News
Travis County Wants Your Feedback – Land Water and Transportation Plan Ready for Review
The population of Travis County is expected to grow 50% by 2035 for a total of 1,500,000 people. Planning for growth outside of the city limits is critical for the county to continue to thrive in a sustainable manner. As such, Travis County needs your feedback to...
The City of Fredericksburg takes steps to protect the night sky
Efforts to limit the nighttime glow in and around Fredericksburg were buoyed this month as the council approved an outdoor lighting standards ordinance, which will primarily affect new residential and commercial development. A complete draft of the ordinance can be...
Texans Speak Up for Beautiful Highways: TxDOT withdraws proposal for taller billboards
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has withdrawn its June 2014 proposed rule change that would have allowed billboards along federal highways to be taller. After receiving public comments from more than 900 Texans and 15 organizations in opposition to...
Workshop Will Feature Discussion of Proposed Blumenthal Substation and Transmission Line
A landowner workshop has been planned for all interested in, or potentially impacted by, the proposed substation and transmission line planned for the Blumenthal area, September 6 near Fredericksburg. Learn more
Truck Stop in Hill Country Threatens Llano River
Hill Country preservationists are calling on state officials to act after Pilot Flying J, the nation’s largest truck stop operator and diesel fuel retailer, broke ground on an environmentally sensitive site in Junction only a few hundred yards from the banks of the...
SAWS proposing Burleson County pipeline – questions raised
SAWS presented plans for a 142 mile pipeline from Burleson County to San Antonio at a recent community forum at UTSA. Learn more and watch a video from SAWS news here. While the plan promises 50,000 acre feet of non-Edwards water annually, a Texas Public Radio segment...
The City of Dripping Springs is planning for a “World Class Trail”
“The routes will connect destinations beyond Dripping Springs and will take advantage of opportunities to reach the proposed Violet Crown Trail and other regional trails and parks planned for Central Texas.” Read more and get involved. The City of Dripping Springs is...
Save the date for the October 8th Water Forum: Securing our Water Future
“Innovative Strategies and Hard Choices for a Secure Future” will be moderated by Robert Rivard and hosted at the Historic Pearl Stable in San Antonio. A stellar line-up of speakers includes: Berto Guerra, Bill West, Andy Sansom and Karen Guz. Learn more and mark your...
San Antonio Mulls $3 Billion Water Supply Project
Depending on whom you ask, San Antonio might either be on the cusp of securing its water future at a relatively low cost, or it is pinning most of its hopes on a multibillion-dollar boondoggle that could diminish the water supply for fast-growing Central Texas and...
NPSOT Native Landscape Certification Program – Register Now for 2014 Fall Classes
The Native Plant Society of Texas Native Landscape Certification Program is a series of courses that teaches best practices for native plant landscape and habitat preservation. Targeted audiences are homeowners, native plant enthusiasts, landscape architects,...
Lack of Shared Dream Challenges Management of Rural, Open Space
“The population growth has had some obvious impacts, For one, there are a lot more straws, big and small, taking from the groundwater supply.” David K. Langford tells the audience at a recent private lands summit hosted by the Texas Wildlife Association. Read more...
Hill Country Alliance Announces Winners of Photography Contest for 2015 Calendar
“It’s through photographs like these that we help share the importance of protecting our Hill Country environment, and one of the reasons our calendar has been so popular with both area residents and nature lovers worldwide,” said Milan J. Michalec, board president of...
Our Desired Future at the Legislature and in the Field
“The 2013 Legislative Session may have been all about water, but it's clear from the Committee testimony that 2015 will be the year of groundwater. Across Central Texas, groundwater is the next big play. But is it really the only alternative to drought-stricken...
TPWD to Host Public Meeting on Kronkosky State Natural Area tomorrow (August 13)
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host a public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 13 regarding the kinds of facilities and recreational uses being considered for the Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area. The meeting will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30...
The next Certified Interpretive Guide Training begins Aug. 20 at Westcave Preserve
There are only a few spots left for the next Certified Interpretive Guide Training Workshop at the beautiful Westcave Preserve. Learn how to engage hearts and inspire action to protect our beautiful Hill Country.Learn more
Hill Country Land Trust Celebrates 15 Years
August 12, 2014 In 1998, a group of like-minded people including Trudy Vars Harris, Terry Hershey, and others from the Fredericksburg area started meeting as a group with the goal in mind to conserve and protect the Hill Country from the break up of family lands,...
During Drought, Once-Mighty Texas Rice Belt Fades Away
“This is the state’s youngest land – a vast accumulation of sediment, slowly left behind during ages of floods. From the high Hill Country, the Colorado River carried dirt down to the flatlands, extending Texas’ coastline over millions of years. The region was...
Subdivision on subdivision violence in the Texas Hill Country
"This is often the case -- and is happening more and more in the increasingly crowded Hill Country suburbs of Austin: Recent transplants bristling at the prospect of new development next door. It's probably true that a new subdivision will ruin Hill Country views --...
Rainwater Revival Returns to Dripping Springs on October 25
Look to the sky for your water supply—and learn how to capture and use it at the fifth annual Rainwater Revival, which returns to Dripping Springs on October 25. The popular and free edu-fest event is put on by the Hill Country Alliance. “We began our...
Two Texas Parks & Wildlife Properties Achieve International ‘Dark Sky’ Status
August 6, 2014 TUCSON, Ariz. – Texas state parks remain among the few public places in one of the nation’s most populous and increasingly urbanized states where the starry heavens can be viewed in all their celestial glory with only minimal intrusion of artificial...
LCRA Accepting Applications for Regional Councils
Volunteers provide feedback, share information about LCRA with local communities LCRA is accepting applications through August for membership on its four Regional Councils, groups of volunteers who provide an important link between LCRA and the communities it serves....
CARD Hosts a Community Water Meeting September 11
Today the supply of water for our area is adequate. But we know additional growth is bringing many more people and businesses. As responsible, foresighted citizens, we must consider how we can assure a reliable supply of water for our own future, and for those who...
Limits to outdoor watering become a permanent part of the Texas landscape
Cities across Texas have adopted water conservation policies that limit outdoor lawn irrigation as a way to reduce water waste and stretch existing water supplies. The City of Fort Worth is among the most recent to adopt no more than twice per week lawn watering as...
LCRA and City of Mason award $24,000 to Odeon Preservation Association for LED lighting
August 1, 2014 The Odeon Preservation Association (OPA) will be able to purchase and install LED stage lighting for Mason’s historic Odeon Theater with the help of a $24,000 community development grant. The Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Mason...
Cibolo Conservancy sets Aug. 6 workshop to help families protect land, get tax incentives
BOERNE, Texas—A workshop exploring how families can legally protect and preserve the legacy of their land – and be eligible for tax relief at the same time – will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Cibolo Nature Center & Farm auditorium. “Estate Planning...
State water fund rules a big deal
The rules are a big deal. They'll help decide how billions of dollars are spent, or misspent, in the coming decades to help Texas meet its growing demand for water. If we get them right, they can help guide state and regional water officials to craft a more balanced...
The Source: Calls For Development Freeze Over Recharge Zone
Water conservation advocates are calling on the San Antonio Water System to cease permits for service to new developments over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone until a plan for growth can be established. The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance wants to ensure less...
Can brush control program enhance water supplies?
“A state program meant to encourage old-school range management and new-school water saving methods has become the subject of a peculiarly Texas controversy. The State Soil and Water Conservation Board will decide Monday how to disburse millions of dollars to clear...
“Destination Junction” Community Meeting All Invited
The South Llano Watershed Alliance invites all persons interested in protecting and restoring the confluence of the North Llano River and South Llano River to attend a community meeting on Thursday, July 31st at 6pm in the Kimble County Courthouse. Topics to include:...
Call for 2015 Rainwater Revival Exhibitors!
HCA is currently looking for Rainwater Harvesting and related businesses and organizations to exhibit at the 2015 Rainwater Revival! This one-day “edu-fest” is the perfect opportunity to meet one-on-one with citizens interested in water conservation, rainwater...