Hill Country Alliance

Spicewood - Spicewood Ranch Native Plant ID Workshop
2019-04-14 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | TX
We are excited to announce the first of Environmental Survey Consulting‘s two Spicewood Ranch Spring Native Plant ID Workshops for Spring 2019!
Instructor– Bill Carr, Acme Botanical Services
Location– Spicewood Ranch – Spicewood, Texas
Venue: Narrows Recreation Area in Spicewood
Venue Website: https://www.lcra.org/parks/Pages/narrows.aspx
Time: 9 am to 1 pm, Sunday, April 14, 2019
Registration Details: Registration required. $25 to be paid in person at the workshop (cash, check, credit cards OK). Workshop limited to 15 participants.
Spicewood Ranch is a 1,200 acre ranch 1 hour west of Austin where Environmental Survey Consulting has been doing habitat restoration and research for almost 30 years.
The workshop will be conducted by Bill Carr, a plant expert with 35 years of field experience in Texas.
**Those who wish to stay longer can visit the Spicewood Ranch Herbarium at 1 pm for lunch to look at specimens of some interesting members of the local flora. Please bring your own lunch, snacks, and water. Schedule is subject to change.
**Please plan to arrive at the Narrows Recreation Area no later than 8:45 am.
Find out more and register here.

Boerne - Lende Lecture Series: Protecting & Preserving the Cibolo Creek and Beyond
2019-04-13 14:00 - 16:30 | Ye Kendall Inn, 128 W Blanco Rd, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
Find out more and RSVP here.

Wimberley - Living in Harmony: Wildlife and Our Changing Landscape
2019-04-10 18:00 - 20:00 | TX

New Braunfels - Comal County Conservation Alliance Community Meeting
2019-04-09 18:00 - 20:00 | GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels, TX, 78132, United States
The April guest speaker will be Kevin Thuesen, Director of Austin’s Water Quality Protection Lands Program. His topic is “Lands for Water–Austin’s Water Quality Protection Lands Program.” Everyone is welcome to attend.

Austin - LCRA Water Quality Advisory Committee Meeting
2019-04-09 09:00 - 11:00 | TX
These meetings are held annually as a part of the Clean Rivers Program and are open to all Colorado River stakeholders who have an interest in water quality protection. Members of the Water Quality Advisory Committee help identify and prioritize local water quality concerns and make recommendations for future actions to protect and improve water quality.

Register here.

QUESTIONS?
Contact Lisa Benton at lisa.benton@lcra.org or 512-578-2151

Fredericksburg - Kolaches & Conservation
2019-04-09 08:30 - 10:30 | Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States

Austin - SBCA's Happy Hour: New Report on Wastewater in the Hill Country
2019-04-08 18:30 - 20:30 | Baker Street Pub & Grill – South Austin, 3003 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX, 78704, United States
Join Save Barton Creek Association, Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment as we release a new report on preferred wastewater systems for the Texas Hill Country!
Experts will speak on the sewage pollution crisis in the Hill Country: What problems are arising? What is the Texas Legislature doing on this issue? What promising developments are on the horizon?
We hope to see all our friends who love our crystal clear creeks and springs.
The report by Susan Parten, PE, provides guidance on a variety of cost-effective wastewater solutions for the Texas Hill Country. “Preferred Wastewater Systems for the Texas Hill Country and Over the Edwards Aquifer: Economic and Environmental Considerations” presents key considerations for choosing individual on-site, clustered and non-discharging centralized wastewater systems. The report describes evolving best practices to convert what is presently an economic waste and an ecological threat into an asset for the environment and people.
This report is intended as a tool to help engineers, developers and decision-makers choose the appropriate scale of system. It also provides preferred system attributes and case studies for each of the systems.
For frequent updates, check out the Facebook event page here.

San Marcos - Sustainability Fair & Native Plant Sale
2019-04-06 09:00 - 16:00 | Discovery Center, 430 Riverside Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666, United States
Come meet local contributors to the environmental community at San Marcos’ first Sustainability Fair! Connect with local environmentally-minded organizations and learn skills to live a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing your carbon footprint. This event will coincide with the San Marcos Discovery Center spring native plant sale, so spruce up your garden with native plants!

Austin - 2019 Engaging Rural Communities Conference
2019-04-04 14:00 - 2019-04-05 14:00 | TX
2019 Texas Rural Leadership Program Engaging Rural Communities Conference – Austin, Texas
The Texas Rural Leadership Program is inviting you to our special Engaging Rural Communities Conference, April 4-5 in Austin. This event will start at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday and close at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, allowing for travel time to and from Austin, with hotel stay at $114 a night. This is an opportunity for you to connect with resource providers, including rural-minded funding organizations, build upon assets unique to rural communities/counties, and build a greater network with others focused on the future of our rural communities/counties. There will also be a special two-hour workshop on governance and organization of a local non-profit organization. As a “no fluff” event, this conference will be directly focused on hands-on application of knowledge and skills needed in a fast changing Texas economy, demographic, and population, along with sharing some rural community success stories. “Becoming positive agents of change through community engagement” is our central theme. To see the agenda, click here.
Sponsorship/Exhibitors: If you and/or your organization would like to serve as a conference sponsor/exhibitor, please see the attached information. If you are part of a state entity, find out more here.
With the Texas Rural Leadership Program, your concern, care and work in rural communities remains vital to the future of Texas. Your outreach and involvement in local communities, strengthens Texas. After completing our TRLP Leaders in Action workshops or attending the TRLP Engaging Rural Communities Conference, you will have a deeper knowledge of issues particular to rural communities, a wider network for needed resources, a sense of how to better identify and utilize local human capital and assets, and the ability to deploy your knowledge and networking skills with the intent of making a positive difference. We hope to see you April 4-5 in Austin, for a better future in rural Texas.
Conference registration is available through March 30. Register today at: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TRLP. For hotel accommodations, click here. Please contact Craig Rotter, TRLP Executive Director, for additional information at craig.rotter@agnet.tamu.edu; or (979) 587-1992.

New Braunfels - Creating a Hummingbird Hotspot
2019-04-03 10:00 - 11:00 | TX
April is Spring Hummingbird Migration! We’re lucky to live in a region where multiple species of hummingbirds can be seen. Come learn about the birds-why they come here, when to see them, and how to attract them to your yard-in a Hummingbird Hotspot program by Comal Master Gardener Kathleen Scott.
Learn more and register here.

Blanco - First Annual Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky Art Contest
2019-04-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Gem of the Hills, 2233 US Highway 281 North, Blanco, Texas
We cordially invite you, your family and friends to the First Annual Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky Art Contest
Gem of the Hills
2233 US-281, Blanco, Texas
April 2, 2019
6:00 pm
A short program will be presented on preservation of the beautiful night sky we enjoy in the Hill County and how you can help to save it from light pollution for future generations.
The program will be followed by presentation of awards to the winners of the art contest. Students from Blanco County schools have submitted art and photography for the contest using the theme:
“Celebrating and Preserving the Night Sky”
All are welcome. Please forward this invitation to everyone.
Questions??? Please contact Vicki Guidry @ 713-302-0860
We look forward to seeing you on April 2nd at 6 pm!
http://www.blancocountynightsky.org

San Antonio - Recovering America's Wildlife Act Information Session
2019-04-01 13:00 - 15:00 | The Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX, 78209, United States
The Texas Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife is holding a San Antonio information session for the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act on Monday, April 1, 2019 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.
Details:
Monday, April 1, 2019 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm
The Witte Museum
3801 Broadway, San Antonio 78209
Memorial Auditorium
Space is limited, please email info@txwildlifealliance.org to RSVP
Please join Texas Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife, and our partners at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to learn more about the need for, and benefits of this bipartisan legislation, specific benefits to the greater San Antonio area, 2018 Texas successes, and the many ways you can get involved in the months ahead.

Round Mountain - Wildflower Walks at Westcave Preserve
2019-04-01 09:00 - 11:00 | Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX, 78663, United States
Spring is the perfect time to witness the hill country transform into a painted landscape of wildflowers. Come out for an expert-guided walk about wildflowers on the Uplands and find out what is blooming. The walk will wind through 1.5 miles of trails and will last 1-2 hours. Wildflower Walks are weather permitting.
Reserve your tickets here.
For extensive driving directions, click here.

San Marcos - Natural Leaders Summit
2019-03-30 08:00 - 2019-03-31 17:00 | The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, 201 San Marcos Springs Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666, United States
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is hosting a Natural Leaders Summit, geared towards diverse young leaders working towards increasing equitable access to nature in their communities. During the summit, participants will learn leadership skills, discover their personal narrative, and meet local leaders who specialize in community organizing. Included in the seminar are meals throughout the two days, summit swag including a t-shirt, and lots of fun including getting out on Spring Lake in a kayak.
Read more on The Meadows Center website here and follow the Facebook event here.

Dripping Springs - Texas Night Sky Festival
2019-03-30 - 2019-03-31 | Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 1042 Event Center Dr, Dripping Springs, TX, 78620, United States
The Texas Night Sky Festival will shine brightly once again on March 30th. Everyone is invited to attend this FREE celebration of the starlit skies of Texas. The Festival will feature fun activities and include the display of selected entries to the Festival photo, art and poetry contests. You do not want to miss the solar observations, three planetariums, Dark Sky & Midnight Defender patch programs, exhibits from Texas Dark Sky places, demonstrations of smart lighting, a silent auction, tasty food, live music, yoga under the stars, night sky photo tips, or the good, old-fashioned Star Party.
Attendees will be treated to special storytellers who will weave traditional tales of the night sky from indigenous cultures, renowned speakers, and exceptional music.
Find out more at www.TexasNightSkyFestival.org

Austin - Texas Water Symposium: Water and the 2019 Legislative Session
2019-03-28 18:30 - 20:30 | TX
Download the flyer here.
For a link to the nearby parking map, click here.

Driftwood - Save the Hill Country from the Permian Highway Pipeline Benefit Event
2019-03-27 16:00 - 20:00 | TX
A FREE Gathering of Central Texas people concerned about the proposed Kinder Morgan Permian Highway Pipeline. There will be experts speaking, yard signs and stickers, a raffle and other ways to engage.
Vista Brewery is a quintessentially beautiful Hill Country venue. There will be craft beer, cider, wine and farm-to-table dinner from the restaurant available for sale. Live music by Big Cedar Fever!
Find out more on the Facebook event page, here.

Wimberley - 5th Annual Raptors in the Park
2019-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Ln., Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States

Kerrville - Home on the Range
2019-03-22 09:00 - 16:00 | Riverside Nature Center, 150 Francisco Lemos St., Kerrville, TX, United States

Johnson City - LBJ NHP Pond Restoration
2019-03-16 10:00 - 14:00 | LBJ National Historical Park, 100 Ladybird Lane, Johnson City, TX, 78636, United States

Llano - Llano Earth Art Fest
2019-03-15 - 2019-03-18 | TX
Held on the banks of the Llano River- one block from Llano’s historic downtown- the Llano Earth Art Fest (LEAF) is an interactive experience for young and old alike. Watch internationally renowned artists defy gravity with amazingly balanced rock sculptures. Listen to great musicians fill the park with song. Try your hand at rock balancing or see if you’ve got what it takes to compete in the 2019 World Rock Stacking Championship. For kids there are plenty of activities, including a climbing wall, face painting, and more. Adults can enjoy a cold beer while taking part in workshops, viewing and creating art, or just relaxing in the sun.
Learn more here.

Austin - Texas Water Day at the Capitol
2019-03-13 10:00 - 17:00 | TX

Spring Branch - Comal County Conservation Alliance Community Meeting
2019-03-12 18:00 - 20:00 | GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels, TX, 78132, United States

Kerrville - A Treatise on Fishing with an Angle
2019-03-08 14:00 - 15:30 | Riverside Nature Center, 150 Francisco Lemos St., Kerrville, TX, United States

Bandera - Texas Riparian & Stream Ecosystem Workshop
2019-03-06 08:00 - 16:00 | TX

Boerne - Seasons at Selah Book Signing
2019-03-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
DATE: Tuesday, March 5, 2019
TIME: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Event: Boerne Chapter, Native Plant Society
VENUE: Cibolo Nature Center, Multi-purpose Room
ADDRESS: 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX 78006
PHONE: 830/249-4616
DETAILS:
Set-up, snacks and social time, 6:30 p.m.
Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.
Presentations, Q&A, book sales and signing.
Photography display and sales.

All are invited.

Texas A&M University Press, 2018
https://www.tamupress.com/book/9781623496340/seasons-at-selah/

Austin - Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival
2019-03-03 16:30 - 20:00 | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour for 2019 returns to Austin with two evenings of the best films shown at the 2018 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Alberta, Canada. The films feature travel and adventure in distant lands as well as adrenaline-fueled action sports films. Each evening will feature a different selection of films. No repeats! Join us on Saturday and Sunday evenings, March 2nd and March 3rd at the Historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin.
Tickets are exclusively available on the Paramount Theatre website. Purchase tickets for Saturday evening and Sunday evening. Proceeds from your ticket will support our Texas State Parks!
Doors open at 4:30, with shows starting at 6PM. For the full schedule, check out the line-up for both Saturday and Sunday here.

Austin - Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival
2019-03-02 17:30 - 21:00 | TX
The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour for 2019 returns to Austin with two evenings of the best films shown at the 2018 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Alberta, Canada. The films feature travel and adventure in distant lands as well as adrenaline-fueled action sports films. Each evening will feature a different selection of films. No repeats! Join us on Saturday and Sunday evenings, March 2nd and March 3rd at the Historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin.
Tickets are exclusively available on the Paramount Theatre website. Purchase tickets for Saturday evening and Sunday evening. Proceeds from your ticket will support our Texas State Parks!
Doors open at 5:30, with shows starting at 7PM. For the full schedule, check out the line-up for both Saturday and Sunday here.

Wimberley - WVWA Permian Highway Pipeline Opposition Fundraiser
2019-02-28 16:00 - 20:00 | TX
The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association is currently working to oppose and reroute the Permian Highway Gas & Oil Pipeline OUT of the Texas Hill Country and away from the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers. WVWA will be hosting a fundraiser event and kick off for Amplify Austin day of giving from 4pm- 8pm on Thursday, 02/28 at the Shady Llama in Wimberley, where a portion of all food & drinks sold will be contributed to the Save The Hill Country legal defense fund. You can also donate online at: bit.ly/SAVETHEHILLCOUNTRY and learn more about their efforts at wimberleywatershed.org.
This is a free and fun event for everyone affected by the Pipeline to network, learn more and fundraise for WVWA’s Legal Defense Fund as they prepare to fight Kinder Morgan.
The pipeline is slated to be constructed 1400 feet from the Shady Llama! You can see the route clearly from their beautiful venue.
Shady Llama Beer Garden has graciously offered to contribute $2 of every drink sold to the cause! They serve local Texas beers and wines. There will be live music by Bob Slaughter and friends as well as food trucks serving food.

Johnson City - Stewarding the Blanco and Pedernales Rivers
2019-02-28 11:00 - 12:00 | TX
