Dear Hill Country Neighbors,
We are excited to share a new and improved Hill Country Neighbor to Neighbor Newsletter! While we have kept a similar feel, we hope you enjoy a more streamlined view of curated Hill Country News, events, and resources. We’ll also be featuring some of the beautiful photography that our subscribers have submitted over the years, and a new featured way to give and get involved with HCA each month.
In this week's installment, we have compiled some of the latest and greatest reads on Hill Country land and water news - from Circle of Blue's "Water, Texas" series to recent Permian Highway Pipeline developments. Explore HCA highlights and resources from Hill Country Night Sky Month planning materials to the newly released HCA 2019 Annual Report. Find events happening online or in-person near you and be sure to save the date for HCA's VIRTUAL Hill Country Leadership Summit in September!
We hope you enjoy,
The Hill Country Alliance Team
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WATER CONSERVATION: Three thirsty Texas cities are global leaders in water innovation
Emily Dickinson once wrote that “water is taught by thirst.” In Texas, a state that knows no bounds of economic ambition but is regularly disciplined by deep droughts, water is indeed taught by thirst. That is especially true in three big Texas cities that are globally significant innovators in water planning, technology, and use. Read more from Read the third installment of the five-part “Water, Texas” series from Circle of Blue
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INVESTING IN CONSERVATION: County sets $75 Million Parks Bond for November ballot
The Hays County Commissioners Court voted in favor of a bond election this November for parks, conservation, connectivity and flood mitigation projects at $75 million. “If you look at the astronomical amounts of development going on,” [Commissioner] Smith said. “I know that there are properties or watershed features in my precinct I know of that will not be here if we wait. Read more from San Marcos Daily Record
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OIL & GAS PIPELINES: After Willie Nelson and Paul Simon complained, CEO agrees to reroute Hill Country pipeline
After a pipeline drilling mishap in March that led to a spill of tens of thousands of gallons of slurry into an underground aquifer in Blanco County, muddying nearby wells, the CEO of a natural gas pipeline company now says he is rerouting the pipeline around — rather than under — the Blanco River. Read more from The Austin American-Statesman
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WATER PLANNING: ‘It’s a start’: Plan to protect Edwards Aquifer surfaces, but experts say it’s no substitute
The agency that regulates pumping of the Edwards Aquifer wants to move ahead with an aquifer protection program similar to the City of San Antonio’s – but starting at a much smaller scale. Read more from San Antonio Report
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LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT: Meadows Center, Wimberley Library District announce partnership, plan for ‘One Water’ in library renovation
With technical support from the Meadows Center, the planned 15,000-square-foot library expansion and a 3.8-acre lot will be designed for both water conservation and water quality protection while serving as a community laboratory and educational resource for natural resource protection. Read more from San Marcos Corridor News
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WILDLIFE:
CVM researcher develops tool to improve Chronic Wasting Disease resistance in white-tailed deer - Texas A&M Today
Read More →
LAND CONSERVATION:
Springs that form Headwaters of San Antonio River protected forever - San Antonio Report
Read More →
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DROUGHT:
All droughts are not created equal - Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation
Read More →
VISTA RIDGE PIPELINE:
San Antonio Water System denies claims by Central Texas water district that Vista Ridge water was wasted in Bexar County - San Antonio Express-News
Read More →
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NIGHT SKIES:
Mexico’s environmental law will now include regulation of light pollution - International Dark-Sky Association
Read More →
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AGGREGATE MINING:
Llano County commissioners, residents voice concerns over sand plant - DailyTrib
Read More →
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...AND MUCH MORE!
Check out HCA’s website for all of the latest news, including part one and part two of Circle of Blue's "Water, Texas" series, a piece from the Texas Observer exploring how exotic ranching has become a booming business in parts of the Hill Country, and coverage of recent efforts in Germany to protect insects by reducing nighttime lighting.
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Featured Photo: Early Fall Sunrise over the Pedernales - Rob Greebon, 2018
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Social Media Spotlight!
"It’s another one of those hot Texas summer days! Did you know that native pollinators like this Black-chinned Hummingbird can really benefit from what you plant in your yard? Drought resistant, native flowering plants can provide perfect afternoon refreshments for these little guys and gals. Learn more about native landscaping on our website"
Follow us @hillcountryalliance
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The FESTIVAL is going VIRTUAL - Saturday, October 24th
We are excited to present an event where everyone gets a front row seat! This year's FESTIVAL will be all virtual, all online, and all safe. We are creating an interactive online experience complete with live streaming, engaging demonstrations, and will be hosting a virtual marketplace and educational resource hub!
Stay tuned for updates →
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Looking Back - The 2019 Hill Country Alliance Annual Report
As 2020 finds us grappling with unsettling times, it is all the more important to reflect on and celebrate our accomplishments, as well as look ahead with resolve and creativity for how we continue to build our alliance in the face of a global pandemic. For the Hill Country Alliance (HCA), 2019 was the year that conservation in the Texas Hill Country reached a national stage.
Read the 2019 Annual Report →
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October is Hill Country Night Sky Month
The first annual Hill Country Night Sky Month, October 2020, is a celebration of our region’s night skies and of the hard work that Hill Country communities do to preserve it.
Learn more and get involved →
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