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
From the toilet to the sink: water recycling battles scarcity
Would you take a swig of water from your faucet if it originally came from the sewer? Treating wastewater to put it back into public use can help against water crises around the world, according to the United Nations, though the practice has to overcome the "yuck"...
Wimberley ISD: Blue Hole Primary School puts focus on conserving water
A Wimberley elementary school is teaching students about water conservation with a hands-on approach. Blue Hole Primary School was the first “One Water” school in Texas, the school was designed to reduce water usage. Read more from Nabil Remadna with KXAN...
Six Texas freshwater mussels proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection
AUSTIN, Texas— Following litigation by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect six species of Texas freshwater mussels under the Endangered Species Act. The Service also proposed designating 1,944 river miles...
Look out Napa Valley, Texas Hill Country named among best wine regions in U.S.
Where is the best place to swirl, sniff and sip wine in the United States? If you guessed Napa Valley, you haven’t been paying attention. The popular Northern California destination did not make the top 10 in the 2021 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice awards for best...
TWA announces Justin Dreibelbis as new Chief Executive Officer
Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Dreibelbis as Chief Executive Officer. Tom Vandivier, immediate Past President of TWA, organized the Search Committee that selected Dreibelbis. According to Vandivier, “During the search...
Black Gap Wildlife Management Area designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary
BREWSTER COUNTY – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is proud to announce that Black Gap Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has been designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). Black Gap WMA is the second...