Boerne Fair Oaks Ranch Edition | February 2026

Nonpro t

BY ANDREW CREELMAN

The 25-foot escarpment at the sanctuary is home to a small colony of Mexican free-tailed bats.

Nest boxes are scattered throughout Sisterdale Sanctuary to help with bird migration studies and community science projects.

Current sanctuary projects Currently, Homan and other researchers are working on several research priorities: • Native grassland restoration • Riparian vegetation recovery • Invasive species management • Long-term ecological monitoring with emphasis on birds, pollinators, grasses and water quality Homan said more dedicated volunteers are needed to form a friends group that will be heavily involved with many of the planned projects at the sanctuary.

PHOTOS BY ANDREW CREELMANCOMMUNITY IMPACT

New sanctuary aims to preserve local ora, fauna

The property features several unique areas that represent the ora and fauna found throughout the Hill Country, Homan said. An area of upland forest can be found along the eastern side of the property, while the western side is dominated by a riparian ecosystem. A 25-foot-tall limestone escarpment divides the two distinct areas of the sanctuary and is home to a small bat colony, Homan said. What’s being done Sisterdale Sanctuary is home to several private research projects and volunteer opportunities for Boerne residents. “We’ve got a robust community science program around the creeks here at the sanctuary,” Homan said.

The Cibolo Center for Conservation, or The Cibolo, traces its roots to the late 1980s. Now, the nonprot owns two campuses complete with trails, weekly classes and special events, according to their website. The group manages several private wildlife sanctuaries across Kendall County, one of the newest being the 32-acre Sister- dale Sanctuary that was acquired in late 2023. What the experts say Kel Homan, the land conservation director for The Cibolo, told Community Impact that protecting land is crucial for both preserving it from develop- ment and educational purposes. “Protecting the Sisterdale Sanctuary secures a critical piece of the Guadalupe watershed as growth accelerates across Kendall County,” Homan said.

Private sanctuary near Sisterdale www.cibolo.org

The future In the future, Homan said his long-term goal is for the property to become a publicly accessible place for learning.

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BOERNE FAIR OAKS RANCH EDITION