The Cibolo Nature Center (CNC), a 100-acre green space located in Boerne, Texas, is the only preserved natural area in the 665-square mile area of Kendall County that is open to the public. It was established in 1988, by the Friends of the Cibolo Wilderness, the non-profit organization that oversees the CNC and augments its budget with private and philanthropic support, with a mission to "promote the conservation of natural resources through education and stewardship." Embracing four distinct ecosystems – riparian forest, live-oak savannah, tallgrass prairie and spring-fed marsh – the CNC provides education, research, entertainment and outdoor activities for thousands of visitors each year while promoting sound stewardship of land, water and wildlife and serving as a valuable resource to schools and other academic institutions.