Hill Country Alliance

San Antonio - Agri-Land Resources Workshop
2022-10-18 09:30 - 12:30 UTC | Texas Department of Agriculture, 8918 Tesoro Dr. #120, San Antonio, TX, 78217, United States
Click to view program agenda for Agri-land workshop.
A workshop focused on assisting agri-land owners and managers. Topics include financial resources, programs for urban and small scale farming and direct marketing. Come find out what is out there that can help you become more successful and productive!
Sign in at 9:30 am followed by the program till 12:30 pm. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required by 10/14/22. Free Registrations online at www.alamorcd.org or click here to register.

San Antonio - Explore the Night Sky at Government Canyon State Natural Area
2022-10-15 19:00 - 22:00 | Government Canyon State Natural Area, 12861 Galm Rd, San Antonio, TX, 78254, United States
Join us as we host the San Antonio Astronomical Association at Government Canyon State Natural Area. We’ll be viewing and learning about Saturn and Jupiter along with many constellations and other planets. We’ll also look for star clusters, nebula, and much more. You can also learn the basics of telescope operation.
Bring your own telescope or binoculars, or enjoy the sights from one of the SAAA’s telescopes. Park in Parking Lot A and walk a short distance to Parking Lot C, where the telescopes will be set up. Dress for the weather. Bring water, a snack if you like, and your own flashlight with a red lens cover. Reservations are not required. Open to all ages; participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No pets, please. Natural Area entrance fees apply. The program is subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Though the program itself is free, Natural Area entry fees do apply.
To ensure entrance and save time at the Fee Booth, please reserve and PRINT OUT your Day Pass by going to: https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/…/deDetails…
IMPORTANT INFO: This is an after-hours program. If you DO NOT reserve your Day Pass in advance, be sure to self-register as you enter the Natural Area. Instructions are posted to the right of the Fee Booth. You will need the correct change: $6 per adult (13 years or older) or enter your annual Texas State Parks pass number on the appropriate line of the self-pay envelope. Credit cards are NOT accepted when self-paying.Program is subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather

Austin - Lost Creek Star Party
2022-10-15 19:00 - 22:00 | Boulder Trail Park, 6681 Whitemarsh Valley Walk, Austin, Texas, 78746
Come join the residents of Lost Creek and the Travis County Friends of the Night Sky for an evening of observing and night sky education. Astronomers from the Austin Astronomical Society will be on hand to share views through their telescopes.

Online - The Healing Properties of Unstructured, Outdoor Play
2022-10-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Online
About this event
Teacher Workshop with Dr. Debbie Rhea with the Liink Project
This is a two hour interactive workshop covering several topics focused on healing children through recess/play. Recess, defined as unstructured, outdoor play will be discussed in great detail. Play has profound biological effects on children and adolescents. Consequently, this has direct effects on how they feel, behave, and function as they mature. Interestingly, play promotes survival, problem solving capabilities, joy, intellectual flexibility & dexterity, and social competence. Therefore, the topics of focus are:
1) the benefits and differences between unstructured and structured, outdoor play;
2) the necessary types of play to include;
3) healing properties of recess when offered with the child in mind;
4) adult role during play/recess;
5) playground/nature designs that children love to engage in;
6) Q&A.
Learn More About Liink: https://liinkproject.tcu.edu/
Webinar is offered at 9:00 (central) on October 15.
Click here to register. A link to the webinar will be sent the morning of the event. If you have not received it please check your spam folder.

Stonewall - Creek and Riverside Stewardship Workshop
2022-10-14 09:45 - 12:15 | Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, 1048 Park Road #49, Stonewall, TX, 78671, United States
Click to view the agenda.
October 14: Creek- and Riverside Stewardship Workshop at LBJ National Historical Park
Join Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Hill Country Alliance for an educational field day on the Pedernales River! This is a great opportunity for landowners in the Pedernales River Basin to learn about creek- and riverside health, and management techniques to implement on their property.
Click here to learn more and register!

Bandera - Convening of Grassroots Water Advocates
2022-10-13 10:00 - 16:00
Save the Date – Location TBD!
On October 13th, HCA is convening grassroots water advocates for a day of learning, strategizing, and networking. If you would like to get involved, please email marisa@hillcountryalliance.org for more information.
More details coming soon.

Online - DisabiliTree: Finding Ways to Integrate Nature and Accessibility
2022-10-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-10-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
About this event
A webinar with Fiona Wyrtzen, Youth Forest Council Intern Alum for the City of Austin
Accessing nature can be a struggle for those with different abilities, and one of the best ways to make nature accessible is to look at each person’s individual needs. Using the film DisabiliTree: A Film on Disability and Trees, we will look at how some individuals with disabilities navigate disability and accessibility in nature. Through the platform of this film, we will discuss the most apparent barriers to accessing nature and learn from shared experiences.
Workshop is offered twice on October 12th, 2:00 and 7:00 Central
Click here to register. A zoom link for the webinar will be emailed to registrants the day of the event. If you have not seen an email come through please check your spam folder.

Bulverde - Presentation of "October as Hill Country Night Sky Resolution"
2022-10-11 18:30 - 19:30 | Bulverde City Hall, 30360 Cougar Bend, Bulverde, TX, 78163, United States
Join the Comal County Friends of the night sky at City Hall as the City of Bulverde approves and presents a resolution acknowledging Hill Country Night Sky Month.

Wimberley - Hill Country Howl
2022-10-09 20:30 - 21:00
At 8:30 PM on October 9th, the entire community is invited to step outside and howl at the October full moon. Restaurants and bars, Property Owner Associations, and even the dancers at the Blue Hole Moon Dance will pause and send their best howls up to the Hunters Moon.

Wimberley - Howl at the Moon Dance Party
2022-10-09 20:00 - 21:30 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Ln., Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Join us in the Wimberley Valley as have our third annual HOWL AT THE MOON EVENT. Everyone is urged to go outside at 8:30 PM and howl at the full moon. Last year several HOA’s, bars, and subdivisions had organized howls.
This year Blue Hole Regional Park and the Wimberley Dark Sky Committee will host a free MOONLIGHT DANCE AND HOWL on the basketball court at Blue Hole Regional Park. Come dance under the full moon from 8pm – 9pm to your favorite night sky tunes. At 8:30 PM, we’ll all pause for an organized and enthusiastic Howl at the Moon!
Date: October 9th, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Hill Country - Backyard Howl (At The Moon)
2022-10-09 20:00 - 21:00
In the spirit of legendary wolves howling at the moon on a full moon night, Kendall Country Friends of the Nights sky will be encouraging all families to venture into their backyards to enjoy October 9th’s Hunter’s (Full) Moon.
We encourage everyone to take a few pictures and post them on social media, in support of Texas Hill Country Night Sky Month. Seek out the International Dark Sky Association website for information about keeping your family property in dark sky status. https://www.darksky.org/

Wimberley - Mountain Cedar Blue Hole Field Workshop
2022-10-08 12:00 - 15:00 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Ln., Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Join Wimberley Parks and Recreation in partnership with Elizabeth McGreevy, author of Wanted! Mountain Cedars: Dead and Alive, as we explore Blue Hole Regional Park and discuss the various types of mountain cedar, their myths, and why there is so much anti-cedar sentiment. This workshop will benefit all Hill Country nature enthusiasts, landowners, Master Naturalists, and all those interested in learning about mountain cedar (Ashe Juniper).
Link to register: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/wimberley-tx/catalog

Canyon Lake - Lunch and Learn Saving Dark Skies
2022-10-07 08:00 - 14:00 | Tye Preston Memorial Library, 16311 S. Access Rd, Canyon Lake, TX, 78133, United States
Bring your lunch and join the Comal County Friends of the Night Sky as we kick off October 2022 as Hill Country Night Sky Month. Light Pollution affects us far more than just our ability to view the heavens, poor lighting practices can affect our health, attract un-wanted wildlife, and even compromise our security. The Comal County Friends of the Night Sky will talk about light pollution and steps we can take to create more effective lighting.
Please note lunch is not being provided.
Casteel Room – Tye Preston Memorial Library 16311 South Access Road, Canyon Lake, TX, 78133

Dripping Springs - A Dark Skies Fall Outdoor Dinner
2022-10-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Cactus Moon Lodge, 5508 US-290, Dripping Springs, TX, 78620, United States
Please join us at Cactus Moon for an incredible evening of food and wine. Cactus Moon has been described as “the dreamiest property in the Tx Hill Country,” and we could not be more excited to bring you a thoughtfully curated and designed “dark skies” dining atmosphere and experience here.
Enjoy a multi-course live fire meal created by Bravo’s Top Chef (Houston) Jo Chan with paired boutique Texas wines from Winemaker Rae Wilson of Wine for the People. This will be a culinary and wine event to exceed expectations.
The evening, set under a canopy of stars, will celebrate food and wine sourced and produced from Texas land and hosted in and around Cactus Moon’s sunken courtyard and star gazing decks. A sunset glass of sparkling wine, passed hors d’oeuvres and some Gypsy Jazz from Django Foxtrot will start the evening, then guests will be guided to enjoy a multi-course, family-style meal with thoughtfully chosen wine pairings. All of this, under the autumn sky, in a very special setting.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Hill Country Alliance, a passionate community caring for the unique features, spring-fed streams, heritage ranch lands, spectacular beauty and culture of the Texas Hill Country. This dinner series is for the love of food, the love of wine, the love of the land that sustains us and of course, the love of you!
Very limited tickets available here. Tickets are non refundable.

San Antonio - TWCA Fall Conference
2022-10-05 08:00 - 2022-10-07 17:00
The TWCA Fall Conference 2022 will take place on October 5-7 in San Antonio.

Del Valle - Beer for Water with Texas Land Conservancy
2022-10-02 13:00 - 17:00 | LIve Oak Brewing Company, 1615 Crozier Lane, Del Valle,, TX, 78617, United States
Join Texas Land Conservancy for our fourth annual Beer for Water! This event is an opportunity to bring together the community and shed light on the importance of land conservation to the health of our water systems.
Beer for Water will take place at Live Oak Brewing Company. The brewery is donating $1 from every beer sold to support our mission to protect the land, water, and wildlife of Texas. This free, family and dog friendly event will also feature live music, food, a raffle and silent auction, conservation education, and activities for kids.
Learn more from Texas Land Conservancy here.

Canyon Lake - Astronomy Night Star Party
2022-10-01 19:30 - 21:30 | Tye Preston Memorial Library, 16311 S. Access Rd, Canyon Lake, TX, 78133, United States
Tye Preston Memorial Library hosts Astronomy Night for all ages at our Observatory, just up the hill from the library. Astronomy nights include a short, entertaining presentation by the New Braunfels Astronomy Club, followed by viewings through the telescopes! Astronomy Night happens whether it’s cloudy or clear. For additional information go to New Braunfels Astronomy Club Star Parties.

Blanco - Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky 2022 Song Contest
2022-10-01 18:00 - 20:30 | Gem of the Hills, 2233 US Highway 281 North, Blanco, Texas
Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky (BCFNS) will gather to listen to original songs about the night sky during our 2022 Song Contest. Everyone is invited to attend and admission is free. Songs will be preformed live by contestants who entered the contest by the September 15th deadline. The guests present will help chose a first, second, and third place winner. Please join us for an evening of music and fun!
Learn more here.

Flower Mound - People for Prairies 2022
2022-10-01 17:30 - 20:30 | River Walk Hall, 4400 River Walk Drive, Flower Mound, TX, 75022, United States
Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) is hosting an evening of great food, drink, music, AND conversation. This will also be the start of something bigger.
You are invited to this ground-breaking event. Experts from the natural resources, property development, urban planning, working lands, and corporate sectors will share their perspectives on how open space can benefit urban development. A panel discussion will follow individual presentations.
The evening also supports NPAT’s North Texas outreach, stewardship, and education programs. Program Director Dr. Carly Aulicky works with landowners and local communities to protect, restore, and appreciate native prairies. Sponsorships are available.
Click here to learn more and register with Native Prairies Association of Texas.

Dripping Springs - 2022 Hill Country Leadership Summit - Our Shared Stories: Past, Present, and Future
2022-09-29 08:00 - 18:00 | The Hall at Jester King, 13187 Fitzhugh Rd., Austin, TX, 78736, United States
The Hill Country Leadership Summit is the Hill Country Alliance’s premiere annual gathering, and provides an opportunity for learning, networking, and being inspired among our region’s top community leaders, conservation practitioners, and natural resource managers.
The 2022 Leadership Summit will be held online and in-person in an open-air setting on September 29 from 8 AM – 4 PM at The Hall at Jester King Brewery, followed by a networking happy hour from 4-6 PM.
Registration and sponsorship opportunities available now! Click here to register. Click here to view sponsorship portal.
Click here to learn more

Online - Park Prescriptions for Better Health
2022-09-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
About this event
Webinar with Dr. Debra Kellstedt with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Research shows that spending time in nature is good for our physical and mental health. Increasingly doctors are starting to prescribe park time to their patients to encourage more time in nature to improve their patients’ health. Join Dr. Kellstedt from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension as she discusses the Park Prescription program and why this trend is gaining ground in the United States.
For more information about Park Rx visit: https://www.parkrx.org/
Webinar is offered at 1:00 (central) on September 28, 2022
Click here to register. A link to the webinar will be sent the morning of the event. If you have not received it please check your spam folder.

Fredericksburg - Living off the land? Edibles and beneficial native plants
2022-09-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Gilbriar Gazebo, 208 Danos Dr, Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624, United States
Kim Ort will talk about some common and not so commonly known edibles and beneficial plants and how to forage them responsibly.
After retiring from an engineering career in the technology industry, Kim joined the Texas Master Naturalists Hays County Chapter in 2011.
Inspired by nature and a thirst for knowledge, Kim pursued a MS in Wildlife Ecology at Texas State University.

Fredericksburg - Learn your Lawn & Landscape
2022-09-24 08:30 - 15:30 | Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
If you are looking at redoing your landscape, or are a new landowner in the area, you should attend the “Learn your Lawn and Landscape” program on Saturday, September 24th at the Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office (38 Business Court, Fredericksburg). Extension Landscape Specialist Dr. Steve George will go over the basics of how to set-up and design a landscape. There will also be programs on turfgrass, native plants and tree selection and care in the Texas Hill Country. Lunch, sponsored by Capital Farm Credit, is included in the cost of the program.
Check-in will start at 8:30 am, with the program beginning at 9:00 am and going until 3:30 pm. Cost for this program is thirty-five dollars. Please register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/learn-your-lawn-landscape-tickets-367136052817, or come by the extension office and register in person. Cash or check is only accepted at the extension office, and there is a small fee for registering online. No pesticide applicator CEUS will be given as part of this program. Questions can be directed to the Gillespie County Extension office at 830-997-3452 or Elizabeth.mcmahon@ag.tamu.edu .
Please RSVP by September 20th to guarantee your spot and lunch!

Wimberley - Night Hike and Sky Party at Cathedral Oaks with Texas Land Conservancy
2022-09-23 19:30 - 22:00 | Cathedral Oaks, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Join us for a Hill Country night hike outside of Wimberley to explore the critters of the night, including bats with a bat detector! Following the hike there will be casual stargazing and refreshments!
Bring a flashlight for the hike and a camp chair for after. We’ll have some red keychain lights for the stargazing. We recommend wearing long pants, closed-toe shoes, and insect repellent. Please bring a refillable water bottle.

$5 per member (not a member or need to renew, sign up today!)

$15 per non-member

Kids 12 and under are free

Because this event is taking place on private property, we are limiting the number of people to 20 (not including children) and we will send directions to the property in your confirmation email after you register. No pets allowed.
Click here to register and learn more from Texas Land Conservancy!

Fredericksburg - Grow it, Cook it: Strawberries
2022-09-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
Grow It Cook It program on Strawberries. Includes recipe samples. Learn how to grow strawberries. Part of the grow it cook it program series. Program cost is $15. Contact the Gillespie County Extension Service at 830-997-3452 to register.

Learn more here.

Round Mountain - Roundtable Social: The Trinity Aquifer
2022-09-22 17:30 - 18:30 | Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX, 78663, United States
Click the image to view PDF of flyer.
Join Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center for a presentation of recent science investigations of our local Trinity Aquifer system from the University of Texas- Bureau of Economic Geology. Hear updates from both Hays-Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) and Southwestern Travis County (GCD), including drought impacts, community conversation and a Q&A with groundwater resource experts.
Please BYOB and bring a snack to share.
The Westcave Roundtable Social brings local area residents together to explore issues of common interest.

FREE event – RSVP to amber@westcave.org

New Braunfels - Protecting Land to Protect Water
2022-09-21 18:00 - 19:30 | McKenna Event Center, 801 W San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States
Where is the water? Above ground? Below ground? And how do we get to it? For the past decades, smart…and we mean really smart …Texans have been scientifically reviewing and planning how we maintain good groundwater now and tomorrow. Texas Water Trade personnel say: “We aim to build a future of clean, flowing water for all Texans”.
One such person is Sharlene Leurig, who is a water planning expert and the CEO of Texas Water Trade. As Sharlene has stated: “I think most people who we talk to are seeing, with the ongoing drought and the population boom here in Texas, that there is a need to shore up our water supply.”
The water supply is maximized when we collect as much as we can and then make the best use – and reuse – of it. The best way to recharge the aquifers is to keep the land above the recharge zone as open as possible. Stewardship of this land helps provide not only water but also clean air and open spaces, and supports local economies. Ms. Leurig will focus on the important connection between land, aquifers and our water supply.
Click here to learn more and join the Comal County Conservation Alliance for this event.

Online - School Gardens for Healthier Students
2022-09-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
About this event
Webinar with Katie Nikah, Valerie Cordes, and Bonnie Martin with the University of Texas
Join the staff of the EdEN Lab at the University of Texas School for a panel discussion on the importance of school gardens in engaging youth in nature. Learn the health, academic and other benefits that children who regularly spend time in their school gardens experience, based on data from research studies. Hear more about school gardens including: the essentials in starting one; the biggest obstacles that keep a program from being an integrated and sustainable space in the school; and how best to overcome these challenges. You’ll have a chance to ask your own questions during this interactive session!
Webinar is offered at 2:00 (central) on September 21, 2022
Click here to register. A link to the webinar will be sent the morning of the event. If you have not received it please check your spam folder.

Blanco - The Future of Blanco County
2022-09-15 18:00 - 20:30 | Gem of the Hills, 2233 US Highway 281 North, Blanco, Texas
Blanco County is changing – and experiencing some growing pains. Development expands while open space disappears. Combined with the drought, our water supply is being threatened. We know we have challenges – so let’s come together for solutions.
Please join us for a community gathering to learn about issues facing our beautiful county and how we can shape its future.
6:00 – 6:30 PM Refreshments & Networking
6:30 – 8:30 PM Formal Program
Come join us:
Hill Country Alliance
Friends and neighbors in Blanco County
Refreshments sponsored by Real Ale
Registration requested but not required. Click here to register!
