Hill Country Alliance

Online - Black Birders Week with BlackAFinSTEM
2020-06-01 - 2020-06-05 | Online
Learn more in this article Audubon here.

Online - Thirst for Nature: Parking Lot Birding with The Cibolo Nature Center and Farm
2020-05-21 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
Grab a cocktail and join The Cibolo Nature Center and Farm on Zoom to hear Jennifer Bristol, author of “Parking Lot Birding: A Fun Guide to Discovering Birds in Texas” as she tells us how to take advantage of the diverse bird populations in our own backyards. Capacity is limited to 100, so please reserve a spot and you’ll receieve a link prior to the event!
Click here to reserve your spot!

Online - Don't mess with Texas Art Contest with Keep Texas Beautiful
2020-05-18 - 2020-05-29 | Online
The Don’t mess with Texas® Art Contest is officially open! Keep Texas Beautiful and the Texas Department of Transportation invite Texas students in kindergarten through twelfth grade to submit their best litter prevention-inspired artwork to be considered for the Don’t mess with Texas Calendar. Students with the top 14 designs will have their work featured in the calendar.
Students who create the top 14 winning designs will have their artwork assigned to a month or featured on the cover of the 2021 Don’t mess with Texas calendar.
Each winner will also receive:
-Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 tablet
-Gift basket with Buc-ee’s merchandise
-Their artwork framed and returned
-Opportunity to have their artwork shared on Don’t mess with Texas and Keep Texas Beautiful websites and social media
Teachers representing students who produce the top 14 designs will win a $100 H-E-B/Central Market gift card.
Click here to submit your entry online.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Submissions are now accepted through May 29. In addition, we will now be artworks online, as well as by mail. Find the entry form, contest rules and a handy toolkit at ktb.org/artcontest. Questions? Email us at programs@ktb.org.

CANCELLED - Round Mountain – Star Party at Westcave
2020-05-16 21:00 - 23:00 | Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX, 78663, United States
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED – See Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center for more information.
Tour the night skies at Westcave Preserve, a dark sky location convenient to Austin. Star Party nights are an ideal opportunity to enjoy an evening gazing at the stars through a high-quality telescope.

With local astronomers on hand to answer questions, you’ll be delighted and amazed by what you see and learn!
$15 adult (18+) | $5 child (4 – 17)
2020 Star Party Dates:

May 16, 9:00 – 11:00 pm
June 13, 9:00 – 11:00 pm
July 18, 9:00 – 11:00 pm
August 15, 9:00 – 11:00 pm

*Spring and summer Star Party dates will be posted in February.
Events are weather permitting. Space is limited and registration is required to attend. Register online by clicking the “Book Online Now” below or “Get Tickets Now” in the right corner.
For questions, please email starparty@westcave.org or call 830.825.3442. Please include a phone number and the size of your group in your email or phone message.

Book Online Now

CANCELED: Kerrville - Introduction to Native Landscaping - Native Landscape Certification Program
2020-05-16 08:15 - 16:15 | Riverside Nature Center, 150 Francisco Lemos St., Kerrville, TX, United States
This event has been canceled – check out NPSOT’s website for more updates.
Overview
The Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) is a four level certification program developed by the Native Plant Society of Texas that teaches the value of including and preserving native plants in landscapes.
Level 1: Introduction to Native Landscapes
Level 2: Landscape Design with Native Plants
Level 3: Installation and Maintenance of Native Landscapes
Level 4: Stewardship of Native Plant Communities (to be developed)
Participants must complete Level 1 before attending any other level. Subsequent levels may be taken in any order.
NLCP is a state-wide program, but classes focus on the characteristics and plants of the region in which they are taught. Please register for classes located in the region in which you wish to landscape.
Description
Level 1: Introduction to Native Landscapes
– Learn the value of including and preserving native plants in landscapes.
– Discover the differences between sustainable and conventional development.
– Understand your Texas vegetation region and soil.
– Become familiar with 45 native Texas plants recommended for your landscape and 5 plants to avoid.
The course includes a classroom session and up to a 2 hour outdoor plant knowledge walk.
The Native Plant Society (NPSOT) offers two levels of certificates:
Completion – attend the full day.
Competency – attend the full day and pass a test at the end of the class.
Students graduating with either certificate may progress to another class level.
Agenda
Tentative Schedule:
8:00 – 8:15 am Check In
8:15 – 10:00am Plant Walk (in three groups at Riverside Nature Center)
10:00 – 10:15 am Drive to Guadalupe Basin Natural Resources Center (GBNRC), aka UGRA*
10:15 – 10:30 am Break (cool down, water, coffee & snacks)
10:30 – 10:45 am Introduction to NLCP Level 1
10:45 – 11:30 am Presentation -Plant Knowledge
11:30 – 11:45am Break
11:45 – 12:45 pm Presentation – Plant Knowledge (continued)
12:45 – 1:15 pm Lunch (on your own)
1:15 – 2:15pm Presentation -Introduction to Native Landscapes
2:15 – 2:30 pm Break
2:30 – 3:30 pm Presentation -Introduction to Native Landscapes (continued)
3:30 – 3:45 pm Break
3:45 – 4:15 pm Certification Test/Grading
* Please note that the UGRA does not endorse any events held at the facility.
Click here to learn more and register.

Online - Five Guidelines to Improve Soil Health and Increase Water Holding Capacity
2020-05-14 12:00 - 13:30 | Online
Ever wonder how much rainwater your soils catch and hold? Are your soils healthy? Are they getting better or worse? And how would you know for sure?
In this free webinar, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialists Kara Kroeger and Colin Mitchell will walk you through several practical and affordable ways to measure and improve soil health, catch and hold more water in your soils, and monitor changes in soil health over time.
Kara and Colin will explain the many benefits of healthy soil, provide case studies and success stories from around Texas, and share lessons learned. They’ll also explain how you can join the Soil for Water Network: a growing information-sharing network of Texas landowners who are testing innovative ways of regenerating depleted soils and catching and holding more rainwater.
The webinar is free, but please register athttps://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2695383892043992845.
Questions? Contact Kara Kroeger at karak@ncat.org or call 479-587-3479.

Online - Webinar on Oilfield Water Infrastructure with Texas Water Journal
2020-05-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
The current phase of oilfield water infrastructure buildout in the Permian Basin generally emphasizes each operator or midstream provider building its own water transportation and disposal systems. Accordingly, the overall market is balkanized and inefficient compared to the performance a more interconnected system could achieve. A hydrovascular grid in the Permian Basin could lower oil and gas production costs, conserve scarce freshwater by promoting greater recycling and reuse of produced water, help mitigate seismicity risks, and facilitate movement of produced water at large scale for use outside the oilfield. This paper assesses the barriers to such integration. It concludes by offering a set of practical ideas to overcome these barriers and help transform oilfield water into a resource for West Texas and Southeast New Mexico.
In his recent article in the Texas Water Journal, “Oilfield Water Infrastructure Connectivity: The Case for a Hydrovascular Network in the Permian Basin”, Gabriel Collins, J.D. explores an interconnected water network to meet the water needs for oil and gas production in the Permian Basin.
Join us for Collin’s webinar here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fK_QfbfITT2-dr9wiNC4HA
Read Collin’s article here:
https://twj.media/oilfield-water-infrastructure-connectivity-the-case-for-a-hydrovascular-network-in-the-permian-basin/

CANCELED: Spring Branch - Introduction to Native Landscapes – Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP)
2020-05-09 07:30 - 16:00 | Tye Preston Memorial Library, 16311 S. Access Rd, Canyon Lake, TX, 78133, United States
This event has been canceled – check out NPSOT’s website for more updates.
Overview
The Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) is a four level certification program developed by the Native Plant Society of Texas that teaches the value of including and preserving native plants in landscapes.
Level 1: Introduction to Native Landscapes
Level 2: Landscape Design with Native Plants
Level 3: Installation and Maintenance of Native Landscapes
Level 4: Stewardship of Native Plant Communities (to be developed)
Participants must complete Level 1 before attending any other level. Subsequent levels may be taken in any order.
NLCP is a state-wide program, but classes focus on the characteristics and plants of the region in which they are taught. Please register for classes located in the region in which you wish to landscape.
Description
Level 1: Introduction to Native Landscapes
– Learn the value of including and preserving native plants in landscapes
– Discover the differences between sustainable and conventional development
– Understand your Texas vegetation region and soil
– Become familiar with 45 native Texas plants recommended for your landscape and 5 plants to avoid
The course includes a classroom session and an outdoor plant knowledge walk.
The Native Plant Society (NPSOT) offers two levels of certificates:
Completion – attend the full day
Competency – attend the full day and pass a test at the end of the class
Students graduating with either certificate may progress to another class level. Subsequent levels may be taken in any order.
Agenda
Tentative Schedule:
7:30 – 8:00 am Check In
8:00 – 8:15 am Class Introductions and Housekeeping
8:15 – 9:30 am Presentation – Plant Knowledge
9:30 – 9:45 am Break
9:45 – 10:30 am Presentation – Plant Knowledge (continued)
10:30 – 12:30 pm Plant Walk
12:30 – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 pm Presentation – Introduction to Native Landscapes
2:00 – 2:15 pm Break
2:15 – 3:00 pm Presentation – Introduction to Native Landscapes (continued)
3:00 – 3:15 pm Break/Review
3:15 – 4:00 pm Certification Test / Grading
Click here to learn more and register.

Webinar - Regen Ag Mentoring Program (RAMP)
2020-05-08 08:00 - 12:00 | Online
A new program to help ranchers implement regenerative agriculture practices, Regen Ag Mentoring Program (RAMP) is now taking applications for two new groups starting soon in Texas. RAMP is a year-long business coaching opportunity to help ranchers increase profitability and reduce stress while improving soil health and regenerating the land. Facilitated by land management professionals, ranchers will join like-minded producers in a regional network to mastermind creative business solutions for better results.
Holistic Management International (HMI), in collaboration with NCAT’s Soil for Water initiative, is bringing this program to Central Texas and East Texas. Register today and join NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Kara Kroeger, HMI Program Director Kathy Harris, and Certified Educators Peggy Sechrist, Christine Martin, and Lauri Cellela, as they explain how this program can help you accelerate your ranch business success!
RAMP participants will be part of a regional peer group of ranchers who are dedicated to improving profit, land health, productivity, and their family’s quality of life. Each member will get individual consulting and ongoing monthly support throughout the year. Facilitated group meetings will help harness the power of teamwork to optimize each member’s progress. These meetings will help you identify, prioritize, and apply management practices to get real results towards your goals.
Click here to register for this free webinar.

CANCELED: Round Mountain - Night Hike at Westcave
2020-05-02 20:00 - 22:00 | Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX, 78663, United States
This event has been canceled – check out Westcave’s website for more updates.
May 2 | 8:00 – 10:00 PM | Book Online
Discover what goes on during the night at Westcave Preserve! Join us for a hike in the canyon, led by local biologist. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight.
Registration required. $20/person. Weather permitting.

BOOK NOW

More details here.

CANCELED: Spring Branch – May Star Party with San Antonio Astronomical Association
2020-05-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Guadalupe River State Park, 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX, 78070, United States
This event has been canceled – check Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s Event Page for more details. At this time, the May 30th star party has NOT been canceled, but is subject to change.
Join us for stargazing at Guadalupe River State Park!
Join the San Antonio Astronomical Association for an evening of stargazing, both with the naked eye and through telescopes! Cloud coverage could cancel this program – check the park’s Facebook page by 4 pm that day, or call the park the day of the event for updates.
Held at the large Overflow Parking lot (just up the road from the Day Use area).
Note: Start time varies depending on the time of year. Time listed is for February Star Party. Check back each month to see that month’s Star Party time!
Note: Park programs are free with a Texas State Parks pass or park entrance fee – $7 per person ages 13 and up, kids 12 and under are always free!
**Save the date! Reserve your spot online ahead of time to guarantee your entrance to the park — even if it closes for capacity. You can do this up to 30 days in advance with your credit card, or for free with your Annual Texas State Parks pass: https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/
All Dates for This Event

6:00p to 8:00p Sat, May 02, 2020
6:00p to 8:00p Sat, May 30, 2020
6:00p to 8:00p Sat, June 27, 2020

CANCELED: Round Mountain - Wildflower Walks at Westcave
2020-05-02 08:00 - 12:00, 2020-04-05 10:30 - 12:00 | Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX, 78663, United States
This event has been canceled – check out Westcave’s website for more updates.
April 5 & May 2 | 10:30 am | Book Online
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 on the Uplands.
Registration Required. Weather Permitting.
Wildflower Walk dates:

April 5 TICKETS

May 2 TICKETS

Duration: 1 – 2 hours

Online - Webinar on Texas's Flooding Challenges with Texas Water Journal
2020-04-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
TWJ is hosting its first webinar! Join us for a program by Matthew Berg, Ph.D. on “Texas’s Flooding Challenges.” Enjoy our inaugural webinar for free from the comfort of your home.
Even before the 86th Texas Legislature began, it was clear the session would feature a deluge of activity focused on addressing Texans’ experience with flooding. Much attention has been paid to Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 8, which create major new statewide programs. Significant questions surrounded the implementation of these bills, but answers have begun to flow recently. In his recent article in the Texas Water Journal, “State Legislature, Voters Move to Eighty-Six Texas’s Flooding Challenges”, Matthew Berg, Ph.D. wades into these uncertainties and the larger trends behind the legislative session.
Register for the webinar here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KhlUpTcnQ4WVSld91I_VCg
Read Berg’s article here:
https://twj.media/state-legislature-voters-move-to-eighty-six-texass-flooding-challenges/

Mason - 2 Day Holistic Financial Planning Course Hosted by Grassfed Sustainability Group
2020-04-24 08:00 - 2020-04-25 17:00 | North Mason Ranch (privately owned), 1025 McKinley Ave, Mason, TX, 76856, United States
Grassfed Sustainability Group, the Texas Savory Hub, advocates a Holistic Approach to Regenerative Agriculture.
Holistic Management is a whole farm/ranch planning system and decision making process that helps farmers, ranchers and land stewards better manage their agricultural resources to achieve maximum environmental, economic and social benefits. Holistic Management is a critical tool helping develop successful businesses while improving land health.
Each session is an in-depth two day course that covers one or two modules of Holistic Management. All courses are taught by Savory Field Professional Rhona Lemke, along with her husband Chad Lemke, who is a fifth generation full-time rancher. Together they have been practicing Holistic Management for two decades on their own family operation in the Texas Hill Country. Part of the time will be spent outside at their North Mason Ranch showing participants first hand how Holistic Management is implemented in a real ranching situation, and how the brittle ecosystem of the Hill Country, or any other ecosystem, can be drastically improved.
Class dates are:

April 24-25, 2020 Holistic Financial Planning
June 19-20, 2020 Holistic Planned Grazing
July 24-25, 2020 Ecological Monitoring & Land Planning

Class sizes will be limited. Register early before they are sold out. It is recommended participants attend all four classes in order to fully understand and learn how to implement and practice Holistic Management.
Each class will be 8am to 5pm Friday and Saturday in Mason, Texas. Lunch is provided both days. Cost per class is $350 per person. Attendees will receive a 10% discount if you purchase the entire series in advance. To purchase series, click on the Tickets tab for the February 28 class, then select Entire Series of Courses.
Any questions please email Rhona at rhona@gsgtexas.com or call (325) 347-7096

Online - International Dark Sky Week
2020-04-19 12:00 - 2020-04-26 17:00 | Online
Join the virtual event!
International Dark Sky Week is a weeklong celebration of the night. It’s an opportunity for us all to consider the role of the night and its star-filled sky in each of our lives.
This year, IDA is encouraging people around the world to come together –online– to celebrate the night and engage with authors, creators, scientists, and educators whose works have been vital to the movement to protect the night from light pollution.
Learn more and check out our all-star line-up at https://idsw.darksky.org.
Stay tuned for details!

CANCELED: Round Mountain - Star Party at Westcave
2020-04-18 21:00 - 23:00 | Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX, 78663, United States
This event has been canceled – check out the registration page for more updates.
Tour the night skies at Westcave Preserve, a dark sky location convenient to Austin. Star Party nights are an ideal opportunity to enjoy an evening gazing at the stars through a high-quality telescope.
With local astronomers on hand to answer questions, you’ll be delighted and amazed by what you see and learn!
$15 adult (18+) | $5 child (4 – 17)
2020 Star Party Dates:

April 18, 9:00 – 11:00 pm
May 16, 9:00 – 11:00 pm
June 13, 9:00 – 11:00 pm
July 18, 9:00 – 11:00 pm
August 15, 9:00 – 11:00 pm

*Spring and summer Star Party dates will be posted in February.
Events are weather permitting. Space is limited and registration is required to attend. Register online by clicking the “Book Online Now” below or “Get Tickets Now” in the right corner.
For questions, please email starparty@westcave.org or call 830.825.3442. Please include a phone number and the size of your group in your email or phone message.

Book Online Now

CANCELED: San Marcos - Spring Lake Earth Day Festival & Family Fun Day
2020-04-18 10:00 - 15:00 | The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, 201 San Marcos Springs Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666, United States
This event has been canceled – Because of this cancellation, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is now focusing on the Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration at Spring Lake on October 10th, 2020. Check out The Meadows Center website for additional information.

Join us on Saturday, April 18 from 10am-3pm for an afternoon of celebrating the Earth through entertainment, education, exploration and fun!
The Meadows Center is excited to announce the return of the Spring Lake Earth Day Festival at the Headwaters of the San Marcos River. This free, family-friendly event is a wonderful opportunity to join together as a community to recognize and protect our beautiful planet.
Celebrate Mother Earth through a variety of activities, including:
– Educational activities for all ages
– Live entertainment
– Recreation opportunities for all ages
– Food and vendor booths
– Discounted glass-bottom boat tours with a donation of a food item
Learn more at EarthDay.MeadowsWater.org

CANCELED: Austin - Spring Native Plant Sale at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
2020-04-18 09:00 - 17:00 | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX, 78739, United States
This event has been canceled – check out the Wildflower Center’s page for more updates.
Our Spring Plant Sale will feature hundreds of species of Texas natives, including seeds, annual wildflowers, grasses, perennials, wetland plants, shrubs and trees. Not only are they beautiful, but native plants help conserve water, reduce mowing costs, provide habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife, protect the soil, and save money on fertilizer and pesticides.
Members get first pick on Friday, and free admission! Join (on-site) or renew your membership at the Plant Sale and get three free plants (plus all the other perks of membership).
Friday, April 17, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Members only
Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Open to the public (Free entry to plant sale with regular admission price)
Prices

General 4-inch pots, $3
Cacti and milkweed 4-inch pots, $5
General 1-gallon pots, $9
Milkweed 1-gallon pots, $12
Most 5-gallon pots, $27

Pro Tips

Bring your own cart to haul plants; we have a limited number of carts to loan.
Bring a refillable water bottle and wear a hat and sunscreen.
Make a shopping list using the plant lists (published here a couple of weeks prior to the sale).
Become a member or renew on-site during the sale and get three free plants!
Plan to make a day of it! After you purchase your plants, we can hold them while you explore and enjoy the Center, or at least while you pull your car around (so don’t fret if you can’t park right up front).

Learn more here.

Online - Free Wildlife Management Webinar for Landowners
2020-04-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Plateau Land & Wildlife Management is offering a free, virtual webinar on transitioning to Wildlife Management Tax Valuation “exemption” on Wednesday, April 15th. This webinar is open to the public and will benefit anyone who owns rural land in Texas, including those who are currently in Ag, Timber or benefiting from a Wildlife Management Tax Valuation.

Topics include Wildlife Management as a property tax strategy, how it works, a comparison of Wildlife Management to other Open-Space Valuation options, state and county requirements, and how Plateau helps landowners with the process of switching to Wildlife Management Tax Valuation from traditional Ag or Timber.
To learn more about the Texas Wildlife Management Exemption/Valuation as an alternative to agricultural practice, visit: https://plateauwildlife.com/wildlife-exemption/
For more information visit the Plateau Land & Wildlife Management website or contact Avalon Powell at (512) 894-3479 or apowell@plateauwildlife.com.
To learn more about how Plateau can help enhance your land or to receive a free consultation on wildlife management plan options for your property, contact (512) 894-3479 or plateau@plateauwildlife.com.
Remember: the deadline to file property taxes is April 30, 2020!

Online - Texas Nature Trivia with Texas Land Conservancy
2020-04-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
Join the Texas Land Conservancy for Texas Nature Trivia: Online Edition. From the pecan tree to the armadillo, we’ll trivia-lize it all. Focusing on all things nature, individuals will compete with their fellow Texas nature lovers ONLINE for the top spot on the leader board.

Remember, this game is online, so you can play from anywhere! All you need is a computer and a phone.
Note: If you would like to play as a household on one device, you only need to reserve one spot.

Click here to learn more and reserve your spot.

RESCHEDULED: Dripping Springs - Hill Country Living FESTIVAL + Rainwater Revival
2020-04-04 10:00 - 17:00 | Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 1042 Event Center Dr, Dripping Springs, TX, 78620, United States
This event has been rescheduled to October 24, 2020 – stay tuned to the HCA webpage for more updates.
Click here to learn more.

DELAYED: San Antonio - Texas Water Symposium - From Drought to Deluge: Preparing for Texas Floods
2020-04-02 18:30 - 20:30 | University of Texas at San Antonio – Downtown Campus, 501 W Cesar E Chavez Blvd, San Antonio, TX, 78207, United States
This event has been delayed indefinitely – stay tuned for updates.

Doors open at 6:30 – Panel begins at 7:00 PM
Click here to download a detailed flyer with information on panelists.
Click here to learn more about this and future Texas Water Symposia.

RESCHEDULED: Wimberley - Blue Hole Star Party
2020-03-28 19:30 - 22:30 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Ln., Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
This event has been rescheduled to October 17th – check out the Wimberley Parks and Recreation Facebook for more updates.
The Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department, the Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee, and the Texas State Astronomy Club present the next Blue Hole Star Party on March 28 at 7:30 pm! The event is free and will be held at the soccer fields. Bring your flashlights and experience the park like you never have before!
Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic, chairs, and blankets. Please call (512)660-9111 for additional information.
Click here to check the Facebook event for updated information.

CANCELED: Wimberley - Preserving Hill Country Open Spaces NOW!
2020-03-27 07:30 - 16:00 | Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
This event has been canceled – check out the registration page for more updates.

SUMMARY
Smaller Hill Country communities are rapidly losing open spaces that help protect water resources, wildlife and Hill Country beauty. Public advocates, local officials, and developers will understand the future impacts of development and learn about the latest tools and resources for opens space and park creation. A special panel led by Hays County Commissioner Lon Shell, Hays County Precinct 3, will introduce new strategies for successful residential development that preserve natural resources and appeal to families seeking the best of the Hill Country experience.
AUDIENCE
Anyone wanting to learn new strategies for protecting open spaces, including county and local community leaders, advocacy groups and volunteers.
REGISTRATION
Your registration is underwritten by the Jacob & Terese Hershey Foundation. Registration is limited, so sign up now to join us.
Click here to see the full agenda.

CANCELED: Fredericksburg - Orchids in the home and on the Edwards Plateau with the Fredericksburg Native Plant Society
2020-03-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Memorial Presbyterian Church, 601 North Milam, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
This event has been canceled – check out the Native Plant Society of Texas, Fredericksburg Chapter’s website for more updates.
Native Plant Society of Texas, Fredericksburg Chapter Presents:
Orchids? Native to Texas?!
With Alan Smith, Environmental Consultant specializing in wetlands for 34 years, PhD in Plant Ecology
When you hear “Orchid”. What picture comes to mind? Hot, humid jungles with the chatter of macaws and parrots? Exotic displays of single plants at the florist’s shop?
Do you think exotic wild flowers on the Edwards Plateau?
Texas is home to 54 species of orchids. Each is terrestrial, growing in the soil rather than attached to trees or rocks. The majority (36 varieties) grow in wet Texas bogs and woodlands east of Austin. That leaves 18 delicate beauties to enhance the cool. damp canyons and riparian areas of the Edwards Plateau and the TransPecos mountains.
Alan Smith, a member of the Fredericksburg chapter, brings experience as a PhD in Plant Ecology and 34 years as an environmental consultant specializing in wetlands to help us discover the exotic beauty under our feet, and the beauties we may bring into our homes.
Come discover the exotic in your life.
6:30 p.m. Light refreshments and social; 7:00 meeting

Austin - LCRA Water Quality Advisory Committee Meeting
2020-03-24 09:00 - 13:00 | LCRA Redbud Center, 3601 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX, 78703, United States
The LCRA Water Quality Advisory Committee for the middle part of the Colorado River basin will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at the Redbud Center (3601 Lake Austin Blvd, Room 108) in Austin.
If you plan on coming, please let us know by clicking here to RSVP. LCRA will be providing lunch (gluten-free and vegan options) to all meeting participants. Thanks to all of you who have already RSVPed!
The agenda for this meeting is attached. During the morning update presentation, we will highlight a variety of water quality related activities that have occurred in the basin throughout the past year (including all of the items that were mentioned in your RSVP survey responses). The Roundtable Discussion will be a time when stakeholders can voice questions/opinions/comments to the group about any of these topics or others that come to mind. We will likely continue the roundtable discussion through lunch.
Please stay tuned for information about a lower basin Water Quality Advisory Committee meeting that will be held in Columbus in May.
All who are interested in water quality in the Colorado River basin are welcome- these are public meetings. Please contact Lisa Benton with the LCRA Clean Rivers Program – lisa.benton@lcra.org – with any questions.
Click here for more information.

CANCELED: Waring - Waring Community Meeting: The THREAT of River Quarries
2020-03-22 15:00 - 17:00 | The Church at Waring, 8 Manning Street, Waring, TX, 78074, United States
This event has been canceled – stay tuned for more updates.

Folks who attend this meeting can expect to learn about the impacts that that the growing aggregates industry is having on the Guadalupe River, as well as what landowners and community groups can do — and are doing — to address the problem. There will be opportunities for Q and A and to get involved with the regional effort.
It takes all of us working together to address major industrial threats to our Hill Country!

CANCELED: New Braunfels - Music & Milestones - Benefit Concert for the League of Women Voters of the Comal Area
2020-03-21 19:00 - 22:00 | Unitarian Universalists of New Braunfels, 135 Alves Lane, New Braunfels, TX, 78130, United States
This event has been canceled – check out the League of Women Voters, Comal Area Facebook for more updates.

Music & Milestones, a magical evening with one of the area’s top performers will benefit the League of Women Voters of the Comal Area (LWV-CA) on Saturday, March 21. Acclaimed Texas entertainer Yesenia McNett will share her tremendous musical talent in a tribute to female songwriters celebrating the 100th anniversary of the national League and the 19th Amendment.
McNett sings in Austin and San Antonio with her bands “The Time Warps,” “The Groove Doctors,” “The Brass Tax,” and “Rock N Soul,” and performs regular musical tributes to Linda Ronstadt and the country legend Patsy Cline. Her performance in Always…Patsy Cline earned her an ATAC Globe Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. Her vocal blend of musical theater, jazz, pop, classic country and Latin music make her a versatile performer. Local residents may have seen McNett on the Brauntex stage as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! , as the 2012 winner of Brauntex Has Talent, or in her “Local Live” tributes to Heart, Linda Ronstadt, Grand Funk Railroad, and Aretha Franklin. She also served on the board of Circle Arts Theatre where she has been on stage as Maria in The Sound of Music, Eliza in My Fair Lady, Sister Amnesia in Nunsense, the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, to name a few.
“The program will be thrilling, and the goal of raising funds for the local League can’t be beat,’ says LWV Board member Janyth Fredrickson. “In addition, the setting is intimate with excellent acoustics, and the refreshments will be delicious.” The evening starts at 7p.m. at the Unitarian Universalists of New Braunfels, 135 Alves Lane, New Braunfels. Hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine and other beverages are included in the $30 ticket on sale here. All proceeds go to LWV-CA to help fund voter education and information like the nonpartisan Voters Guide.
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. For more information, visit www.lwvcomal.org. More information about McNett is at www.yeseniamcnett.com.
Learn more here.

Austin - Introduction to Native Landscapes - Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP)
2020-03-21 08:45 - 17:00 | Lakewood Clubhouse, 7317 Lakewood Drive, Austin, TX, United States
Overview
The Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) is a four level certification program developed by the Native Plant Society of Texas that teaches the value of including and preserving native plants in landscapes.
Level 1: Introduction to Native Landscapes
Level 2: Landscape Design with Native Plants
Level 3: Installation and Maintenance of Native Landscapes
Level 4: Stewardship of Native Plant Communities (to be developed)
Participants must complete Level 1 before attending any other level. Subsequent levels may be taken in any order.
NLCP is a state-wide program, but classes focus on the characteristics and plants of the region in which they are taught. Please register for classes located in the region in which you wish to landscape.
Description
Level 1: Introduction to Native Landscapes
– Learn the value of including and preserving native plants in landscapes.
– Discover the differences between sustainable and conventional development.
– Understand your Texas vegetation region and soil.
– Become familiar with 45 native Texas plants recommended for your landscape and 5 plants to avoid.
The course includes a classroom session and up to a 2 hour outdoor plant knowledge walk.
The Native Plant Society (NPSOT) offers two levels of certificates:
Completion – attend the full day.
Competency – attend the full day and pass a test at the end of the class.
Students graduating with either certificate may progress to another class level.
Agenda
Tentative Schedule:
8:45 – 9:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 – 9:15 a.m. Class Introductions
9:15 – 10:30 a.m. Presentation – Plant Knowledge
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 – 11:30 a.m. Presentation – Plant Knowledge, continued
11:30 – 12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Plant Walk
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Presentation – Introduction to Native Landscapes
3:00 – 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 – 4:00 p.m. Presentation – Introduction to Native Landscapes, continued
4:00 – 4:15 p.m. Break
4:15 – 5:00 p.m. Certification Test/Grading
Click here to learn more and register.
