DROUGHT & DEMAND: Water conservation a focal point as new style of developments arrive in New Braunfels, Comal County

Hill Country Alliance program director Cliff Kaplan works across the region to promote responsible water use. “It’s kind of become a cliché to say that water is life, but of course, it’s true,” Kaplan said. “None of our communities can exist without water, and if...

Saved from sprawl: Deal on ranch in Comal County part of efforts to protect water for S.A.

Under a new conservation easement, held by the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy, Moore and Dischinger have guaranteed that the land will remain as it is in perpetuity, preventing it from being turned into more suburban sprawl. The agreement also protects vital acres on the...

Exclusive: Travis County reaches $90M deal for 1,500 acre wilderness park near Spicewood

The $90 million purchase, the largest amount for a buy in Travis County Parks’ history, was made possible by voters’ approval last November of a $276 million bond for parks and land acquisition, as well as the decision by Scott’s mother, Nadya Scott, to donate roughly...

Wastewater plans make Hill Country residents worry Pedernales River could turn into ‘sewer’

Landowners are concerned about the future of the Pedernales River after recent filings for wastewater permits at two developments. The permits ask for permission from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to discharge treated wastewater on land near the river....

Fight ensues over pristine Texas land purchased by billionaire for luxury resort: ‘The alarms went off when people in this area first heard’

Part of the area, perhaps “one of the last remaining ecosystems” in the state, according to the Austin American-Statesman, has been in Lew Adams’ family since the 1940s. The creek and springs feed the Pedernales River, which ran dry in each of the...

New trail in San Marcos will connect natural areas on aquifer recharge zone

Hikers will be able to walk — by next March at the latest — from one pristine natural area to another on a new trail planned near San Marcos. The “Limestone Link” trail will run between River Recharge Natural Area and Ringtail Ridge Natural Area on the west side of...