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
RPA President Emeritus Robert Yaro Appointed Potter Rose Visiting Professor of Planning at The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with UT's exceptional faculty and students on strategies to preserve the Texas Hill Country," said Yaro. "This is one of the most beautiful natural areas in the country. The future livability of Austin, San Antonio and the...
84th Texas State Legislature: summaries of water-related legislative action
The Texas Water Journal recently released a review of the 84th legislative session written by leaders from the Texas Water Conservation Association, Sierra Club, Lone Star Chapter, Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Infrastructure Network....
Who is Really Paying for SAWS Rate Structure?
What most people don’t realize is that those increased impact fees that developers have to pay in the future will never include the cost of water from the Vista Ridge deal, because of how that deal was structured. It is extraordinarily expensive water that SAWS...
2015 Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Women’s Conference, Oct. 5-6 in Fredericksburg
A conference devoted to helping women manage natural resources in the Edwards Plateau will take place in Fredericksburg Oct. 5-6, 2015 at the Inn on Barons Creek. The 2015 Women’s Natural Resource Management Conference is funded by the Ruth and Eskel Bennett...
Millennials Favor Walkable Communities, Says New NAR Poll
Millennials prefer walking over driving by a substantially wider margin than any other generation, according to a new poll conducted by the National Association of Realtors® and the Transportation Research and Education Center at Portland State University. The 2015...
Bob Ayres honored by Travis Audubon
“Bob Ayres and his family are devoted stewards of the land. In 1998, they placed nearly all of the 6,800-acre Shield Ranch, located in the heart of the Barton Creek watershed, under conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy and the City of Austin.” Travis...