Garry Merritt leads a regional initiative called Great Springs Project to add an additional 50,000 acres of protected lands over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone between Austin and San Antonio. This national park-scale green corridor will be connected by a 100+ mile network of spring-to-spring trails, linking four iconic springs in Central Texas: Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs, and San Antonio Springs. Merritt will share the group’s plans with the Rotary Club of San Marcos at noon on Wednesday, April 12 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center, 105 Bintu Drive. Visitors are always welcome.
Merritt says the outcomes of the project include the protection of natural resources for both aquatic and non-aquatic endangered species, water quality protection for the over two million people in the corridor who rely on the Edwards Aquifer for their drinking water, an economic development catalyst for the cities and counties along the proposed trail, and access to nature and health benefits for the projected population of 6.4 million people living in and between Austin and San Antonio by 2050.
Merritt brings to the Great Springs Project a combination of business development experience, real estate law expertise, government service, and longstanding commitment to conservation of Texas’ natural resources. He is a former Real County Judge, Real County Attorney, and corporate counsel. His legal expertise includes real estate transactions, real estate finance, water rights, business development, and contract negotiations. He holds degrees from Rice University and The University of Texas School of Law. Prior to joining the Great Springs Project, Merritt served as General Counsel and Legislative Director of the Texas Association of Counties which represents all 254 counties in Texas with over 2,500 elected officials. An avid river guide and mountain climber, Merritt says he cares deeply about Texas and the beautiful Hill Country and conserving our natural resources for generations to come.
Rotary is a nonprofit, nonpolitical and nonreligious service organization. The San Marcos Rotary Club is more than 100 years old.
