Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

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The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

This converted hotel is now home to the Meadows Center For Water And The Environment
Legal status	Nonprofit
Purpose	Study, preservation, and presentation of freshwater ecology
Headquarters	San Marcos, Texas, United States
Executive Director	Robert E. Mace
Website	www.meadowscenter.txstate.edu/

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, formerly Aquarena Springs and later the Aquarena Center, is an educational center in San Marcos, Texas. It seeks to preserve the unique archeological and biological resources of Spring Lake.

Formed from more than 200 artesian springs, Spring Lake is one of the world's largest aquifer fed systems. A state antiquities landmark, this site is also believed to be one of the longest continuously inhabited places in North America.

The Meadows Center provides educational programs, recreation, hands-on activities and collaborative projects that encourage visitors, scientists and students to learn about Spring Lake's habitat, endangered species and water/environmental resource management issues.

There are glass-bottom boat rides, and the Discovery Center provides educational displays allowing people to view native animals and fish. Snorkeling and diving programs are offered with an educational emphasis and interpreter led field trips.

The Meadows Center develops programs and techniques for ensuring sustainable water, economic resources as well as ecosystem health. The center is used by Texas State University, and its multidisciplinary departments are involved with water resource management studies and research.

The Meadows Center at Spring Lake Hall houses the Texas Stream Team, a volunteer program that monitors the water quality of freshwater systems throughout the state.

The center was established in 1994 when Texas State, formerly Southwest Texas University, purchased land that was previously used as an amusement park, including Spring Lake, then an artificial freshwater reservoir.