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News
Public Invited to Outdoor Adventure Showcase at LBJ State Park
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site presents a day of family fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, featuring adventure and hands-on experiences for all ages. Representatives from a dozen central Texas state parks and state natural areas will be...
Farm Bill Update: The Agriculture Act of 2014 and Conservation
With the enactment of the Agriculture Act of 2014, known to most of us as the Farm Bill, landowners have more certainty about the availability of federal funds for conservation on farm and ranch lands. The Farm Bill provides up to $57 billion dollars over the next...
Success Stories of Trails in Texas
The National Park Service, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program is working on trail projects throughout Texas including urban trails in Austin and San Antonio and the Llano River Biodiversity trail at Texas Tech University in Junction. Learn More
Water Blues
“How much IS too much?” Is the rate of growth northwest of San Antonio undermining the good efforts of land conservation investment over the aquifer recharge area? These tough questions are explored in the new documentary film project, Water Blues. View clips by...
Globe At Night – Get Out and Observe the Night Sky!
The Globe at Night program is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen-scientists to measure their night sky brightness and submit their observations to a website from a computer or smart...
Hill Country Land Trust Acquires 685 Acre Easement in Gillespie County
February 11, 2014 The Hill Country Land Trust The Hill Country Land Trust (HCLT), a non-profit land conservation group headquartered in Fredericksburg, Texas, recently acquired a land easement of 685 acres in Gillespie County, bringing the total of preserved...
For Central Texas Educators: Groundwater to the Gulf
Every year, water experts from over 13 agencies in Central Texas combine forces to take 50 teachers to the aquatic hotspots in and around Austin. We go caving, canoeing, hiking, and splash in streams--all in the name of science. It is the most fun, free way to earn 22...
Dripping Springs Named The First International Dark Sky Community In Texas
The stars at night remain big and bright deep in the heart of the Texas – thanks to the hard work and dedication of Texas Hill Country residents. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) announced today it has designated the first International Dark Sky Community...
Kudos to SAWS, but Day case is the real problem, not GCDs
“Kudos are due to SAWS President and CEO Robert Puente for choosing a closer-to-home strategy that, along with continued efficiency improvements, will help the City meet its water needs far into the future. Here is hoping that the SAWS board and the Mayor give full...
Multi-county new landowner series to address all phases of agricultural production
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is accepting applications for its 2014 New Land Owners Series (NLOS), which will take place in Blanco, Kendall, Kerr and Gillespie Counties in Texas Hill Country. Participants in the program will hear from Extension experts...
Exploring Conservation Design in Central Texas – Rescheduled 5.16.2014
Randall Arendt will be back in Austin May 16 for this full day of Conservation Development education. The program also features a low impact development presentation by Karen Bishop of the San Antonio River Authority and a panel discussion with city planners, land...
Water Woes Common,But is That Any Comfort?
“…mine are not views of water issues as seen through a politician’s, chambers of commerce’ or developers’ rose colored glasses. Water is too critical and too big an issue to play games with in giving the citizens the facts”. Read more from the Hill Country’s Mike...
A Water Primer from our friends at the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA)
“Springs occur where groundwater from saturated aquifers escapes to the surface, usually amid exposed and broken rock along fault lines, such as the 300 mile “spring line” along the Balcones Escarpment in Central Texas... Springs form the headwaters of some of Texas’s...
Families Learn Life Changing Values at Cibolo Nature Center Farm
“This place – along with other sanctuaries for nature and people – gives me hope that we can live in harmony with our surroundings, if we work together to learn about our history and the wonders of the natural world, and embrace the communities in which we live.” Read...
Severe Drought Has U.S. West Fearing Worst
Pay attention to what’s happening in California - "17 rural communities providing water to 40,000 people are in danger of running out within 60 to 120 days. 'I have experienced a really long career in this area, and my worry meter has never been this high,' said Tim...
Who Controls Texas’ 2 Billion Water Fund?
“The chairmanship is a posting that could easily tumble into cynicism, to the knowing feeling that despite legislative assurances that portions of the water money will be used for the sort of conservation project that Delia, the 9-year-old girl, favors, most of it...
Bandera County Water Awareness Event – March 21 – 22
BANDERA – The first in a series of water-related workshops will be held March 21-22 at Mansfield Park Recreational Hall, 2886 Highway 16 North in Bandera. The Bandera County Water Awareness Series event will be held from 6-9 p.m. on March 21 and from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on...
House Approves Farm Bill
In a striking show of bi-partisanship, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to support the 2014 Farm Bill. The final vote was 251 - 166. The legislation will generate more than one billion dollars for saving endangered farm and ranch lands. The bill is...
2014 Groundwater News
January 29, 2014 Rio Grande Water Users Fear Groundwater Pumping Project A controversial groundwater pumping plan that opponents argue could threaten the lower Rio Grande's already depleted supply is highlighting a conundrum in Texas water law. Texas rivers and...
Farm Transfer Tools: Promoting Sustainable Practices
“Many landowners, whether retiring from a lifelong career of farming or inheriting land from parents who farmed, want to leave a legacy of conservation and sustainable agriculture. As a landowner, you may be looking for ways to pass on the farm to a farmer and/or new...
New Braunfels river rules deemed unenforceable
For six years, New Braunfels has tried to keep rowdy tubers from tossing trash into its rivers with a series of ordinances barring them from floating through town with coolers larger than 16 quarts or from carrying disposable bottles and cans. Now, a judge has sunk...
Dealing with Drought
In this exclusive premiere of the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) mini-documentary “Dealing with Drought,” diverse Edwards Aquifer permit holders share their stories of resilience and conservation practices. More from the Rivard Report.
Chemical Spill in West Virginia shows the vulnerability of our water supplies
January 21, 2014 American Rainwater Catchment Association Value of Rainwater Catchment Systems RAINWATER HARVESTING CAN CREATE SAFE, DECENTRALIZED WATER SUPPLIES The disastrous chemical spill that contaminated West Virginia's water supply reinforced the value of...
Texas Water Report: Going Deeper for the Solution
The State Comptroller’s Office released “Texas Water Report: Going Deeper for the Solution” earlier this month. The report demonstrates the value of conservation investments and innovation in water research and technology. A website was also launched to compliment the...
Water, Local Control Issues Paramount in HD-53 Race
The bulk of the western Texas Hill Country lies in House District 53, Representative Harvey Hilderbran’s seat since 1992. Three candidates are running in the Republican Primary. “Murr acknowledged the diversity of the region: “Different growing regions, different...
Energy demonstration project now underway at TTU-Junction
James Murr The Junction Eagle Last fall the Llano River Field Station (the Station) at the Texas Tech University (TTU) Center in Junction received a grant for $230,000 from the Office of the Texas Comptroller for an alternative energy demonstration project. The...
Zero Net Water
Imagine a water management strategy that would accommodate growth and development without unsustainably pumping down aquifers or incurring the huge expense and societal disruption to build reservoirs or transport water from remote supplies to developing areas. Welcome...
Groundwater Desalination: An Under-Projected Source of Supply?
The challenges and opportunities in brackish groundwater desalination as a source of future water supply in Texas have been receiving considerable attention lately. With a Joint Interim Committee on Desalination, Senate Natural Resources Committee interim charges that...
San Antonio named a “Promise Zone”
Five U.S. communities have been designated “Promise Zones” by HUD and USDA including San Antonio’s east side. These communities will benefit from a comprehensive approach to development that will enhance and connect local assets ranging from schools to housing to...
San Antonio Seeks Ownership of Its Wastewater
A bid by San Antonio's water utility to declare ownership of the sewage it treats and releases has sparked a regional tug-of-war — one that could become more common as Texas' thirsty water users struggle to protect their supplies. Read more from the Texas Tribune.