🌿 Our 2025 Impact Report is here! 🌿
Because of your support, the Shield Ranch Foundation delivers its mission to steward and share Shield Ranch in ways that educate, inspire, and transform. In 2025, we expanded access to meaningful nature experiences, strengthened partnerships, and deepened our community impact.
✨ 2025 Highlights ✨
• @elranchitocamp welcomed 145 campers, with 92% receiving full or partial scholarships.
• 2,013 adults and youth joined us for day and overnight outdoor experiences.
• It was a record year for volunteers, with 524 hours contributed to support conservation efforts and nature programs.
•The Campsite at Shield Ranch was honored with a Blue Legacy Award from @waterfortexas .
Together, we are growing a community rooted in nature and ensuring Shield Ranch stays wild for good! Explore the full 2025 Impact Report at the link in bio. 💚
📸: 1-3 @sandy_carson , 4 @sanetralongno , 5 @capitalareamasternaturalists
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #ShieldRanchFoundation #ImpactReport #CommunityInNature #Conservation #OutdoorEducation
Herbal Happy Hour returns to the Creative Nature Retreat—a retreat favorite from last year! 🌿
Craft herbal tinctures and shrubs using botanicals that boost your mood and excite your taste buds. Led by herbalist Lauren Peterson of @whitedeerapothecary , this experience invites you to sample several local Texas herbs and learn techniques to create your own tonics at home.
Held on the first day of the retreat, it’s the perfect opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new members of the Creative Nature community.
You’ll leave with recipes to keep the inspiration flowing long after the retreat ends.
📸: @sanetralongno
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #CreativeNatureRetreat #HerbalHappyHour #ATXEvents #NatureInspired
🌿 Creative Nature Retreat registration is open! 🌿
Join us October 23–25, 2026, for a restorative, two-night Creative Nature Retreat at the Campsite at Shield Ranch in Austin. This year’s retreat is guided by Natalie Davis, intuitive leadership coach, designer, and founder of @canoegoods ; and Justine Kies, program director at Shield Ranch Foundation.
The experience is designed for all adults—no artistic background required. If you’re craving time in nature, inspiration, and connection with a supportive community, this retreat is for you.
Save $100 with code: EARLYBIRD26
(Early bird savings cannot be combined with other discounts or scholarships.)
Your registration includes:
🎨 All creative programming + supplies
🍽️ Meals, snacks, beverages, and shared accommodations
Spots are limited—reserve yours today at the link in our bio.
📸: 1-5 @sanetralongno
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #CreativeNatureRetreat #AustinRetreat #NatureAndCreativity #WellnessRetreat #RetreatInNature
🌿 Thank you to everyone who joined us for Wild for Good Day this weekend. It was a joyful celebration of our Wild for Good Circle supporters—and we loved welcoming new friends into the community.
From music by @porchswingorchestra , to hands-on postcard printmaking with @paloma.mayorga of @milpapress , to a guided hike along Rocky Creek with @capitalareamasternaturalists —every moment reflected connection and a shared appreciation for nature.
And of course, we gathered around the table for incredible carnitas and veggie tacos prepared by @addelicious_atx . 🌮
We’re so grateful to celebrate with you—and to continue this work together, keeping Shield Ranch wild for good. 💚
📸: Brian Fitzsimmons
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood
✨ Something special is coming… ✨
Slow down, step outside, and reconnect with your creativity at our Creative Nature Retreat. During this restorative weekend, you’ll experience the calm of nature alongside the joy of creative exploration—all within a welcoming, supportive community.
No experience needed—just a willingness to show up and be inspired.
📅 October 23–25, 2026
📍 Campsite at Shield Ranch
Stay tuned—early bird registration opens to the general public on April 3 and includes $100 in savings. Use code: EARLYBIRD26
📸: @sanetralongno
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #CreativeNatureRetreat #ComingSoon #NatureAndCreativity #AustinTX
✨ Dusk to Dark Star Party ✨
🌌 Learn from astronomy educators @starryskyaustin with @heartoftcparks and @earthbound_astronomer with @hillcountryalliance as you explore the wonders of the night sky at the first @darksky_intl Urban Night Sky Place in Texas.
🔦 Featured Experience: UV Night Walk
Step into the nocturnal world with a guided UV walk led by @centraltexasmycology . Using UV flashlights, we’ll uncover glowing surprises—mushrooms, lichens, night pollinators, and even scorpions.
🌙 Make it an overnight adventure—only 3 shelters remain (perfect for groups up to 9)!
📍 Campsite at Shield Ranch
📅 Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 6:30–10 PM
✨ Thanks to our promotional partner @wholeearthprov , guests will receive a $10 gift coupon.
🎟️ Tickets are limited—reserve your spot!
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #StarParty #DarkSkies #AustinEvents #NightHike #Stargazing #TexasHillCountry #NatureAtNight #LightsOutTexas
🌿🍽 A taste of spring at Wild for Good Day 🍽🌿
We’re excited to share what’s on the menu from addelicious_atx:
Slow-roasted Wild Hog Carnitas (following a recipe from @the_wild_books ) with Campfire-Spiced Vegetables, Pickled Red Onion & Fresh Salsa.
⏰ Tomorrow is your last day to RSVP!
📅 Saturday, March 28 | 11 AM – 3 PM
📍 Campsite at Shield Ranch; 10417 Crumley Ranch Rd., Austin, TX 78738
🎟 Tickets: $22 adults | $10 youth | Free for Wild for Good Circle
Spots are limited—don’t miss it!
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #AustinTX #ATXEvents #SpringInTexas #AustinEvents #GetOutsideTexas #OutdoorGathering
🎶 Live Music in Nature
Follow the trail at Wild for Good Day and discover @porchswingorchestra ’s atmospheric, instrumental sounds that blend with the rhythms of the wild.
This musical art project weaves together themes of discovery and the passage of time and seasons—an invitation to slow down, listen, and experience nature in a new way.
📅 Saturday, March 28
📍 Campsite at Shield Ranch
Register to join us at the link in our bio.
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #LiveMusicInNature #AustinEvents #HillCountrySpring ATXThingsToDo NatureAndMusic OutdoorExperiences
🌸 Wildflower Postcards 🌸
Create a handmade keepsake at Wild for Good Day with artist @paloma.mayorga . In this hands-on linocut activity, you’ll print a wildflower-inspired postcard to commemorate the day.
Mayorga is an Austin-based interdisciplinary botanical artist whose work explores the ancestral uses of plants and the ecological stories they hold. In 2025, she founded @milpapress , a mobile print shop focused on making art with intention.
📅 Saturday, March 28 | 11 am – 3 pm
📍 Campsite at Shield Ranch
Join us by registering at the link in our bio.
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #AustinArt #Printmaking #BotanicalArt #AustinEvents #HillCountrySpring #NatureInspired #ATXThingsToDo
📸 Wildflower portraits are a beloved Texas tradition. We’re excited to welcome photographer Brian Fitzsimmons to Wild for Good Day, where he’ll capture beautiful wildflower portraits in a peaceful, natural setting—no roadside stops required.
Your digital photo is included with admission and free for Wild for Good Circle supporters, so bring your family or a group of friends and step into the meadow for a photo.
📅 Saturday, March 28 | 11 am – 3 pm
📍 Campsite at Shield Ranch
Join us by registering at the link in our bio.
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #Bluebonnets #TexasWildflowers #AustinEvents #FamilyPhotos #SpringInTexas #ATXThingsToDo #WildflowerSeason #HillCountrySpring #AustinWithKids #NatureInAustin
🌟 Priority registration for our Dusk to Dark Star Party opens Friday, March 6, for Wild for Good Circle supporters.
This year, there’s an exciting new option to stay overnight — and Wild for Good Circle supporters receive early access to reserve star party tickets and overnight packages. If you’ve been thinking about joining, this is your moment.
🌙 Overnight Package (Limited Availability)
Stay May 2–3 and wake to the dawn bird chorus.
Includes:
💫 Dusk to Dark Star Party admission
🏕 Off-grid screened shelter stay
🍽 Dinner + breakfast
🐦 Optional guided morning birding with @travisaudubon volunteer
Come for the stars. Stay for the sunrise. ✨
Wild for Good Circle supporters value nature and want to protect and share it with the community. Their donations help subsidize Shield Ranch Foundation's outdoor programming for @elranchitocamp and Campsite community groups who otherwise may not have access. Learn more and join at the link in our bio.
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #UrbanNightSkyPlace
Spring is on its way, which means it’s time to claim your spot for Wild for Good Day at Shield Ranch!
Spend Saturday, March 28, outdoors with music, art, good food, and wildflowers.
Highlights include:
🎶 Live music by @porchswingorchestra
📸 Meadow photo portraits with a professional photographer (digital file provided)
🌿 Naturalist identification walks led by @capitalareamasternaturalists
🌼 Wildflower postcards with interdisciplinary botanical artist @paloma.mayorga of @milpapress
🌻 Nature discovery activities, games, and storytime led by @elranchitocamp
🍽 Delicious food prepared by @addelicious_atx
This event is open to the public ($22 adults, $10 youth) and free for Wild for Good Circle supporters (up to 4 guests). Lunch and all activities are included. Spots fill quickly — register today!
📷: @sandy_carson
#ShieldRanch #WildForGood #BluebonnetSeason #AustinEvents
