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
The Edwards Aquifer: A Valuable Resource We Must Conserve
The story of water and Texas starts right here, some 650 ft. below the surface where you are reading this. That’s the historic average for October of the J-17 well, 658 ft. above sea level, the measure that influences everything related to the Edwards Aquifer. The...
Dripping Springs Wastewater Discharge Permit update
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) published notice of the Dripping Springs application and preliminary decision for TPDES permit for municipal wastewater. They also set the date and location for the public meeting. The District submitted supplemental...
Hill Country Alliance marks its first decade
Many folks in Gillespie County still have not heard of the Hill Country Alliance, but the group marked its 10th year in existence in advocating for healthy land and waters, dark skies and fostering a community which cares about these things. The group’s footprint...
E.O. Wilson explains why parks and nature are really good for your brain
In recent years, a growing body of research has documented the psychological and even health benefits of spending time in natural settings, such as forests or parks. This research has shown that people who live in urban areas that feature more trees have better...
How to help monarch butterflies without accidentally luring them to their deaths
Dara Satterfield has a unique way of looking at Monarch butterflies. She thinks of them as “tiny camels.” “They store up energy to help them through these harsh conditions for a couple months.” says Satterfield, a James Smithson Fellow at the National Zoo in...
Llano River plan gets nod from EPA
Because the Upper Llano River is a healthy ecosystem, the Environmental Protection Agency has accepted a watershed protection plan that will help address future declines in water quality and stream flow, according to a news release. The plan was accepted as it met the...