Dear Hill Country Neighbors,
Happy St. Patrick's Day! As Central Texas celebrates spring (and for some, spring break), we're enjoying the warmer weather and longer days. We hope you get the chance to get outside and enjoy the beauty that the Hill Country has to offer. While you're out there - take a photo and share it in our 2022 Photo Contest: Snapshot of the Hill Country!
From national recognition for the Camp Bullis Sentinel Landscape Partnership, to the launch of the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network's State of the Hill Country Report and the start of another Hill Country Photo Contest - there is certainly no shortage of news in this edition of the Neighbor to Neighbor newsletter!
Mark your calendar for THIS Monday, March 21st and join our friends at the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance for a TCEQ Public Hearing in San Antonio. It will be an excellent place to share comments and feedback with Sunset Review Commission staff.
Onward for the Hill Country!
Leah Cuddeback
Storytelling and Public Engagement Manager
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LAND STEWARDSHIP: Federal recognition to advance conservation and military readiness around Camp Bullis
The Sentinel Landscape Partnership was established in 2013 by the Agriculture, Defense and Interior departments. The partnership seeks to connect landowners with government assistance programs to fund land protection and restoration and to implement sustainable land management practices. Learn more
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HCA IN THE NEWS: ‘Gold rush’ in Hill Country as homebuilding surges; stresses on environment, infrastructure prompt dire warnings
Gone are the days when the Texas Hill Country was just that — rolling hills as the backdrop to a country way of life, a relatively undeveloped and untouched region of the Lone Star State. Gone are the days when dark skies were actually dark, longhorns roamed in wide-open fields for miles and miles, and major rivers from the Sabinal to the San Marcos snaked unobstructed through the plains. Learn more
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LEGISLATURE & REGULATION: Texas Lawmakers Must Seize Historic Opportunity to Transform the State’s Fragile Water Infrastructure
Governor Abbott and Texas legislators should capitalize on the latest guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency and secure over $2 billion in allocated federal funds in order to transform the state’s fragile water infrastructure. “Texas’ water infrastructure needs extensive investment,” said Amanda Fuller, director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Texas Coast and Water Program. Learn more
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WATER QUALITY: Cave climbers work to clean out caves with generations worth of trash
These days, it’s just common sense that pollutants and trash are bad for the Edwards Aquifer, which is San Antonio’s main source of water. But a hundred years ago, landowners thought nothing of using caves or sinkholes on their property as trash dumps.Learn more
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PHOTO CONTEST: Hill Country Alliance launches 16th annual photo contest: Snapshot of the Hill Country
When you look at the Hill Country, what do you see? This spring, the Hill Country Alliance (HCA) calls on anyone with a camera to share your view of our changing region in the 16th annual Hill Country Photo Contest, “Snapshot of the Hill Country.” Now through May 31, 2022, entries can be submitted to HCA’s website. Photographers of all ages and skill levels, from amateur to professional, are invited to participate. Learn more
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The Hill Country Photo Contest is happening now through May 31! Click here to learn more and share your view today.
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GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Roy Creek Canyon has been untouched for 80 years. Its owners want it to stay that way.
Read More →
LAND STEWARDSHIP
NRI releases Texas landowner survey to examine status of working lands and needs of land managers.
Read More →
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ONE WATER
Opinion: How to prevent repeat water crises? Reuse is a part of the answer.
Read More →
NIGHT SKIES
They called him the Angel of Darkness. But this astronomer just wanted to keep West Texas skies pure.
Read More →
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COLLABORATION
THE ALEXANDER FARM and Hill Country Conservancy collaborate to preserve historic Black- owned farm in Travis County.
Read More →
COMMUNITY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
We need to embrace traffic congestion, not fight it.
Read More →
CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
72 acres of Blanco river open space protected forever.
Read More →
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Amid troubling UN climate report, Texas ecologist says we have to act fast to adapt to a warming planet.
Read More →
CONSERVATION EASMENTS
Hill Country State Park sees additional protection from land development threat.
Read More →
AGGREGATE MINNING
Texas Hill Country: Rolling hills or empty moonscape
Read More →
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Due to ongoing concerns regarding Covid-19, events are subject to change or cancellation. Please verify with original event hosts before attending in-person events.
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March 17 - May 31 | Photo Contest: Snapshot of the Hill Country
Happening now!
Details →
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March 26 | Hillside Stewardship Hands-on Field Day
Albert @ 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Details →
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March 21 | Public Hearing on TCEQ: Who's Taking Care of Texas?
San Antonio @ 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Details →
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March 26-27 | K-12 Place-Based Education Workshop
Stonewall @ 8:30 - 3:30 pm
Details →
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