News
Lone Star Land Steward Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary
2015 Regional Winners To Be Honored for their Conservation Contributions AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) honors the conservation contributions of private landowners each year with its Lone Star Land Steward Award. This year, seven winners...
Legislative Solution to Hays County Water Dispute Takes Big Step Forward
Those of you who have been keeping up with efforts to put restrictions on Electro Purification’s pumping of water from an unregulated area of the Trinity Aquifer in Hays County will be pleased to know that a proposed legislative solution took an important step forward...
Truth in Budgeting for State Park Funding
Good news from Representative Larson’s recent capitol update: Last week, HB 158 passed the House by a vote of 138-1. The bill is now headed for the Senate. Since 1993, a portion of the sales tax revenue generated by sporting goods has been statutorily allocated to...
House Bills Erode Water Quality and Open Space Protections in the Hill Country
On April 13th, the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Land and Resource Management heard House Bills 3620and 3621, authored by State Representative Jason Isaac of Dripping Springs. In a maneuver likely designed to avoid heated debate over his bills, which...
“Transferring water from one area to another has social and environmental consequences”
Sierra Club, Lone Star Chapter: TAKE ACTION! “House Bill 3298 is set to be debated on the Texas House floor Thursday, May 7 – the bill would direct the state’s water planning agency to evaluate how to establish and operate a state water conveyance network – a massive...
Citizen referendums are fundamental to democracy
Texas League of Conservation Voters urges “NO” votes on HB 2595. Home rule cities have enormous powers to govern. But in circumstances when governing bodies are not acting—or are slow to act—initiatives have proven useful tools for VOTERS to enact local ordinances...
Kramer: Water grid proposal not right for Texas
Critical vote Thursday, May 7th: Many Texans find satisfaction in being different from California. But a new legislative proposal would have Texas follow the deeply flawed California model of massive and costly pumping of water all over the state. This approach...
HCA learning opportunities about the SEP HCP
The Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan (SEP HCP) has its share of controversy. HCA convened a successful meeting in Boerne in March to foster more understanding and as a result, a landowner gathering has been scheduled in Bandera on May 5th. Read more...
The steep costs of living so far apart from each other
In strictly economic terms, sprawl is inefficient. Spread people out, and it takes them longer to drive where they need to go, and it costs them more in gas money to get there. Disperse a few people over a lot of land, and that land is used inefficiently, too. Then...
A Habitat Conservation Plan for the Southern Edwards Plateau
Bexar County and the City of San Antonio are working on a regional planning effort to balance the conservation needs of rare plants and animals with the demand for economic growth and development. This program is known as the Southern Edwards Plateau, Habitat...
Lawmakers move to speed permits and limit protests
Hill Country landowners already have very little to say about industrial projects upstream. “The bill would scale back contested-case hearings, a process that allows the public to scrutinize and challenge industrial applications for environmental permits, such as...
TSCRA Cattlemen’s Column: Texas Water Shortage Spurs Legislative Concern
As expected, water issues are coming to the forefront as the 84th session of the Texas Legislature progresses. Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) leaders and staff have been tracking and weighing in on water related legislation to make sure...
Conservation Easement to provide permanent protection for the Golden Cheeked Warbler
April 23, 2015 Travis Audobon In a major step for conservation in Central Texas, Travis Audubon has entered into an agreement with Travis County that will ensure a permanent, protected home for the Golden-cheeked Warbler, an endangered songbird. Travis Audubon agreed...
Wildlife Field Research at Cibolo Nature Center and Farm
Wildlife Field Research (WFR) is a bioblitz conducted every spring and fall at the Cibolo Nature Center. During this research event, teams of Citizen Scientists combine their experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to conduct a survey of the nature center’s ecology....
Llano’s Dark Night Skies
A Night Sky Resolution was passed in Llano April 6th! “The Llano City Council should be commended for adopting their resolution and taking this important step in promoting better lighting and preserving the Llano starry nights.” Ken Kattner, HCA Night Sky team member...
Learn about the Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan (SEP HCP)
Bandera Meeting of the Ranchers and Landowners Association Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 at 7:00 pm Mansfield Park Recreation Center in Bandera The Ranchers and Landowner Association of Texas are inviting their membership and all area landowners to a very special and...
A Habitat Conservation Plan for the Southern Edwards Plateau: Opportunity or Liability
by Milan J. Michalec Bexar County and the City of San Antonio are working on a regional planning effort to balance the conservation needs of rare plants and animals with the demand for economic growth and development. This program is known as the Southern Edwards...
Rock Crushing Operation Planned for Blanco County- Public Encouraged to Comment by April 17
This Friday, April 17th will be the final day for the public to make comments regarding a sand and gravel operation currently seeking a permit to operate along the banks of the Pedernales River. The facility would be permitted to produce more than 500,000 tons of...
Implementing the Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan
April 15, 2015 Meadows Center for the Environment The Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan has been accepted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and is currently available for public review and comment...
Researchers, Water Providers Launch Conservation Effort
With a third of Texans still facing drought conditions, a coalition of Texas universities and water providers has launched an $8 million effort to curb water use in cities. Read more from the Texas Tribune. Are you curious about municipal water use in the Hill...
Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan Program Public Meeting
A public meeting and Workshop of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan Stakeholder and Science Committees will be held on April 22, 2015 8:30 am – 5 pm. This Workshop in an opportunity to learn about and discuss the...
Bandera County water education opportunities
The Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District has announced a series of educational programs for 2015. Mark your calendar for these wonderful opportunities to learn about Rainwater Harvesting, Riparian Health, Native Vegetation and more. Details
AgriLife Landowner’s Management Workshop, April 20 in San Antonio
Download Flyer A Landowner’s Management Workshop will be held from 5:30-8:45 p.m. April 20 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Bexar County, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, in San Antonio. “This workshop is intended to provide landowners helpful...
Funds for school rainwater projects
Now is the time for your school to apply for a grant through HCA's Rainwater Revival School Grant Program. The program is in its 5th year and has awarded grants to 14 Hill Country Schools for rainwater harvesting projects and water conservation education. The...
Legislation would limit public’s ability to challenge pollution permits
Legislation currently making its way through both the Texas House and Senate would have serious consequences for the general public to challenge pollution permits at the TCEQ. Contested case hearings are typically the best way for landowners to question those applying...
Colorful Blooms Decorate Texas State Parks
Texas State Parks have gone Technicolor this spring; rolling waves of bright blue, deep red and rich yellow blanket Texas’ hills and plains. Texas is blessed with more than 5,000 species of wildflowers and this spring has seen a proliferation of wildflower...
California drought in the news
It seems that everywhere we turn, there is news of the historic drought currently gripping California. Could the current water shortage mark the end ofCalifornia's booming growth? Or is it simply another obstacle to overcome - a "resource management issue," as some...
Interpretive Guide Training set for May
HCA is offering an Interpretive Guide training class May 4–7 in San Antonio. This program will help you connect the minds and hearts of your audience to the beauty of nature and the mysteries of history. The more hearts we touch, the more minds we inspire, the better...
Save Oak Hill: Actions and Solutions
Save Oak Hill will be holding their second public meeting, "Save Oak Hill: Actions and Solutions," Thursday, April 16 at the Hampton Branch of the Austin Public Library on Convict Hill From 6:30-8pm. Anyone with concerns about TxDOT's plan to build an elevated...
EAPP funding up for renewal
On May 9, San Antonio voters will have the opportunity to renew funding for the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program and Greenway Trails. To date, the EAPP has conserved over 133,000 acres over the Edwards Aquifer in Bexar, Medina and Uvalde counties. More than 1200...