Hill Country Alliance

Wimberley - Permian Highway Pipeline: Hays County Community Meeting
2019-01-29 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
The Hays County Pct 3 Commissioner’s Office will host a public meeting on January 29th, 5:30 pm at the Wimberley Community Center to discuss Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline Project. We will have information regarding the planned route and discussions regarding environmental concerns, property rights, and other important issues relevant to this project and its potential impact on Hays County.

Image taken from “Permian Highway natural gas pipeline planned to run through Hays County by 2020” by Katharine Jose with Community Impact Newspaper.

Blanco - Beer, BBQ, & Music with Protect Our Blanco
2019-01-24 18:30 - 20:30 | Old 300 BBQ & Back Forty Event Hall, 318 4th St, Blanco, TX, 78606, United States

New Braunfels - Archeological Preservation and Preserving our Texas Heritage Session
2019-01-22 09:00 - 11:00 | Forke Store, Conservation Plaza, 1300 Churchill Dr, New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States

San Antonio - Tipping Point: The Water Future of Texas and Saving Atlantis
2019-01-12 12:30 - 16:30 | TX
For more information, click here.

Bastrop - Bastrop County Sapling Giveaway
2019-01-12 10:00 - 14:00 | TX
TreeFolks will be giving away around 5,000 Loblolly Pine saplings to residents whose land has been damaged by recent wildfires.
Since 2011, TreeFolks has provided reforestation services for hundreds of landowners and planted over 2 million pines. TreeFolks continues to partner with Bastrop County in order to bring free trees and education services to the community.
No RSVP is required. This event is first come, first serve. Hope to see y’all there!

New Braunfels - Community Meeting on Headwaters at the Comal
2019-01-08 18:00 - 20:00 | GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels, TX, 78132, United States

San Antonio - Tipping Point: Racing Extinction and STRAWS
2019-01-05 12:30 - 16:00 | CHRISTUS Heritage Hall, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, TX, 78209, United States

Burnet - First Day Hike at Inks Lake State Park
2019-01-01 10:00 - 11:30 | Inks Lake State Park, 3630 Park Road 4 W, Burnet, TX, 78611, United States
Starting at the Devil’s waterhole parking lot, enjoy some hot chocolate or coffee before following the breathtaking, moderate, two-mile Devil’s Backbone nature trail with a park ranger.
End the hike at a world-class bird blind and ring in the New Year’s hike with some sparkling cider!
You will then have the option to hike back or ride along our historic park road 4 back to the parking lot. Wear weather appropriate clothing and bring water. If intending to ride back, no pets or children under 10 years of age in the vans.
Program free with entry fee.
For updated information, check out Inks Lake State Park’s Facebook event here.

Merry Christmas!
2018-12-25 | TX

San Marcos - Merry at The Meadows Holiday Boat Tours
2018-12-22 16:30 - 18:00 | The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, 201 San Marcos Springs Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666, United States
Get into the holiday spirit with a Merry at Meadows Holiday Glass-bottom Boat Tour! Guest will enjoy a 45-minute sunset holiday lights cruise to see the amazing display at Spring Lake. Complimentary cookies and hot beverages will be provided. Tickets are $14/person; children 3 and under ride free. Tour dates are: Nov. 21, 23, 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 9, 14, 16, 21 and 22.
Check-in begins at 4:45pm at The Meadows Center’s Ticket Kiosk and the tour begins at 5:00 p.m. Pre-Registration is required. Tickets are $14 per person. Children under three ride free.
Merry Meadows tours will run rain, shine, or cold weather. Dress for the weather. You may wish to bring a blanket for the boat tour.
A $3 parking fee is required on weekdays payable via the kiosk in the parking lot on the day of the event. Parking free on weekends.

For updated information, check out the Facebook event here.

Austin - Camp Mabry Community Tree Planting
2018-12-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Camp Mabry, 2200 W 35th St, Austin, TX, 78703, United States
This event will be a sapling planting in partnership with Camp Mabry.

TreeFolks will be planting around 500 saplings to help restore riparian areas on the Camp Mabry base!

To RSVP and get detailed information about their event, click here.

New Braunfels - Community Meeting for Comal County Conservation Alliance
2018-12-11 18:00 - 20:00 | GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels, TX, 78132, United States

Johnson City - Christmas Through the Years in LBJ Country
2018-12-08 18:00 - 21:00 | LBJ National Historical Park, 100 Ladybird Lane, Johnson City, TX, 78636, United States
A National Park Service Celebration
Featuring Holiday Activities and Music by John Arthur Martinez
Contact: Brian Vickers, 830-868-7128 ext. 233
JOHNSON CITY, TEXAS – Gather the family and come out to Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park to celebrate the holiday season at “Christmas Through the Years in LBJ Country” on Saturday, December 8, in Johnson City, Texas. Featuring the music of recording artist John Arthur Martinez and many family-friendly activities, the event will run from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, and will be free and open to the public. The event is part of Johnson City’s annual Lights Spectacular celebration. It will take place outdoors at 200 Elm Street on the block where Lyndon Johnson grew up.
Christmas was a special time for President and Mrs. Johnson and their family. The National Park Service carries on the Johnson family’s tradition by making this season special for locals and out-of-towners alike. Activities on December 8 will feature Christmas traditions from the 1860s through the 1960s—from the time of the president’s grandparents to the years of Lyndon Johnson’s presidency. Visitors can tour the president’s lamp-lit boyhood home just across the street from the Pedernales Electric Cooperative headquarters, where thousands of lights will illuminate stately live oak trees. The park is delighted to host this event through a partnership with Friends of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.
Activities at the outdoor event on December 8 include:

country music and holiday songs with John Arthur Martinez from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
an 1860s chuck wagon with cooking demonstrations, and cowboy Christmas stories and poetry.
hands-on late 1800s and early 1900s-era frontier Texas Christmas crafts for children.
screenings of the 1965 release of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on an outdoor movie screen.
display of Model T Ford automobiles, like the one President Johnson’s father drove around the Hill Country as a state legislator, often with young Lyndon accompanying him.
lamplight tours through President Johnson’s boyhood home, decorated for a 1920s Christmas.
a Western National Parks Association sales area.
an exhibit on Congressman Lyndon Johnson making Lights Spectacular a future reality with the creation of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative.

John Arthur Martinez is a country music artist from Marble Falls, Texas, who has played to audiences around the world. He acknowledges that he is fortunate to make a living from making music. “I write, record, and perform songs. And, in doing so, I bare my soul, meet new souls, and see the world,” said Martinez. Join Martinez and his band as he sings his songs as well as holiday music. Please dress appropriately for this outdoor event.
In addition to December 8, President Johnson’s boyhood home will be open for lamplight tours from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on the nights of November 24, and December 1, 7, and 15.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The park will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. For more information call 830-868-7128 ext. 231 or 244, or visit www.nps.gov/lyjo and www.facebook.com/LBJohnsonNPS.
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 418 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

Round Mountain - Night Hike at Westcave Preserve
2018-12-07 17:30 | Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX, 78663, United States
Night Hike
Friday Dec 7th
5:30 PM @ Westcave Preserve
Westcave’s last special program of 2018 tickles curiosities as their local biologists lead you on a night hike into the Westcave Canyon. Discover what goes on during the night at Westcave Preserve! Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight.
Weather permitting. Reservations required.
Click here to get tickets.

Austin - Ready, Set, Plant! At Shoal Creek (Allandale Road)
2018-12-06 09:00 - 12:00 | TX
Join TreeFolks for a planting at Shoal Creek (Allandale Rd). We’ll be planting 1250 seedlings, so be ready to get your hands dirty!
Location and parking information will be sent the day prior to the event. To sign up for the event, click here.
Ready, Set, Plant! is in partnership with the Community Tree Preservation, City of Austin Watershed Protection Department, and Keep Austin Beautiful. To learn more about the Watershed Protection Departments riparian restoration programs, click here. Are you interested in becoming a Creek- Adopter? Click here to be taken to the Keep Austin Beautiful Adopt-a-Creek program page. This program helps to implement Austin’s Urban Forest Plan with support from the Urban Forest Replenishment Fund.

New Braunfels - 3rd Texas Hill Country Water Summit
2018-12-05 08:30 - 16:00 | TX

Fredericksburg - 3rd Annual Enchanted Rock Star Festival
2018-12-01 17:30 - 22:00 | Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
Celebrate the dark skies over Enchanted Rock!
Join members of the Hill Country Astronomers, Friends of Enchanted Rock and park staff for a tour through space. Multiple telescopes will be set up near the comfort station for the duration of the event for viewing stars and other deep space objects. There will be a group hike up to the top of Enchanted Rock, followed by a Constellation Tour led by Ken Kattner of the International Dark-Sky Association and Putman Mountain Observatory. All individuals participating in the hike and constellation tour must remain with the group at all times. All events will conclude by 10:00PM.
As an International Dark Sky Park, Enchanted Rock boasts some of the darkest skies in this part of Texas, which means the stars at night ARE big and bright deep in the heart of Texas.
Schedule of events:
5:00 – arrive and get your flashlights ‘dark sky ready.’ Tents will be set up near the comfort station restroom.
5:30 – Hill Country Astronomers will have telescopes set up near the comfort station restroom.
6:30 – meet below Gazebo for group hike to the top of Enchanted Rock.
7:00 – Constellation Tour with Ken Kattner.
Entrance fee for the park is $7/person (children 12 and under are free); no additional fee to attend this program.
Entry is free with a Texas State Parks Pass.
Check in at the park headquarters to obtain your park entrance permit. Stop at one of the tents to get your flashlights dark-sky ready and learn some simple ways to make your home dark-sky friendly, too!
Bring

Good hiking/walking shoes
Red-tinted flashlight (if you only have white-lights, we can cover them with red cellophane)
Dress for the weather

Please no white lights while at the Star Fest (it can take 20-30 minutes for eyes to adjust from bright light to darkness). Red-tinted lights are permitted. We will gladly cover your white-lights for the event.
**This event is weather permitting; check our Facebook page for the most up to date information.**
NO PETS for this event.
If you are arriving before or after office hours, you will need to use the self-pay station to obtain your park entrance permit. The self-pay station is located at the front of the office and is cash (exact change), check or Texas State Parks Pass only.
Contact: Jessica DeBoer (830) 685-3636 jessica.deboer@tpwd.texas.gov

Austin - Hot Science Cool Talks - A Taste for the Beautiful
2018-11-30 19:00 - 20:30 | Student Activity Center (SAC), UT Campus, 2201 Speedway, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
What is the talk about?
Why do animals perceive certain traits as beautiful and others not? While Darwin explained why the animal world abounds in stunning beauty, he struggled to understand how. Dr. Michael Ryan, one of the world’s leading authorities on animal behavior, tells the remarkable story of how he and other scientists have taken up where Darwin left off and transformed our understanding of sexual selection. Join Dr. Ryan as he explores how beauty is defined through the brain of the beholder. Registration opens three weeks prior to event.
About the presenter

Dr. Michael J. Ryan
Dr. Mike Ryan is a biology professor of Integrative Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on the evolution and function of animal behavior, especially with regard to sexual selection and communication. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the American Association for Advancement of Science, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Institute for Advanced Studies in Berlin.

Wimberley - Unsticking Conversations: Moving Forward in the Wimberley Valley
2018-11-18 14:00 - 17:00 | Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
After the Memorial Day flood, everyone pitched in and transformed the community. 7th Generation Labs asks what can happen if we apply the same generous creativity to moving the Valley forward now? Friends of all ages are invited out for some community food, fun, and fellowship on Nov. 18 from 2 to 5 pm at the Wimberley Community Center. Join 7th Generation Labs to enjoy music, food and engaging with neighbors from all over the Valley to explore solutions. Walk away with a renewed sense of possibility for the Valley’s future, and your role in it! Register here

Waco - Mammoths in the Moonlight Star Party
2018-11-17 15:00 - 21:00 | TX
WACO, TEXAS – Join Waco Mammoth National Monument and the Central Texas Astronomical Society for an exciting journey through the night sky on Saturday, November 17. Beginning at 3:00 pm visitors can view the sun through a solar telescopes and earn a dark skies junior ranger patch. During an evening program from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, visitors will have a chance to view constellations, galaxies, nebulas, and planets by sharing one of the astronomers’ telescopes or laser stations near the Welcome Center at 6220 Steinbeck Bend Drive Waco, Texas.
Please bring a red-tinted flashlight, blankets, chairs, and your telescope (if you have one) to enjoy the wonders of the night sky! Coolers are welcome; no glass containers, please. The event is free; paid tours of the Dig Shelter end at 5:00 pm with the last tour departing at 4:15 pm. From 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, the Dig Shelter will be open to the public for free of charge. Visitors can view the in-situ mammoth remains and talk with park staff stationed in the dig shelter.
Waco Mammoth National Monument is open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information call 254-750-7946 ext. 2664, or visit www.nps.gov/waco.
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

News Release Date: October 29, 2018 Contact: Antoine Fletcher, 254 750-7947 ext. 2664

Wimberley - Blue Hole Star Party
2018-11-17 12:00 - 20:00 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Ln., Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
The City of Wimberley and the Texas State Astronomy Club invite you to Blue Hole Regional Park to attend a FREE Star Party on November 17th at 5:00. The event will be held at the basketball courts. Join us beforehand from 12:00pm to 5:00pm for our first Star-Themed Artisan Fair! Starting at 5:00pm, bring your flashlights and experience the park like you never have before! For more information, please call (512) 660-9111.

San Marcos - Texas Water Symposium on The Future of Flooding in Texas
2018-11-15 18:30 - 20:30 | TX
If you want more information on this or upcoming events with the Texas Water Symposium, click here.

Bastrop - Texas Municipal League - Economic Development Conference
2018-11-15 - 2018-11-16 | Hyatt Lost Pines, 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road, Lost Pines, Texas, 78612
2018 Texas Municipal League Economic Development Conference
Build Strong and Resilient Cities
Make plans to join the Texas Municipal League on November 15-16 at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines for the 2018 Economic Development Conference.
At this one-and-half-day conference, economic development experts, state officials, and city leaders will share successful practices and adaptable solutions that can help you spur job creation, enhance the quality of life, attract visitors, and maximize investment in your community.

Boerne - Strong Towns 2018 Community Event
2018-11-14 18:00 - 20:00 | TX
Fees/Admission: $35 Chamber Members or $40 Non-Chamber Members Contact: Holly Rodriguez Email: holly@boerne.org
Join us for Strong Towns Boerne 2018. This engaging community event will include a presentation from Strong Towns President Chuck Marohn entitled “Neighborhoods First.”
Risky, low returning projects too often become expensive boondoggles that haunt a community for decades. Public officials everywhere are desperately seeking an alternative. This talk will cover the “Neighborhoods First” approach to show how a community can grow stronger by making small, incremental investments over time. By observing how neighbors live their lives, by asking them where their daily struggles are, by getting out on the street and discovering what is actually going on, any local government can discern what their community’s pressing needs are. These projects are the high return investments and they are all around us.
A portfolio of incremental projects, each building on observed needs and past successes, is the basis of a solid, long term investment strategy for communities of any size. It is an approach that fits into every budget. It will empower a local government to move beyond the lack of ownership and control that comes with traditional grant programs. And most importantly, you can get started right now.
Light appetizers and beverages will be served by Peggy’s on the Green.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Contact Kim at kim@boerne.org for more info.
Find out more or register for this event with The Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce.

New Braunfels - Community Meeting for Comal County Conservation Alliance
2018-11-13 18:00 - 20:00 | McKenna Event Center, 801 San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States

Austin - REI Star Walk
2018-11-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, Wild Basin Rd., Austin, TX, 78746, United States
Member price: $29 Non-member price: $34 Fitness level 1: Relaxed Skill level 1: Beginner Group size: 20
Join REI for a summer night hike under the stars. A laser guided tour of key constellations and notable nighttime objects makes this hike a special evening experience. We will hike by headlamp and share the wonders of the park at night. Learning how to navigate trails at night and how to spot common constellations will make you feel right at home the next time you step outside after dark.

Nighttime trail navigation
Route planning
Basic star and constellation identification

Space is limited. For more information or to register for this event, click here.

Johnson City - Science Mill - 5th Annual Benefit
2018-11-10 17:00 - 21:00 | Science Mill, 101 S. Lady Bird Lane, Johnson City, Texas, 78636

San Antonio - TXSER 23rd Annual Conference
2018-11-09 - 2018-11-11 | San Antonio River Authority Headquarters, 100 E. Guenther St., San Antonio, Texas, 78204
Hill Country highlights from the agenda include:

Thomas Arsuffi, Director of the Texas Tech University Llano River Field Station in Junction, will share a presentation titled “Healthy Watershed Approach To Managing Streams in a Dynamic World for Resistance, Resiliency and Restoration: Role of Science, Stakeholders, Education and Partnerships.” It will detail the development and implementation of a Watershed Protection Plan for the Upper Llano watershed.

Hill Country landowner David Davidson will present “The Art & Science of KR Bluestem Restoration,” detailing his successes in restoring native grasslands.

The Nature Conservancy will share a presentation about population and habitat changes in the black-capped vireo, one of the Hill Country’s endangered (until recently) bird species.

Two presentations about restoration on the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River from our partners at San Antonio River Authority.

Several talks will touch on prescribed burning as a restoration tool.

Click here for more info and registration!

Kerrville - Texas Water Symposium on Treated Sewage & Hill Country Streams
2018-11-08 18:30 - 20:30 | TX

Blanco - Friends of the Night Sky Kick Off and Star Gazing Party
2018-11-04 18:00 | Los Senderos Ranch, 8409 N US Hwy 281, Blanco, TX, 78606, United States
