Stream protection is about more than the water flowing downstream — it’s about the entire watershed.
Healthy streams depend on the surrounding riparian area: the vegetated land along creek banks, the sedges and bulrushes that hold soil in place, the gallery forests, slopes, and grasslands that absorb rainfall and slowly release it into the channel. These landscapes keep water flowing and waterways resilient.
Riparian areas also provide essential wildlife habitat. They offer cover, food, water, travel corridors, and thermal refuge — especially during extreme weather — supporting species that depend on these creekside buffers to survive.
During a recent snow and sleet event in Central Texas, our Executive Director, Lee Burton, ventured into a protected greenbelt to document wildlife activity along the creek. By following tracks and trails through snow and ice, he uncovered a hidden world of movement and behavior — clear evidence that intact riparian landscapes are vital not only for people’s enjoyment, but for wildlife survival.
In this video, you’ll discover how to:
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Identify and age animal tracks
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Distinguish between wild canine species
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Interpret gait patterns and what they reveal about behavior
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Recognize signs of hunting, traveling, or energy conservation
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Detect subtle clues leading to den sites, bedding areas, feeding locations, and frequently used travel routes
Every set of tracks tells a story — about the animal and the habitat that sustains it. And they exist because this riparian land remains intact. Consider what would happen to these stories written in frozen water if we failed to:
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Protect the land along our creeks
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Preserve critical wildlife corridors
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Safeguard food sources and native vegetation
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Maintain clean, resilient waterways
If these issues matter to you, please consider supporting Save Texas Streams with a donation. Your generosity helps us continue providing educational content while advancing conservation, outreach, and stewardship efforts that protect Central Texas waterways and the wildlife that depend on them. Even a small gift can make a meaningful difference for our Texas streams and rivers!
Thank you for being part of this work.
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