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
SA water company to quench development thirst with Hill Country pipeline
By next fall, there will be a new water pipeline running from Bexar County to Comal and Kendal counties in an effort to lay the groundwork for new developments between San Antonio and Austin. Texas Water Supply Company LLC, a San Antonio-based wholesale business that...
Challenges of Rapid Growth
What happens when an area known for its natural beauty and resources experiences rapid population growth? Executive Director, Katherine Romans, joins the Mothering Earth podcast for a discussion on the unique challenges of balancing growth with natural resource...
Why a conservative Republican from northern Minnesota wants to kill the suburbs
Charles Marohn’s professional epiphany came with equal doses of clarity and guilt. The University of Minnesota-trained civil engineer had once been proud of a project he helped build in Remer, a town of a few hundred people between Brainerd and Grand Rapids. A sewer...
Symposium mulls ‘climate change’
A Texas Water Symposium titled “Climate and Water in Central Texas: Planning for a Changing Resource,” was held earlier in November at Schreiner University and recorded for broadcasting on Texas Public Radio. The public was invited to the free symposium to hear...
Fast-growing Hays cities partner to build $225 million water pipeline
Officials in Hays County cities and others along the Interstate 35 corridor are moving forward with a $225.8 million deal to secure a long-term water supply for the rapidly growing region. The coalition of agencies has permits in hand and financing underway to start...
TCEQ Punts on Water Rights Fight on the San Saba River
In the latest volley in a decade-long fight over water rights on the San Saba River in Central Texas, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has delayed implementing a permanent solution to ensure the river flows year round. As the Observer reported in...