By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
It became official last week: Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge has expanded by 520 acres.
The exchange of $3 million to deliver the new property into the administration of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was made by the Trust for Public Land. Just out of the limelight was Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a citizen non-profit of about 160 members, representing hundreds, if not thousands, of small contributors and workers to raise half the cost.
David and Cynthia Castleberry already were committed to preserving the land involved as Peaceful Springs Nature Preserve, a quiet corner of Burnet County dedicated to ecotourism. Residents of Bertram, Oatmeal and Smithwick are familiar with the property that runs along Farm to Market Road 1174, just south of Farm to Market Road 1869.
