Our Work
Land
HCA’s Land Program seeks to increase private land stewardship and permanent land conservation across the Hill Country, and works with regional land trusts to educate owners about conservation easements, track conservation metrics, and consider conservation priorities.
Water
HCA’s Water Program assists grassroots groups that champion water stewardship in their communities, advocates for policies that protect groundwater and surface water, and promotes resilient water supplies through the advancement of One Water projects.
Night Sky
HCA’s Night Skies Program helps Hill Country counties and cities minimize the impacts of light pollution through education and outreach, the establishment of outdoor lighting policies, and the recognition and celebration of certified Dark Sky Places in our region.
Communities
HCA’s Communities Program builds connections across county lines, supporting rural leaders in protecting the unique character of their communities while promoting innovative approaches to building healthy, vibrant communities throughout the Texas Hill Country.
The Latest
Vulcan Materials’ Hill Country quarry gets key permit despite locals’ concerns
A Texas Hill Country quarry recently hit a major milestone years in the making. Despite hundreds of residents trying to halt the controversial project, it now appears to be moving forward outside New Braunfels in Comal County. Read more from Gabriel Romero with Laredo...
Old pipes cause Texas cities to lose tens of billions of gallons of water each year
Texas’ most populous cities lost roughly 88 billion gallons of water last year because of aging water infrastructure and extreme heat, costing them millions of dollars and straining the state’s water supply, according to self-reported water loss audits. The documents...
Burnet groundwater district could seek priority status, more protections
County Commissioner Damon Beierle and Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District General Manager Mitchell Sodek were among 50 regional officials at a Hill Country Alliance summit on how natural resources can be better managed and preserved. Beierle said the June...
What’s the value of planting trees? Conservation groups say a new formula can tell them.
“We're gonna pull the heartstrings, because it does make you feel good, we're doing good things,” Carswell said. “But we also want to show the true value of the work that we're doing and show that we'll be smart about investing in our future.” The report found that...
SAWS’ updated conservation plan aims to address wasted water
San Antonio Water System has seen drastic water loss over the last several years due to an increased number of water main breaks exacerbated by extreme heat and drought. SAWS’ board of trustees unanimously approved a new five-year water conservation plan Tuesday that...
Hill Country leaders discuss innovative water solutions
Hill Country leaders discussed opportunities for innovative water management at the recent Hill Country Leadership Institute meeting on June 20. The meeting took place at Wimberley’s Blue Hole Primary School, 15900 Winters Mill Parkway. During the meeting, over two...