News & Updates
2023 Hill Country photo contest winners announced and 2024 Calendar for sale!
The 2023 Hill Country Calendar is sold out! If you did not yet order your calendars, you'll have to wait until 2024. While we're sorry for folks who missed out this year, we are so grateful for the support of everyone that has ordered. Thank you to all who supported...
1,766 acres of Hill Country habitat protected forever
Texas Land Conservancy is thrilled to announce the permanent protection of 79 Ranch, a 1,766-acre oasis of rolling hills, canyons, and limestone bluffs along Hogg Bluff Creek in Mason County. 79 Ranch is an expansive property in western Mason County that encompasses...
Call to action for our Neighbors in Taylor
When it comes to shifting our region towards more fiscally and environmentally responsible development patterns, Hill Country communities benefit from banding together with our neighbors east of I-35. Bastrop and Taylor, for example, have made great strides in...
UTSA and Harvard bring eclipse to visually impaired Texans with LightSound
While there’s been a lot of talk of eclipse glasses and watch parties and as so many Texans prepare to look up at the sky Saturday for the partial solar eclipse, there’s a group of Lone Star residents who can’t experience the myth-shrouded phenomenon: the visually...
Water wells are drying up in Western Comal County — Can the Trinity Aquifer be saved?
A retiree in his 80s who has lived on two acres of land in Bulverde for 15 years is packing up and getting ready to walk away from his home. His water well, which once produced 7 1/2 gallons of water per minute from the Trinty Aquifer, is dry. He pays a water hauler...
Local leaders convene in Sabinal to discuss rural economic development
Last month, business and community leaders from Sabinal and across the rural Hill Country gathered for a Rural Roundup Event in Sabinal focused on creating homegrown economic opportunities in Hill Country towns. The event was co-organized by the Hill Country Alliance...
TWDB explores nature-based solutions to mitigate flooding in Texas
Flooding is the most common and deadly disaster in the state that has plagued Texans for generations, costing billions in property damage—and worse, loss of lives. So, when it comes to addressing the most challenging water issues across the nearly 269,000 square miles...
Summer of record heat deals costly damage to Texas water systems
The hottest summer on record for many Texas cities has brought millions of dollars in damage to municipal plumbing and the loss of huge volumes of water during a severe drought. Authorities across the state are struggling to keep up with widespread leakage even as...
10 things every elected leader should know about building strong towns
Strong Towns believes local government is the most direct and important form in shaping policies that affect our daily lives. We support anyone who steps up to devote their time and energy to their communities, and know that there are things you can do at all levels...