The mission of the Hill Country Alliance is to bring together a diverse coalition of partners to preserve the open spaces, starry night skies, clean and abundant waters, and unique character of the Texas Hill Country.
Community Resilience
As our region reacts to ongoing challenges, the Hill Country Alliance is working to keep you connected.
Our Work
Land
The Texas Hill Country region covers over 11 million acres in 17 counties of mostly privately held land.
Water
Thirteen Texas rivers begin in the Hill Country and provide water for millions of downstream neighbors.
Night Sky
The Hill Country sits on the edge of night and as development pushes westward, we are losing our view of the night sky.
Community
90% of Hill Country lands are in unincorporated areas where there is little authority to plan for growth.
Collaboration
HCA serves as the backbone organization and fiscal sponsor of the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network.
Latest News
Exclusive: Travis County reaches $90M deal for 1,500 acre wilderness park near Spicewood
The $90 million purchase, the largest amount for a buy in Travis County Parks’ history, was made possible by voters’ approval last November of a $276 million bond for parks and land acquisition, as well as the decision by Scott’s mother, Nadya Scott, to donate roughly...
Wastewater plans make Hill Country residents worry Pedernales River could turn into ‘sewer’
Landowners are concerned about the future of the Pedernales River after recent filings for wastewater permits at two developments. The permits ask for permission from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to discharge treated wastewater on land near the river....
Fight ensues over pristine Texas land purchased by billionaire for luxury resort: ‘The alarms went off when people in this area first heard’
Part of the area, perhaps "one of the last remaining ecosystems" in the state, according to the Austin American-Statesman, has been in Lew Adams' family since the 1940s. The creek and springs feed the Pedernales River, which ran dry in each of the last two summers....
New trail in San Marcos will connect natural areas on aquifer recharge zone
Hikers will be able to walk — by next March at the latest — from one pristine natural area to another on a new trail planned near San Marcos. The “Limestone Link” trail will run between River Recharge Natural Area and Ringtail Ridge Natural Area on the west side of...
‘Kerrville Runs On Water’
An appropriate rain filled afternoon marked the official unveiling of the new mural Saturday on the East End Market building on Water Street. The event was sponsored by the Kerrville Runs on Water and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority. The massive mural was painted...
Is Austin going to run out of water?
On an unseasonably warm day in 2023, conservationist Robert Mace looked down into the clear spring waters near San Marcos and saw signs of trouble. As executive director at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, he spends his days studying the ecology south...
Species identified around Natural Bridge Caverns suggest Hill Country protections needed
The first results of a biodiversity study at the Wuest Ranch — home to Natural Bridge Caverns — are in, and environmental experts say they highlight the need for Hill Country habitat protections. The yearlong effort by the Wuest family and Blackland Environmental...
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"The report shows that $639 million in conservation investments conservatively yielded over $2.8 billion in Return on Conservation™ value in FY 2019," @TexanbyNature
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240613809546/en/Return-on-Conservation™-Report-Reveals-Texas-Conservation-Investments-Yield-41-Financial-Returns
Just why is it so hot? Good explainer in this article from @TexasStandard! "Gulf waters have heated to about the same temperatures as last year... it compounds that trapped heat, saturating the air and creating the conditions under the dome." #heatdome
Being able to gather data on water quality - especially during times of drought - is crucial for planning and for better understanding iconic springs like Jacob's Well. Kudos to Hays County for continuing this research! #txwater #jacobswell #wimberley
Who wants to join us for a #workshop out in the field on a dry creek bed in August? ☀️
JUST KIDDING! Thanks to all who joined us this spring for #HCALand program workshops and tours in San Antonio, Lakehills, Johnson City, and Boerne. We'll see you in the fall for more! 🥵