About SMGA


WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO

The San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance is working to protect the quality of life for the people of San Marcos through the creation of interconnected parks and natural areas.  Today, in the midst of unprecedented growth throughout Central Texas, SMGA is dedicated to ensuring that along with development, we take care to protect natural areas for ourselves, our children, and our future.  Naturalist's Ponds

We believe there are many reasons to protect these areas including recreation, economic, environmental, health, spiritual, cultural, legacy-heritage and educational. 

Since 1998 we have been working hard with developers, the City of San Marcos, Hays County, and a host of local, state and national entities to secure greenspace, promote stewardship and provide low impact access. 

We look for the most appropriate natural areas and viable opportunities for preservation and devise strategies that reduce costs to our citizens while maximizing the benefits.  We are not opposed to development; we simply consider natural areas to be part of high quality development patterns, the necessary infrastructure, that can connect people with parks and greenspace for the benefit of all.

All the while we celebrate the greenspaces and encourage others to do so with us or in their own way. 
We help create access and connect these beautiful, valuable places with trails.

SMGA is a non-profit, 501(c) 3, all volunteer organization that survives on the membership dues, donations, grants, perspiration, brain and brawn of people who understand the value of the natural world.  If you like greenspace we would love to have you join in.

See you on the path,

Todd Derkacz, President

OUR MISSION

San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance

Strategic Plan 2004-2007

Mission: To create and conserve an interconnected system of parks and natural areas for our community               and future generations.

Conservation Goal: Protect and conserve greenspace by working with stakeholders.

  • Strategy (a): Identify lands with the highest priority for protection and connectivity
  • Strategy (b): Advocate for the protection of land through conservation easements, acquisition and collaboration with other entities

Stewardship Goal: Maintain the health of greenspaces through community participation.

  • Strategy (c): Encourage the development of a community-based stewardship plan for each greenspace
  • Strategy (d): Participate in the implementation of a stewardship plan and a public use plan for each greenspace

Education Goal: Promote awareness and understanding of the value of protecting and connecting greenspace.

  • Strategy (e): Provide vision and information to improve the community’s awareness of greenspace issues
  • Strategy (f): Host events on the greenspace properties

[back to top]

Organization Goal: Strengthen the organization’s capacity to achieve its’ mission

  • Strategy (g): Develop and implement effective organizational structure
  • Strategy (h): Expand funding to support the needs of the organization
  • Strategy (i): Build membership and encourage active participation
  • Strategy (j): Increase visibility and stature of SMGA within the community
  • Strategy (k): Develop and train board members

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Host of the 2005 Texas Trail Network Conference. Received two awards for leadership in the area green space acquisition and trail promotion.

  • Led campaign to get voter approval of the first greenspace bond proposition in San Marcos history through our spin-off PAC Yes Prop One. The citizens approved a 2 million dollar bond for 250 acres.

  • Partner with Texas State University each year to lead work teams of approximately 40 students during Bobcat Build.

  • Display and information booth at the Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.

  • 20 guided walks in various green spaces.

  • 350 recorded hours of volunteer help on trails and workdays. Many more hours not officially recorded.

  • Constructed the bird trail, assisted the city with design and construction of the accessible trail and amenities at Schulle Canyon which completed the grant begun several years ago.

  • Created footpaths and mountain bike, single-track trails in Purgatory Creek, Ringtail Ridge and Blanco Shoals to facilitate public walks. Expanded the trails at Prospect Park into Lower Purgatory.

  • Conducted numerous presentations around the city.

  • Participated in the master planning of Blanco Shoals.

  • Participated in the planning of the final phase of the City’s Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant improvements to Prospect and Purgatory.

  • Finished SMGA’s grant from TPWD at Prospect with additional benches and other amenities, tools and supplies.

  • Advocated for an update to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan which will be conducted this year by the best firm in the business, Halff and Associates.

  • Hosted a week long trail design training class led by nationally recognized, published leader in natural surface trail design Troy Scott Parker.

  • Have grown our budget from a $500 grant from San Marcos River Foundation in 1998 to capital and assets over $20,000.

  • Created a full service website.

  • Began creating user friendly trail and terrain maps of local greenspaces for posting on our website and for use by visitors.

  • Led the creation of the annual Naturescapes Photography Contest in partnership with the Hill Country Photography Club. Our first exhibition and reception at the San Marcos Activity Center was very popular. (2006 will be exhibited in September and October).

[back to top]

SERVICES

Most of our activities are related to promoting the acquisition, care and enjoyment of natural areas.  However there are a few services we can provide to our fellow citizens.

Guided walks can be arranged for select groups or as a public event through prior arrangement.  The service is free though we would happily take any contributions an organization or individual might offer.

We would be happy to come and speak to your organization and to tailor the presentation to your interest.  We could also sit and chat with an individual about our parks and greenspaces.

We assist Boy Scouts and other similar organizations with projects or programs that educate young people about natural areas or the creation and maintenance of natural surface trails.

We will help members or visitors to our area connect with related organizations or with related information.  Some of the information is provided on this website and can usually lead viewers to further sources but if more information is needed anyone can contact us.

Developers seeking opinions about a particular piece of property or land owners wishing to consider means for placing property in a conservation trust for perpetuity or in the public trust can contact us.  We do not provide trust services, nor do we represent any other organization, however we can direct inquiries to the appropriate organizations and provide a basic explanation of options.  All inquiries will be confidential.

Visit News & Events for an update on our activities.

[back to top]