Hill Country Alliance

Wimberley - Wings Over Wimberley
2019-09-13 - 2019-09-15 | TX
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.

San Marcos - 3rd Annual River Guardianship Symposium
2019-09-11 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | 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

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

Blanco - Permaculture Design Course with Earth Repair Corps
2019-09-07 08:00 - 2019-09-08 17:00 | TX
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.

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

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

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

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.

Bulverde--Public Meeting: Silesia Properties permit application to discharge into Honey Creek
2019-08-20 19:00 - 21:00 | TX
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

Wimberley - TESPA: Trinity Groundwater Protection Planning Meeting
2019-08-19 18:00 - 20:00 | TX
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.

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!

Boerne--Conservation Easement Workshop
2019-08-16 14:00 - 17:00 | Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
Hosted by The Cibolo Conservancy

Bulverde - Save Honey Creek Strategy Meeting
2019-08-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Mammen Family Public Library, 131 Bulverde Crossing, Bulverde, TX, 78163, United States
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) will be hosting a strategy meeting to coordinate testimony in advance of TCEQ’s public meeting on the Silesia Properties wastewater discharge permit.
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). The discharge point is upstream of Honey Creek State Natural Area and Guadalupe State Park. GEAA strongly objects to direct discharge of sewage effluent into Honey Creek due to the high potential of negative impacts to this crystal clear water. Read GEAA’s comments here.
To prepare for the TCEQ Public Meeting, GEAA will host a strategy meeting on Thursday, August 15th at 6:00 p.m. at the Mammen Family Public Library (131 Bulverde Crossing, Bulverde, TX). At this strategy meeting we will coordinate testimony and advise on how to best use the public meeting and other resources to advance our cause.

New Braunfels - Table Talk: How Nature Cures
2019-08-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Landa Haus, 360 Aquatic Circle, New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States
Come join our friends at the Comal County Conservation Alliance for a discussion! A special August “CCCA Table Talk” — a new, casual format — will feature a panel of three experts, a break for refreshments and mingling, and then an opportunity to share ideas in a small-group discussion with the panelists.
The topic for the August CCCA Table Talk will be the important relationship between health and nature, called “How Nature Cures.”
Everyone is welcome!

Kerrville - Flood Outreach Meeting with the Texas Water Development Board
2019-08-13 09:30 - 11:30 | TX
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is inviting you and other interested Texans to attend one of our 13 flood outreach meetings during the first two weeks of August. We will be soliciting comments on the new state and regional flood planning process and the new flood financing program, both established during the 2019 legislative session.

The TWDB is holding these meetings prior to the required formal rulemaking process to help ensure that the new programs meet the needs of Texas communities.

The flood planning program will result in regional flood plans in 2023 and the first state flood plan in September 2024. Intended to make drainage and flood projects more affordable for Texas communities, the flood financing program will be funded through a $793 million transfer from the Rainy Day Fund and will become available in 2020.

Questions? Contact flood@twdb.texas.gov or call 512-463-8725.
You can sign up for more information on these and other meetings from the Texas Water Development Board here.

Austin - Happy Hour: Learn about ecological restoration from an expert!
2019-08-12 18:30 - 20:30 | TX
Join Save Barton Creek Association for our monthly happy hour speaker series! Every month we host a different environmental expert to share their expertise, from sustainable living to developing policy, you’ll walk away with new connections and valuable information!
This month, we are honored to host David Mahler from Environmental Survey Consulting, an expert in ecological restoration. David was a charter member of the Society for Ecological Restoration and served on the first Board of Directors. He is a current member of both SER and Texas SER and is a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner.
David will present on the “Restoration of Grasslands in the Midwest and Texas: Then and Now” including concepts, projects, and the hands-on processes of restoration. Restoration was “invented” by Ted Sperry and Aldo Leopold in 1936 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. The first prairie restoration in Texas was started about 50 years ago by Mickey and Bob Burleson on their 500-acre reclaimed cotton field northeast of Temple. Environmental Survey Consulting began their Wild Basin restoration in 1984. Restoration is now a major component of contemporary efforts to save, protect and manage conservation lands throughout the world.
We can’t wait to see you on August 12th at The Tavern from 6:30-8:30 PM!

San Marcos - 2019 Farm & Food Leadership Conference
2019-08-11 08:00 - 2019-08-13 17:00 | Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666, United States
Register here.

Kerrville - Change Your Development Story Workshop
2019-08-06 09:30 - 2019-08-07 16:00 | Riverside Nature Center, 150 Francisco Lemos St., Kerrville, TX, United States
Tuesday and Wednesday, August 6 and 7, 2019
9:30 AM – 4:00PM both days
Riverside Nature Center
150 Francisco Lemos Street, Kerrville, TX (map)
Click here for more info and registration.
Click here to see the agenda.

Bastrop - Flood Outreach Meeting with the Texas Water Development Board
2019-08-06 09:30 - 11:30 | LCRA Riverside Conference Center, 1405 Willow St., Bastrop, TX, 78602, United States

Junction - Free Seminar: Landowner Incentive Programs
2019-07-25 14:00 - 15:30 | TX

San Antonio - Texas Wildlife Association's Annual Convention
2019-07-11 - 2019-07-14 | JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, 23808 Resort Parkway, San Antonio, TX, 78261, United States
Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) celebrates 34 years of promoting effective habitat conservation and responsible hunting through private land stewardship at its annual convention and fundraiser, WildLife 2019 on July 11-14, in San Antonio. Wildlife enthusiasts from across Texas will come together for three days of fun, education, and top-notch networking.
What your registration includes:

Day passes to the trade show and educational seminars
Tickets to meals
A weekend of education and entertainment

Learn more and register here.

Fredericksburg - Pasture Restoration Monitoring Workshop
2019-06-28 17:00 - 20:00 | Roam Ranch, 1804 Pfieffer Rd., Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
Call 479-587-3479 or email KaraK@NCAT.org to register.

Fredericksburg - Texas Bumble Bees—What’s the Buzz?
2019-06-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Memorial Presbyterian Church, 601 North Milam, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
What: Fredericksburg Native Plant Society Meeting
Topic: Texas Bumble Bees—What’s the Buzz?
Brief: Jessica Beckham introduces us to Texas bumble bees— their lifecycle, their adaptation as the perfect pollinator and her research regarding their population status in Texas. Her interest is to find ways that humans and bumble bees can peacefully coexist in an increasingly urbanized world.
Dr. Beckham received her Ph.D. in Environmental Science at the University of North Texas in Denton. Her dissertation topic was the “Influence of Urban Green Spaces on Bumble Bees.” She is currently at Lecturer at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Date: June 25, 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

Leakey - Free Seminar: Landowner Incentive Programs
2019-06-19 14:00 - 15:30 | TX

Austin - Texas Nature Trivia with Texas Land Conservancy
2019-06-18 18:00 - 21:00 | The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen, 6015 Dillard Circle, Suite A, Austin, TX, 78752, United States
Join Texas Land Conservancy for a Texas Nature Trivia Night! From the pecan tree to the armadillo, we’ll trivia-lize it all. Focusing on all things nature, groups of up to six individuals will compete for top-notch prizes while enjoying craft beer and celebrating this amazingly diverse state! And guess what?! Even if you don’t win a prize, you will go home knowing you supported a great cause because The Brewtorium will be donating $1 for every beer you buy to TLC during the event.
$6.00 per person
$30.00 for a team of six.
For more information: https://texaslandconservancy.org/tx-nature-trivia-night/
Come hungry, because The Brewtorium has a full menu (which has suggested beer pairings), including German influences like flammkuchen (German-style pizza), mac and beer cheese, and bratwurst dishes. There are also classic pub fare like burgers, deviled eggs, and a variety of salads.
http://thebrewtorium.com/food/

New Braunfels - Saving the Edwards Aquifer: San Antonio's Edwards Aquifer Protection Program
2019-06-11 18:00 - 20:00 | GVTC Auditorium, 36101 FM 3159, New Braunfels, TX, 78132, United States

Wimberley - Healthy Creeks Initiative: Arundo Control Workshop
2019-06-10 17:30 - 19:30 | Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Since 2016, the Healthy Creeks Initiative has been working with landowners to control non-native, invasive Arundo plants (Giant Cane) at no cost to landowners. Over the past three years, more than 100 landowners have volunteered to participate in the HealthyCreeks Initiative to control Arundo in the Blanco River Basin using targeted, aquatic-approved herbicide application. This control method has the least impact on the stream ecosystem and is currently being provided at no cost to the landowners.
Our goal is to restore the diverse, healthy plant communities along the Blanco, Pedernales, Guadalupe, and Medina rivers and associated upstream creeks to reduce erosion and flooding, stabilize creek banks, and provide fish and wildlife habitat.
If you live along a creek or river, we hope you will join us. We’ll be talking about things you can do to keep our creeks healthy, provide program updates, celebrate our successes, and answer questions.
RSVP by emailing here or by calling 512-389-8750.

Austin - Austin Youth River Watch's Friends & Fireflies Open House
2019-06-08 18:00 - 21:00 | Austin Youth River Watch, 10611 Platt Ln, Austin, TX, 78725, United States
Join Austin Youth River Watch board and staff for a beautiful evening at our EcoHouse in Hornsby Bend.
During this open house event, guests will enjoy:
-Live music provided by Oh Antonio And His Imaginary Friends
-Food trucks
-Open bar
-A guided hike of the Hornsby Bend River Trail
-Games
-Dancing
-Live raffle giving away a few special items and experiences
Come have an all around lovely evening with AYRW and help support our mission and programs! This will be a great opportunity to mingle with River Watch staff, board, and fellow supporters, see our home base of operations (the EcoHouse), and learn more about how we transform and inspire Austin’s youth.
Your $15 ticket donation is a charitable contribution and each ticket purchase includes 1 free raffle ticket! Additional raffle tickets will be available at the door for donation.
Purchase a ticket here.

Driftwood - Destination Brew Fest
2019-06-08 13:00 - 18:00 | TX
Destination Brew Fest is a boutique beer festival featuring some of the best lagers and farmhouse style beers from Texas and beyond. Serving as the launch of The Texas Brewshed Alliance, the festival is hosted on Vista Brewing’s beautiful 21-acre property in the Texas Hill Country, just southwest of Austin and about an hour and a half north of San Antonio.
Festival guests will have an opportunity to dive deep into the story and history behind these beers with brewery representatives and a hand-picked range of specialty partners.
The VIP area will feature a guided beer tasting and panel discussion with national brew personalities moderated by Craft Pride, rare beer pourings from around the world and a sweet swag bag including a YETI tumbler.
During the festival, sample a range of unique Belgian beers with the experts from Mort Subite, one of the best Belgian beer bars in the country. Chill out in the shade and stay hydrated in the YETI Base Camp or swing from the trees in the Kammok Hammock Grove.
Check out the sweetest draft system in Austin from Rolling Refreshment LLC, built inside a 1976 International Scout!
Get the full destination experience with live music on the beer garden stage, Vista’s farm-fresh food and overnight glamping packages (stay tuned for details)..
VIP Early Entry at 1 pm
General Admission begins at 2 pm
Festival Ends at 6 pm
Vista open from 11 am – 10 pm
Free parking (carpooling and ride-sharing encouraged!)
Early bird discounted ticket sales end May 15th
General Admission: Early bird $30 / After May 15th $40
VIP: Early Bird $85 / After May 15th $100
Designated Driver $20
All GA and VIP Tickets include entry to the festival area, eight 3oz pours of festival beers and a special-edition souvenir glass. Additional beer tickets are 4 for $10.
Stay tuned to updated event news here. Learn more about the Texas Brewshed Alliance here.

Austin - Friends of McKinney Falls Membership Drive
2019-06-06 18:00 - 21:00 | TX
Do you love Austin? Do you love State Parks? Do you love State Parks in Austin?
Zilker Brewing Company does too! Join their newest partners, Friends of McKinney State Falls Park on Thursday, June 6th for their first ever membership drive. The Friends of McKinney Falls State Park (FoMFSP) will be in the house signing up passionate people who love the great outdoors in Austin’s own backyard and beyond!
These like-minded organizations will be out to support and celebrate the FoMFSP new member initiative:
Explore Austin
Whole Earth Provision Co.
TreeFolks
Hill Country Alliance
BikeTexas
Austin’s Zero Waste Block Leaders
AND UTOPiAfest will be bringing in some local live music!
Zilker Brewing Company will be hosting a raffle, a silent auction, and have a few of Somewhere Society‘s artists onsite creating one of a kind art pieces inspired by McKinney Falls State Park. All art will be available for purchase in our auction and proceeds will benefit FoMFSP.
The mission of the Friends of McKinney Falls State Park is to serve as responsible stewards of the cultural and natural resources, support educational programs, and foster an inclusive environment for present and future generations. We will do this by giving our time, our talent, and our financial support to McKinney Falls State Park.
Come support your local park too!
For updated event information, click this link.
