PEC Grant Helps Further Westcave's Mission of Scientific Education
Just down the road from Hamilton Pool Preserve lies Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, a 76-acre nature sanctuary where science, history, and conservation intersect to inspire the next generation of nature stewards.
Thanks to a PEC community grant funded through our Power of Change Program, this nonprofit is adding a composting bathroom so it can expand its youth programs. It’s a small but meaningful improvement for kids spending long days in the summer heat.
“It’s important for young children to have a good experience in nature and feel safe,” Westcave Executive Director Jenny McMillan said. “If we can provide a space that sparks their curiosity, that’s what’s most important.”
About Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center
Founded in 1976, the nonprofit educates children and adults through guided experiences, conservation programs, and community outreach. Guests can hike through a stunning canyon, cave, and grotto.
“What’s wonderful about this place is that it’s close enough to the city where it’s accessible, but far enough out that you can experience quiet, stillness, and birdsong,” McMillan said. “It provides those goosebump moments you just can’t find in your own backyard.”
That sense of wonder is exactly what Westcave hopes will stay with every visitor, especially the young ones.
“We hope that seeing the wonders of the grotto will cultivate a deep appreciation and a responsibility to protect these natural resources for generations to come,” McMillan said.
Join the Power of Change
For 10 years, PEC members have directly supported nonprofits like Westcave, funded educational resources for local students, and helped neighbors pay their electric bills. For just $6 per year, you can make the Texas Hill Country a better place to live.
To sign up for the Power of Change, fill out the form at myPEC.com/change. It makes giving back so easy, you’ll forget you’re doing it. But the people you’re helping never will.
