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
Hill Country Alliance 2019 Photo Contest – “The Hill Country: Capturing the Color and Character of the Heart of Texas”
The Hill Country Alliance 2019 Photo Contest is under way! The Texas Hill Country is a unique region of pristine springs, sprawling landscapes, diverse wildlife, star-filled skies, multi-generational land stewards, historic towns, and hidden oases. With a rapidly...
Eminent domain works in Texas — for the takers [Opinion]
Corporate entities that use eminent domain authority to take property often claim the system is working. It does — but only for them. Corporations with this powerful, often abused tool do not have to respect the same rules of transparency that government agencies must...
Travis Audubon announces 2019 Victor Emanuel Conservation Award Hero Chris Harte
AUSTIN, Texas– Travis Audubon announces the selection of the 2019 Victor Emanuel Conservation Award Hero. Every year Travis Audubon honors an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to promoting environmental conservation, education, or advocacy. These...
Biedermann introduces two quarry bills
Two bills introduced to the Texas legislature earlier this month by Canyon Lake’s House Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R-73) could strengthen the state’s regulatory authority over mining operations like Vulcan Materials’ proposed rock quarry at Highway 46 and FM 3009. One of...
Texas Parks & Wildlife halts planned Sandy Creek dredging operation
Landowners Steve Nash and Fermin Ortiz agree on one thing. There is a sand and silt issue in Sandy Creek and Lake LBJ; however they disagree adamantly on what to do about it. “The problem is in the lake. Get it out of the lake,” said Ortiz, whose family owns thousands...
Truck crash spills 42,000 pounds of avocados into South Llano River
If you are spending the weekend at the South Llano River State Park you may have noticed 42,000 pounds of avocados have hit "guac" bottom. Texas Parks and Wildlife posted on social media sites Friday afternoon that park employees had collected bags of avocados...