Hill Country Alliance

Stonewall - Riparian Stewardship Workshop
2021-10-21 08:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site, 199 Park Road 52, Stonewall, TX, 78671, United States
On Thursday, October 21st, join us for a free riparian workshop for streamside landowners at the LBJ State Park in Stonewall at 8:30 am. In the morning, we will discuss riparian function, hydrology, stewardship and best practices; in the afternoon, we’ll visit a nearby site along the Pedernales River to demonstrate riparian concepts and identify vegetation. This is the first of a three-part series designed to share practices and hands-on skills with streamside landowners to help you enhance and protect your property and the river. Part 2 will be a hands-on field day held in this winter – details to come.
This workshop is tailored specifically to riparian landowners in the Hill Country. It is free of charge, includes a light lunch, and will feature Steve Nelle, who literally and figuratively wrote the book on stewarding Texas riparian areas.
Click here to register

Wimberley Hill Country Howl
2021-10-20 20:30 | Wimberley, Texas, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
At 8:30 PM, residents of the Wimberley Valley will celebrate the night skies and full Moon in one of the following ways: 1. Step outside of their house and give their best howl at the full Hunters moon 2. Join neighbors, POA members, or others at restaurants and bars for a group howl 3. Attend the “Dancing in the Moonlight” event at Blue Hole Regional Park. Dance under the moonlight on the soccer fields to night-themed songs with a pause at 8:30 for a group Howl at the Moon.

Full Moon Candlelight Dining
2021-10-20 18:00 - 23:00 | Various Venues
Hays County Friends of the Night Sky is inviting restaurants, wineries, distilleries, and breweries to participate in Hill Country Night Sky Month by offering outdoor dining (or imbibing) by candlelight on October 20, the night of the Hunters Moon.
Enjoy outdoor dining and drinking at Hays County establishments on Full Moon night. Follow @HaysNIghtSky on social media for updates on which are participating.

McKinney Falls State Park Star Party
2021-10-16 20:00 - 22:00 | McKinney Falls State Park, 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, Texas, 78744
Join us as we learn how to navigate the stars above us and about the importance of dark skies.

The stars at night are big and bright! Come see them even better with expert and amateur astronomers alike. Bring a blanket and chair and come spend the night with us looking at the stars!

Meet: Lower Falls Bring: Red flashlights, chairs/blankets Cancellation due to weather: If we must cancel the program due to cloud cover, we will update here by 12 pm the day of the event.

The event is free with paid entrance fees; Adults: $6, Children 12 and under: Free. *Parents must accompany all minors.

Storytelling Under the Stars
2021-10-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Jones Brother’s Park, 10301 Lakeside Drive, Jonestown, Texas, 78645
Storytelling and Songs Under the Stars

The Jonestown Night Sky Advocacy is having a Storytelling Under the Stars event, hosted by The City of Jonestown at the Jones Brothers Park. We will have stories and songs under the stars for all ages that connect us to our starry skies. Materials will be available to help spread the word and education on protecting our Night Skies. Bring your own blanket, pillows, chairs, telescopes, and binoculars. Free Event, Free Parking

Star and Moon Party
2021-10-16 19:00 - 21:30 | Boulder Trail Park, 6681 Whitemarsh Valley Walk, Austin, Texas, 78746
Join the Travis County Friends of the Night Sky for an evening of stargazing. No equipment of experience is necessary. Astronomers will be on hand, providing a guided tour of the night sky and views of our moon, planets, and deep-sky objects. This is a great event for scouts, students, and lovers of the night, young and young at heart. This program is free. All ages are welcome. This event is subject to cancellation due to weather.

This event takes place within the Lost Creek Neighborhood. Please utilize street parking and be respectful of surrounding residences.

International Observe the Moon Night
2021-10-16 18:30 - 22:00 | Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site, 199 Park Road 52, Stonewall, TX, 78671, United States
Join the Hill Country Astronomers at LBJ State Park for a night of learning about astronomy! The evening begins with an educational program in the Visitor Center Auditorium at 6:30 PM, followed by telescope viewing in the parking lot. The park store will be open until 7:15 PM for drinks, snacks, and souvenirs! This program is free of charge! If you bring a flashlight, please cover it with red cellophane to preserve night vision!

In the event that the weather is not suitable for viewing the night sky, the educational program will still take place!

"On Gathering" Exhibition and Night Sky Friendly Business Recognition
2021-10-16 16:00 - 19:00 | 4th Street Gallery, 714 4th Street, Blanco, Texas, 78606
On October 16th, our newest Business Member, 4th Street Gallery in Blanco, is having an event to open its latest exhibition, “On Gathering.” Owner Lisa Tipps has invited the Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky to set up a Night Sky Information Tent at the event and will donate a portion of her profits from sales to the BCFNS. Yea, Lisa! It all starts at 4 pm and runs until 7 pm, Saturday, October 16, right in the middle of Hill Country Night Sky Month. Come on out and see some exceptional art, meet some of the artists, pick up some night sky information, and have a really good time!

Bandera - Monarch Butterfly Migration
2021-10-16 10:00 - 17:00 | Bandera Natural History Museum, 267 Old San Antonio Rd, Bandera, TX, 78003, United States
Enjoy our wild flower gardens as the Monarchs make their migration through this area. The Master Naturalists will be available to help identify monarchs and their preferred flowers. We will demonstrate the three ways the Bandera Natural History Museum is conserving water and local honey will be available for sale.

Visit the museum on their site and their facebook page.

Online - Wild Devils 2021 Raffle and Online Auction
2021-10-15 - 2021-11-13 | Online
It’s not easy to save a river, so we’re asking you to join the cause.
Friday, October 15 – Saturday, November 13
Through this virtual event, you will have the opportunity to bid on over 120 exclusive silent auction items and buy raffle tickets to support our mission.

All proceeds will go towards supporting the Devils River Conservancy 501c3 and the protection and preservation of the Devils River.

You can register and bid here!

Dripping Springs - Hays County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale
2021-10-13 15:00 - 18:00 | Dripping Springs Farmers Market, 160 E Mercer St., Dripping Springs, TX, 78620, United States
Special Event
Hays County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale

All of the plants on sale are selected because they thrive in our hot Texas weather, unlike many of the plants you will find at the big-box stores.
The proceeds of this sale will benefit continuing education programs and training classes in the community.
The sale will feature Texas native and adapted plants and perennials for xeriscape, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, ground covers, and other landscape plants.

Hays County Master Gardeners are pleased to announce the annual Fall Plant Sale is online and in-person this year. The HCMGA members are putting their expertise to work to bring you their finest seedlings and transplants from their own home gardens. Texas Superstar, Texas native and adapted perennials, grasses, shrubs and succulents will be for sale.

The sale website http://hcmga.square.site will be activated October 4 through October 12. Online purchases can be picked up at the in-person site locations which are the Kyle Public Library on Saturday, OCT 9, and Dripping Springs Farmers Market on Wednesday, OCT 13. Until then, find more information on our website at http://hayscountymastergardeners.org

Texas Master Gardeners is a volunteer service program designed to bring best in horticultural practices throughout the state. To become a Texas Master Gardener, a trainee attends 50 hours of instruction conducted through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, then shares this knowledge by donating 50 hours of volunteer service back to the community.

Texas Master Gardeners’ assistance is found across the state — in school garden projects, horticultural therapy projects, community gardens and demonstration gardens by volunteers who also conduct gardening programs and answer your gardening questions.

Our members are following current CDC guidelines for this sale.

For more information about the Hays County Master Gardeners, visit https://www.facebook.com/HaysCountyGardeners/.

Spicewood - Little Cypress Creek/Krause Springs Study Stakeholder Meeting
2021-10-12 15:00 - 16:30 | Spicewood Community Center, 7901 CR 404, Spicewood, TX, 78669, United States
Residents in the Little Cypress Creek watershed are invited to join the Meadows Center and the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District (CTGCD) to provide input on the Little Cypress/Krause Springs Study, which seeks to better understand how Krause Springs and the Little Cypress Creek watershed interact with the underlying aquifers.

This meeting is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Krause Springs Stakeholder Committee to help guide the research and ensure continued engagement from the community.

Click here to learn more from The Meadows Center.

McKinney Falls State Park Night Hike
2021-10-09 20:00 - 22:00, 2021-10-02 08:00 - 22:00 | McKinney Falls State Park, 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, Texas, 78744
Experience the trails at night.
Discover a whole new way to experience the night! Join us as we walk an easy trail (about 3/4 mile round-trip). We will keep our eyes and ears open for wolf spiders, scorpions, and nocturnal wildlife! Fun for all ages!
– Meet: Location provided following event registration. – Bring: Water, bug spray. No dogs are allowed, please. – Wear: Good walking shoes and a flashlight or headlamp (preferably red). Dress for the weather.
The event is free with paid entrance fees; Adults: $6, Children 12 and under: Free. *Parents must accompany all minors. Spots are limited, and registration is required. To sign up, please email lauren.sweat@tpwd.texas.gov.

Hill Country Night Sky Month Star Party
2021-10-09 20:00 - 22:00 | Singing Water Vineyards, 316 Mill Dam Road, Comfort, TX, 78013, United States
Join the Kendall County Friends of the Night Group for a Star Party, hosted by Singing Water Vineyards. Several telescopes will be on hand, focusing on various stellar objects and narrators staging constellation tours of the night sky. Materials will be available to spread the word about how your household can help preserve our Hill Country night sky. Details include using shielded lighting fixtures and night sky compliant light bulbs for outdoor lighting and securing. Check out the www.singingwater.com website for venue features, food and beverage services available, and winery mini-tours. Food and wine will be available for purchase until 8 p.m. Kendall County Friends of the Night Sky will be providing educational materials for families and friends of the night sky to assist them in joining the dark sky movement.
This event is free, however, RSVPs are required for planning purposes. RSVP here or via the link below.

Star Party at Hill Country State Natural Area
2021-10-09 19:30 - 22:30 | Hill Country State Natural Area, 10600 Bandera Creek Road, Bandera, Texas, 78003
No stargazing experience is required!

Join members of the San Antonio Astronomical Association to see constellations, planets, and more through their telescopes.

Cost: This program is free with a valid park entrance permit. The entrance fee is $6 per person ages 13 and up; kids 12 and under are free; or free with an annual Texas State Parks Pass (pass holder and everyone in the vehicle). If you arrive after hours and do not have an existing day-use permit, please use the self-pay station in front of the headquarters building to pay your entrance fee(s) in cash.

When: We will get started right after sunset.

Where: Meet us at the group lodge located at the end of the approximately 2-mile road, north of the headquarters building.

All ages are welcome. No pre-registration is required. This event is subject to cancellation due to weather.

Llano County Friends of the Night Sky Star Party
2021-10-09 19:30 - 22:00 | Sting Softball Field, Llano, Texas, 78643
On October 9, we will have a star party (weather permitting) at the Softball Field off Highway 71. Gather with some astronomers and learn about the night sky and view through their telescopes the wonders in the skies above.

Star Party at Sunset Park
2021-10-09 18:30 - 21:30 | Sunset Park, 21817 FM 1431, Lago Vista, Texas, 78645
We’ll bring the telescopes, you bring a blanket, a picnic, a flashlight, and the kids

Kyle - Hays County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale
2021-10-09 11:00 - 15:00 | Kyle Public Library, 550 Scott St, Kyle, TX, 78640, United States

The Power of Light - Presented by Bettymaya Foott of the International Dark Sky Association
2021-10-08 19:30 - 22:00 | Online
On the 2nd Friday of every month, the members of the Austin Astronomical Society gather virtually for their general meeting and presentations.

This gathering is open to the general public, and more information can be found on our website. http://austinastro.org/ Our general meeting includes officer reports, updates on upcoming outreach events, and a favorite segment, What’s Happening in Astronomy.

Our general meeting will begin at 7:30 and starting with our guest presenter, the general meeting to follow.

Our Speaker this month is Bettymaya Foott, Director of Engagement with the International Dark-Sky Association. In honor of Hill Country Night Sky Month, Ms. Foott will present “The Power of Light.”

Bettymaya grew up in Moab, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah Honors Program with an H.B.S. in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and a Minor in Spanish Language. She wrote a thesis entitled “Light pollution hazards within ecosystems and mitigation strategies for the future.” Her dark sky career began with working for Utah State Parks as a Dark Sky Intern and then seasonal employee, starting 12 International Dark-Sky Park Applications across the state. She then worked as Coordinator for the Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative and the Consortium for Dark Sky Studies at the University of Utah. When off the clock, Foott loves to practice night sky photography. Preserving dark skies is her life goal, and she is incredibly excited to continue this journey of saving the stars!

Online - Your Brain on Nature: Why Time Spent Outdoors is Good for our Mental Health
2021-10-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
About this event

Research confirms that spending time in green spaces improves how our brains respond to stress. Exploring the outdoors has been linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety. A walk in nature can also improve memory and decrease worry. This workshop is designed to share this information and help participants develop their own plan for getting outdoors regularly. Guided walking mindfulness can be included for an immersive experience.

You can RSVP for the event here.

Online - Your Brain on Nature: Why Time Spent Outdoors is Good for our Mental Health
2021-10-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
About this event

Research confirms that spending time in green spaces improves how our brains respond to stress. Exploring the outdoors has been linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety. A walk in nature can also improve memory and decrease worry. This workshop is designed to share this information and help participants develop their own plan for getting outdoors regularly. Guided walking mindfulness can be included for an immersive experience.

RSVP for a time slot here.

Online - Hays County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale
2021-10-04 08:00 - 2021-10-12 17:00 | Online

Round Rock - 81st Annual Meeting of SWCD Directors - October 4-6, 2021
2021-10-04 08:00 - 2021-10-06 17:00 | TX
The Annual Meeting of Texas Soil and Water Conservation District Directors is a meeting that provides Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Directors, SWCD employees, and other conservation partners the opportunity to examine issues relevant to the conservation of the State’s natural resources. Speakers from the local, state, and national levels will address attendees concerning a wide variety of agricultural and conservation topics.
2021 Annual Meeting
The 81st Annual Meeting of Texas Soil and Water Conservation District Directors will be held at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas on October 4-6, 2021.
Tentative Schedule
Contact
If you have any questions, please reach out to Molly Christensen at 254-228-7881 or by email at mchristensen@tsswcb.texas.gov.
Hotel/Registration Information
Pre-Registration and Hotel Room Block opens July 1st and closes September 7th. Pre-Registration forms, hotel room block instructions and tour information will be released at a later date.
Room Rate: $145
With each reservation, a wristband will be given to room occupants (up to 4 wristbands for the waterpark ONLY). An additional (2) wristbands may be purchased for $50/each. Wristbands are good for the duration of the reservation.
Click here to learn more and register.

Blue Hole Star Party
2021-10-02 20:00 - 22:00 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Ln., Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Join the Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee, Wimberley Parks and Recreation, and the Texas State Astronomy Club for an evening of telescope viewing, laser-guided constellation tours, and good old-fashioned star gazing.

Bring picnic chairs and blankets and we will see you on the Soccer Fields at Blue Hole Regional Park.

Rocksprings - Devil's Sinkhole 50th Anniversary
2021-10-02 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-10-01 09:00 - 15:00 | Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area, 101 N. Sweeten St., Rocksprings, TX, 78880, United States
On Friday, October 1, and Saturday, October 2, the Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area will host an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the cave’s designation as a National Natural Landmark.

We are inviting all our neighbor national natural landmarks, parks, bat groups, cave science groups, water conservation groups, native tribes, and historic groups to our state natural area to set up booths, give away free stuff, and talk to our guests.

The Texas Parks bat expert, additionally, will give a presentation about bats on Friday at the Rocksprings Schools auditorium, a morning show and an afternoon show to accommodate different schedules.

It is the International Year of Caves and Karst (IYCK) and Dr. George Veni, president of the International Union of Speleology will be here in person!

Dr. Veni will conduct some ‘geology walks’ both days and Master Naturalist Kim Ort will conduct two nature walks on Friday.

The Buffalo Soldiers have also confirmed their participation.

IT WILL BE LIKE VISITING 25 PLACES AT ONCE.

On Friday we will start at 9 and close at 3. On Saturday we will open at 10 and close at 4.

On both nights, we will have a free bat viewing show, and on Saturday night, the San Antonio Astronomical Association will run a stargazing show for us!

There is no charge for anything mentioned here!

For more information call 830-683-2287. We will have volunteers to help each school group.

Our e-mail is devilssinkhole@swtexas.net.

To learn more about this event, check here!

Stargazing 101
2021-10-01 20:00 - 21:30 | Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
Join a Park Ranger as we learn about the importance of dark skies while learning to navigate the stars above.

From finding constellations to specific stars. From myths and legends about these celestial beings to scientific facts and figures. We’ll spend our time looking and learning. We will be bare eye stargazing. Feel free to bring your own telescope or camera. Location: Lower Parking Lot. There is no hiking as part of this program. Entrance fee: $8/adult (children 12 and under are free). Reservations may be required for park entry — see event webpage for full event details.

Wimberley - Wings over Wimberley
2021-10-01 16:00 - 2021-10-02 21:00 | Wimberley Bat Bridge, Wimberley Motor Bank, 101 River Rd,, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Wings Over Wimberley will attract visitors from near and far to see, learn about, and celebrate 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 unique lodgings that make Wimberley’s high-vibing culture so special.

“Wings Over Wimberley is a city-wide cultural event with music, art, food, and fun, celebrating the thousands of free-tailed Mexican bats that call Wimberley home.”
Click here to learn more and get involved.

Fredericksburg - Grow It Cook It: Beaming Beets
2021-10-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
Do you like beets? Are you bored with boiling beets and would like to try cooking something new? Or would you like to learn how to grow your own beets? On October 1st, the Gillespie County Extension office will hold their last 2021 Grow It Cook It program, Beaming Beets. Come learn how to grow beets and watch recipe demonstrations. Recipe samples and seeds of test varieties included with the class.
This program will be hosted at the Gillespie County Extension Office, located at 38 Business Court. It will be from 12-1 pm.
Beaming Beets is the last program of the three part Grow It Cook It program series. Cost for the individual program is $15. Payment should be made by cash or check, made out to Gillespie County ANR Committee. Pre-registrations are preferred.
For more information or if you would like to sign-up, please contact the Gillespie County Extension office at 830-997-3452 or email Beth McMahon at Elizabeth.mcmahon@ag.tamu.edu
