The mission of the Hill Country Alliance is to bring together a diverse coalition of partners to preserve the open spaces, starry night skies, clean and abundant waters, and unique character of the Texas Hill Country.
Our Work
Land
The Texas Hill Country region covers over 11 million acres in 17 counties of mostly privately held land.
Water
Thirteen Texas rivers begin in the Hill Country and provide water for millions of downstream neighbors.
Night Sky
The Hill Country sits on the edge of night and as development pushes westward, we are losing our view of the night sky.
Community
90% of Hill Country lands are in unincorporated areas where there is little authority to plan for growth.
Collaboration
HCA serves as the backbone organization and fiscal sponsor of the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network.
Latest News
Crazy ants are the new fire ants (and possibly worse)
The big problem in Texas: no local species appears to beat crazy ants. Hoping to underscore his point about a new pestilence that has arrived in Central Texas, ant researcher Edward LeBrun pointed to a Mason jar in his office. The jar looked like it was filled with...
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge adds 520-acre property
The Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge grew by 520 acres this week with the addition of a coveted piece of Hill Country land known as Peaceful Springs. The parcel, south of Liberty Hill about 45 miles northwest of downtown Austin, features rolling hills,...
Public Fishing Access Areas Open Friday on Guadalupe River
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has signed temporary lease agreements with four Guadalupe River property owners to expand public access to the trout fishery downstream of Canyon Lake. Public fishing access will be available at Rio Guadalupe Resort...
Cibolo Nature Center and Herff Farm Where it’s going and where it’s been
On Monday, November 28 a presentation about Cibolo Nature Center and Farm was made to County Judge Darrel Lux and the Commissioner’s court. John Schilhab, President of the board of trustees, accompanied by Executive Director and Founder Carolyn Chipman Evans, gave a...
Commentary: Digital billboards are more trouble than some may suggest
In the recently published commentary, “Texas cities should upgrade billboard laws for digital age,” Russ Horton suggested that Austin and other Texas cities quickly “consider carefully crafting” digital sign agreements with sign owners or “find themselves left behind...
With Texas Building Boom Comes Higher Flood Risk
Over the years, planners, engineers, water quality experts and others have come to recognize how urban development can drastically alter the landscape and exacerbate flooding. The culprit, many experts believe, is impervious cover — the massive buildings, commercial...
Director’s Notes – November 2016
November 2016: Giving Thanks - Just like that, Fall is in full swing in the Hill Country and the gorgeous cooler weather reminds us the holidays will soon be here. November is a month for giving thanks, and I appreciate the opportunity to share with all of you a few...
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