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
A World Without Rivers
We hardly take notice of the drying of our rivers until they are entirely gone. How many of the residents of Austin, Texas know that the Colorado that flows through the heart of their city is in summer now only a tenth of what it once was? Tragically, the list of...
The American Lawn is now the largest single ‘crop’ in the U.S.
The Llano Watershed Alliance week in review is always a must read: The #1 Irrigated Crop in America, Godzilla El Nino Heading our Way, Celebrate 25 years of the Eckert James River Bat Cave. Subscribe to this weekly newsletter to stay updated on news for everyone who...
Green Home Tour Sept. 19 in Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg SHINES will host their 3rd Annual Green Home Tour on Saturday, September 19. The 2015 tour of homes will spotlight local examples of sustainable-living practices at 10 homes. Sustainable practices to be showcased on the tour will include solar...
First six miles of the Violet Crown Trail opens in Austin
The Hill Country Conservancy (HCC) recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first six mile segment of the Violet Crown Trail. HCC Executive Director George Coffer, Sunset Valley Mayor Rose Cardona, and Council Member Ellen Troxclair spoke at the event, which...
Teacher Celebration at the Wildflower Center, Sept. 3
The Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin is holding a Teacher Celebration September 3rd at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Stroll through the gardens at the Wildflower Center and visit with CiNCA member organizations and learn about the variety...
The best time to plan for drought is when we aren’t in one
Drought is nothing new to Texans; it is frequent and inevitable. Across much of Texas the end of the current drought is being declared—soil moisture levels are nearing normal and ephemeral rivers are flowing again—while other portions of the state are already on the...