“Aquifer,” “karst,” “caves.” These are words you’ve heard, but what are they, really? What about “endangered karst species”? And why should you care? How does the City of San Antonio manage and protect them through its parks system?

These questions and more will be answered clearly and in detail by karst hydrogeologist Dr. George Veni and biologist and City Nature Preserve Officer Alicia Luna.

Following their presentation, they will lead an optional field trip to Stone Oak Park to visit the entrances of two major caves. No special equipment is needed. In case of the bad weather, they will conduct the trip virtually at Hardberger Park.

• George Veni: Karst Hydrologist Dr. George Veni is an internationally renown karst hydrogeologist and one of the leading experts on the karst of Texas. His findings on water flow and filtration has helped the public and regulators better understand how vulnerable karst systems are.

• Alicia Luna: Alicia Luna is a Nature Preserve Officer for the City of San Antonio and is passionate about preserving karst ecosystems. After graduating with her Bachelors in Biology from The University of Texas at San Antonio she worked in retail leadership roles before moving into the natural resource field. She is currently working on her Masters in Environmental Science. Her thesis examines joint-management of endangered bird and cave invertebrate species in the Edwards Aquifer karst.