Confessions of the San Antonio River
In drought-stricken south Texas, most people are glad to see the rain for the benefit it brings to recharging aquifers and watering parched lawns. However, the San Antonio River has another opinion. All she sees when it rains is loads of pollution, trash, and faster erosive forces that are degrading her ecosystem and making the recent investment in her restoration unsustainable. The San Antonio River is an important water resource worth protecting and she is coming out of her banks to share why citizens and businesses should care about what they do on their land up in the watersheds and how increases in impervious cover and less green space can impact the health of our waterways. The river has given the city its identity, and a rich history full of beauty and economic prosperity. All she asks in return is a future focused on sustainable land use practices and changes in personal stewardship that will ensure the value of the river and its ecosystem for generations to come.
About Suzanne
Suzanne Scott joined the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) in 2000 and was appointed General Manager in September 2007. She manages a $95.7 million budget and works with a talented staff of engineers, scientists, environmental managers, field crews, and a host of other professionals to extend SARA’s environmental leadership, stewardship, and expertise to design and implement holistic watershed solutions throughout the San Antonio River Basin. At SARA, Suzanne secured funding from the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and community support to complete the $384 million San Antonio River Improvements Project which added miles of hike, bike, and paddling trails to the river, while restoring the environment and creating more enjoyment, appreciation, and value from this treasured resource. Suzanne is a third-generation public servant and also serves on the board of the Green Spaces Alliance and the Bexar County Arts and Cultural Fund. Suzanne received her degree from Texas Tech University and her Master’s in Urban Administration from Trinity University.