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
Supporting local Hill Country food banks
Across the state, food banks are seeing more faces than ever before. Whether you are in a place of need or a place of plenty, don't forget your local food banks. A recent article from The Texas Standard stated that “the need for food bank services in [Central Texas]...
Monarch butterfly gets protection in ‘historic’ deal
The Fish and Wildlife Service today unveiled a sweeping, multistate plan to protect the monarch butterfly without adding it to the Endangered Species Act list. A long time in the making, the plan called, in part, a "candidate conservation" agreement unites state and...
TESPA issues notice of intent to sue Permian Highway Pipeline for contamination of an underground source of drinking water
Press Release: Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association & Wimberley Valley Watershed Association - For Immediate Release: April 8, 2020 Attorneys acting on behalf of the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) today issued a notice of intent...
Texas State Parks temporarily close to the public
Press Release: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - For Immediate Release: April 7, 2020 At the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas State Parks will be closed to the public effective at the close of business Tuesday, April 7 in order to maintain the safest...
Inside the story of how HEB planned for the pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has transformed the country in just a handful of weeks. As Americans focus on the essentials—feeding our families and ensuring we have the necessary supplies to keep our households clean and safe—grocery stores and pharmacies have demonstrated...
TCEQ loosens enforcement amid COVID-19
While environmental regulations are not being set aside, the chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said Monday that enforcing those rules may be eased for violations "that were unavoidable due to the (coronavirus) pandemic." The agency has "not...