Austin--Certified Interpretive Guide Training Course
2019-08-19 - 2019-08-22 | Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, Wild Basin Rd., Austin, TX, 78746, United States
Would you like to improve your ability to share the wonders of nature or the richness of culture?
Are you looking to get your CIG?
For all those in and around Austin or for any who would like a good reason to visit Central Texas, Wild Basin Preserve is hosting a Certified Interpretive Guide workshop Aug 19-22.
The CIG course covers audiences, resources, philosophy, and techniques for best practice interpretation. The course is excellent for all people who give cultural and/or natural history programs, work as tour guides, want to improve their presentation skills, or manage interpretive sites. Check it out!

Wimberley - TESPA: Trinity Groundwater Protection Planning Meeting
2019-08-19 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
NEEDMORE POST MORTEM AND THE FIGHT AHEAD
Jim Blackburn, TESPA attorney and board president, will provide an insightful look back, and then map our way forward with your help and support.

On Aug 19 you will also learn about the District’s (BSEACD) periodic well-monitoring program and how you can be part of it.
As always, TESPA is committed to fight for and protect our groundwater through all means available – with integrity, respect, and the best available science.

Bulverde--Public Meeting: Silesia Properties permit application to discharge into Honey Creek
2019-08-20 19:00 - 21:00
We received notice today that a public meeting will be held on the permit application of Silesia Properties to discharge 500,000 gallons/day into Honey Creek (Permit No. WQ0015688001). As you may recall, the discharge point is upstream of Honey Creek State Natural Area and Guadalupe State Park. For the official TCEQ public meeting notice, click here.
The Public Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 20,2019 at 7:00 p.m. at Rahe Bulverde Elementary School, 1715 East Ammann Road, Bulverde, Texas 78163
To prepare for the TCEQ Public Meeting, GEAA will host a strategy meeting to prepare for the TCEQ meeting on August 15th. Find out more here.
At the TCEQ meeting you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the permit during the first half of the meeting and to make oral comments for public record during the second half of the meeting. Written comments may also be submitted. As part of your comments, you may request a contested case hearing, and you may also request party standing in the contested case process. Comments from the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) and others already submitted to TCEQ can be found under the Honey Creek heading on GEAA’s Waste Water Page. Feel free to use these as guides to writing your own comments.
Deadline for submitting comments is August 20, 2019. You may submit written comments on-line at https://www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/. To submit comments on-line refer to Permit No. WQ0015688001.
or you can mail comments to: Office of the Chief Clerk, TCEQ, Mail Code MC-105, PO Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087

Bandera – TCEQ Public Meeting: Permit application to discharge into Commissioners Creek
2019-08-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Recreation Hall at Mansfield Park, 355 W A Mansfield Rd, Bandera, TX, 78003, United States
The Public Meeting will be held on Monday, August 26,2019 at 7:00 p.m. at Mansfield Park Recreation Hall, 2886 HWY 16 N, Bandera, TX 78003.

Read the TCEQ posting here.
Learn more about efforts to oppose this wastewater permit from Friends of Hondo Canyon.

Fredericksburg - Become a Citizen Scientist: How to Use iNaturalist
2019-08-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Memorial Presbyterian Church, 601 North Milam, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
Fredericksburg Native Plant Society Meeting – “How to Use I-Naturalist” Become a Citizen Scientist
I-Naturalist is a robust, on-line tool to assist in the identification of all things nature. Don’t know what that wildflower is? What is that animal track? What kind of snake is that? Is that plant poisonous?
Using a smart phone (I-phone or Android), snap a photo of anything nature-related, upload it to the I-Naturalist app and the photo is immediately disseminated to a world of I-Naturalist users. Someone in that group will be able to identify your photo. Not only is I-Naturalist useful for individual queries, the information is also used by scientists for data collection. Bring your cell phone. Become a citizen scientist.
Date: August 27, 2019
Time: 6:30 p.m.-Light refreshments and social; 7:00 p.m.- meeting
Where: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 601 North Milam, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Vanderpool - Lost Maples State Park 40th Anniversary Celebration
2019-09-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Lost Maples State Natural Area, 37221 F.M. 187, Vanderpool, TX, 78885, United States
The Friends of Lost Maples is happy to announce an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the opening of Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool. Lost Maples was the first State Natural Area in the Texas Parks and Wildlife system, and has been a model for how to balance recreational needs with conservation values on state lands.
This event, eligible for Advanced Training hours, runs from 1-3 pm at the Murphy House at Lost Maples. The program will feature speakers from the park, the Friends group and from TPWD in Austin.
There will be interpretive and informational displays about the park and surrounding ecosystems, discussions of the natural and human history of the Sabinal Canyon and the Natural Area itself, and hour-long interpretive hikes conducted by Master Naturalists from the Hill Country chapter.
Free refreshments provided!
For more information contact Greg Walton at Gregwalton12345@gmail.com

Wimberley - Riparian Design Workshop: Cypress Creek Watershed
2019-09-04 10:00 - 13:00 | Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Attendees will learn of the importance of riparian areas and how they directly influence the health and quality of waterways!

Sessions include:

Geology and the Interconnectivity of Creeks
Introduction to Creekside Riparian Restoration
How Community Members can Help
Guided Walk Through

Anyone is welcome to attend and learn from Hays County Master Naturalist, local landowners, and Texas Stream Team on the importance of establishing riparian areas. Please register in advance so we make sure to have enough materials !
A full stakeholder meeting for the Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan will be held prior to the workshop from 8:30 – 9:30 am.
We will have additional materials and resources available for purchase, please be aware that we can only accept cash.
For questions or more information, feel free to email us at: cypresscreek@txstate.edu

Blanco - Permaculture Design Course with Earth Repair Corps
2019-09-07 08:00 - 2019-09-08 17:00
6-Weekend Intensive Permaculture Design Course

During this Permaculture Design Course, participants will be introduced to the ethics, principles, and methods of Permaculture while learning how to design, create, and maintain agriculturally productive ecosystems and sustainable human settlements. View an Introduction to Permaculture video here.
This 72 hour intensive course is taught by experts within the fields of permaculture, regenerative agriculture, sustainable energy, water conservation, natural building, and more.
Come learn in the setting of this beautiful river on the Edwards Plateau while cultivating a new community during this life-changing opportunity.
Venue: Texastopia Farm
Located ~15 miles west of downtown Blanco and just downstream from the headwaters of the Blanco River, this family farm and permaculture campus offers a genuine and unique learning experience with abundant hands-on opportunity.
For more information, check out the Earth Repair Corps website.
Questions? Email earthrepaircorps@gmail.com.

Stonewall - Movies Under the Stars: Apollo 11
2019-09-07 14:30 - 20:30 | LBJ National Historical Park, 100 Ladybird Lane, Johnson City, TX, 78636, United States

San Marcos - 3rd Annual River Guardianship Symposium
2019-09-11 17:00 - 21:00 | San Marcos Activity Center Gym, 501 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos, Texas, 78666
Mermaid Society Symposiums are created to be signature events of the Mermaid SPLASH Festival, each year in September. The community platforms are designed to bring together like-minded individuals from students to seniors to cross-pollinate ideas, collaborate on existing projects and strengthen connectivity through engagement. Each year Mermaid Society will host two symposiums River Guardianship and Arts & Culture scheduled for Tuesday, September 10th..
2019 Committee Chairs – Kimberly Meitzen & Ryan Keith Spencer
Committee: Colleen Myles-Baltzly, Melody Rose Baker Cuny, Laney Lyle, Rachel Sanborn, Dianne Wassenich, & Hach Zalfin

Wimberley - Wings Over Wimberley
2019-09-13 - 2019-09-15
Austin isn’t the only place with an exciting festival in celebration of bats! Wimberley has our own large population of bats and is making plans to acknowledge them in a big way. Each evening thousands of these flying mammals create an awe-inspiring spectacle against the colored sky as they swarm from under the RR 12 Cypress Creek Bridge. They decorate our sunsets, inspire our artists, eat our mosquitos and add yet another fascinating dimension to the Wimberley Valley.
Beginning this year, Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance (WVACA) is planning an exciting event to honor and celebrate this natural treasure. Wings Over Wimberley or “WOW” as it is affectionately called, will be a vivacious 3-day event full of music, art, food and fun celebrating the thousands of Mexican Free- tailed Bats who call Wimberley home.
From Friday, September 13 through Sunday, September 15, 2019 Wings Over Wimberley will attract visitors from near and far to see, learn about, and recognize the important role bats play in the Central Texas ecosystems. As they appreciate our bats, visitors and locals alike will be able to experience the artisans, one-of-a-kind shops, talented musicians, craft cuisine and cocktails, and unique lodgings that make Wimberley’s high-vibing culture so special.
Find out more here.

Fredericksburg - Kolaches and Conservation
2019-09-17 08:30 - 10:30 | Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
On Tuesday, September 17th, the Gillespie County AgriLife Extension and partners will host the second “Kolaches and Conservation” event at the Extension Office from 8:30 am – 10:30 am.
This informal event encourages landowners who have questions about wildlife habitat, trees, riparian management, the hunting season, soil health, farming, ranching, and controlling non-native, invasive plants and animals to stop by and talk with officials from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Forest Service, the Gillespie County Soil & Water Conservation District, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Hill Country Alliance.
“Good land stewardship benefits everyone, not only today but also the future generations that will inherit or acquire the land,” said Daniel Oppenheimer, Hill Country Alliance Land Program Manager. “Coffee, kolaches, and good conversation—what’s not to like?”
Landowners are invited to come and go as they like. The event is open to anyone interested in conservation and land stewardship.

San Marcos - Water Quality Training
2019-09-17 13:00 - 17:00
A Texas Watershed Steward workshop on water quality related to the Upper San Marcos River will be held from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 17 at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins St. in San Marcos.
Those interested are also invited to attend a stakeholder meeting at the same location that morning from 9-10 a.m.
The workshop is presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board in cooperation with The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University.
The training is free and open to anyone interested in improving water quality in the region. Light refreshments will be provided. Participants are encouraged to preregister at the Texas Watershed Steward website at https://tws.tamu.edu.

New Braunfels - CCCA Celebration for Conservation
2019-09-17 16:00 - 20:00 | The Gruene Grove, 1263 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, TX, United States

Johnson City - National Public Lands Day Town Creek Restoration
2019-09-18 08:00 - 15:00 | LBJ National Historical Park, 100 Ladybird Lane, Johnson City, TX, 78636, United States
This year for National Public Lands Day, the Friends of LBJ National Historical Park will be hosting another Settlement Restoration on Wednesday, September 18th from 8am-3pm.

This will include a pop-up educational tent (that will also have water and hopefully some snacks), and the option for individuals to volunteer and help remove invasive and exotic species from 8am-11am. From 11am-3pm, volunteers are invited to join us in the air conditioned Event Center to make eco-friendly crafts like seed balls. Volunteers will come and go throughout the day as their time permits, and will be given a “free one-time entrance pass to a National Park”.

Dripping Springs - Hays County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale
2019-09-18 15:00 - 18:00
Join the Hays County Master Gardeners during September for our annual plant sale! This year we will feature native and adapted perennials, herbs and of course Texas Superstar plants which are highly recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife.
Don’t worry if you are new to gardening; we will have an information table staffed with Master Gardeners that will provide planting guidance. Our mission is to provide public education on best gardening practices for successful growing.
The Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale will be held at the Farmers Markets in Dripping Springs on Wednesday, September 18th and San Marcos on Saturday, September 21st.
Dripping Springs Farmers Market
Wednesday, September 18 from 3 – 6 PM
160 E Mercer St, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

We invite you to learn more about our programs and events on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HaysCountyGardeners
Instagram: @hayscountymastergardeners
https://txmg.org/hays/
Cash and credit card accepted

San Marcos - Hays County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale
2019-09-21 09:00 - 13:00 | San Marcos Farmers Market, 1901 Alpine Trail, San Marcos, TX, 78666, United States
Join the Hays County Master Gardeners during September for our annual plant sale! This year we will feature native and adapted perennials, herbs and of course Texas Superstar plants which are highly recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife.
Don’t worry if you are new to gardening; we will have an information table staffed with Master Gardeners that will provide planting guidance. Our mission is to provide public education on best gardening practices for successful growing.
The Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale will be held at the Farmers Markets in Dripping Springs on Wednesday, September 18th and San Marcos on Saturday, September 21st.
San Marcos Farmers Market
Saturday, September 21 from 9 AM – 1 PM
1901 Alpine Trail, San Marcos, TX 78666

We invite you to learn more about our programs and events on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HaysCountyGardeners
Instagram: @hayscountymastergardeners
https://txmg.org/hays/
Cash and credit card accepted

Round Mountain - Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center Star Party
2019-09-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX, 78663, United States
Tour the night skies at Westcave Preserve, a dark sky location convenient to Austin. Star Party nights are an ideal opportunity to enjoy an evening gazing at the stars through a high-quality telescope.
With local astronomers on hand to answer questions, you’ll be delighted and amazed by what you see and learn!
$15 adult (18+) | $5 child (4 – 17)
2019 Star Party Dates:

September 21, 8:00-10:00 pm
October 19, 7:30-9:30pm
November 16, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
December 14, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
January 18, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
February 15, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Events are weather permitting. To make a reservation, please email starparty@westcave.org or call 830.825.3442
Please include a phone number and the size of your group in your email or phone message.
Click here to register.

Austin - Old Buildings in a Changing Austin: Historic Preservation, Density, and Affordability
2019-09-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Mexican American Cultural Center – Austin, 600 River St, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Historic preservation is used across the country to support small businesses, provide affordable housing, and preserve community heritage. But what is its role in Austin, where a booming economy is spurring calls for higher-density development and production of housing on a much larger scale?
Dr. Mike Powe from the National Trust for Historic Preservation will discuss how older, smaller, mixed-age buildings in Austin relate to housing affordability and economic vitality as our city grows.
This event is free and open to the public and city staff
Find out more here.

Dripping Springs - Annual Hill Country Leadership Summit
2019-09-26 08:00 - 17:00 | Camp Lucy, 3509 Creed Rd., Dripping Springs, TX, 78620, United States
Please mark your calendars for the Annual Hill Country Leadership Summit, Thursday, September 26, 2019.
We will gather at the Sacred Oaks within Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, TX. The 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.
Our program will focus on the challenges we face as a region, the huge successes we have accomplished in the past year, and the emergent opportunities ahead. Look for a detailed agenda in mid July.
For information on the program line-up and speakers, click here.
Register here.

Spicewood - Boots, Chaps & Cowboy Hats Benefit for the City of Double Horn
2019-09-26 18:00 - 20:30

Fredericksburg - Learn to Landscape with Native Hill Country Plants
2019-09-28 08:30 - 16:30
Fredericksburg Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas
Learn to Landscape with Native Hill Country Plants

What: Native Landscaping Certification Program- Level 3
Topic: The Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) has been developed by the Native Plant Society of Texas to teach the value of including and preserving native plants in landscapes.
Level 3: Installation and Maintenance of Native Landscapes

Recognize the differences between native and non-native landscapes.
Become familiar with how to install the different types of native plants into a landscape, including: plant choice, purchase, placement, spacing; soil choice; bed and soil preparation; planting seeds and plants; mulching.
Understand maintenance requirements and techniques. Create maintenance schedules for different types of native plants.

The course includes a classroom session and a 1.5-2 hour outdoor plant walk.
The Native Plant Society (NPSOT) offers two levels of certificates:
Completion – attend the full day.
Competency – attend the full day and pass a test at the end of the class.
Cost: Members of the Native Plant Society of Texas: $50; Non-members: $65
Become a Member: https://npsot.org/wp/join-renew/
To Register: https://npsot3.123signup.com/event/registration/rgfns
More Info: https://npsot3.123signup.com/event/details/rgfns
Questions: Registration questions: Meg Inglis, NLCP Coordinator, meg.inglis@npsot.org or 512-589-1316
Location and class specific questions: Chris Anderson, NLCP Fredericksburg Chapter Program Manager, sligo.canine@gmail.com, 830-998-8559
Instructors: Chris Anderson, Lonnie Childs; both past Presidents of the Native Plant Society -Fredericksburg
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2019
Time: 8:30-4:30 p.m. (30-45 minutes for lunch. Bring your own sack lunch)
Where: Central Texas Electric Cooperative – 386 Friendship Lane, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Wimberley - Blue Hole Star Party
2019-09-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Ln., Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
The City of Wimberley Parks Department and the Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee present the next Blue Hole Star Party on September 28 at 7:00 pm! The event is free and will be held at the soccer fields. Bring your flashlights and experience the park like you never have before! Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic, chairs, and blankets. Please call (512)660-9111 for additional information.

Fredericksburg - Bennett Women's Land Stewardship Conference
2019-09-30 08:00 - 2019-10-01 17:00 | The Inn on Barons Creek, 308 S. Washington St., Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States

New Braunfels - Alamo Area MPO Meeting & Public Comment Session
2019-10-03 18:00 - 19:30 | New Braunfels Civic Center, 375 S. Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States

San Antonio - Mountainfilm on Tour
2019-10-03 18:30 - 21:30
Mountainfilm on Tour- San Antonio is coming to Confluence Park on the evening of Thursday, October 3rd. Experience a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and inspiring documentary films. Presented by the San Antonio River Foundation, this film festival will galvanize stewardship and awaken your love of nature. Paired with light cuisine and cocktails, your night by the River will be one of discovery and change.

Proceeds benefit the San Antonio River Foundation’s vision to inspire stewardship.

Cocktail reception begins 6:30pm, Show 7:30pm
Tickets $50 each, includes admission, refreshments and alcoholic beverages (21+ years old event)

Parking information and the list of films can be found at: https://sariverfound.org/sarf-events/filmfest/

Click here to buy tickets.

Hunt - Soil for Water: Agricultural Resilience Clinic with Nicole Masters
2019-10-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Kerr Wildlife Management Area, 2625 FM 1340, Hunt, TX, 78024, United States
ONE- AND TWO-DAY TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Friday only $70 (includes lunch) ONLY 15 AVAILABLE
Friday Game Dinner at The Hunt Store $35
Friday and Saturday $130 (both days include lunch)* ONLY 18 AVAILABLE
Internationally-acclaimed agroecologist Nicole Masters of New Zealand will join NCAT specialists, HMI Certified Educators, and other regenerative agriculture experts for two activity-filled days exploring agricultural resilience. In the dynamic and sometimes unforgiving climates of Texas, any agricultural operation needs to be ready to cope with and recover from adversity. By holding more water in the soil and fostering the right soil microbiology we can buffer changes in temperature and mitigate the effects of extreme weather patterns.
This two-day clinic will provide insights into soil health, soil health indicators and monitoring techniques, and plant health. Questions Nicole will address include:

How do we build soil structure to improve water and mineral cycles?
What is the role of soil microbes in pasture quality and resiliency?
What are your weeds telling you?
How do we manage weeds, disease, and insects?
How do we shift from invasive grasses to native grasses?
How does adaptive multi-paddock grazing encourage resiliency?
What monitoring strategies can we use to be sure we are making improvement and moving towards our goals?
How can we reduce the need for chemical inputs without reducing yields?

* No single tickets for Saturday will be sold. Per Nicole’s request, people who join the hands-on portion of the clinic on Saturday must attend on Friday.
Please reserve your space for the clinic and the dinner using the form below.
Lodging options for this training are limited and we suggest you book as soon as possible to ensure your space.
Click here to visit NCAT’s website for more information and lodging options, or call or email NCAT specialist Kara Kroeger, 479-587-3479 or karak@ncat.org.
Click here to register.

Blanco - Caring for Your Land: Incentives for Stewardship and Conservation Workshop
2019-10-04 09:30 - 13:30 | Gem of the Hills, 2233 US Highway 281 North, Blanco, Texas
We hope you can join us for the October 4th, CARING FOR YOUR LAND – INCENTIVES FOR STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION WORKSHOP at Gem of the Hills Community Center (2233 N US Highway 281) in Blanco, TX.
This free event, which will detail tools and financial incentives to support land stewardship and conservation, starts at 9:30 AM and ends at 1:30 PM on Friday, October 4th. Lunch will be included and space is limited. To learn more and to register for this free workshop, please go to https://www.texas-wildlife.org/resources/events/caring-for-your-land

New Braunfels - Walk and Talk at the Headwaters at the Comal with CCCA
2019-10-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Headwaters at the Comal, 333 E. Klingemann St, New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States
Join the Comal County Conservation Alliance (CCCA) for a Walk and Talk Tour of the Headwaters at the Comal. Nancy Pappas, Managing Director of the Headwaters, will lead the tour of this ecologically and historically significant property. The Headwaters at the Comal showcases the significance of the Comal Springs and connects the community to nature and the importance of conservation. It is a 16-acre property in the middle of a transformation from a “brownfield” fleet/facility property into a premier education center. This tour includes an overview of the history of the site; a walk through a savanna prairie reclaimed from an asphalt parking lot; a look into an historic cistern encasing the headwaters springs of the Comal River; a discussion of the archaeological significance of the property, and much, much more. Don’t miss this opportunity for an insider’s view of this important property.
Click here to register.

New Braunfels - Walk and Talk Tour of the Headwaters at the Comal
2019-10-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Headwaters at the Comal, 333 E. Klingemann St, New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States
Please join the Comal County Conservation Alliance (CCCA) for a “Walk and Talk” Tour of the Headwaters at the Comal. Nancy Pappas, Managing Director of the Headwaters, will lead the tour which will include a walk through a restored native prairie that was reclaimed from an asphalt parking lot, a look into the historic cistern encasing the headwaters springs of the Comal River, a discussion of the Archaeological discoveries on the property and much, much more.
Click here to register.
Space is limited so sign up soon!
