Just a short drive north of Boerne, along FM 473 near the quiet community of Sisterdale, signs mark something many locals may not realize even exists, The Sisterdale Sanctuary, a 40-acre property now under the care of the Cibolo Center for Conservation.
Presented by Wild Birds Unlimited of Boerne
Wild Birds Unlimited of Boerne helps Hill Country residents experience the joy of nature at home. Located just off North Main Street near 28 Songs, the shop offers high-quality bird feeders, seed, and expert advice on attracting native and migratory birds.
Visit them at 110 Market Ave, Suite 106, and bring a touch of the Hill Country’s wildlife to your own backyard.
Nestled in the Upper Guadalupe watershed, the land features riparian woodlands, limestone bluffs, and native wildlife. It’s a peaceful stretch of Hill Country landscape that a group of local community members came together to protect, ultimately donating the property to the Cibolo Center to ensure it would remain preserved for generations to come.
According to Kel Hoffman, Land Conservation Director at the Cibolo, the Sisterdale Sanctuary represents a thoughtful, long-term commitment to the land.
“The Sisterdale Sanctuary is a promise to protect open space in one of the most ecologically sensitive areas of the Hill Country,” Hoffman said. “Right now, our team is focused on habitat restoration and research. This includes listening to what the land tells us before inviting people in. As that work progresses, we look forward to creating opportunities for thoughtful public access, from bird surveys and citizen-science projects to small group programs that deepen our shared understanding of this watershed.”
For now, the sanctuary isn’t open for general public access, but volunteer opportunities are already underway. The Cibolo hosts monthly bird surveys every second Monday from 8 to 11:30 am, with upcoming sessions on November 10 and December 8. Volunteers can also take part in occasional workdays and habitat restoration projects, which are announced as they’re scheduled.
Brian Davenport, Communications Director at the Cibolo, said the sanctuary also sets the tone for future conservation projects.
“The Sisterdale Sanctuary is a model for how we will continue to responsibly steward gifts of this kind,” Davenport said. “Step one is restoring the integrity of the natural environment. Step two will be determining intentional ways to make it publicly accessible while protecting the land.”
As restoration continues, the Sisterdale Sanctuary stands as a symbol of collaboration — a quiet, living promise that conservation in the Hill Country is not only possible, but thriving.
Sisterdale Sanctuary
1250 FM 473, Sisterdale
Learn more or sign up to volunteer at cibolo.org.