Curated Texan
Located Just 18 Miles From Austin, This Historic 6,600-Acre Texas Wildland Joins A Growing Regional Corridor Dedicated To Preserving The Hill Country’s Celestial Heritage
By Andrea Mellard and Michelle Bryant Photography by Leonid Furmansky and Jonathan Vail
DarkSky International officially certified Shield Ranch Barton Creek as an Urban Night Sky Place (UNSP) in 2024, joining three neighboring designated International Dark Sky Places: Dripping Springs and Bee Cave, Texas, both International Dark Sky Communities, and Travis County Milton Reimers Ranch Park, an International Dark Sky Park, augmenting the regional effort to protect the night sky.
“Shield Ranch is Texas’ 20th International Dark Sky Place certified in the International Dark Sky Places program. In addition to three Developments of Distinction, there are now 24 internationally recognized sites in the state that have gone above and beyond to improve light pollution and educate the public about the importance of dark sky conservation. It is exciting to see how much the dark sky movement has grown in the state, especially in such a rapidly growing area,” remarked Amber Harrison, International Dark Sky Places program manager.
Shield Ranch is located on the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country, just 18 miles west of downtown Austin. It is a 6,600-acre nationally designated historic district and protected wildland comprising 10% of the Barton Creek watershed. Fred and Vera Shield of San Antonio purchased the property in 1938, and the land continues to be stewarded by the Shield/Ayres/Bowen family and the Shield Ranch Foundation.
“As advocates for wildlife conservation, we understand the importance of reducing outdoor lighting to reduce harmful impacts to wildlife, including migrating birds, as well as moths and other insects that are active at night,” says Robert Ayres, co-owner of Shield Ranch.
The Shield Ranch Foundation was established in 2009 with the mission to steward and share the Ranch in ways that educate, inspire, and transform. In fall 2022, the Campsite at Shield Ranch opened to provide award-winning facilities for Camp El Ranchito, a scholarship-based overnight camp, and to host community groups year-round for both day and overnight use, offering immersive nature programs for all ages. The campsite offers nature-based experiences and dark-sky education.
The public can join for the next dark sky program this spring:
Dusk to Dark Skies Star Party Details:
Saturday, May 2.
Campsite at Shield Ranch; 10417 Crumley Ranch Rd., Austin, TX 78738
Enjoy stargazing through telescopes with dark-sky education, looking for insects during UV-light trail walks, and participating in citizen science. There is limited availability to camp out overnight in our off-grid screened cabins. Learn more and register here.
