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
Legislative Solution to Hays County Water Dispute Takes Big Step Forward
Those of you who have been keeping up with efforts to put restrictions on Electro Purification’s pumping of water from an unregulated area of the Trinity Aquifer in Hays County will be pleased to know that a proposed legislative solution took an important step forward...
Truth in Budgeting for State Park Funding
Good news from Representative Larson’s recent capitol update: Last week, HB 158 passed the House by a vote of 138-1. The bill is now headed for the Senate. Since 1993, a portion of the sales tax revenue generated by sporting goods has been statutorily allocated to...
House Bills Erode Water Quality and Open Space Protections in the Hill Country
On April 13th, the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Land and Resource Management heard House Bills 3620and 3621, authored by State Representative Jason Isaac of Dripping Springs. In a maneuver likely designed to avoid heated debate over his bills, which...
“Transferring water from one area to another has social and environmental consequences”
Sierra Club, Lone Star Chapter: TAKE ACTION! “House Bill 3298 is set to be debated on the Texas House floor Thursday, May 7 – the bill would direct the state’s water planning agency to evaluate how to establish and operate a state water conveyance network – a massive...
Citizen referendums are fundamental to democracy
Texas League of Conservation Voters urges “NO” votes on HB 2595. Home rule cities have enormous powers to govern. But in circumstances when governing bodies are not acting—or are slow to act—initiatives have proven useful tools for VOTERS to enact local ordinances...
Kramer: Water grid proposal not right for Texas
Critical vote Thursday, May 7th: Many Texans find satisfaction in being different from California. But a new legislative proposal would have Texas follow the deeply flawed California model of massive and costly pumping of water all over the state. This approach...