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
‘Tipping point’: Waters under fire in Texas Hill Country as development, population boom
The Texas Hill Country has long been lauded as the Land of 1,100 Springs, but there’s trouble brewing in those pristine waters. The area is growing at breakneck speed. More people are drawing water from a finite supply. More are putting wastewater — which helps...
Texas climatologists warn of potential for prolonged drought
While much of Texas is mired in drought conditions as warmer months are on the horizon, state climatologists are looking closely a t future rainfall predictions to gauge just how long dry conditions will last. So far, they say, the outlook isn’t good. Read more...
Annual photo contest returns!
The Hill Country Alliance, a nonprofit organization to raise awareness of the Central Texas Hill Country, is now hosting its 16th annual photo contest.This year’s Hill Country Photo Contest, entitled “Snapshot of the Hill Country,” challenges photographers to share...
Director’s Note: Pristine Streams Petition Hearing on March 30, 2022
A note from HCA Executive Director, Katherine Romans The Commissioners of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) had the opportunity Wednesday to initiate a rule making process to protect the few remaining pristine streams in the state of Texas. Brought...
Where have Austin’s Indigenous people gone?
It’s almost a rarity these days to be considered an Austin native, rather than falling into the transplant pool.Hayley Bishop is, indeed, one of those born-and-raised Austinites. But they struggle with identifying as, what some would consider, a local native.“Like, I...
‘There’s been historic flooding and neglect’: San Antonio councilwomen aim to improve drainage
One San Antonio resident said water builds up seven or eight feet high after heavy rain. Another compared their street to the Amazon River. Dozens shared their flooding experiences last fall with the city’s drainage bond committee, a group appointed by City Council to...