff point for access to the southern and eastern parts of BCEL.

To enter the central area within the bend of LB Creek, take the first left after turning south at the light (as above) but then proceed down the hill after taking an immediate sharp right turn on the narrow road .  The house and barns at the base of the bluff were the original Boothe/Moehring homestead.  This is “A” on the map.  If you have not called in advance, please check in there with Mr. Terry Boothe.   Park in the lot east of these buildings (*) and walk eastward and down slope to the creek.  If you are not driving a UT Austin vehicle please leave a note on your windshield identifying yourself as a UT faculty or student using the site for teaching or research.  On foot, bear right along  Little Barton Creek and cross on a low water dam.  Take care, as this crossing can be slick!

To access the northwest section of BCEL continue past the first left turn after the intersection, then take the first left at the base of the hill near the Lowe’s parking lot.  (Turning left from this road also leads to A.)  Proceed south parallel to and below Lowe’s parking lot’s east side.  You will come immediately to the first of two padlocked gates.  If you haven’t received the key from Mr. Boothe or Dr. Gilbert, you will have to walk from the A parking lot. If you have a key, proceed on the road past the low water crossing and into a 10-acre field.  This area and surrounding woods are part of BCEL.  Refer to your map and take care to avoid any areas not inside the white lines.  If in doubt do not risk trespass on neighboring private property.  Once boundary fences are in place staying on BCEL property will be not be a problem.

UT Courses taught at BCEL

Field Ecology (Biology 373L)
Entomology
Independent student research