One of the reasons Cremation.Green chose to focus on green death care services right from the start is that being industry insiders we knew the environmental impact better than anyone. Our locally-owned Austin funeral home takes pride in helping to protect the natural beauty of Texas, including a variety of delicate ecosystems right in our own backyard.
Every family that chooses death care services more consciously contributes to protecting these Texas habitats too. We encourage everyone to explore the natural wonders of our area so that they feel more connected and understand why we’re so invested in providing eco-friendly funeral options.
Barton Springs and Its Salamanders
Many Austinites don’t realize that there’s an endangered species living in the area. We’re not talking about the Congress Avenue Bridge bats. Barton Springs isn’t just a beautiful watering hole in the middle of the city. It’s the natural habitat for the Barton Springs Salamander.
Because of Edwards Aquifer (more on that below) the springs are constantly 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. That makes Barton Springs a very unique ecosystem. However, the quality of the water is critical, and it is heavily dependent on people in the immediate area.
The Barton Springs Pool is a beautiful example of how Texans can enjoy the natural gems of the state while minimizing impact. We should be just as mindful of how cemetery development and funeral services affect the area, and take steps to minimize it.
Edwards Aquifer
Barton Springs Pool is fed by the Edwards Aquifer. It’s well-known for the recharge zone that has a year-round cold temperature, but there’s so much more below the surface. Edwards Aquifer is an underground reservoir. The freshwater is stored in the limestone, which is why water around here is hard.
There’s a system of streams, sinkholes and creeks in Travis, Williamson, Hays and Comal Counties that feed into the aquifer. When it rains in the recharge zone, the water passes straight through the limestone and into the reservoir. This is why minimizing pollution all around the area is so important. It can impact the most important geological feature in the area that is also a watersource.
Balcones Canyonlands Wildlife National Refuge
The Balcones Canyonlands are often overshadowed by Barton Springs and the Hill Country, but this is a unique area that’s just as interesting. Take the 183, 620 or FM 2222 northwest of Austin’s epicenter and the landscape noticeably shifts.
Live oaks spread wide over limestone that changes elevation, sometimes quickly. Ashe juniper fills the drainage areas below. The limestone canyons and cedar-oak woodlands stretch across Travis County and into Burnet County.
Even though it’s well within the city limits, Balcones Canyonlands is a wildlife national refuge. It’s made up of over 30,000 acres and designed to protect two endangered species that can only be found here.
The golden-cheeked warbler nests exclusively in mature Ashe juniper and live oak woodlands. It is the only songbird species that breeds only in Texas. The warbler winters in Central America and returns to the Hill Country each spring to raise its young.
Balcones Canyonlands is also the nesting ground for the black-capped vireo. Within the refuge there’s a spot called Shin Oak Observation Deck that’s considered the best spot for seeing the black-capped vireo in its natural environment.
Lady Bird Lake
Many locals would say that Lady Bird Lake is the heart of Austin. Whether strolling around the waterfront trails or paddling across the lake and taking in the cityscape, you can feel how Lady Bird Lake has helped define Austin over the years.
To say Lady Bird Lake is like a sacred place to Austinites isn’t an exaggeration. Many people are extremely mindful out around the lake. You won’t find litter lying around or people picking at plants. It’s a natural refuge for people, and that’s the way we treat it.
Colorado River Corridor
The Colorado River is one of the most important geographical factors that have shaped Austin. Running through the center of town, it’s the source of water for Lady Bird Lake as it winds its way southeast to the Gulf of Mexico.
We people see the Colorado River as primarily a source for entertainment and travel, but it’s very different to the local wildlife. The water itself supports a complex food chain of aquatic insects, fish, turtles, herons, kingfishers and the bats that emerge each evening downtown.
The thing about a major river like the Colorado is that affects can be felt downstream. If we don’t protect the Colorado River Corridor that runs through Austin, other parts of Texas will also suffer. It’s a domino effect that can impact many ecosystems.
The river corridor is a living ribbon of trees, water and wetlands that migratory birds follow north and south across the continent each spring and fall. Millions of people enjoy the greenbelts all along the corridor. It truly is how many people connect with the local environment.
One thing we always consider is how air quality has a direct impact on all waterways, including the Colorado River. It’s why we altered the traditional process for flame cremation that’s cleaner.
McKinney Falls State Park
This state park is within the Austin city limits, acting as a natural preserve. The now urban creek system streams down to McKinney Falls in the southeast where you’ll find small waterfalls cascading over limestone ledges that have been worn smooth by centuries of water.
But McKinney Falls State Park isn’t just beautiful to behold. Its creek systems support the Jollyville Plateau salamander, another Central Texas species found only in spring-fed creeks of the Edwards Plateau.
The problem is the urban creek system that feeds the falls can bring pollution. It’s the result of water runoff in developed areas. Part of the pollution can come from cemeteries and embalming fluid that is used prior to some burials. The more we can keep pollutants out of the ground and groundwater with options like natural burial, the better it is for our natural preserves.
For families in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Dripping Springs and throughout Travis, Hays and Williamson Counties, we’re here to help you understand green death care options clearly and make funeral arrangements that fit both your family’s needs and your values. Reach out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak directly with a local funeral professional that’s invested in preserving Texas now and for generations to come.
