Watch

Do you know the story of how the Barton Creek Greenbelt came to be? Although the Greenbelt is central to Austin's identity as a park city, the fascinating story of how it was preserved has largely faded from public memory. Foreverland highlights the grit and determination of the visionaries who navigated the complex civic process during a politically charged period in the 1990s to preserve an unparalleled nature experience for the people of Austin.

This historical documentary explores Austin's early efforts to preserve Barton Springs and Barton Creek, and ultimately to develop a city with publicly accessible green spaces along Austin's waterways. In-depth interviews, original recreations, and archival ephemera from over 30 different public and private collections bring this little-known chapter in Austin's environmental history to light. Narrated by Texas novelist, Sarah Bird. Awarded the 2022 Austin History Center Association, Katherine Drake Hart history award.

A Reflecting Pool explores the social history of Barton Springs Pool from 1912 to 1962, capturing how this iconic spot became central to Austin's culture and community. Through the voices of longtime Austinites, archival recordings, and a conversation between retired Parks and Recreation director Beverly Sheffield and blacklisted humorist John Henry Faulk, the film brings to life the stories of swimmers, families, and the city leaders who shaped the Springs. Research and storytelling from this film also informed the renaming of the street adjacent to Barton Springs—from Robert E. Lee Boulevard to Azie Morton Road.

Pioneer diaries and turn of the century correspondence tell of mills powered by the Springs that supplied early Austin with many raw materials. Early Austinites revel in weekend outings under the pecan and elm trees at the springs.

Salamander scientists regularly survey the endangered salamander population at Upper Barton Spring. Upper Barton Spring is the only one of four springs near Barton Springs Pool that has not been contained by human infrastructure. While it is an excellent salamander habitat, it is also vulnerable because it is open to foot traffic.

Explore the diverse and fragile Water Quality Protection lands with scientists, educators and landowners. The film journeys above and below ground exploring the unique ecosystems that include a karst aquifer and cave system, the endangered Barton Springs salamander. Austin's Wildlands, purchased through active participation of Austin's citizens, reflect a strong environmental ethic amidst Austin's exploding growth. Video featured on the U.S. Forest Service website. Nominated for a Lone Star Emmy in the Texas heritage category.

Journey above and below the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer with scientists studying how water flows to Barton Springs. Exploring caves, creeks, and recharge sites like Onion Creek, they uncover a hidden system where groundwater can travel miles in just days. Understanding this underground world is key to protecting the springs, wildlife, and drinking water that depend on it.

Dive beneath the surface of Barton Springs Pool with biologist Liza Colucci to discover the remarkable aquatic plants that thrive in its clear spring waters. On this underwater journey, she reveals how these plants anchor a delicate ecosystem fed by the Edwards Aquifer. Their presence is a reminder that Barton Springs is more than a beloved swimming hole—it is a living habitat supporting a complex web of life.

Step inside the captive breeding program for the endangered Barton Springs salamander with aquatic biologist Dee Ann Chamberlain. Working at the springs in Zilker Park, scientists raise salamanders in carefully controlled environments to help safeguard the species from extinction.

Follow Barbara Mahler, a hydrogeologist with the United States Geological Survey, as she studies water quality at the Springs. Sadly, Barbara Mahler passed away on April 29, 2023 due to injuries sustained in an auto accident. In addition to her scientific career, Barbara was an accomplished musician.

Biologists Laurie Dries and Todd Jackson study the federally endangered Barton Springs salamander, an aquatic amphibian found only at Barton Springs. Since this video was completed additional populations have been found in springs outside of the immediate Barton Springs vicinity within the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer though their range is still very limited.

It's disappointing to arrive at Barton Springs on a Thursday, towel in hand, only to find the pool closed—but behind that closure is an important story. Cleaning Day takes viewers behind the scenes of the careful, ongoing process that keeps Barton Springs clean and safe—for swimmers, wildlife, and the endangered Barton Springs salamanders alike.

Many people think of Barton Springs as just the main pool, but the Barton Springs system actually includes four springs. Certified interpretive planner Clark Hancock guides viewers through three of the main springs: Parthenia Springs, Old Mill Spring/Sunken Garden, and Eliza Spring—while also discussing the fourth spring, Upper Spring, farther up the creek. Whimsical animated maps by Anastasiya Bulavkina add a playful visual guide.

Just downstream from Barton Springs Pool lies Barking Springs, a favorite free swimming spot along Barton Creek. No admission, no lifeguards — just water, trees, and people coming to cool off, play, and relax. Humans and dogs alike enjoy this open, informal area, capturing the classic "Keep Austin Weird" vibe.

Every New Year's Day, brave (and slightly chilly) swimmers gather at Barton Springs Pool for the annual Polar Bear Plunge. This short video captures the laughter, excitement, and community spirit of the tradition as swimmers ring in the new year with a splash.

At Barton Springs Pool, lifeguards in bright red keep watch over one of Austin's most beloved swimming spots. This video offers an inside look at the work of the "women and men in red," documenting the training that prepares Barton Springs lifeguards for the challenges of watching over such a large and unique natural swimming pool.

Waterworks documents a series of site-specific dance performances created by choreographer Dee McCandless and collaborator Gene Menger at Barton Springs Pool. Beginning in the late 1970s and continuing through the 1980s, the pair staged aquatic dance performances featuring professional dancers alongside Barton Springs swimmers.

Ode to Swimming is a poetic celebration of Barton Springs brought to life by Susan Bright and performed by Mary Bryce. The poem comes from Bright's acclaimed collection Breathing Underwater (2005). Bright, a Barton Springs "regular" and longtime environmental activist, frequently testified at Austin City Council meetings in the 1990s to protect the springs.

Experience a day over the course of a year at Barton Springs in Springs Symphony, Karen Kocher's poetic 16mm video capturing swimmers, wildlife, and the rhythms of the natural world. Springs Symphony was installed at the Splash! Into the Edwards Aquifer exhibit at the Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center at Barton Springs. The video was also featured on PBS in The Territory.

This video features Barton Springs, a poem by acclaimed American poet Tony Hoagland (1953–2018), edited by U.T. student Christian Wolf as part of his coursework. Hoagland was celebrated for his sharp wit, emotional insight, and reflections on everyday life.

Originally from Iran, Omid Laridjani channels the energy of the Springs into his art and music based on lessons learned from the Yolngu aboriginal people of Australia.

Barton Screams captures the exhilarating first plunges into Barton Springs as recorded by swimmers themselves. Nelson Guda gave cameras to swimmers and invited them to film their own initial dives into the bracing, spring-fed waters.

Meet Bill Oliver, Austin musician, environmental troubadour, and beloved storyteller of the natural world. Known as Mr. Habitat, Bill has spent more than 30 years performing songs for schools, nature centers, and community events, blending humor, education, and activism in his music.

Meet Bill Bunch, lifelong environmental advocate and Executive Director of the Save Our Springs Alliance. Inspired by his early days as a Boy Scout, Bill has spent decades working to protect Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer.

Born in 1913, Beverly Sheffield served the City of Austin as both Aquatics Director and Austin Parks and Recreation director from 1946-1973, but it wasn't until he was in his fifties that he became a regular swimmer.

In this water gathering ceremony, participants collect water at Eliza Springs, one of the four fountain springs of the Coahuiltecan creation story. Original animations by artist Jeanne Stern depict this sacred ritual.

Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery visit Barton Springs to bless the sacred waters and offer prayers for the health, longevity, and purity of the springs.

Eastern Orthodox priests and congregants re-create the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan at Barton Springs, connecting ancient ritual with the sacred waters of the Springs.

Austin City Life pastor Jonathan Dodson baptizes five members just below Barton Springs in the free area known as Barking Springs, using the spring waters as a symbolic backdrop.

Chinese monks from the Wudang Monastery visit Barton Springs to bring blessings of peace and "chi" to the sacred waters. Through ritual chants and meditative practices, the monks honor the natural ecosystem.

Common Ground is a documentary about the grassroots environmental movement that helped protect the Barton Springs watershed in Austin, Texas. Set in the early 1990s, the film follows citizens, activists, and community leaders as they organize a powerful campaign to pass the Save Our Springs (SOS) Ordinance. Created as a student film on a modest budget of $185, it went on to win a Regional Student Academy Award.

This work sample presents the original concept for the Living Springs interactive theater experience — a digital storytelling engine featuring a wide collection of videos documenting the people, ecology, and cultural history of Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer. The installation was featured in the Splash! Into the Edwards Aquifer exhibit at the Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center at Barton Springs.

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds

Living Springs Underwater Footage of Barton Springs with original music by Graham Reynolds