Hill Country Alliance

Austin - SBCA's Happy Hour: New Report on Wastewater in the Hill Country
2019-04-08 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | 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
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
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
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
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
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

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

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
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
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

Houston - 2019 Gulf Coast Water Conservation Symposium
2019-02-28 08:00 - 16:00
8th annual Gulf Coast Water Conservation Symposium
Water Efficient Future: Planning, Tools and Best Practices
The Gulf Coast Water Conservation Symposium provides water utilities with the information needed to implement successful water conservation programs, effectively engage customers, and plan for the future. Learn from state and national experts about the latest approaches, what is coming next and best practices for maximum efficiency gains. This year’s symposium is focused on new and improved tools to help your utility meet its water conservation goals. The symposium will also feature case studies highlighting planning, redevelopment and water conservation implementation efforts from cities large and small.
Register HERE : Registration is $45 and includes Conference Materials, Breakfast, and Lunch (Vegan and Gluten Free options available).
Read more from the Texas Living Waters Project here.

Austin - Amplify Austin Day of Giving
2019-02-28
Support the Hill Country Alliance in AmplifyATX!
Amplify Austin strives to meet the needs of our community by providing a digital marketplace that connects local donors with Austin area nonprofits all year long. We inspire the people of Austin and their neighbors to make a difference in their community by connecting them with the causes they’re passionate about on one easy-to-use platform where they can donate to charities in their neighborhood.
Check out the HCA page on Amplify Austin here and remember to put #LoveTitos for an extra $5 donation from Tito’s Vodka to be added to your donation!

Blanco - Cold Ones for Conservation at Real Ale Brewing Co.
2019-02-23 11:00 - 19:00 | Real Ale Brewing Company, 231 San Saba Ct, Blanco, TX, 78606, United States
Come enjoy a beer in Blanco!
Real Ale Brewing Co. will be open from 11-7 and Hill Country Alliance staff will be around from 12-4 to talk about our mission, what we do, and how you can get involved!
Our friends at Real Ale Brewing Co. will also be debuting their new spring seasonal WALLBALL, an India Pale Lager. There will also be food on deck by Bubba’s Brat Haus.
10% of all taproom sales on 2/23 will go to support the the Hill Country Alliance. Come by and show your support!

Austin - Austin Cave Festival
2019-02-23 10:00 - 15:00
Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 (10am – 3pm)
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Location: 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX 78739
This free, family-friendly event will feature hands-on activities, cave tours, live music, and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a cave and see how water makes its way to the aquifer and Barton Springs, learn about animals that call Austin’s caves home, try on caving gear, and learn how to protect and conserve Austin’s water resources.

Tour Wildflower Cave or LaCrosse Cave
Crawl through CaveSim, realistic artificial cave with interactive electronic formations, fauna, and artifacts
Explore the Children’s Art Cave
Hike to a sinkhole
Enjoy a rockin’ Barton Springs Salamander puppet show by local children’s musicians
Learn more about caves through hands-on activities
Enjoy live music

Austin Cave Festival is hosted by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, and the City of Austin (Austin Parks and Recreation Department; Austin Water Wildland Conservation Division and Watershed Protection Department).
In addition to caving, there will be lots of indoor and outdoor activities to choose from, so the event will be held rain or shine!
Austin Cave Festival Cave Tours (for ages 4+)
Join experts from City of Austin Watershed Protection and Wildlands for tours of La Crosse Cave and Wildflower Cave to explore the underground world and learn what critters live there, how water enters the cave and travels through the Edwards Aquifer, and how actions in the recharge zone affect water quality at Barton Springs. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you can get muddy and bring clean clothes/shoes to change into afterwards. Helmets, headlamps and additional cave gear will be provided. If safety gear does not fit or is not worn, participant will not be permitted into cave. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
LaCrosse Cave and Wildflower Cave both require some stooping and crawling to explore. In some places you’ll be able to stand or sit comfortably.
Austin Cave Festival will be hosted by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, and the City of Austin (Austin Water Wildland Conservation Division; Watershed Protection Department).

San Marcos - Coffee & Conservation
2019-02-22 08:30 - 11:00
Join the Hays County Soil & Water Conservation District for coffee while they discuss conservation at Mochas and Javas. Bring your questions for a casual discussion with local Natural Resources Conservation Services, Texas A&M Forest Services, Texas Parks and Wildlife, San Marcos River Foundation, and City of Austin Wild Land Conservation Division employees.
Learn about trees, livestock, wildlife, backyard gardening, river conservation, and wildfires from these agency professionals.
For constantly updated information, check the Facebook page here.

San Marcos - Final Trees for the Blanco Planting
2019-02-16 10:00 - 13:00
Join our friends at TreeFolks for their FINAL Trees for the Blanco planting event. They will be planting saplings along a stretch of the Blanco River. This event is part of a 4-year program to help reforest the banks of the Blanco River damaged during the Memorial Day Weekend Floods of 2015. The new seedlings will help to reduce erosion, clean the water, and slow future flooding.
Join in on TreeFolks’ final planting event on the Blanco River! To sign-up to volunteer, click here.
**Location will be announced via email the day before the event, to protect the privacy of the landowner. Trees for the Blanco events are held in Hays County, in the San Marcos area.**
Find more information on the TreeFolks event page.
