The Cibolo Center for Conservation transforms lives through the love of nature, welcoming guests into a beautiful natural Hill Country setting for nature education, enriching community experiences, and environmental research in action. Participation in water conservation, land stewardship, care for wildlife, sustainability, planting, and the celebration of harvest remind guests of their shared humanity, resulting in a community of belonging.

With two campuses encompassing over 160 acres in the heart of Boerne, Texas, the Cibolo Nature Center offers miles of trails through five distinct ecosystems and the historic Herff Farm underscores our community’s ties to its cultural and agrarian roots. These campuses protect the fragile Cibolo Creek watershed that contributes over a million gallons per day to the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers, the primary sources of drinking water for the region.

Our History

The Cibolo Center for Conservation is widely considered a premiere example of what a community can do when hearts and minds come together. For more than 32 years, we have deepened our community’s connection to its land and water and have become a model of conservation education throughout the state. In 1988, Carolyn Chipman Evans, her husband, Brent Evans, and a handful of friends envisioned a place to connect their community with nature. Beginning with a segment of the Cibolo Creek and its neighboring land and wildlife, this group of advocates worked tirelessly to ensure the creek’s preservation. With the City of Boerne’s support, Carolyn’s leadership and enthusiasm brought a rebirth to the land and a renaissance of public concern for conservation of the area’s natural resources.

With the purchase of the Herff Farm in 2007, the notable efforts of the Cibolo community continued to grow. Today the farm serves as a vibrant hub that expands access to nature and nature education for children and the greater community. A thriving model for conversation, land stewardship and outdoor learning, the Herff Farm is home to the Nest Nature School and offers space for special events and exhibits, nature trails, sustainable living education programs, community gardens, and the weekly Farmer’s Market.

The Cibolo devotes itself to preserving, sharing, and teaching about living harmoniously and sustainably with our wide-open spaces. What was once a small grassroots organization, today is a reputable conservation leader serving more than 100,000 children, adults, and families per year.