"I volunteered at the Friesenhahn cave field trip . . . I really enjoyed it! It was a room-like cave and we excavated for bones, not fossils, but real bones with real DNA still intact. I was totally excited about getting to hold a 10,000+ year old juvenile mammoth molar tooth they found in the cave this morning. Pretty awesome not only to be able to hold it but to also be reminded that mammoths and saber toothed tigers walked this same area where we now live. Anyway it was fun, educational, and makes me want to go back to volunteer my time to help the professor doing research in the cave."
-- Judit Green, Urban Wildlife Biologist

"On Friday during the birding tour I was speechless at the different species we found and some of them I had never seen before.  Well just to name a few Red-shouldered Hawk, Black Vultures, the White-eyed Vireo, my favorite so far in the birds of prey is the Caracara.  WOW..... to see a Great-Horned Owl, Barn Owl, Black Vulture, and a Gray Hawk up close was another speechless moment. I was not leaving til I saw one Barred-Owl for myself.  We found a good spot and 20 mins later, I saw a total of 4 Barred- Owls and heard the famous monkey call."
-- Mirna Williams, Texas Parks & Wildlife Intern

"My husband and I are from Illinois and were glad to learn that San Antonio’s Wild Fest was occurring while we were in the area. Because of other commitments, I only participated in three events. It was good to see several children actively taking part in the Butterfly workshop at Government Canyon Natural Area on Friday. The gallery offered an excellent setting for the butterfly exhibit.  Even after the very thorough explanation of Bracken Cave and the bats’ habits when the emergence actually began, it was unbelievable. The very quiet waiting changed into excited exclamations.  I was not sure what I was getting myself into when I registered for the Freisenhahn Cave event but I could become addicted to digging! Dr. Meissner was excellent at presenting the history and workings of the Cave. If I lived in the area, I would definitely volunteer here.  We are so fortunate to have participated in activities which so few people know about or have done. Wild Fest is a great idea. We hope to take advantage of this educational and enjoyable opportunity again." 
-- Vicki Ogg, Government Canyon State Natural Area Park Host
 

Additional Comments...

"I had the chance to see things I have never seen here, and learned about others I'd like to go to someday. It is exciting to realize what natural riches we have here, and that people are working together to educate the public about them.  I know how hard you have worked on this (even more than I suspected).  I just want to thank you for the great job you did and all the hard work that went into it. Here's to many more!"

"I thought I would share my experience at WildFest. On Saturday Karen with the San Antonio River Authority met me at Crossroads Mall. I had a tour of the Jackson Nature Park with Chancy from Texas Parks and Wildlife. He was awesome. Karen and I learned about all the plants. The birding wasn't great but the area was beautiful and filled with wild flowers."

"My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed WildFest San Antonio and the informative people that led the tours.  I felt like we had a mini-vacation touring Government Canyon, Mitchell Lake and even the gates of the San Antonio River Authority.  Thank you again for such a well planned and interesting FEST!"

"Thank you for all of your hard work.  You did an exceptional job of organizing the registrations and the Norris Center--you worked very hard and it showed!!!!  So many people worked really hard on this project...Linda Koehler with the many great programs that were being offered.  I know that was no easy task!!! Gail and Karen did a great job with much of the advertising and media not to mention the kids day at Medina....Steve and Christine working on the now really goodlookin' website.....as well as ALL the people involved with planning this festival and committing to lead hikes or volunteer....when I think back at when we got started, this really turned out to be an awesome event for those who came!  I've heard great things from many of the volunteers as well as from the participants about the different events.  We can be proud!"

"I just want to express how impressed I have been with this entire effort. The fact that such a thing was put together at all is wonderful and amazing. I volunteered at two events and participated in two others. I had NO negative experience at all, in any way (amazing), only positive ones. The registration volunteers and the emergency phone contacts I dealt with were all courteous, informed, and instantly available. There was no confusion, only competence. The packet had everything I needed to find my events, and the e-mails had very clear instructions about what to do and not do as a volunteer."