Our Work

Oak trees sprawl out, casting shade over a yellow field of tall grass.

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.

Sunset fades over red trees and the flowing water of a rocky creek

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.

The Milky Way illuminates a brilliant blue, starry sky over a Hill Country river.

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.

A little boy in cowboy boots and a button down shirt swings a rope in the middle of a rodeo arena.

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

Edwards Aquifer Dispute forum on Tuesday in San Marcos

The pumping of water from the Edwards Aquifer, the enormous underground cave system beneath Central Texas, has long been a topic of fierce dispute, involving property rights, endangered species, and drinking water needs. Leading policy-makers, scientists,...

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Unregulated Pumping Threatens Trinity Aquifer

“These wells are being drilled THROUGH and BELOW the Edwards Aquifer into the underlying Trinity Aquifer, the aquifer that supplies the groundwater for western Hays County, including the Wimberley and Dripping Springs areas (not to mention most of Blanco, Kendall,...

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New York executive tapped to lead Waller Creek Conservancy

Peter Mullan, who helped lead the critically acclaimed redevelopment of New York City's High Line park, has been tapped to lead the Waller Creek Conservancy, which is itself looking to dramatically reshape Waller Creek into a lush greenbelt park running through...

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South Llano River Watershed Alliance

If you don't know what water catchment area (watershed) your land is in, you can find it on our map viewer. Landowner networks exist in many fragile hill country water catchments. Learn about current news and events of the South Llano River Watershed Alliance here. If...

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TWDB encourages all of us to learn about drought

TWDB unveils new tools for observing drought data and trends. "We wanted Texans and all those interested in our state's drought resources to not only see the information we use when evaluating drought in Texas, but also understand why and how we use it," explained...

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