Hill Country Alliance

Austin - REI Star Walk
2018-11-10 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | 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
If you want more information on this or upcoming events with the Texas Water Symposium, click here.

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

Sandy Creek - Healthy Creeks and Riparian Areas Workshop
2018-11-03 08:30 - 14:00 | Sunrise Beach Community Center, 124 Sunrise Drive, Sunrise Beach, TX, 78643, United States
Register online | View the agenda

Photo by Chris Anderson
Saturday, November 3rd, 2018
8:30AM – 2:00PM
Sunrise Beach Village Civic Center
124 Sunrise Drive, Sunrise Beach Village, TX 78643 (map)
$10 registration. Please register here.
Space is limited, sign up soon!
Co-hosts: Hill Country Alliance and Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, Llano River Watershed Alliance

Spicewood - Spicewood Ranch Fall Management Workshop
2018-10-28 10:00 - 12:30 | Del Nanno – Spicewood Ranch, 452 McInniss Lane, Spicewood, TX, 78669, United States
Please join us for a Spicewood Ranch Management Workshop on Sunday, October 28.
Led by: David Mahler, Senior Ecologist, Environmental Survey Consulting
10 am to 12:30 pm, Sunday, October 28
Registration for this free event is required. Click here to register.
Those who wish to stay and visit a bit longer can join us at 12:30 pm for an informal lunch at Del Nanno (the “grandpa house”). Please bring your own lunch, snacks, and water.
The 1200 acre Spicewood Ranch is approximately 1 hour west of Austin between Spicewood, Texas and the Colorado River. Environmental Survey Consulting has been conducting active restoration on the ranch since 1988. We will explore areas of management successes that may include prairies, live oak woodlands and savannas, cedar breaks, riparian areas, and post oak savannas. Our restoration theories and practices will be discussed with an emphasis on what we have learned about restoration of the grasses in the heavily overgrazed areas and the more difficult tasks of restoring the forbs and woody species depleted by decades of browsing by deer and goats. A species list of almost 600 species found on the ranch will be available, but the emphasis of this field trip will be the management activities.
Please plan to arrive at “Del Nanno” no later than 9:45 am.

Austin - Hot Science Cool Talks - Fire Ants, Crazy Ants & Zombie Ants
2018-10-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Student Activity Center (SAC), UT Campus, 2201 Speedway, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
What is the talk about?
The red imported fire ant is an invasive species in Texas that can produce life-threatening allergic reactions in people, and has major costs to the agricultural economy and causes severe impacts to native fauna. Dr. Rob Plowes shares insights into fire ant behavior and discusses remarkable biological control opportunity. Dr. Plowes researches one of fire ants’ deadliest enemies – tiny phorid flies, which actually turn ants into zombie-like, living incubators for their offspring. He also describes research approaches to other invasive species in Texas. Registration opens three weeks prior to event.
About the presenter

Dr. Rob Plowes
Rob Plowes is an African-raised biologist with interests in biodiversity and conservation. Along with his research into invasive species, Dr. Plowes helps direct at the University of Texas’ Brackenridge and Stengl Field Labs. His approach to science integrates tools from molecules and microbes to communities and landscapes.

San Antonio - Seasons at Selah Book Signing
2018-10-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Lions Field Center, 2809 Broadway St., San Antonio, TX, 78209, United States
DATE: October 23, 2018 from 7-9 p.m.
PLACE: San Antonio Chapter, Native Plant Society
ADDRESS: Lions Field Center, San Antonio, TX
DETAILS: Chapter meeting, followed by: Remarks. book sales and signing, photography exhibit and sales. All are invited.
To purchase this book from the Texas A&M University Press, 2018 click here.

Bee Cave - Nature Photography Workshop
2018-10-20 16:00 - 17:30 | Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX, 78663, United States
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Introduction to Nature Photography will cover the subjects of bird, wildlife and landscape photography. The workshop will cover camera settings, shutter speeds, f-stops, camera equipment, focusing and composition. Test out your newly learned techniques at Westcave’s Bird’s & Brew event directly following the workshop. No additional fee is required to attend Bird’s & Brew.

Click here to register. $30/person. Weather permitting.

Dripping Springs - Hill Country Living + Rainwater Revival FESTIVAL
2018-10-20 10:00 - 17:00 | Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 1042 Event Center Dr, Dripping Springs, TX, 78620, United States

New Braunfels - Get Wild!Life Happy Hour
2018-10-18 18:00 - 19:30
PRESENTATION WILL BEGIN AT 6:30 PM
At these FREE wildlife management seminars:

Learn how to keep your land under the same low property taxes while enjoying more beauty and less work
Enjoy complimentary beverages and appetizers
Understand the wildlife exemption and if it’s right for you and your property

If you’re a landowner with an Ag exemption and you are ready to get off the fence and switch to wildlife, you won’t want to miss these exciting events near you!
RSVP now – space is limited. Can’t make a seminar? Join us for a webinar covering the same information from the comfort of your computer: https://plateauwildlife.webex.com/ or contact us today to talk with one of our expert land advisors.
events@plateauwildlife.com
(512) 894-3479

Canyon Lake - Nonpartisan Local Candidates Forum
2018-10-17 18:00 - 20:00
Contact: Robin Engel, robin.ruth.engel@gmail.com, 830-302-0102 Nonpartisan Local Candidates Forum Scheduled
Looking for more information about your local candidates in the Nov. 6 elections? The public is invited to a nonpartisan Comal Candidates Forum hosted and moderated by the League of Women Voters of the Comal Area (LWV-CA) Oct. 17 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at the Tye Preston Memorial Library, 16311 S. Access Rd., Canyon Lake, TX 78133. Candidates for Texas Senate, Dist. 25; Texas House, Dist. 73;County Commissioner, Pct. 2, County Commissioner, Pct. 4; and County Clerk have been invited to introduce themselves and answer questions from the audience.
Nonpartisan information about state and local candidates and their positions will be available in the LWV- CA Voters Guide to be distributed in partnership with the Herald-Zeitung Oct. 16 and online at www.lwvcomal.org and www.Vote411.org and at local libraries. Texas voters can also text LWVTX to 80123 to receive nonpartisan voting reminders on their phones.
For more information about LWV-CA, visit www.lwvcomal.org or https://www.facebook.com/
LWVComalTX . The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. LWV never supports or opposes candidates for office, or political parties.

Fredericksburg - Autumn Flower Arrangements with Native Grasses and Plants
2018-10-16 18:00
Floral designer, Pat McCormick, will conduct a hands-on workshop teaching flower arranging for the autumn table with seasonal native plants and grasses. McCormick trained at the Benz School of Floral Design at Texas A&M and has several years of experience designing arrangements for the altar and events. The workshop is held on Tuesday, October 16 at 6:00 pm. at Fredericksburg High School, Room #235. Cost is $10. To register, contact Joanie Kramer at (830) 997-7182 or joaniek@fisd.or​g. Sponsored by the Native Plant Society in conjunction with the Fredericksburg Independent School District Community Education Program.

Wimberley - Two-Step for TESPA
2018-10-14 18:00 - 21:30 | Montesino Ranch, 300 Little Arkansas Rd, Wimberley, Texas, 78676

Austin - Native Grass Walk
2018-10-14 10:30 - 12:00
NATIVE GRASS WALK

West Cave Preserve
OCTOBER 14th, 10:30 AM – NOON
Learn to identify native grasses and discover their importance in our ecosystem. This walk will take place on the Uplands and will be guided by local plant expert, Bill Carr.
Registration required. $15/person. Weather permitting.

Austin - A WILD IDEA - 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Water Quality Protection Lands
2018-10-06 10:00 - 15:00 | Water Quality Protection Lands’ Onion Creek Management Unit, Driftwood, Texas
LOCATION

Onion Creek management unit of the Water Quality Protection Lands (Driftwood area) – directions link sent upon registration!

Kerrville - Fall Native Plant Sale & Festival
2018-10-06 09:00 - 14:00 | Riverside Nature Center, 150 Francisco Lemos St., Kerrville, TX, United States

Fredericksburg - Bennett Trust - Land Stewardship Women’s Conference
2018-10-01 - 2018-10-02 | Inn On Barons Creek, 308 S Washington St, Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624

Wimberley - Better Lights for Starry Nights
2018-09-30 14:00 - 17:00 | Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Register for free online | View the agenda

Johnson City - 15th Annual Pedernales Wildlife Management Coop Speakers Program
2018-09-29 16:00 - 18:00 | First United Methodist Church Community Activity Center, 105 LBJ Dr, Johnson City, TX, 78636, United States

San Antonio - Eco Centro - Medium to Large Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
2018-09-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Eco Centro, 1802 North Main Avenue, San Antonio, Texas, 78212
Are you ready to scale up from a rain barrel, or want to start harvesting large amounts of rain water for your home, garden, or both? If so, this workshop is for you! Learn how from an ARCSA certified licensed irrigator. Come get all of your questions answered and learn about: options for piping and conveyance, pre-filtration for debris, pressure pump sizing, types and piping, filtration for potable and non-potable use, local and state regulations for RWH.
This workshop is free and open to the public. This class is recommended but not required for for SAWS Rain Saver Program Rebate eligibility.
For more information, contact Jess Mayes at jmayes13@alamo.edu or (210) 486-1426Eco Centro

Fredericksburg - NPSOT - Native Landscape Certification Program Level 3
2018-09-29 08:30 - 16:30

Dripping Springs - HCA Annual Leadership Summit
2018-09-27 08:30 - 18:00 | Camp Lucy, 3509 Creed Rd., Dripping Springs, TX, 78620, United States

Fredericksburg - NPSOT - A Virtual Plant Walk at Enchanted Rock
2018-09-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Memorial Presbyterian Church, 607 North Milam, Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624
Fredericksburg Native Plant Society Presents
“A Virtual Plant Walk at Enchanted Rock”
September 25, 2018

What: Fredericksburg Native Plant Society Meeting
Topic: “A Virtual Plant Walk at Enchanted Rock”
Brief: Mr. Chris Anderson presents the flora of Enchanted Rock. His presentation features photos and information on many of the unique plants found around and on the striking granite domes at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Mr. Anderson offers tips on how to find, appreciate and enjoy the plants of Enchanted Rock, on a real walk in the park.

Speaker: Chris Anderson
Chris Anderson is a former president of the Fredericksburg chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, a Hill Country Master Naturalist and a volunteer guide at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.

Date: September 25, 2018
Time: 6:30 p.m.-Light refreshments and social; 7:00 p.m.- meeting
Where: Memorial Presbyterian Church
607 North Milam
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

San Marcos - Mermaid Society - Promenade & Mermaid Aqua Faire
2018-09-22 10:00 - 19:00 | San Marcos Plaza Park & Downtown, San Marcos, Texas, 78666

San Antonio - Rainwater Harvesting/Turf Management Training
2018-09-21 11:00 - 16:00 | San Antonio River Authority, 100 E. Guenther St., San Antonio, Texas, 78204
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program is hosting a residential rainwater harvesting and turf management training in San Antonio on Sept. 21.
In collaboration with the San Antonio River Authority, will be from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 21 at the river authority, 100 E. Guenther St. in San Antonio. Lunch will be provided at the San Antonio training.
This is free and open to the public. Participants at either training can have their soil tested free of charge. Both trainings will review how to access soil test results and provide nutrient recommendations.

Austin - The 2018 Celebration of Children in Nature Awards Dinner
2018-09-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River Cv, Austin, TX, 78737, United States

Austin - Planet Texas 2050
2018-09-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, Texas, 78739
Being a resilient, inclusive, and just community in the year 2050 takes all hands now.
Planet Texas 2050 invites all members of the Austin community who are passionate about conservation and sustainability to join our PT2050 family for an evening at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to learn more about the work that our grand challenge research team, the Wildflower Center, and Central Texas community organizations are doing to make sure Texas is a healthy, thriving place for all of us to live in the year 2050. Our hope is that this event will foster relationships among The University of Texas at Austin, community organizations, and individual community members and also inspire us to work together to protect and preserve our precious Texas resources.
This will be a relaxed evening with games, tours of the Wildflower Center, music, light refreshments, and a chance to ask questions, network, and see how you can get involved in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
While this event is free, please be sure to register here.

Boerne - Rainwater Harvesting/Turf Management Training
2018-09-20 08:00 - 12:00 | Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program is hosting a residential rainwater harvesting and turf management training in Boerne on Sept. 20.
In collaboration with the Upper Cibolo Creek Watershed Partnership, will be from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road in Boerne.
This event is free and open to the public. Participants at either training can have their soil tested free of charge. Both trainings will review how to access soil test results and provide nutrient recommendations.
