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 Limited Edition Design – Meet the Artist: Emma Marguiles
The Hill Country Alliance is proud to announce the release of a limited edition Hill Country creation, designed by local artist and graduate student, Emma Marguiles. Emma is a graduate student at the University of Texas in Austin and is working on a Masters in...
Drought crushes Texas water pipes with massive funding need
Water main breaks are at record levels, aquifers are at historic lows, and funding for new water supplies is elusive. Central Texas still is figuring out how to adapt its infrastructure to extreme drought and rising temperatures intensified by climate change, and its...
2023 Hill Country photo contest winners picked; 2024 calendar for sale
Winners in the Hill Country Alliance's 2023 photo contest have been announced. The top pictures capturing Central Texas' diverse wildlife, clear springs, sprawling rural landscapes, historic towns, and bright stars illustrate the HCA's 2024 calendar, on sale now. The...
Hill Country conference brings communities together for sustainable water solutions
A recent conference in Boerne brought local leaders and officials together to learn about sustainable water practices and conservation efforts in the Hill Country. The conference was organized in partnership between the City of Boerne, the Cibolo Center for...
One Water: How a Hill Country school is trying a new way to save water
The soccer field outside Blue Hole Primary School in Wimberley is green — almost shockingly green, considering that drought, water restrictions and a hot summer have left most of the grass around it baked and brown. But the school isn’t watering the field with...
Texans shape our water future
Water has always shaped Texas. Even before it was Texas, water marked where civilizations settled. In the 17th century, water determined where missions and trade routes were established. Today, it dictates the location of semiconductor plants and the growth of our...