🗓️ Date: Saturday, Febrary 21, 2026
⏰ Time: 10 am - 3 pm
📍 Location: Brackenridge Field Lab
🎟️ Cost: Free Admission (Donations accepted for blocks)
It’s Texas Science Festival 2026 and we will be a Brackenridge Field Laboratory (BFL) Open House with family friendly activities like mushroom bingo to help you learn the role of fungi in our ecosystem. We will also have mushroom blocks for you to take home and and experiment with!
About the Field Station
The Brackenridge Field Laboratory (BFL) is an 82-acre biological research station in the heart of Austin. Donated to the university in 1910 by George W. Brackenridge, BFL is an urban biodiversity hotspot within easy reach of UT’s main campus. There are records of thousands of species at BFL including several new species discovered there.
For the open house, take a look inside this University of Texas gem and see the work that takes place within the diverse sites of the Texas Field Station Network. Participants will get to:
Learn about the rich history and the valuable biodiversity research taking place within BFL’s gates and laboratories.
Have a chance to tour the property, listen to engaging short research talks and learn about ongoing long-term monitoring projects.
Explore with the whole family what’s on display at the UT Insect Collections.
Meet knowledgeable volunteers, hosting hands-on activities to engage the youngest scientists.
Visit the Bio-Blitz table to learn how you can become a citizen naturalist and return to volunteer at an upcoming BFL biodiversity assessment event.
Enjoy giveaways, prizes and warm drinks — free as part of the Texas Science Festival!
Schedule:
11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.: Guided historical tours of the field station
1:00 p.m.: Short talks from BFL researchers
Parking: Free parking for Brackenridge Field Lab is available in two lots:
A small lot in front of Brackenridge Field Laboratory, which contains two dedicated handicap parking spots.
A larger overflow lot at the Lake Austin Centre Building (LAC) at 3001 Lake Austin Blvd. This is the building directly NW of Brackenridge Field Laboratory along Lake Austin Blvd. Signs state that parking is only allowed for UT permit-holders. Please disregard these signs.
EXAMPLES OF HOW TO USE BLOCKS
Want to help out?
Volunteer and sign-up here to pick-up blocks from the farms in North Austin to deliver to future events and pick-up spots.
Can’t Make It?
Sign up to pick up blocks at one of our 30+ spots in Central Texas or San Antonio