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
Hoping to raise water awareness, state returns to a famous ad man
An Austin advertising legend who once helped sell “Don’t mess with Texas” is now working with state officials on a sequel: a campaign to get Texans to cherish water, from their lakes to their sinks. Roy Spence, one of the founders of ad giant GSD&M, is partnering...
From the Banks of Sandy Creek
It's called Sandy Creek for a reason. It's fairly long and, coming up to its mouth, pretty wide, and like many Hill Country creeks, when it's not flooding, it usually has a little bit of water and quite a bit of sand. It's pretty, though, largely unspoiled as it runs...
Hays County resolution requests hearing over permit to pump water from Middle Trinity Aquifer
The Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously signed a resolution Tuesday to ratify a letter requesting a contested case hearing from the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District over a permit application by Electro Purification, LLC. According to Hays...
July Director’s Notes from the Executive Director
In this month’s Director’s Notes, I’m excited to share our 2017 Annual Report with you, which highlights the Hill Country Alliance’s many achievements last year. One accomplishment we are very proud of is HCA’s commitment to our mission of bringing together an...
Will Austin stores restock single-use plastic bags now that the city’s ban is lifted?
Austin is ending its ban on free single-use plastic bags at stores and restaurants after a state Supreme Court ruling against a similar ban in Laredo. But repealing the ordinance, commonly known as the “bag ban,” doesn't mean every store will start handing them out...
Hill Country browse
The Texas Hill Country has the highest density of shrub-eating animals in the United States. Texas is home to about 4 million white-tailed deer, and about half of them live in the Hill Country and Edwards Plateau. In addition, Texas is home to more than 2 million...