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
Opinion: Conroe’s groundwater legal fight accelerates rate increases
When local groundwater production fees rise soon, a major cause of higher water bills will be the relentless City of Conroe-led litigation which challenges the authority of the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District to impose water production limits on...
Seattle Climbs but Austin Sprawls: The Myth of the Return to Cities
Be skeptical when you hear about the return to glory of the American city — that idealized vision of rising skyscrapers and bustling, dense downtowns. Contrary to perception, the nation is continuing to become more suburban, and at an accelerating pace. The prevailing...
Rainwater Harvesting Increasingly Helps Companies Reduce Stormwater Fees & Energy Use
Commercial enterprises are increasingly installing various rainwater harvesting systems for water conservation purposes. Harvesting can also reduce stormwater runoff and fees, and helps solve potable, non-potable, and energy challenges. Commercial property owners are...
Rep Hurd, Three Other Reps Introduce Bill to Help Fund National Park Repairs
Monday, Representatives Will Hurd (R-TX), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Dave Reichert (R-WA), and Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) introduced a bipartisan bill to jump start overdue maintenance projects in national parks. The National Park Service Legacy Act would provide investments...
St. Elmo Brewing Co. and Richard’s Rainwater Collaborate on Ale Made with Rain Water
Austin-based St. Elmo Brewing Co. teamed up with Richard’s Rainwater, a rain water bottling company located in Dripping Springs, TX to create their Rain Pale Ale. A core value of St. Elmo is collaboration. Experimenting with rainwater was an ongoing interest for both...
Junction ISD Students learn how to preserve our night skies
Junction ISD elementary, middle and high school students gathered recently at South Llano River State Park for a full day of assemblies about night sky issues. Bill Wren of the MacDonald Observatory joined the staff of the South Llano River State Park to discuss the...