Online - Day 2: ASR for Texas Webinar
2021-05-05 08:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
This innovative water management technology is changing the water storage and supply paradigm in Texas. ASR allows for water to be stored underground in times of plenty—then retrieved for beneficial use in times of drought. Expanding the use of underground storage will help meet the water demands of Texas’ growing population, especially in the face of drought and climate change.
Click here to see the TWDB map of Aquifer Storage and Recovery in Texas.
Who should attend this two-half-day seminar?
Municipal water planners, water utility directors and staff, water management districts, regional water planning groups, groundwater conservation districts, river authorities, potential ASR project sponsors, water supply visionaries, and anyone looking for resilient water supplies for today – and for the future of Texas.
Dates/Day/Time
May 4, Tuesday 8:30 am to Noon
May 5, Wednesday 8:30 am to Noon
May 5, Wednesday
8:30 am Welcome comments
8:40 am Introduction to ASR for Texas
9:30 am ASR & Regional Water Planning
9:40 am HB-721 and the ASR Suitability Survey
9:50 am ASR Across Texas (panel)
10:30 am Austin’s Water Forward Plan & ASR Project
11 am Provo, Utah, from Planning to Pilot to a Final MAR Program
11:30 am Closing comments
Noon Adjourn
Registration Cost (covers both days)
$75/person
Full refunds up to 15 days before event.
Learn more and register here.

Online – Water Wise Lawns and Gardens – 2021 Water-Wise Speakers Series with Hays Trinity GCD
2021-05-06 18:00 - 18:30 | Online
Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District – Water-Wise Speaker Series
For more information contact Charlie Flatten, General Manager at gm@haysgroundwater.com or 512-858-9253
The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District has announced its 2021 Water-Wise Speaker Series. Subject matter experts will discuss a variety of water topics important to Hays County residents.
Hays County is listed by the US Census Bureau as the second fastest growing county in the United States. Great schools, good housing, proximity to growing business opportunities, and a beautiful landscape are all drivers for our growth.
Its most precious resource is water. The Trinity Aquifer deep below has a limited recharge capacity and will not support the growth coming in the next 20-years. The County needs to maximize efficiency of use and diversify its water supply portfolio to keep local communities healthy and viable long into the future.
Rainwater is already being collected on homesteads and larger buildings across Hays County. Water-wise landscaping, land conservation, and climate trends are all important parts of a strategy to protect our aquifers.
Speakers will present at 5:30 live and online. Dial-in information will be on the District website www.HaysGroundwater.com the week before each presentation. Check the schedule for upcoming dates.
Topics will include:

Water Wise Lawns and Gardens: Hays County Master Naturalists – May 6, 2021
Wimberley One-Water School – Innovative Conservation Design: Nick Dornak, Meadows Center for Water and the Environment – July 1, 2021
Benefits of Land Conservation on Water Resources: Lori Olson, Texas Land Trust Council – TBD
Climate and Weather Trends in the Hill Country: John Nielson-Gammon, State Climatologist – TBD

Click here for the HTGCD Press Release – 2.22.21
HAYS TRINITY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT STAFF & BOARD
Charlie Flatten, General Manager
Philip Webster, Hydrogeologist
Keaton Hoelscher, Geo-Technician
Laura Thomas, Office Administrator
Holly Fults, President District 3
Linda Kaye Rogers, Vice President District 4
John Worrall, Treasurer/Secretary District 1
Toby Shelton District 2
Doc Jones District 5

Online - Saving our Rural Land Heritage Community Program with CCCA
2021-05-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
Join CCCA May 11th to learn about the importance of “Saving our Rural Land Heritage.” Guest speakers David K. Langford of the Hillingdon Ranch in Kendall County, and Rob and Teresa Ohlrich Johnson of the JO Ranch in Comal County will share their stories about their families’ use of conservation easements as a tool to preserve their families’ land and ranching heritage along with the natural and cultural heritage of our beautiful Texas Hill Country. Everyone is invited to hear these passionate landowners discuss the importance of saving Comal’s rural and cultural heritage. Please visit the CCCA website at www.comalconservation.org for information on how to access and log in to the presentation.
WHO: Comal County Conservation Alliance (CCCA)
WHAT: Community Program on “Saving our Rural Land Heritage”
WHEN: Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
WHERE: Zoom Presentation (virtual)
NOTE: Free and open to the public

Online - Wild Neighbors Speaker Series - Behind the Music: Rare Birds of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve
2021-05-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Get to know some of the famous, illusive residents of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) from the folks who know them best – the biologists who work with them. Join Dave Morgan and Nancy Sandoval for a behind-the-scenes look at the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo, two of the animals the BCP was created to protect. They’ll show you a day-in-the-life of a field biologist on the preserve, and all the work that goes into making the BCP a good home for these rare birds. There will be plenty of time for Q & A, so bring your questions!
Click here to register and learn more.

Online - Be The Change Webinar Series Featuring Alex Bailey of Black Outside
2021-05-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
The Texas Master Naturalist Program is happy to announce a new mini-webinar series, “Be The Change”, dedicated to exploring diversity, equity & inclusion opportunities in our natural resource and conservation community. Just as the natural world thrives with biodiversity, our Texas Master Naturalist Program is dedicated to engaging all audiences in conservation, education and stewardship.
This mini-series will run April through September on the third Tuesday of the month (tentatively based on speaker availability). Each of the series will be one hour held at the 12-noon hour CST to allow TMNs to join over the lunch hour if still engaged in the workforce and each will also be recorded for viewing later. These sessions can also count for at least Advanced Training 1-Hour.
SAVE THE DATE – May 18th’s Speaker for the Be The Change webinar series will be Alex Bailey of Black Outside, based in San Antonio, Texas.
Learn more and register here.

Lakehills - Zebra Mussels Workshop with Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District
2021-05-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Lakehills Civic Center, 11225 Park Road 37, Lakehills, TX, 78063, United States
Join the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for a workshop on Saturday, May 22, 2021 to help prevent and slow the spread of zebra mussels in Medina Lake.
Learn more here.

Online - Vote for HCA when you shop at Target, now through June 30!
2021-06-01 | Online
Support HCA when you shop at Target! Target Circle Members can earn and cast votes for the Hill Country Alliance when they shop at Target – both online and in-store – now through June 30th. Simply login to your Target account at target.com or on the mobile app and follow the prompts and instructions to vote. Every nonprofit featured with Target Circle will be awarded a grant based on the percentage of votes they receive.
The more votes HCA receives, the bigger the donation HCA can earn!
How-To: Learn more and vote for HCA!
Enroll in Target Circle and Start Earning Votes
HCA supporters in the Austin-area can enroll in the Giving Program and support HCA for free by 1) signing up at target.com/circle; 2) downloading the Target app; 3) providing phone number at checkout. Guests earn one vote every time they make an eligible purchase at Target, online and in-store. Members earn votes as they shop at Target. To earn votes in-store, scan your Wallet barcode in the Target App at the time of purchase, or scan the barcode on your receipt with the Target App within seven (7) days of purchase. To earn votes online, on a Target.com or Target App purchase, you must create and be signed into your Target Circle account when placing an order.
Vote for HCA
Casting votes is a completely digital experience. Any Target Circle Member can login their Target account at target.com or on the mobile app and follow the prompts and instructions to vote. Eligible nonprofits in your area will display in a list with each organization’s name, logo, description, and website link – you should be able to spot the Hill Country Alliance logo there.
For a step-by-step guide on how to vote using the app, check out this handy guide Texas Land Conservancy put together and throw them a few votes too!
Eligible ZIP Codes
Austin: 78702, 78704, 78705, 78717, 78723, 78726, 78748, 78749, 78758, 78759 | Bee Cave: 78738 | Cedar Park: 78613 | Georgetown: 78628 | Kyle: 78640 | Pflugerville: 78660 | Round Rock: 78664 | San Marcos: 78666

Online - Globe at Night Observations - June
2021-06-01 - 2021-06-10 | Online
Six Easy Star Hunting Steps

During the campaign dates, go outside more than an hour after sunset (8-10 pm local time). The Moon should not be up. Let your eyes become used to the dark for 10 minutes before your first observation.
Use a night sky app on your phone outside to find the constellation from where you are.
Go to the Globe at Night Report page to start to enter Globe at Night measurements. Make sure you are in “Nighttime version”
With a smart phone, the app will put in the date, time, location (latitude/longitude) automatically. Otherwise please type them in. For your location, type the street address closest to your observation along with the city, state or province and country.
Choose the star chart that looks most closely to what you see toward your constellation. That is, what is the faintest star you can see in the sky and find in the chart?
Chose the amount of cloud cover at the time of observation and then click on the “SUBMIT DATA” button.

Globe at Night 2020 Dates and Constellations
New for 2020: During many of the 2020 Globe at Night campaigns there will be more than one choice for which constellation is optimal to use. This will depend on your location around the globe. To decide which one is best for you at your location for the dates listed below, check to see if the constellation is more than halfway above the horizon. If so, you can use that constellation for the campaign. If not, try another suggested constellation for that month
Learn more here: https://www.globeatnight.org/6-steps.php

Online - Texas Children in Nature Network Virtual Meet-Up
2021-06-03 17:00 - 18:00 | Online
Hear about what our partners across the state have been up to. This is a great chance for everyone to share and ask questions of our partners.
Learn more and register here.

Austin - National Trails Day Fun Run and Walk on the Violet Crown Trail
2021-06-05 08:00 - 13:00 | Dick Nichols Park, 8011 Beckett, Austin, TX, 78749, United States
JOIN HILL COUNTRY CONSERVANCY AND REI FOR NATIONAL TRAILS DAY ON THE VIOLET CROWN TRAIL!
National Trails Day is a nationwide event held to encourage people to discover their local trails and celebrate spending time outdoors. For the third annual NTD on the VCT Fun Run, wind through the woods on your choice of a 5k running course or 1 mi walking course.
Participants will receive an NTD on the VCT shirt, a yoga for runners class from Core Power Yoga, and all sorts of goodies provided by REI.
All proceeds will go towards keeping the trail that you love safe and clean for everyone in the community to enjoy.
Click here to learn more and register.

Online - What's Next for Texas Water?
2021-06-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Texas’ underground water supplies are struggling. That creates long-term uncertainty for landowners who rely on groundwater, the rivers and streams that are fed by it, and the plants and wildlife that will die without it. Yet the Legislature has done little in the 2021 legislative session to address Texas’ water future. So what’s next for landowners, local governments, sensitive ecosystems and the rest of the state?
On June 7, please join a panel of landowners, policy leaders and wildlife experts to assess the landscape for water in Texas, the challenges Texas will face in coming months, and our post-session options for addressing them.
The panel will feature:

Vanessa Escobar, General Manager of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District & HCA Board Member
Ted Flato, a prominent architect and founding member of the Headwaters Alliance & HCA Board Vice President
David Langford, former member of the Environmental Flows Advisory Committee and a founding member of the Headwaters Alliance
Robert Mace, Executive Director & Chief Water Policy Officer for the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University
Vanessa Puig-Williams, Texas Water Program Director for Environmental Defense Fund & HCA Board President
David Yeates, Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Wildlife Association

This webinar is co-sponsored by Environmental Defense Fund, the Hill Country Alliance, and the Headwaters Alliance, a coalition of landowners focused on keeping the Hill Country’s springs and rivers flowing.
Learn more and register here.

Fredericksburg - Farm Bureau Field Day
2021-06-17 17:00 - 19:30 | Gillespie County Farm Bureau Center, 237 Equestrian Drive, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
Program Focus:

Chuck Schmidt, Stihl Representative—Chainsaw Safety
Local Fire Department—Safety on Burning Brush
Dr. Don Renchie, Professor & Extension Pesticide Safety Education Specialist—Minimizing Drift and Pesticide Spraying Safety

Learn more and RSVP by contacting Donna Maxwell with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension – Gillespie County by email at donna.maxwell@ag.tamu.edu.

Boerne - Firefly and Nature Walk Night Hike (Adults 18 & up) at Cibolo Nature Center
2021-06-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
Explore the Cibolo Nature Center trails at dusk
Join professional naturalist Jasmine Torrez and explore the Cibolo Center for Conservation to discover various living organisms that call the Cibolo home. Get a chance to see native wildlife up close. Learn about both animal and plant species’ habitats, natural history, and how to identify them. Also come get a chance to see our native fireflies, a vanishing beautiful Texas treasure. You never know what you will find so join us for this wildcard night hike through the Cibolo.
Please bring a flashlight and your water bottle. Face masks are recommended when in the proximity of one another, but there will be plenty of space to keep a proper distance on the hike. When a face mask covering is required, it must cover the nose and mouth.
Learn more and register here.

Boerne - Gardening 101: Peppers - Herff Farm
2021-06-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Herff Farm, 33 Herff Road, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
Join Keith Amelung of Have Spade Will Travel this Saturday and every 3rd Saturday after the Farmer’s Market at Herff Farm for an introduction to the “basics” of veggie gardening in the Texas Hill Country. We will cover the “how to get started” in a quick 1-hour presentation followed by a Q&A and a seasonal hands-on project.
Think outside the “Bell” – There is a great big world of exciting new culinary exploration if you will take the journey with us. Peppers thrive in our summer heat – well, the hot ones anyway. But there are some not-so-hot varieties that can produce during the summer too… You don’t have to wait ’til September for Bells and Anchos to kick in. Interactive: Each attendee will pot up a couple pepper plants to take home — your choice, hot or not — and together we will set out a few transplants in the Herff Farm garden beds.
Learn more and register here.

Boerne - Family Night Hike – Bats and Fireflies at Cibolo Nature Center
2021-06-25 20:00 - 21:30 | Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
Explore the nature center trails from dusk to dark to see fireflies, bats, moths, owls, and other nocturnal animals with our fantastic education staff and volunteers. We will have an opportunity to record bats using bat detectors to identify our native bat species, look at animal tracks and signs, and look deeper into seasonally occurring wildlife. This event is family-friendly, but participants must be able to keep a moderate hiking pace. Meet at the nature center Visitor Center.
Please bring a flashlight and your water bottle. Face masks are recommended when in the proximity of one another, but there will be plenty of space to keep a proper distance on the hike. When a face mask covering is required, it must cover the nose and mouth.
Learn more and register here.

Boerne - Moondance Outdoor Concerts: Britt Ballenger
2021-06-26 19:00 - 22:30 | Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
It is time for the Moondance Outdoor Concerts presented by the Cibolo Center for Conservation!
We are delighted to announce this year’s lineup of shows running from May through October. We want to thank our generous sponsors Frost Bank, The Boerne Star, and The Brandon Fund, for supporting this time-honored tradition at the Cibolo.
Grab your lawn chairs, coolers, and picnic, and head on over to the Cibolo Nature Center for some music and fun under the majestic oaks!
Doors 7 pm & Music 7:30 pm
Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Rd., Boerne
Here’s what we have in store for you this season:

6/26: Britt Ballenger
7/24: Dirty Rotten Swingband
8/21: Big Cedar Fever
9/18: Blake Torrey
10/23: Lost Mule Band

Food Trucks on-site!
Learn more and register here.

Online - Leopold Live! Bluebird Boxes
2021-06-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Leopold Live! is back with Chapter Two, Episode Two – Blue Bird Boxes will stream on June 29th at 10:00am CST. Leopold Live! began as a live streaming seminar series conducted in partnership with the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve (Bamberger) to demonstrate to natural resource students, landowners and wildlife enthusiasts the original 5 creative methods conceptualized by Aldo Leopold in the 1930s to effectively manage game and therefore conserve wildlife ecology. The series builds on “the central thesis of game management is this: game can be restored by the creative use of the same tools which have heretofore destroyed it—axe, plow, cow, fire, and gun.”
Each month we will be joined by Bamberger ranch staff and experts in the field to explore and demonstrate each of Leopold’s five tools and to give viewers tangible practices that they can implement out in the field.
Tune in to NRI’s Facebook page to ask questions, connect and learn about these essential tools for wildlife habitat management on your property.
Click here for more details.

Hill Country Communities: The Tools that Shape Our Cities
2021-06-29 15:00 - 18:30 | Gem of the Hills, 2233 US Highway 281 North, Blanco, Texas
City development regulations can be overly complex, many don’t understand how or why they exist, and everyone is impacted from their outcomes. The good news is: they can be simpler. Join us to learn more.
This workshop will review both historic and modern patterns of development. Our discussion will be applicable to ALL Hill Country communities, and will be led through an examination of three Texas cities: Bastrop, Bandera and Blanco. Learn about the different tools and metrics being used to create better places in Central Texas and the Hill Country.
The workshop will kick off at 3pm on Tuesday, June 29th on the Courthouse Lawn with a walking tour of the Blanco Square. On the walk, the elements represented in the development codes will be unfolded in real time. We will then reconvene at 4:30pm the Gem of the Hills Activity Center for a presentation with conversation to follow. The formal workshop will conclude at 6:30pm, with an optional happy hour to follow. The takeaways of the workshop will help inform future policies, budgets, and development standards.
Join the dialogue.
Register Here!

Online - Last day to vote for HCA when you shop at Target!
2021-06-30 | Online

Online - Using Alternative Wastewater Treatments to Cut Pollution and Save Water
2021-06-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Using Alternative Treatment to Cut Pollution and Save Water – U.S. Green Building Council
Did you know that the U.S. Green Building Council gives points for sustainable wastewater management in its LEED certification program? Learn more at this webinar on June 30th sponsored by the Texas chapter of USGBC. The webinar is free for USGBC members and $15 for non-members. Register here: https://www.usgbctexas.org/event-4331069

This panel presentation will explain:

How treated sewage causes pollution in streams & lakes
How wastewater treatment systems are regulated
How alternative wastewater systems are designed & installed

Panelists:

Chris Herrington. P.E., Environmental Officer, City of Austin
Brian Zabcik, Wastewater Campaign Organizer, Save Barton Creek Association
David Price, P.E., President, Texas River Protection Association

Online - Climate and Weather Trends in the Hill Country
2021-07-01 18:00 - 18:30 | Online
Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District – Water-Wise Speaker Series
For more information contact Charlie Flatten, General Manager at gm@haysgroundwater.com or 512-858-9253
The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District has announced its 2021 Water-Wise Speaker Series. Subject matter experts will discuss a variety of water topics important to Hays County residents. Tune in July 1st at 6:00 PM to hear about climate and weather trends in the Hill Country from John Nielson-Gammon, State Climatologist of Texas.
Hays County is listed by the US Census Bureau as the second fastest growing county in the United States. Great schools, good housing, proximity to growing business opportunities, and a beautiful landscape are all drivers for our growth. Its most precious resource is water. The Trinity Aquifer deep below has a limited recharge capacity and will not support the growth coming in the next 20-years. The County needs to maximize efficiency of use and diversify its water supply portfolio to keep local communities healthy and viable long into the future.
Speakers will present at 6:00 live and online. Dial-in information will be on the District website www.HaysGroundwater.com the week before each presentation. Check the schedule for upcoming dates.
Water Wise Speaker Series flyer for Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District 2021

San Antonio - Wildlife 2021: Texas Wildlife Annual Convention
2021-07-15 08:00 - 2021-07-18 17:00 | JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, 23808 Resort Parkway, San Antonio, TX, 78261, United States
Join the Texas Wildlife Association for a three-day convention in San Antonio.
We missed seeing you last year! Join us for an exciting weekend at the J.W. Marriott in San Antonio, Texas July 15-18.
Get ready by browsing the auction online filled with one of a kind experiences and trips not open to the public. Best speakers, master seminars from wildlife experts, entertainment, live and silent auctions and more!
This event will be following CDC and local guidelines as it relates to Covid-19 policies.
Learn more here.

Boerne - Tracks and Scat Night Hike (Adults 18 & up) at Cibolo Nature Center
2021-07-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
Explore the Cibolo Nature Center trails at dusk
Join professional naturalist Jasmine Torrez and explore the Cibolo Center for Conservation to examine the tracks and signs of our native animals of the Cibolo. Enjoy the evening while hiking through the riparian forest and live oak, marsh, and savannah. Get a chance to see native wildlife up close. Learn how to preserve tracks to take with you for study all while learning about the animal’s habitats, natural history, and species identification.
Please bring a flashlight and your water bottle. Face masks are recommended when in the proximity of one another, but there will be plenty of space to keep a proper distance on the hike. When a face mask covering is required, it must cover the nose and mouth.
Learn more and register here.

Boerne - Gardening 101: Pollinators - Herff Farm
2021-07-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Herff Farm, 33 Herff Road, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
Join Keith Amelung of Have Spade Will Travel this Saturday and every 3rd Saturday after the Farmer’s Market at Herff Farm for an introduction to the “basics” of veggie gardening in the Texas Hill Country. We will cover the “how to get started” in a quick 1-hour presentation followed by a Q&A and a seasonal hands-on project.
Eggplants, okra, squash or pumpkin – you need not be a flower to NEED a little help from our flying friends. We will discuss some of the best ways to attract pollinating insects to our vegetable gardens. We will also discuss a few native and acclimated plant species for our landscape that help to attract beneficial insects. Interactive: Each attendee will receive a superior pollinating attracting plant to take home. Together we will set out a few transplants in the new “Pollinator” inspired Garden Beds at the Herff Farm.
Learn more and register here.

Online - Leopold Live! Brush Clearing and Brush Piles
2021-07-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Leopold Live! is back with Chapter Two, Episode Three – Brush Clearing and Brush Piles will stream on July 20th at 10:00am CST. Leopold Live! began as a live streaming seminar series conducted in partnership with the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve (Bamberger) to demonstrate to natural resource students, landowners and wildlife enthusiasts the original 5 creative methods conceptualized by Aldo Leopold in the 1930s to effectively manage game and therefore conserve wildlife ecology. The series builds on “the central thesis of game management is this: game can be restored by the creative use of the same tools which have heretofore destroyed it—axe, plow, cow, fire, and gun.”
Each month we will be joined by Bamberger ranch staff and experts in the field to explore and demonstrate each of Leopold’s five tools and to give viewers tangible practices that they can implement out in the field.
Tune in to NRI’s Facebook page to ask questions, connect and learn about these essential tools for wildlife habitat management on your property.
Click here to learn more.

San Marcos - Growing Up Wild
2021-07-21 10:00 - 11:00 | San Marcos Public Library, 625 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos, TX, 78666, United States
Kids will learn about wildlife and the natural world through stories, crafts, and facts. Space is limited, so arrive early to reserve your free ticket. We will only be able to accommodate the first 20 families to arrive.
To learn more, check here for details.

Boerne - Moondance Outdoor Concerts: Dirty Rotten Swingband
2021-07-24 19:00 - 22:30 | Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
It is time for the Moondance Outdoor Concerts presented by the Cibolo Center for Conservation!
We are delighted to announce this year’s lineup of shows running from May through October. We want to thank our generous sponsors Frost Bank, The Boerne Star, and The Brandon Fund, for supporting this time-honored tradition at the Cibolo.
Grab your lawn chairs, coolers, and picnic, and head on over to the Cibolo Nature Center for some music and fun under the majestic oaks!
Doors 7pm & Music 7:30 pm
Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Rd., Boerne
Here’s what we have in store for you this season:

7/24: Dirty Rotten Swingband
8/21: Big Cedar Fever
9/18: Blake Torrey
10/23: Lost Mule Band

Food Trucks on-site!
Learn more and register here

Online - Swarms and Bees in Walls
2021-07-27 17:30 - 18:30 | Online
Swarms and bees in walls: what to do when you have them?
Presented by Nathalie B. from the Hays County Beekeepers Association.

To register for this online event, click here!

Fredericksburg - Hill Country Tree Program
2021-07-29 09:00 - 11:30 | Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, United States
Though the cold weather last February damaged many trees, one thing it didn’t do was eliminate oak wilt from the area. If you would like to learn more about oak wilt or which tree species grow well here, you should attend the Hill Country Tree Program on July 29th. The program will be at 38 Business Court at the new Gillespie County Extension Office in Fredericksburg. Registration will start at 9:00 AM, with the presentation beginning at 9:30 AM and ending at 11:45 AM. Texas Forest Service Biologist Robert Edmonson will give the presentation, talking about oak wilt, planting replacement trees, and basic tree identification. One IPM pesticide applicator continuing education credit (CEU) will be awarded for those that need it. The program costs ten dollars per person.
This program can be paid at the door, though pre-registration is encouraged. Credit cards are not accepted. Please call the Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office at 830-997-3452 to register. Questions can be directed to Beth McMahon at Elizabeth.mcmahon@agnet.tamu.edu .
We hope to see you there!
Download the PDF – 2021 Hill Country Tree Program
Click here to learn more.

Online - Hill Country Eclipse Round Table
2021-07-29 12:00 - 13:30 | Online
The City of Fredericksburg, the Gillespie County Economic Development Corporation, and the Hill Country Alliance invite community leaders to participate in a Hill Country Eclipse Round Table, Tuesday, June 29 from 12:00 pm-1:30 pm on Zoom to discuss ongoing preparations for the total solar eclipse, which may draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to our region in April 2024. Register here: https://hillcountryalliance.z2systems.com/np/clients/hillcountryalliance/event.jsp?event=95&
During the last total solar eclipse event in the U.S., back in 2017, many rural communities in its path were overwhelmed by the crowds and the challenges they created for local infrastructure, emergency services, lodging and restaurants, and supermarkets. However, the communities that fared the best were those that started preparing years in advance. In 2024, the total solar eclipse will pass directly through the middle of the Hill Country, affecting all of our communities. This round table is an opportunity for us to share our plans, learn from one another, and benefit from lessons learned by other U.S. communities during the 2017 eclipse.
We will be joined by Gary Williams and Steven Mitchell, City Manager and Economic Development Director, respectively, for the City of Carbondale, IL, which was on the path of totality during the 2017 eclipse and will be again in 2024. Mr. Williams and Mr. Mitchell led their community’s preparations for the influx of visitors; they will share their perspective and lessons learned, helping their Hill Country counterparts understand what to expect and how to plan for it.
After a brief presentation from Mr. Williams and Mr. Mitchell, we will open the round table for discussion, around-the-region check-ins, and planning.
