After nearly two months of closure, the Riverside Nature Center reopens to an enthusiastic flock of supporters

Excitement was in the air Monday morning — along with hundreds of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other winged critters — at The Riverside Nature Center in Kerrville, which celebrated its grand reopening after two months of repair work from flood damage.

“It’s very exciting,” said Executive Director Becky Etzler. “It’s been a long two months. We’re still doing repairs and construction on the outbuilding but the center and the garden are open.”

The site was significantly impacted by the July 4 flood, with damages estimated at $200,000 to $300,000. The center saw an immediate outpouring of volunteer support following the flood. Volunteers, donations, and funding from the Lift Fund and Chamber of Commerce paved the way for Monday’s reopening. They are applying for FEMA assistance and will continue repairs on the historic Lawson Store and the nature lab.

As of Monday, all the center’s programs are back on track. Visitors can stop by for flyers or visit the website to find upcoming dates for programs like NEd Talks, Sprouts, Nature Nights, Bird Walk & Talk, and Plant Walk & Talk.

The garden is experiencing explosive growth of blooming plants, which Etzler credits to the center’s approach to debris management, which focuses on using the organic materials, including the aquatic vegetation left behind. The materials essentially worked as an organic compost.

“Everything is blooming like it’s on steroids,” she said. Cleanup focused on using the materials and only removing large debris and trash. Even the flood matter tangled in the fencing was used. Volunteers removed and relocated it into garden soil.

“It was the gooey, yucky, slimy stuff,” she said. “We utilized all of that. Things are coming back. There’s a lot of insect life and we’re getting into peak fall migration.”

Some bird species usually migrate along the river during the fall, but Etzler said behaviors may change this year. Backyard birders may see more activity as birds spread beyond their usual migration habitats.

Early attendees to the reopening Monday morning were given potted fall asters, a native, daisy-like perennial flower that blooms in late summer and fall. Master Naturalist Craig Hensley donated the plants.

Many families, some regular attendees and some occasional visitors, were excited to wander the center and garden areas again. Young children could be seen among the garden trails, appearing and disappearing behind the large flowering brush — a favorite activity of one young visitor.

“I like running around on the trails,” said 10-year-old Raelyn Tyree. “It’s like a hidden path.”

Kari Tyree brought Raelyn and her sister, 7-year-old Shana Ryree, to enjoy the center and garden.

“We usually come here a few times a year,” she said. “We were excited it was open again.”

In addition to its usual events, Etzler said the center will continue to support the riparian management and mindful reconstruction education events hosted by the Hill Country Alliance and other partners and may host some in the future as well.