Oakwood - Soil for Water | Building a Regenerative Legacy
2024-05-02 13:00 - 2024-05-03 16:00 UTC | The Regen Ranch, 8698 CR 239, Oakwood, Texas, 75855, United States
This event is FREE but registration is required.
Register by using the RSVP green box on the top right corner.
Join NCAT Soil for Water and regenerative producers across Texas to spend two days getting to know each other, learning about navigating generational transfers, and how Safe-to-Fail trials increase producer confidence with holistic grazing management.
Thursday, May 2nd | Continuing Cultural Legacies: An Overview of Generational Transfers & Land Loss Prevention

1:00 – 2:15 pm | Generational Transfer | Deydra Steans
2:00 – 2:30 pm | Break
2:30 – 4:00 pm | Land Loss Prevention | Deydra Steans
4:00 – 5:00 pm | Mixer
5:00 – 7:00 pm | BBQ Dinner [Free]

Learn more about Deydra here: https://www.farmaid.org/blog/farmer-heroes/deydra-steans-we-are-still-here/
Friday, May 3rd | Regenerative Grazing: Safe-to-Fail Trails & Holistic Grazing Management

8:30 – 11:00 am | Ecosystem Principles & Wisdom | Lauri Celella
11:00 – 12:00pm | Safe -to-Fail Trials
12:00 – 1:00 pm | Lunch [Free]
1:00 – 4:00 pm | Planning Your Recovery | Lauri & Christine

Learn more about Christine here: https://www.theregenranch.com/about-us
Learn more about Lauri here: https://www.drycreeklivestock.com/About_Us.html
This event is FREE but registration is required. Click here to RSVP!
If you will be joining us from far away the closest hotels are in:

Buffalo, TX about a 25 minute drive
Palestine, TX about a 30 minute drive

Kerrville - Kerrville Runs on Water Mural Unveiling and Block Party
2024-05-04 13:00 - 15:00 | 1712 Water Street, Kerrville, TX 78028, 1712 Water Street, Kerrville, TX, 78028, United States
Join us in celebrating Kerrville’s newest mural and learn about the water resources that make Kerrville so special!
Texas’ history is shaped by our rivers. In Kerrville, the Guadalupe River is the heart of the community. Fed by the ancient springs of the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers, Kerrville’s earliest inhabitants depended on the river as they settled the land. Today, the river continues to shape our history. Everything we love about Kerrville – the natural environment, festivals and events, our vibrant communities – all Run on Water. This mural, created by The Artist Couple, Gary Lovelace and Melissa Muse, is a celebration of Kerrville’s history and its deep connection to water.
As part of the BLOCK party, we’ll be BLOCKING the parking lot next to the mural and filling the space up with shaded tables and family-friendly activity stations for folks to come learn more from our local partners at Upper Guadalupe River Authority, Riverside Nature Center Association, Texas Runs On Water and more.
💧I spy scavenger hunt on the mural
💧Free drinks and light snacks will be provided
💧Live music from Travis Powers
💧Remarks from partners at 2PM
💧BYO chair & don’t forget the sunscreen!
We recommend planning to park nearby and walk on over to join the fun from 1-3PM!
Contributors: This mural was made possible through the generous support of the Texas Water Foundation, Hill County Alliance, Upper Guadalupe River Authority, Kerrville Community Arts Program, and contributions from the community.
About Texas Runs on Water: Texas Runs on Water is a Texas Water Foundation campaign working to address the state’s growing water supply needs. By collaborating with local partners across the state, we are inspiring all Texans to value water.

Austin - 2024 Ashe Juniper Symposium
2024-05-08 - 2024-05-09 | Commons Conference Center, 10100 Burnet Rd Building 137, Austin, TX, 78758, United States
The goal of the symposium is to advance our collective understanding of the science of Ashe juniper and facilitate applications of this understanding into management and conservation of sustainable, resilient and ecologically-appropriate ecosystems.
The symposium will bring together scientists, land stewards, conservation practitioners, private landowners and others, and will provide an opportunity to hear about and discuss historical perspectives, recent research, and current initiatives pertaining to Ashe juniper ecology and ecosystem management, the social science of land stewardship, as well as land management programs and projects in central Texas.
The symposium is hosted by Biodiversity Works and will be at the Commons Conference Center in Austin.
For more information, contact Patty Ramirez at pramirez@biodiversityworks.org.

San Antonio - RESCHEDULED Hillside Stewardship Landowner Workshop
2024-05-11 09:00 - 12:00 | TX
RESCHEDULED: Hillside Stewardship Landowner Workshop
Saturday, May 11, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Edwards Aquifer Authority Field Research Park | San Antonio, TX (Exact location and directions will be shared with registrants prior to the event)
This will be a fun, interactive, hands-on opportunity for Hill Country landowners. We’ll explore several structures (and build one or two) designed to mitigate erosion, enhance soil moisture and land productivity, as well as enable resilience to drought and flooding.
Registration is $15, which includes snacks, drinks, printed educational materials, and learning from one of the top experts on the topic. Dr. Mollie Walton, a restoration ecologist with deep ranching-roots in Hamilton County, has supported land stewards across the West for decades to restore productivity to their rangelands. In addition to learning from Walton, participating land stewards will also have the opportunity to share their own stewardship experiences and lessons learned with one another.
NOTE: This event was rescheduled from its original April date due to inclement weather.
Agenda:
9:00 AM Overview of the day – Rachel Seets, Hill Country Alliance
Welcome to Edwards Aquifer Authority Field Research Park – Thomas Marsalia, Edwards Aquifer Authority
Introduction to Hillside Stewardship concepts – Dr. Mollie Walton
9:30 AM Hands-on Stations: Split into groups and rotate through four 30-minute sessions, including tours of pre-existing structures on-site, and two demonstration stations in which you will learn about various hillside structures, their purpose, and practice building them
11:45 AM Reconvene and reflect on erosion-control structures, Q&A and Discussion, Wrap Up
Register soon as spots fill up quickly for these events!
Click here to view and share a flyer PDF.

New Braunfels - Nature for the Long Run - Comal County Conservation Alliance
2024-05-14 18:00 - 19:30 | McKenna Event Center, 801 W San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States
Join us on Tuesday, May 14th from 6-7:30pm at The McKenna Events Center for an enlightening evening with Ben Eldredge, Executive Director of the Cibolo Conservancy. The Comal County Conservation Alliance presents its May Community Program, “Nature for the Long Run,” exploring the vital role of natural systems in our lives. Discover how these systems clean the air and water, mitigate flooding, sequester carbon, and moderate temperatures. Learn about the profound impact nature has on our mental, physical, and emotional health, as well as its benefits for children’s development, curiosity about the environment, social skills, emotional stability, and ability to learn. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of the importance of conservation in our community.
Click here to learn more.

Lakeway - Learn To Be Water Wise: LMUD Open House
2024-05-20 - 2024-05-24 | Lakeay MUD District Office, 1907 Lohmans Crossing, Lakeway, TX, 78734, United States
For full event details and daily presentation schedule, click here
Stop in any day this week! We’d love to meet with you in person. Our Open House is happening at our district office (1097 Lohmans Crossing) May 20 – 24, 2024 from 8am – 5pm, closed noon-1pm for lunch.
Presentations from experts in their field on various water-related topics will be held at 10am and 2pm daily (see below for schedule). No reservations are required, however we encourage you to arrive early since we have limited capacity. We’re covering a wide variety of topics on everything from tree care, native plants, rainwater capture, available rebates, and more. We are also hosting a special STEM activity for homeschoolers.
Enjoy refreshments while you peruse the available literature and goodies to take home, including water-saving information and fun/helpful household tools. We look forward to seeing you!
Click here to learn more

Online - Water Wonks Lecture Series #5: The Regional Flood Planning Process and Why Conserving Floodplains are Important
2024-05-22 15:30 - 16:30 | Online
Join the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance for a free webinar as part of their Water Wonks series!
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is hosting our 2024 Water Wonks Lecture Series at 3:30 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Water Wonks is a free community education opportunity featuring a host of experts sharing innovative ideas and details about their work in the world of water.
On May 22nd Lecture #5 will explain the Texas Water Development Board’s regional flood planning process, which will allocate state funds for flood mitigation strategies and provide opportunities to employ green infrastructure and land conservation strategies.
A video presentation by David Skuodas (Director of Design, Construction, and Maintenance at the Mile High Flood District) provides an analysis of why governments are often playing catch-up to pay for maintenance of stormwater channels, basins, and other structures. In many cases, it would take hundreds or thousands of years for a city to collect enough taxes to pay to adequately maintain drainage infrastructure from new development. Mr. Skuodas advocates for working with the existing natural stream channels, maintaining flood resiliency and water quality, protecting public safety, and saving taxpayers money.

Johnson City - Land Stewardship Ranch Tour
2024-05-24 08:30 - 11:00 | CL Browning Ranch
Join Hill Country Alliance, Hill Country Conservancy (HCC), and Maas Verde for a special tour of the CL Browning Ranch! We will visit different sites at this remarkable property and discuss some of the incredible restoration work completed at the ranch with local experts including:

Scott Gardner, ranch manager at CL Browning Ranch and environmental scientist
Ted Maas, president and founder of Maas Verde Landscape Restoration
Rachael Lindsey, HCC’s Director of Science and Stewardship

Visit bit.ly/ranchtour2024 to register!

Kerrville - Rural Roundup - Leading in the Rural Hill Country
2024-06-08 09:30 - 16:00 | 717 Water St, Kerrville, TX 78028, 717 Water St, Kerrville, TX, 78028, United States
Building Community Through Art
Interested in creative place-making and the role of arts in your community? Come spend the day exploring Kerrville’s arts + culture spaces, getting inspired by local presenters, and uncovering connections across the region. From creating murals to curating free live performances, come get inspired as we learn what works, what doesn’t, and what tools can be deployed in your community.
Event Overview:
Leading in the Rural Hill Country – Rural Roundup Series – Kerrville
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024 | 9:45 AM – 04:00 PM CT
Location: Arcadia Theater, 717 Water Street, Kerrville, TX 78028
Free event – Space Limited- RSVP Required by June 5
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW AND SAVE YOUR SPOT!
Preview the Day:
Click to view a PDF of the flyer
We’ll spend the day exploring downtown Kerrville and how Kerrville has utilized art to build community– making trails accessible and engaging, sharing history, connecting community members in new ways, and finding new canvases and mediums for public art. Guest speakers will include:
Angela Kennedy; Heart of the Hills Heritage Center
Barbara Oates; Kerr County Historical Commission
Clifton Fifer and Joe Herring; community storytellers
Hill Shapes Productions, choreography by Libby Horton and music by Ka Neunhoofer
Stacie Leporati; Executive Director of Arcadia Live
Jeffrey Brown; Executive Director of Cailloux Theatre
Brenda Thompson, Director of the Dietert Center
Jeremy Walther, Kerrville Urban Trail System
Katharine Boyette, Community Arts Program Director
…and more!
Learn More
The Rural Roundup series is presented by Leading in the Rural Hill Country, a partnership program of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and the Hill Country Alliance. Learn more about our work and explore future events at https://hillcountryalliance.org/our-work/communities/leading-in-the-rural-hill-country/

Hondo - Conserving Water and Building Soil with Regenerative Agriculture
2024-06-22 09:00 - 16:00 | Seco Valley Ranch, 6847, 3361 Co Rd 211, Hondo, TX, 78861, United States
Are you interested in learning about regenerative practices for your land? Join SPI on June 22nd for an immersive on-farm field day at DWD Longhorn! From the basics of soil health to the restorative power of livestock grazing, you’ll see firsthand how healthy, resilient soils can bolster water infiltration and conservation, safeguarding your land from droughts!
This full day workshop and field day, includes:
• A morning farm tour and demonstration
• Soil health lecture and discussion
• Presentations on available Water Conservation Grants
• Lessons in regenerative land management strategies to improve water infiltration & conservation, including grazing practices for smaller acreages.
Fee: $15 | Lunch will be provided | Register by June 20th
Click here to view flyer PDF

Online - Water Wonks Lecture Series #6: Transportation, Growth, and Planning in the Greater San Antonio Region
2024-06-26 15:30 - 16:30 | Online
Join the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance for a free webinar as part of their Water Wonks series!
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is hosting our 2024 Water Wonks Lecture Series at 3:30 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Water Wonks is a free community education opportunity featuring a host of experts sharing innovative ideas and details about their work in the world of water.
On June 26th speaker Isaac Gonzalez, Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Short-range Transportation Planner II will discuss how development in San Antonio, Austin, and the Hill Country is growing at such a rate that it seems like the only thing left to do is decide on what we’re going to call the all-encompassing metroplex (Greater San Antonio? ASA? Sanstin?) Don’t worry about the name too much – with the population in this area expected to grow to over 8 million people by 2050, there are a variety of transportation, housing, and resource issues that still need addressing. In this session, we’ll review local, state, and federal transportation planning policies and processes and discuss how the region can responsibly prepare for future development.

New Braunfels - Home, Home on the Range
2024-07-09 18:00 - 19:30 | McKenna Event Center, 801 San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States
🌿 Join Comal Conservation for an Insightful Presentation on Land Fragmentation and Conservation Efforts in Texas! 🌿
Comal Conservation invites you to an enlightening program that delves into the significant trends of land fragmentation over the past several decades. Our presentation will make critical connections between family land fragmentation and the pressing environmental issues impacting the Hill Country.
Date: Tuesday, July 9th
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: McKenna Events Center
Presenter Dr. Andy Sansom is a former Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Executive Director of the Texas Nature Conservancy.
His presentation entitled, “Home, Home on the Range,” will highlight land fragmentation trends over the last several decades and connect the dots between family land fragmentation and environmental issues facing the Hill Country. Andy will also highlight recent efforts to support Legacy Landowners and paint a picture of what is ahead for conservation efforts here in Comal County and across Texas. We look forward to seeing you there!

Online - Water Wonks Lecture 7: The Effectiveness of Using Green Stormwater Infrastructure for Meeting Urban Challenges
2024-07-24 15:30 | zoom
Join the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance for a free webinar as part of their Water Wonks series!
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is hosting our 2024 Water Wonks Lecture Series at 3:30 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Water Wonks is a free community education opportunity featuring a host of experts sharing innovative ideas and details about their work in the world of water.
Our Lecture #7 speaker, Lee Marlowe, is a restoration ecologist with over 25 years of professional experience working in the field of ecological restoration and natural resource management including sustainable landscape practices and applications for improved ecological functions.
Lee will speak on The San Antonio River Authority’s promotion of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) practices for over a decade. As part of that effort, the River Authority has installed a variety of GSI practices on multiple urban properties to serve as demonstration sites showing the varied stacked benefits that can arise from GSI applications. In this session, Lee will highlight urban demonstration projects and their effectiveness at meeting many of our urban challenges such as stormwater pollutant loads, flow volume, and flow rates; as well as the lack of healthy ecosystems, wildlife habitat, native species biodiversity, and landscape resiliency typically found in urban environments.
The River Authority has been incorporating GSI practices at their two major urban office facilities through various retrofit projects that began in 2013. Projects and outcomes that will be highlighted include a test site for the effectiveness of high flow media for pollutant filtration and flow reduction of parking lot runoff, and examples showing the benefits of urban nature-based infrastructure projects incorporating local native plants that provide habitat for resident and migratory wildlife including species of international significance and unexpected species outside of their typical range. These demonstration projects are used by River Authority staff to provide additional beneficial outcomes through education and outreach that informs and inspires community-based resource stewardship and biodiversity conservation.

Stonewall - Paint & Sip and Pedernales Cellars
2024-08-18 11:00 - 14:00 | Pedernales Cellars, 2916 Upper Albert Rd. Stonewall, TX 78671, Stonewall, TX, 78671, United States
Paint & Sip is coming to Pedernales Cellars! Join us, Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 11am and show off your artistic abilities while enjoying your favorite wine. Paint the Town will be onsite to host and guide your experience. The session includes one glass of wine and all you need to create your own masterpiece. Spots are limited, so make your reservation today! Tickets are $50 per person + tax.
Get your ticket HERE.

San Antonio - Texas Groundwater Summit
2024-08-20 08:00 - 2024-08-22 17:00 | Hyatt Regency Hill Country, 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr., San Antonio, Texas, 78251
The Texas Groundwater Summit is the premier groundwater event in the state, bringing together a diverse group of groundwater professionals over three days to discuss emerging trends and new research. The event provides a mix of expert presentations on all areas of groundwater management, as well as networking opportunities for the groundwater community. We expect to have over 400 groundwater industry leaders, community stakeholders, agency representatives, and elected officials in attendance. You won’t want to miss it!
Click here to learn more and register with Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts

San Antonio + Online - GEAA Member Group Meeting and Grassroots Water Gathering
2024-08-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Alamo College District Office, 2222 N. Alamo, San Antonio, TX, 78215, United States
Opening day for the State Legislature will be here before you know it. This session portends changes that may profoundly affect the way growth will be managed in our region.
Join us to learn:

how to use free tools that are available to track bills and topics of interest
how to effectively advocate for the causes near and dear to your heart
the impacts of past legislation and changes that may come up in 2025
a discussion of GEAA’s legislative agenda for the upcoming session

Click here to learn more and RSVP

IN PERSON OPTION:
Event location (Alamo College District Offices) is fully handicap accessible
Parking Map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vLZ42TQq41WJtEGSUV0ABCwmcz7DKe9H/view?usp=sharing
Parking is available in any of the yellow highlighted areas. The meeting room is shown in blue “Boardroom”.
ZOOM OPTION:
Zoom link: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9988662313?pwd%3DcGNtVEpVYWZScG5sMHduNkRraXpMZz09%26omn%3D87141544817&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1719674046700592&usg=AOvVaw3MhsEGmzh1v-XFCmvd_Lyh

Online - Progress in the Texas Hill Country: One Water Insights for Small and Medium Communities Webinar
2024-08-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Join the US Water Alliance in conversation with Robin Gary, One Water Coordinator at New Braunfels Utilities, Marisa Bruno, Water Program Manager at the Hill Country Alliance, and Jennifer Walker, Director of the Texas Coast and Water Program at the National Wildlife Federation. The conversation will highlight communities across Texas’ Hill Country adopting One Water to support the booming growth while protecting its beloved natural ecosystems and diversifying its water supplies.
Click here to RSVP for this free webinar.

Online - Water Wonks Lecture 8: Prioritization of Riparian Conservation Opportunities in the Upper Guadalupe River Basin (UGRB), South-Central Texas
2024-08-28 15:30 - 16:30 | Online
Join the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance for a free webinar as part of their Water Wonks series!
Synopsis: Dr. Udita will speak on her research on aquatic and riparian connectivity and share information derived from her doctoral program in Geographic Information Science regarding data layers and mapping resources that resulted from her research offering implications for identifying and prioritizing riparian lands for conservation. Dr. Udita will share her insight on riparian land cover changes and associated intact and fragmented lateral and longitudinal riparian corridor data as it applies to water quality and instream habitat assessments.
Bio: Originally from Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, Dr. Udita has spent most of her academic life working towards finding nature-based, sustainable solutions to existing environmental problems.
Dr. Udita is currently working with the City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability to facilitate the city’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program by assisting in the development of regional and community-wide greenhouse gas inventory. Additionally, she analyzes energy data from multiple sectors (e.g., transportation, residential and commercial buildings, wastewater) to determine their reduction measures.
Prior to this role Dr. Udita worked for The Texas Water Company where she utilized the USGS Groundwater Toolbox to calculate and identify baseflow pattern, use climatic and other related variables to conduct a comparative and causal analysis between baseflow and all variables. In doing so, she acquired data from multiple sources and harmonized them to create an integrated database.
Dr. Udita has worked as both a Graduate Instructional Assistant and a Doctoral Instructional and Research Assistant at Texas State University as well as serving as a GIS Analyst and Research Assistant at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.

New Braunfels - The Nature of Our Economy
2024-09-10 17:00 - 18:30 | McKenna Event Center, 801 W San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States
Comal Conservation is bringing business leaders together in a panel moderated by former Mayor of New Braunfels, Rusty Brockman, to discuss the natural systems affecting our economy, and to what extent the rate of development in Comal County could impact the productivity of the local tourism industry.

Learn more here.

Wimberley - Gourdgeous Glass Pumpkin Patch: Wimberley Glassworks
2024-09-14 10:00 - 14:30 | Wimberley Glassworks, 6469 Ranch Rd 12, San Marcos, TX, 78666, United States
Get ready for a fall festival like no other! Join us on September 14th for the Gourdgeous Glass Pumpkin Patch at Wimberley Glassworks. Explore hundreds of stunning glass pumpkins, enjoy live glassblowing demonstrations, take part in exciting scavenger hunts, and groove to live music by local Wimberley artist Anthony Wright on the guitar. And don’t forget to cool off with some ice-cold margaritas!

Fredericksburg - The Horned Lizard's Homecoming - Reintroducing the Horned Lizard to the Texas Hill Country
2024-09-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
A one-hour free program sponsored by the Friends of Fredericksburg Nature Center to educate the public on the plight of the Texas Horned Lizard and what efforts they can take to help reintroduce this beloved reptile back into the Texas Hill Country. The program is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg, Texas. Guest Speaker is Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Diversity Wildlife Biologist Nathan Rains.

Horseshoe Bay - Dark Sky & Night Photography Workshop
2024-09-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Horseshoe Bay Council Chambers, 1 Community Drive, Horseshoe Bay, TX, 78657, United States
Join the City of Horseshoe Bay for their 2nd Annual Dark Sky & Night Photography Workshop
2:00 p.m. – Welcome & Refreshments
2:15 p.m. – City of Horseshoe Bay Opening Remarks
2:20 p.m. – Dark Sky Presentation by Dawn Daves, Night Sky Program Manager – Hill Country Alliance
2:45 p.m. – Dark Sky Presentation by Vicki Adcock, Texas Master Naturalist – Horseshoe Bay Nature Park
3:05 p.m. – Night Photography Presentation by Dan Herron, Communications Director – City of Horseshoe Bay
4:00 p.m. Workshop Concludes

Online - Globe at Night Citizen Science Campaign
2024-09-24 - 2024-10-03 | Online
For Hill Country Night Sky Month, we are encouraging you to become citizen scientists by using your naked eye to measure sky brightness caused by light pollution for the monthly Globe at Night Citizen Science Campaign!
Our goal is to get 100 measurements!
For this campaign, you have two, 10-day windows from September 24th-October 3rd and October 24th-November 2nd when the moon will not interfere with measurements. Go outside at night an hour and a half after sunset and use the Globe at Night webapp to find constellations to help you measure the sky brightness in your area.

Wimberley - Texas Watershed Steward Training Workshop
2024-09-24 13:00 - 17:00 | Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
The free event will be held at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Road 12, from 1-5 p.m. and is open to anyone interested in improving the region’s water quality. Registration is required and can be completed online at https://tws.tamu.edu/workshops/registration/ or by calling 979-321-5935. Once registered, additional meeting information will be provided.
Attendees will receive a copy of the Texas Watershed Steward Handbook and are eligible to earn a certificate of completion.
Click here to register online for a workshop!

Online - Water Wonks Lecture 9: Building a Healthy Soil to Reduce Climate Change
2024-09-25 15:30 - 16:30 | Online
Join the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance for a free webinar as part of their Water Wonks series!
Synopsis: This talk provides insight into how managing soil health can serve as a climate change mitigation tool.
Healthy soils play a vital role in our future when it comes to the health of our local water supply. The discussion will help attendees understand how healthy soils contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere, the reduction in stormwater runoff, increased groundwater recharge levels, biofiltration of our drinking water and more nutrient-rich plant life and a reduction in irrigation.
Bio: Deborah (Debbie) Reid holds a Bachelor of Science in Soil and Crop Management and a Master of Science in Horticulture from Texas A&M University. She has over 30 years of experience in these areas with an emphasis on natural resource management in the last 15 years.
Debbie worked for the City of San Antonio as the Nature Preserve Coordinator at Friedrich Wilderness Preserve and as the City Arborist implementing the Tree Preservation, Landscape, Streetscape and Irrigation ordinances. During this time, she assisted in developing and implementing new ordinances or guidelines to incentivize the preservation of native trees and their associated native plants and to preserve natural waterways.
She has been a participated in committees to create the Linear Creek Corridors and to implement a variety of codes and ordinances for the City of San Antonio including Smart Growth, Conservation subdivisions and Low Impact Development. During her career in San Antonio, she worked with numerous agencies and nonprofits to promote environmental projects, programs and workshops including the Releaf Our City Parks, VIA Bus Stop Tree Planting, Master Naturalist volunteer program (Co-creator), Native Plant Landscape Certification program (Co-creator), and the EPA’s Managing Stormwater with Green Infrastructure workshop.
Debbie has been a Peace Corps volunteer in Mexico and Guatemala where she shared her knowledge with residents living in rural mountainous areas while promoting best management practices for stormwater management and maintaining habitat for native songbirds, butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators.

Dripping Springs + Online - 2024 Hill Country Leadership Summit: Cultivating a Community of Stewardship
2024-09-26 08:00 - 18:00 | Camp Lucy, 3509 Creed Rd., Dripping Springs, TX, 78620, United States
Join us in-person or online on Thursday, September 26 at the Sacred Oaks Hall at Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs for the 2024 Hill Country Leadership Summit. Presentations will run from 9AM-4PM, with lunch provided from 12-1PM and several networking breaks throughout the day. The event will be followed by a happy hour from 4-6PM!
This year’s summit theme is Cultivating a Community of Stewardship and will focus on the many roles we all play in stewarding our region’s future. Local leaders, landowners, volunteers, educators, water advocates and folks with a general passion for the region are welcome to join us either online or in-person! We can’t wait to celebrate and learn with you in September.
As always, the Summit provides an opportunity for learning, networking, and celebrating and will feature presentations and conversation with local leaders and regional experts. Virtual and in-person tickets are available now on HCA’s website and all attendees will also receive access to a recording of the Summit after the close of the event.
Register now before the early bird sale ends on 8/9!

Leakey - Frio Star Fest
2024-09-28 17:30 - 22:30 | The Springs – Leakey, 692 Evergreen St, Leakey, TX, 78873, United States
A celebration of the night sky over the Frio Valley of Central Texas.

Mission “Music Under the Stars”- Solo acoustic music. 5:30-6:15
Welcome – Nick and Amanda 6:15-6:20
Mission KIRB- KIRB mission ​Highlight Night Skies Initiative
​Friends of the Night Sky Committee Intro​
Hill Country Night Skies – Dawn Davies​​​​​ 6:20-6:30
​Hill Country Alliance Night Sky Program
​Introduction of Astronaut
Astronaut Appearance- Loral O’Hara​​​​​ 6:30-7:30
​An Astronaut’s view from the ISS
​Astronaut Meet and Greet and Photo Ops ​​​​7:30-9:00
Mission “Music Under the Stars”- Restos & Friends​​​ 7:30-9:00
Star Party​​​​​​​​​ 9:00-10:00
Food and Drink Vendors​​​​​​​ 6:00 -9:00
Astronomy Fair/Educational Tables ​​​​​ 6:00 -9:00

Click here to RSVP and learn more.

Online - Hill Country Alliance Night Sky Preservation Fund: Application Window
2024-10-01 - 2024-10-31 | Online
The Hill Country Alliance Night Sky Preservation Fund encourages regional nonprofit organizations, sole proprietorships, local governmental entities, and small businesses to apply for up to $5,000 in reimbursement funds for night sky preservation efforts.
The goals of the Texas Hill Country Night Sky Preservation Fund are to support locally-led work in improving outdoor lighting, reducing light pollution and its effects, supporting the development and growth of International Dark Sky Places, decreasing energy usage and cost, diminishing greenhouse gas emissions, and expanding education and advocacy.
For more information, to apply, and to donate to the fund, visit https://www.hillcountryalliance.org/NightSkyFund

Horseshoe Bay - Stellar Skies over Horseshoe Bay:A Stargazing Event
2024-10-03 19:00 - 22:00 | Horseshoe Bay Nature Park, 1514 Golden Nugget, Horseshoe Bay, TX, 78657, United States
Celebrate Hill Country Night Sky Month with Stellar Skies over Horseshoe Bay. Listen to talks on the night sky and join local astronomers for an evening of stargazing.
Parking is limited so plan to carpool, walk, or arrive by golf cart.

Dripping Springs - Food-forest festival, ROUND TWO!
2024-10-12 10:00 - 17:00 | fertile foods, 680 myers creek rd, Dripping springs, 78620, United States
Hands-on tree planting event with educational speakers, free lunch, giveaways, raffles & more. Raising the water table, rainscaping with berms, swales, and terraces. An incredible community collaboration you won’t want to miss!
Click here to learn more and RSVP!
