by admin | Feb 12, 2020 | HCA in the News, Low Impact & Sustainable Development, News, Night Skies, Planning and Development, Scenic Beauty
Most evenings in Central Texas, the sky transforms into the legendary violet crown before falling into darkness. Although humans wait for the beauty of the sunset, it is the darkness that animals need, according to Cliff Kaplan of the Hill Country Alliance. “All of...
by admin | Feb 5, 2020 | Land Conservation and Stewardship, News, Night Skies, Scenic Beauty, Wildlife
These are tough times for fireflies. Like a lot of other insects, they face increasing threats from habitat loss, pesticides and pollution. But they also have a problem that’s unique to luminous bugs: It’s getting harder for them to reproduce because light pollution...
by admin | Dec 27, 2019 | Children in Nature, Equity in the Outdoors, News, Night Skies, Scenic Beauty
Each month the International Dark-Sky Association features an IDA Advocate from the worldwide network of volunteers who are working to protect the night. This month we’re highlighting the work of IDA Delegate, Rosalía Lugo. Self-described as “a true believer in the...
by admin | Dec 2, 2019 | Land Conservation and Stewardship, Landowner Alliances, News, Night Skies, Scenic Beauty
Thirteen area songwriters gathered on Friday, November 22 in the basement of Liz on the Square in Blanco to perform original songs for the “Deep in the Dark of Texas ™” songwriting contest, sponsored by the Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky. The more...
by admin | Dec 2, 2019 | HCA in the News, Land Conservation and Stewardship, Landowner Alliances, Legislature and Regulation, Native Landscapes, News, Night Skies, Planning and Development, Public Lands, Scenic Beauty
In his time as a naturalist at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Scott Whitener loved taking kids on night hikes. Whitener had left his previous job teaching in Fredericksburg partly because he wanted to spend more time outside. On treks up the massive granite dome,...
by admin | Nov 25, 2019 | Land Conservation and Stewardship, Land Stewardship, Native Landscapes, News, Night Skies, Public Lands, Scenic Beauty, Water Resources, Wildlife
The Texas Hill Country is a unique region filled with diverse wildlife, clear springs, sprawling rural landscapes, historic towns, and some of the starriest night skies in the country. Each year the Hill Country Alliance (HCA) holds a photo contest encouraging...