Dear Hill Country Neighbors,
I am still glowing from our return to an in-person Leadership Summit three weeks ago today at the Hall at Jester King. It was a breath of fresh, inspirational air to be surrounded by so many folks passionate about the Hill Country. Whether you joined us virtually, in-person, or couldn’t make it this year, I hope you’ll take some time to explore resources from the Summit on our website. We’ll be releasing video from the event over the next several months, starting with our fantastic keynote speech and panel discussion, featuring Carmen Llanes Pulido, Executive Director of GAVA, Former County Judge Donna Klaeger (Burnet) and City Councilmember Connie Barron (Blanco). Take some time to watch and learn about the importance in investing in community leaders all across the Hill Country.
In the meantime, today is the day we #ImagineADayWithoutWater - both in Texas and around the globe. HCA is joining forces with our partners every day to ensure that there is always ample cool, clean water flowing through our springs, creeks, rivers, and taps. We hope you’ll explore the latest on our webpage and check out additional resources from our partners.
Onward to the news and events of the Hill Country!
Katherine Romans
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HCA IN THE NEWS: 2021 Hill Country photo contest winners announced and 2022 Calendar for sale!
Between March and May, HCA received over 400 entries in the 2021 Hill Country Photo Contest from amateur and professional photographers alike. Submissions, ranging from the sprawling wildflowers to persistent flowing rivers, truly captured this year’s theme – Solace and Strength: Portraits of Resilience in the Texas Hill Country. Learn more
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AGGREGATE MINING: Blast Zone
Flat Creek had always been translucent, flowing clear and cold through Kathleen Wilson’s 15-acre spread in the Texas Hill Country. Then something changed. The dust was the first sign. Read more
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HCA IN THE NEWS: Dripping Springs proclaims October as Hill Country Night Sky Month
At a recent City Council meeting, the Council proclaimed October as Hill Country Night Sky Month in Dripping Springs. Dripping Springs joins The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) and many other communities in our area that are dedicated to the preservation of the region’s night skies. Learn more
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WATER PLANNING: Opinion - Unconscionable if lawmakers were to ignore water infrastructure
Less than a year ago, at the end of a particularly vicious peak in the pandemic, half of Texas was without drinking water. Some neighborhoods went dry for weeks. COVID-19 in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri was a public health emergency that should never be repeated. Read more
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NIGHT SKY: Looking to get outside this fall? How about stargazing under Hill Country’s darkest skies.
How much of the Milky Way galaxy can you see from your front door? For those looking to escape to the great outdoors as the weather cools off in the fall, Central Texas has several designated International Dark Sky parks that offer views of the night sky with less light pollution, so visitors can enjoy plenty of stars in the Lone Star State. Learn more
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LEGISLATION & REGULATION: Mansfield concrete plant plans were shot down. Is battle back on after Texas ruling?
Anyone unfamiliar with the heated debates over the impact of concrete batch plants on Texas’ environment could be forgiven for glancing over Item No. 38 on the Sept. 22 meeting agenda. Read more
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COMMUNITY: Indigenous Cultures Institute seeks community input
Social distancing’s easy — and fun — in the Texas Hill Country. The region’s sweeping panoramas merge countrified charm and sophisticated appeal, making it unlike anywhere else in our vast state. Since we’re avoiding indoor events due to the ongoing pandemic, outdoor activities are more important than ever. Read more
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WATER QUALITY: Wastewater threatens Texas streams
Diane Causey is a 75-year-old antique shop manager in Utopia, a tiny town of 277 people located an hour-and-a-half northwest of San Antonio. Her favorite place in town is a swimming hole on the Sabinal River, accessed on land her family owns. Read more
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COMMUNITY: Water company’s moves anger buyers, landowners, local governments
In 2018, Ronnie Urbanczyk signed a contract to purchase water from Texas Water Supply Co., a Boerne company with access to at least 40 water wells that tap into the drought-sensitive Trinity Aquifer just south of the Bexar County line. Read more
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WATER CONSERVATION: Water reuse is helping meet needs. But we can do better.
With the state’s population soaring, water resources limited and the climate getting warmer, water reuse is a growing but still underutilized solution to ensure that Texas has clean, abundant water supplies long into the future. Read more
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NIGHT SKY
Looking to get outside this fall? How about stargazing under Hill Country’s darkest skies
Read More →
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WILDLIFE
Freshwater mussels in Guadalupe River could go on endangered list because waters they live in have changed
Read More →
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TOURISM
Fun outdoor activities to put on your Texas Hill Country itinerary
Read More →
PUBLIC LANDS
San Antonians can travel for 40 straight miles with new trail extension
Read More →
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WATER PLANNING
This session, make water a priority
Read More →
WILDLIFE
Explosive growth endangers unique wildlife, critical waters of San Marcos River
Read More →
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WILDLIFE
Chronic Wasting Disease and deer management on private land
Read More →
WATER PLANNING
Results from Well Visits – Trinity Aquifers
Read More →
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DEVELOPMENT
Oak Hill Road Plan is taxpayer abuse
Read More →
COMMUNITY
San Antonio’s newest trail connects Eisenhower Park to the Rim, and it’s opening soon.
Read More →
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Featured Photo: Burrowing Owl - David Calkins, 2020 Photo Contest
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Documentary: Deep in the Heart
Deep in the Heart will be the first blue-chip wildlife documentary ever produced about our beloved Texas. The film will celebrate our many conservation success stories while showcasing some of our most important ecological issues through the eyes of wildlife and wild places. Imagine Planet Earth...but in Texas! Through witty narration, humor, and state-of-the-art cinematography, the film will showcase approximately twenty wildlife species ranging from the iconic bison to the mysterious ocelot.
Watch and learn more→
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Environmental flow resource from Texas Living Waters Project
A decade in the making, Texas Living Waters Project has released a comprehensive analysis of environmental flow protection in Texas. If you're interested in a quick overview of the key findings and recommendations, check out Course Correction. If you'd like to dig deeper into the current shortcomings of SB 3 implementation and the ways forward, take a look at the full report:
Delivering on the Unrealized Potential of Senate Bill 3 →
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Share Feedback on the 2021 Leadership Summit
Did you attend the 2021 Hill Country Leadership Summit? If so, we want to hear from you! Please click the link in our bio to take a brief survey to inform future Leadership Summit planning efforts.
Click here to take the survey →
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Social Media Spotlight
“Announcing the 2021 Hill Country Alliance Photo Contest 3rd Place WINNER!
This year’s third place award features one of our local insects! Congratulations to David Winchester, the photographer who submitted this image - titled “Calleta Silkworm Caterpillar” - to the 2021 Hill Country Photo Contest. 📸"
Follow us on Instagram→
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