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
2025 Hill Country Alliance calendar features photo contest winners
The Texas Hill Country is a scenic region known for its diverse wildlife, clear springs, expansive rural landscapes, historic towns, and some of the starriest night skies in the country. However, rapid population growth and increased development put these qualities at...
Katharine Hayhoe’s post-election advice: Fight fear, embrace hope and work together
To get a sense of what’s to come and what’s needed to ensure domestic climate action continues, I spoke with Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist and author who teaches at Texas Tech University and is chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy. She is one the...
Texans are (probably) about to get 7,637 more acres of state parks
Don’t pack the tent or backpack just yet, but Texas park lovers could get 7,637 acres of additional parkland to roam in the coming years. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will consider four land acquisitions to create new or expand existing parks at its meeting...
Hill Country may reap benefits as Texas grows state parks system
The state is looking to buy thousands of acres of land to expand two state parks and create two new ones, with more purchases to come in the future from a new funding source. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will consider five purchases during its November...
Hill Country Alliance announces 2024 Photo Contest winners and new 2025 Calendar for sale!
The Texas Hill Country is a beautiful region filled with diverse wildlife, clear springs, sprawling rural landscapes, historic towns, and some of the starriest night skies in the country. With a rapidly growing population and increasing development coming into the...
Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association gets OK to intervene in groundwater suit
A federal court granted the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association’s (TESPA) motion to intervene in an ongoing lawsuit between Aqua Texas and the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD). Aqua Texas filed the lawsuit in December 2023 against...