A Wilson’s Phalarope swims on still water, its gray-and-white plumage reflected on the surface against a soft, golden background.

About Mitchell Lake Audubon Center

A place shaped by conservation, education, and community.
2004
Year established
635
Acres protected
359
eBird species
7.5
Miles of walking & driving trails
Upcoming Events
View All Events
Volunteer Opportunity: 3rd Saturday Litter Clean-Up
May
16
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Volunteer Opportunity: 3rd Saturday Litter Clean-Up
 San Antonio, TX
FREE Entry Day – Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day!
May
16
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
FREE Entry Day – Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day!
 San Antonio, TX
Guided Bird Tour at Mitchell Lake
May
17
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Guided Bird Tour at Mitchell Lake
 San Antonio, TX
Meet the Flock
May
20
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Meet the Flock
 San Antonio, TX
Beginner Bird Walks at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
May
23
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Beginner Bird Walks at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
 San Antonio, TX
“Shellebrate” World Turtle Day!
May
23
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
“Shellebrate” World Turtle Day!
 San Antonio, TX
Guided Bird Tour at Mitchell Lake
May
24
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Guided Bird Tour at Mitchell Lake
 San Antonio, TX
Our Mission
Protecting birds and habitats through conservation, education, and community.
A view of Mitchell Lake Audubon Center flanked by retamas, the blue sky with clouds reflected in the water, with a line of pelicans resting on a pipe through the middle

Once part of San Antonio’s sewage system, Mitchell Lake Audubon Center is now a thriving wetland shaped by restoration and community care. Today, it offers trails, abundant birdlife, and wide-open space where people can slow down, explore, and connect with nature on the city’s historic South Side.

Visit Us!

At Mitchell Lake, conservation is an ongoing, hands-on process. Through year-round habitat restoration and management, staff and volunteers work to support birds, wildlife, and the health of the broader landscape. These efforts strengthen wetland and grassland systems while ensuring the site remains a place where nature can continue to thrive.

That work is closely tied to learning and discovery. Through outdoor education, guided programs, and self-guided exploration, visitors gain a deeper understanding of birds, migration, and the role healthy habitats play in our shared environment. Programs for families, school groups, and adults offer meaningful ways to engage with nature, whether through a first visit or a long-term connection.

Community involvement is central to making this work possible. Volunteers, partners, and participants contribute through habitat restoration, bird monitoring, events, and community science efforts that support conservation on the ground. Together, these shared experiences build stewardship while strengthening relationships between people and place.

Mitchell Lake’s impact also extends well beyond the site itself. As part of the Central Flyway, the wetlands and grasslands here provide important stopover habitat for migratory birds traveling across the Americas. Ongoing habitat management and monitoring contribute to Audubon’s Flight Plan, a hemispheric strategy to halt and reverse bird population declines.

Looking ahead, continued investment in infrastructure and site improvements will expand access, enhance visitor experiences, and improve long-term resilience for both habitats and facilities. These efforts ensure that Mitchell Lake remains a place where conservation, education, and community continue to grow together.

MEET OUR TEAM
Anna Macnak

Anna Macnak

Center Director

Erin Magerl

Erin Magerl

Senior Coordinator, Education

Shanae Dana

Shanae Dana

Center Resources Coordinator

Cassie Festa

Cassie Festa

Engagement Assistant

Cassidy Rose

Facilities & Land Assistant

Have a question or need more information?
Please don't hesitate to call us at (210) 628-1639 or contact us using this form.
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Birds Impacted
Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus
New World Quail
American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Pelicans
Least Grebe
Tachybaptus dominicus
Grebes
Priority Bird
Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
Stilts and Avocets
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus forficatus
Tyrant Flycatchers
Loggerhead Shrike
Lanius ludovicianus
Shrikes
Crested Caracara
Caracara plancus
Falcons
News Highlights
A Season of Connection at Mitchell Lake.
April 28, 2026 — Different paths, shared passion: connecting people to the natural world.
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Announces Anna Macnak as Executive Director
April 14, 2026 — Macnak brings a proven track record of building institutional partnerships, advancing equity-focused initiatives, and leading high-performing teams.
Expanding Impact After Dark: Technology, Community Science, and Conservation. 
February 20, 2026 — Where moonlight, wildlife, and community science meet to spark lasting stewardship.
Painted Buntin
The Colorful Fiesta of Spring Migration
February 06, 2026 — Texas’s vast geographic area and diversity of habitats provides critical resources including food, water, and shelter for birds along their journey.