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
Can ‘Localism’ Restore Sanity to U.S. Politics?
Our mayor is liberal. He drives around town with an Obama ’08 bumper sticker on his car. I am a conservative, pro-life Christian; in 2016, I voted for Evan McMullin for president. But our partisan political differences mean nothing when it comes to caring for this...
Austin named best place to live in America for second year in a row
It’s another good day to live in Austin, Texas. Last year, Austin knocked Denver from the No. 1 spot on U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Places to Live in the U.S.” And this year, it didn’t budge. As in years past, the publication ranked the 125 largest cities in...
PEC District 1 incumbent not running, 3 candidates vying for spot
As the candidate nomination process for the Pedernales Electric Cooperative board of directors deadline came to a close, the eligible list revealed that the incumbent from District 1 has chosen not to run for re-election. Three challengers will face off for the...
Texas Master Naturalists Hill Country Chapter accepting applications for class of 2018
Texas Master Naturalists (TXMN) is a corps of trained volunteers who provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of the natural resources and natural areas of Texas. The organization is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife...
Fungus that causes deadly bat disease spreads to Central Texas
The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats, detected for the first time in Texas in early 2017 in the Panhandle, has now spread into Central Texas. Though no bat deaths have been attributed to WNS in Texas, the syndrome has killed millions of bats in the...
Groundbreaking held for Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Preserve
Hays County joined Dahlstrom Family members in officially breaking ground today at the Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Nature Preserve, a 340.1 acre part of the Dahlstrom Family Ranch that will be available for passive nature activities when opened to the public later in 2018. “We...