Our Story
Promoting the conservation of nature through education, stewardship, and community connections.
Cultivating curiosity
Rooted in Nature,
Growing Community
The Cibolo Center for Conservation transforms lives through the love of nature, welcoming guests into a beautiful natural Hill Country setting for nature education, enriching community experiences, and environmental research in action.
Participation in water conservation, land stewardship, care for wildlife, sustainability, planting, and the celebration of harvest remind guests of their shared humanity, resulting in a community of belonging.
With two campuses encompassing over 160 acres in the heart of Boerne, Texas, the Cibolo Nature Center offers miles of trails through five distinct ecosystems and the historic Herff Farm underscores our community’s ties to its cultural and agrarian roots. These campuses protect the fragile Cibolo Creek watershed that contributes over a million gallons per day to the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers, the primary sources of drinking water for the region.
Legacy of Stewardship
Where Conservation Builds Community
1988
Vision for community nature hub
1998-1990s
Protecting Cibolo Creek
2007
Purchase of Herff Farm
2007-Present
Hub for education and events
Today
Serving 70,000 annually
The Cibolo Center for Conservation is widely recognized as a premier example of what a community can achieve when hearts and minds come together. For more than 35 years, we have strengthened our community’s connection to the land and water, becoming a model of conservation education throughout Texas.
In 1988, Carolyn Chipman Evans, her husband Brent Evans, and a small group of friends envisioned a place to connect people with nature. Starting with a segment of the Cibolo Creek and its surrounding land and wildlife, this group of advocates worked tirelessly to ensure the creek’s preservation. With support from the City of Boerne, Carolyn’s leadership helped spark a rebirth of the land and a renaissance of public concern for local conservation.
The efforts continued to grow with the purchase of Herff Farm in 2007. Today, the farm is a vibrant hub for nature education and community engagement, expanding access to the outdoors for children and families. Herff Farm is home to the Nest Nature School and hosts special events, exhibits, nature trails, sustainable living programs, community gardens, and the weekly Farmers Market.
From its humble beginnings as a grassroots organization, The Cibolo has grown into a respected leader in conservation, serving more than 70,000 children, adults, and families each year. Our mission remains clear: to preserve, share, and teach how to live harmoniously and sustainably with the natural world.
transparency
Impact
Our 2025 Impact Report highlights the milestones that shaped last year. From meaningful progress in conservation and expanded educational programming to deeper community engagement, 2025 was full of growth and impact. You’ll also discover the incredible contributions of our volunteers, along with a financial overview and recognition of the donors who make this work possible.
Accountability
We believe in being fully transparent with our community. That’s why we maintain a Platinum Candid profile, the highest Seal of Transparency awarded by Candid for nonprofits. Through our profile, you can explore our financials, most recent 990 form, leadership team information, and organizational impact to see how we steward the resources entrusted to us.
Strategy
Our vision is to become an even more vital leader in Kendall County and the adjoining Hill Country communities. Playing a larger role in the future will require The Cibolo to expand its efforts in stewardship of nature and private lands, education of children and adults about nature’s needs, and support of our community neighbors’ health and well-being.
