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
Texas springs in crisis: New study highlights overwhelming increase in dry springs
New research from The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University uncovers a concerning decline in the state’s groundwater resources, finding that the number of dry springs has nearly tripled since the early 1980s. Co-authored by Robert E....
What is an aquifer? Here’s how they affect Texas’ water supply.
I’m pretty sure I learned about aquifers in a middle school classroom during a science unit on the water cycle. But, like most people, I’ve entirely forgotten what I learned or didn't pay close attention. But in the last few years, since I started covering Hays...
Unique AFCEC projects help installations stay mission ready
Several unique environmental resilience projects spearheaded by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center are helping installations maintain readiness as climate change uncertainties threaten to disrupt operations. The shoreline adjacent to Keesler Air Force Base is a part...
In Garden Ridge, residents fight a quarry’s expansion plans
As she rides down FM 2252, Lisa Swint gestures out the window to the wall of dirt, rock and debris piled high beside the road. “It’s starting to be kind of the hallmark look of Garden Ridge,” said Swint, a City Council member in the Comal County town of about 4,000...
Just six years from now, Georgetown may not have enough water for everyone
Georgetown, the fastest growing city in the U.S. and home to more than 86,000 people, must find a new water source by 2030 in order to avoid supply shortages, according to a city report. It's something Jonathan Moore thinks about a lot. Read more from Kailey Hunt with...
Another hot and dry summer? The Climate Prediction Center says so
While many of us have enjoyed this winter of wetter, cooler weather, especially when it comes to improving drought conditions, do not expect this summer to be similar. This is a result of a shift to La Niña conditions forecast for the upcoming spring from our El Niño...