News & Updates
Discovering Westcave
In the heart of the Texas Hill Country lies an astonishing place called Westcave Preserve, a 76-acre nature preserve and environmental education facility in western Travis County, near Austin, that provides a sanctuary for the flora and fauna of surprisingly diverse...
The Edwards Aquifer: A Valuable Resource We Must Conserve
The story of water and Texas starts right here, some 650 ft. below the surface where you are reading this. That’s the historic average for October of the J-17 well, 658 ft. above sea level, the measure that influences everything related to the Edwards Aquifer. The...
Dripping Springs Wastewater Discharge Permit update
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) published notice of the Dripping Springs application and preliminary decision for TPDES permit for municipal wastewater. They also set the date and location for the public meeting. The District submitted supplemental...
Hill Country Alliance marks its first decade
Many folks in Gillespie County still have not heard of the Hill Country Alliance, but the group marked its 10th year in existence in advocating for healthy land and waters, dark skies and fostering a community which cares about these things. The group’s footprint...
E.O. Wilson explains why parks and nature are really good for your brain
In recent years, a growing body of research has documented the psychological and even health benefits of spending time in natural settings, such as forests or parks. This research has shown that people who live in urban areas that feature more trees have better...
How to help monarch butterflies without accidentally luring them to their deaths
Dara Satterfield has a unique way of looking at Monarch butterflies. She thinks of them as “tiny camels.” “They store up energy to help them through these harsh conditions for a couple months.” says Satterfield, a James Smithson Fellow at the National Zoo in...
Llano River plan gets nod from EPA
Because the Upper Llano River is a healthy ecosystem, the Environmental Protection Agency has accepted a watershed protection plan that will help address future declines in water quality and stream flow, according to a news release. The plan was accepted as it met the...
Emily Warren, Associate Director at Meadows Center, Joins Hill Country Alliance Board of Directors
The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) is proud to announce that Emily Warren, a water resources expert with more than 15 years of experience in the public sector, recently joined as the newest member to the HCA Board of Directors. Warren is currently the Associate Director...
2017 Texas Hill Country Calendar Available for Sale: Photo Contest Winners Announced
Calendar captures the beauty of the Texas Hill Country and the importance of protecting it for future generations The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) recently released their 10th Texas Hill Country Calendar. Once again, the HCA calendar pairs stunning imagery of...