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
Still Time to Support the Texas Night Sky Festival
Celebrate the Night Sky on Saturday, March 5th at the free, family-friendly Texas Night Sky Festival to be held at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. It is not too late to show your support! Sponsors have until February 5th to be included in the event publicity. The Hill...
Reminder to Blanco River landowners: Workshop this Saturday, January 23rd
Organizations, agencies and experts in river health are partnering on a workshop to share resources with landowners who may have been impacted by the Memorial Day flood of 2015. This session will share some important notes about recovery of the river and river banks,...
Grassroots success in Spicewood
“Concerns raised by a group of nearby residents involve dust controls, entryways for trucks on Texas 71, potential runoff of chemicals or other materials into a nearby creek," said Michael Moore, founder of Save Our Spicewood. "Spicewood-area residents have approached...
Austin city leaders urged to fast-track ‘high-capacity’ transit plan
Looking to "jumpstart" discussion on the future of Austin's transit system, the Urban Transportation Commission has asked city leaders to explore "high capacity" transit proposals that could be put before voters in November. In its Jan. 12 meeting, the commission...
Clash of land-use priorities troubling
The Lower Colorado River Authority has proposed to construct a large electrical transmission line across the largest piece of protected land — public or private — in Gillespie County, southwest of Austin. Owned by Terese T. Hershey, a renowned conservationist, the...
Advocates Petition EPA to Strip Texas of Some Environmental Responsibilities
Petition says Texas programs no longer meet fundamental federal air and water safeguards, can’t protect the public. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Caddo Lake Institute (CLI) are asking America’s environmental protection agency to strip Texas of some of the...