Wild Basin Creative Research Center | St. Edwards University in Austin, TX

St. Edward’s Wild Basin Creative Research Center is an innovative field research station located just 10 miles from campus, within Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve.

This preserve protects 227 acres of beautiful Texas Hill Country and is valuable habitat for multiple rare and vulnerable species, including the endangered Golden-cheeked warbler.

An Innovative Research Station Within a Beautiful Nature Preserve

A close-up of Vernonia missurica, a vibrant purple flower with buds yet to bloom. The petals radiate from the center, creating a fluffy appearance. Brownish spherical buds cluster at the stem tips. The blurred green background highlights the sharpness and detail.

Visiting the Preserve

Whether you’re a hiker looking for trails to explore, a family vacationing in Austin, or a teacher planning a field trip, Wild Basin has much to offer.

A student sits outdoors amidst dense vegetation, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeve shirt. A small round table in front holds scientific equipment, possibly for environmental research.

Research at Wild Basin

Here students (from any university) and community members can do robust research at a dedicated field station that is a living laboratory, supported by St. Edward’s faculty and staff.

The image shows a group of children on a nature trail. They wear t-shirts with various prints, including "Longhorns Princess" and "Wildcats." Trees and foliage surround the trail.

A Place for Everyone To Learn About and Enjoy Nature

Our environmental education programs support area schools and offer opportunities for all to connect with the natural world.

A close-up of the Golden-cheeked Warbler, a bird perched on the branch of a coniferous tree. The bird has striking yellow and black plumage, with a prominent yellow head, black throat, and white underparts with black streaks. The background is blurred, highlighting the bird as the focal point.

Taking Care of What Is Here

The expert stewardship of these 227 acres benefits not only wildlife and their native habitats, but everyone living beyond the preserve boundaries.

Our Generous Partners and Supporters

Wild Basin became Austin’s first nature preserve in 1974. Today, Wild Basin is co-owned and co-managed by Travis County and St. Edward’s University and is a treasured resource for our community.

We offer special thanks to our individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation supporters. Without you, our environmental stewardship, education and outreach and innovative research would not be possible.

Environmental Fund of Texas
Applied Materials Foundation
Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation
William and Salomé Scanlan Foundation

St. Edward's University Wild Basin Creative Research Center is located within Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. This 227-acre nature preserve is co-owned and co-managed by Travis County and St. Edward's University, and is a treasured resource for our entire community.