Origins of a Green Identity

As part of our ongoing efforts to document the history of Barton Springs and the aquifer lands, we present Origins of a Green Identity: Austin's Conservation Pioneers. The film 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.


Two primary architects at the center of efforts to protect Barton Springs, Barton Creek and to clean up and develop Ladybird lake were Chairman of the Austin Parks Board, Roberta Crenshaw and Director of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Beverly Sheffield.

Together they worked for over two decades to raise awareness about the ways in which Austin's post-war growth was threatening Barton Springs, Barton Creek, and indeed all of Austin's waterways. Another key aspect of their continued efforts was to purchase lands for the public along Austin's creeks, and to fight against the privatization of open space along these waterways. While Austin today prides itself on its parks and a green sensibility, in their day, Beverly and Roberta were working against the status-quo; a time when real estate and development interests steered the ship in Austin's city politics.