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
Water Legislation recap from Environment Texas
"On June 1st, the 84th Session of the Texas Legislature came to a close. The session was not great for the environment overall, but water legislation fared a bit better. Yet for every good bill that passed there seemed to be a bad bill passed, or a good bill that...
Better Lights for Starry Nights
Are you ready to see more stars in your community? HCA's newest board member, Matt Lara has created a wonderful, easy to give presentation about protecting the night sky with effective lighting. Contact HCA to schedule a program in your community. View the...
Save Oak Hill Petition
"Did you know the TxDOT plans for the “Oak Hill Parkway” is not a parkway, but an elevated toll road that slices through the heart of Oak Hill, wipes out multiple groves of heritage trees, and squeezes Williamson Creek in between elevated roadways for more than a...
Taking Care of Your Creeks and Streams
Essential lesson’s from Steve Nelle recently published in Ranch and Rural Living Magazine: “Stewardship of creeks and rivers involves the notion that creeks are to some extent a shared resource. Even though the landowner may legally own the creek, he or she realizes...
Minnesota Governor signs bill to mandate buffers to improve water quality and habitat
The governor said the buffer bill will be one of his most important legacies. “I think we’ll see in the next couple of years a very significant expansion in the number and quality of buffers to make our water cleaner and increase wildlife habitat,” he said. “Given...
Rainwater harvesting getting new flood of interest after recent rains
With the recent abundance of rain, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist who presents rainwater harvesting programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and elsewhere in the state, has been “flooded” with calls from people interested in water...