News
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.
Hays County rainwater fund proposed
On January 21st the Hays County Commissioners Court discussed creation of a Hays County Rainwater Initiative Fund, the Hays “RAIN” Fund. After reviewing the proposal and hearing from speakers supporting the proposal, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to authorize...
The Edward Aquifer HCP is one of four conservation partnerships honored by the Interior Secretary
The Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP) is one of four organizations to receive the Department of Interior's Partner in Conservation Award. EARIP's Habitat Conservation Plan, approved in 2013, was created to ensure that the Comal and San Marcos...
The United (Watershed) States of America
A Hill Country governed by Watersheds? This interesting blog takes a look at John Wesley Powell’s 1879 proposal; What if western states were brought into the union they be formed around watersheds, rather than arbitrary political boundaries. This idea rested on the...
Cibolo Nature Center & Farm to offer five-part sustainable landscape program
Texas—Sustainable residential landscapes can have a positive impact on the environmental health and human well-being of an entire region, promoting clean air and water, fertile soils and other essential aspects of daily life. To help homeowners create and maintain...
Devils River faces threats from groundwater pumping and export
Many eyes are on SAWS in the weeks ahead as decisions are made about regional water supply, i.e. bringing in water from outside of Bexar County. One of the three proposals being considered is from a water marketer seeking to pump and pipe 150,000 acre-feet of water...
TWDB solicits public comments
Texas Water Development Board Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is hosting a discussion about the implementation of historic legislation creating the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT), and we'd like your input. This discussion is the third of...
What’s your view of Hill Country Stewardship?
The 2014 Hill Country Photo Contest runs March 1st through May 31 The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) is seeking photographs that tell the story of our region’s stewardship ethic for publication in its 2015 calendar. The Texas Hill Country is a cherished place, yet it is...
The High Cost of San Antonio’s North-South Water Divide
The fact is the city’s sprawling suburbs, gated communities and ex-urban neighborhoods are addicted to lawn and landscape watering. SAWS officials say about one-third of all the water we use in the hot summer months is pumped to keep grass alive. Not humans, but...
2030 District Points San Antonio Towards Sustainability
It’s full steam ahead for San Antonio 2030 District organizers after January 10th's successful district launch party. Architecture 2030 is a nonprofit that challenges cities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from building operations via energy-saving design and...
Bennett endowment to provide ongoing AgriLife Extension land stewardship programming
A first-of-its-kind endowment made by Eskell and Ruth Bennett will make land stewardship in the Edwards Plateau a part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service programming for years to come. Natural resource stewardship and a love for the Texas Hill Country are...
Developer decides not to purchase land near Bracken Cave
All of the advocacy outreach opposing the Crescent Hills project adjacent to Bracken Bat Cave has paid off, Stratford Land officially declined to purchase the property. “Meanwhile, a coalition of conservation groups and local officials worried about the impact of...
Rainfall and recharge reality for the Laurels Ranch, Kendall County = Very very bleak
At The Laurels Ranch we received 29.62 inches of rain for the year 2013. We are very thankful for this close-to-average rainfall year, yet we are needing much more over the longer haul. If you do the math, it can ruin your day. Here's the hard reality for this area of...
Wimberley Citizens and HEB seek common ground
Important commitments for rainwater harvesting, night sky lighting, drainage and other considerations, make this new HEB in one of the Hill Country's most charming communities more tolerable. City Council meets Thursday, January 16th, learn more from Hays County's...
Rainwater harvesting ‘soaking in’ as way to conserve Texas’ water resources
After a long dry period, many parts of the state have finally received some badly needed rain, and those with rainwater harvesting systems have been reaping the rewards of this belated gift from Mother Nature, said Texas A&M AgriLife water resources experts. Read...
The Hill Country Land Trust Welcomes Its First Executive Director
The Hill Country Land Trust (HCLT), a non-profit land conservation group headquartered in Fredericksburg, Texas, announced today that Martha Zeiher has been named its first executive director, effective January 1, 2014. Ms. Zeiher will coordinate the land trust’s...
Regional Premier of WATERSHED: Exploring a New Water Ethic for the New West, January 15
Enjoy the regional premier of the movie WATERSHED, to be followed by a panel discussion featuring international water policy experts. The evening will feature discussion of drought and water policy in Texas and around the world. Sponsored by the Paramount Theatre and...
Cibolo Nature Center & Farm to present three-part seminar for wildlife tax valuation
BOERNE, Texas—Landowners who have an agricultural tax valuation on their property and are interested in managing their land for wildlife are invited to attend a three-part seminar in January to prepare a management plan and application for a wildlife management tax...
Cibolo Nature Center & Farm to present three-part seminar for wildlife tax valuation
BOERNE, Texas—Landowners who have an agricultural tax valuation on their property and are interested in managing their land for wildlife are invited to attend a three-part seminar in January to prepare a management plan and application for a wildlife management tax...
2014 Drought News
May 28, 2014 Award-winning rainwater capture system crowning achievement of retiring Bandera High teacher Congratulations to Brad Flink, who’s RWH project was honored by the Texas Water Development Board with its Texas Rain Catcher Award. HCA’s Rainwater Revival grant...
December 2013 News Archive
December 29, 2013 Saving Rural Roads: One-Man Mission Turns to Island-wide Effort Think of our scenic Hill Country roads as you read this story of rural character preservation from Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Gazette. December 23, 2013 HCA welcomes Randall Arendt back...
2013 County Authority News
October 9, 2013 The Future of San Antonio: Water and Energy Needs Meet Land Use Planning In her recent contribution to the Rivard Report, Amy Hardberger explains, “The success of the city depends on a plan that includes all aspects of planning including water and...
2013 Low Impact & Sustainable Development
December 19, 2013 Forget Golf Courses: Subdivisions Draw Residents With Farms When you picture a housing development in the suburbs, you might imagine golf courses, swimming pools, rows of identical houses. But now, there's a new model springing up across the country...
2013 Public Lands News
November 26, 2013 The Future of Texas State Parks? It’s All About the Money Texas Parks and Wildlife is the only state agency with a dedicated sales tax. Under state law, a portion of the sales tax on sporting goods is meant to go for parks. But lawmakers consistently...
2013 Native Landscape News
December 10, 2013 Why prairies matter and lawns don’t As native landscapes disappear, wildlife disappears, and important ecological processes that insure outcomes such as clean drinking water, climate change buffers, and flood control also disappear. Read more from...
2013 Local/Sustainable Agriculture News
December 19, 2013 Forget Golf Courses: Subdivisions Draw Residents With Farms When you picture a housing development in the suburbs, you might imagine golf courses, swimming pools, rows of identical houses. But now, there's a new model springing up across the country...
2013 Land Stewardship News
February 18, 2013 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...
2013 Water Catchment News
September 23, 2013 Llano River Watershed Protection progress and water news from Junction Workgroups will tackle: Invasive Species, Riparian Protection, Water Quality, Upland Management and Water Supply issues. Learn more in the September Newsletter for the Upper...
2013 Water Quality News
December 18, 2013 The Examiner speaks of direct discharge as a Hill Country “Land Heist.” “Terrell Graham and his wife’s family have owned their ranch in the Texas Hill Country for over 100 years. It’s remained a working farm and cattle ranch, and now Texas state...