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
Residents, groups fight plan to dump wastewater into Hill Country waterway
Residents and environmental groups are asking state regulators to deny a developer’s request to build a plant that would dump 300,000 gallons of treated wastewater a day into Hondo Creek, saying the plan could damage the Hill Country waterway. The wastewater plant...
Which Texas cities could see nearly 500K tourists during the total eclipse?
With three months until a total solar eclipse passes over Texas on April 8, many people are making final preparations. Between 931,000 and 3,725,000 are expected to travel to see the eclipse within the United States, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com. Which cities...
Aqua Texas sues Hays County groundwater district over a nearly $450,000 overpumping fine
Aqua Texas, a water utility company that services more than 3,000 customers in Hays County, filed a federal lawsuit late last month against the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District alleging unequal treatment following fines imposed for overpumping. The...
AQUA Texas files federal lawsuit against the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District in 2024
Groundwater is the only source of drinking water for the majority of western Hays County -- that's tens of thousands of residents. AQUA Texas is responsible for providing adequate and continuous water to its ratepayers. In order to protect the rights of all...
Opponents plan new fight against quarry
Opponents of a proposed quarry in Comal County are forming a new plan to fight the project after losing their latest effort to block the facility’s air quality permit. Since 2017, the Preserve Our Hill Country Environment Foundation and other advocates have been...
After Garden Ridge says no, concrete plant’s owner finds site just outside city
Months after Garden Ridge officials shot down a plans for a controversial concrete plant, the plant’s owners have quietly picked a new site for it — one that’s less than half a mile away, but is outside the Comal County city’s jurisdiction. Read more from Liz Teitz...