Dear Hill Country Neighbors,
As I write this note, another late spring rain is soaking into the thirsty earth. I can’t help but be grateful for full creeks, flowing springs, and the restorative power of a good Hill Country thunderstorm. Water is top of mind for me lately, as HCA has added staff capacity to support communities across our region in addressing current and future water needs. Check out our latest Director’s Notes to learn more about HCA’s growing team.
While winter storm Uri presented a great opportunity to reflect on the critical importance of our infrastructure, we were disappointed to see the Legislature close the 87th session with little meaningful improvement to the way we manage and steward water resources in our state. If you’re interested in learning more about “The Future of Water in Texas,” join HCA Board Members and partners from EDF and the Headwaters Alliance in a forum on June 7 to share key takeaways from the legislative session and peak at the road ahead.
And while you’re thinking of water, check out this adorable video of the students of the Blue Hole Primary school in Wimberley sharing all the amazing features of their brand-new One Water School. It’s sure to bring a smile to your face.
Singing in the rain,
Katherine Romans
|
|
DIRECTOR'S NOTES: Introducing the newest additions to the HCA team
Our people make our work possible. From paid staff to local volunteers, board members, and partners across the region, it is the people of the Hill Country that inspire our most creative solutions. In that vein, it is with great pride and excitement that I write today to introduce you to the newest members of the HCA team. Read more
|
|
WATER PLANNING: Texas groundwater supplies are shrinking, and that’s a threat to us all
My great-grandfather founded our family’s Hill Country ranch in 1887. For nearly 100 years, spring water flowed through the seeps and creeks of our land, year-round, and almost without exception. The water began to dry up a little more than 30 years ago as more people dug wells into the Middle Trinity Aquifer. Read more
|
|
LAND CONSERVATION: Hays County POSAC seeking new project submissions
The Hays County Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission (POSAC), which was created in 2020 and recently restarted, is seeking additional project submissions that would be funded by Proposition A, a Parks & Open Space Bond, approved by voters in the November General Election. Read more
|
|
HCA IN THE NEWS: Folks in the field - Katherine Romans
Starting as the Landowner Outreach Manager at Hill Country Alliance, Katherine Romans love for the region combined with her non-profit and policy expertise made her a natural fit to become the Executive Director for the regional non-profit organization. Romans lives in Austin with her husband and two kids. Read more
|
|
WATER PLANNING: Pristine streams in Texas need protection. It’s up to the state Senate to act.
The first time I paddled the Nueces River I was blown away by the water — crystal clear, aqua colored, almost tropical. I could easily see the bottom of the river many feet below me and fish as they darted under my kayak. Read more from HCA Board President, Vanessa Puig-Williams
|
|
LAND CONSERVATION: Expanding opportunities for natural resource conservation in Texas
Texas is home to a variety of unique, productive, and biologically thriving landscapes from the Piney Woods in the east to the arid mountain vistas in the west. Each year, these lands are the root of hundreds of thousands of jobs that help generate billions of dollars in revenue to the state economy. Read more
|
|
NIGHT SKIES: Blanco County students paint for the stars
The Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky (BCFNS) last week concluded its 2021 Night Sky Art Contest for students at the high schools and middle schools in both Blanco and Johnson City. The contest, whose theme was “Discover the Night – Deep in the Dark of Texas™,” drew entries from 126 students. Read more
|
|
LAND STEWARDSHIP: Many Texas trees still suffering from February’s winter storm won’t make it, arborists say
If you haven’t noticed, some of Central Texas’ trees aren’t looking so good. Live oaks with leaves sprouting from the branches and trunk. Ash trees with a sporadic green on only half of the canopy. Loquat, fig and citrus trees with growth at the base of the tree and nowhere else. Read more
|
|
AGGREGATE NEWS: Sun City residents concerned with proposal for nearby concrete batch plant
Sun City residents say they’re concerned about a proposed concrete batch plant that would be built about half a mile from homes. Plans for the plant show it would be located off Ronald Reagan near 195. Read more
|
|
LEGISLATURE & REGULATION: Texas to make environmental proceedings more accessible to non-English speakers, following civil rights complaint
A new proposal from the state’s environmental agency would make it easier for community members who don't speak English to participate in the public permitting process for refineries, chemical plants and other industrial facilities. Read more
|
|
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT
After the storm - Legislative solutions to Texas’ water infrastructure emergency
Read More →
|
CHILDREN IN NATURE
Outdoors for all - Access to nature is a human right
Read More →
|
|
LEGISLATURE & REGULATION
Senate’s Turn to Address Protection for Texas’ Pristine Waters
Read More →
WILDLIFE
An epic monarch migration faces new threats
Read More →
|
WILDLIFE
How to poison feral hogs (and only feral hogs)
Read More →
WATER QUALITY
Where there’s a waterway-there’s a will
Read More →
|
|
COMMUNITY
Solar-powered suds: Texas breweries reducing beer’s carbon footprint
Read More →
LAND CONSERVATION
San Pedro Ranch receives Texas Leopold Conservation Award
Read More→
|
WILDLIFE
Rebecca Creek salamanders could warrant Federal protection
Read More→
WINTER STORM
No swimming at Hamilton Pool this summer due to falling rocks from winter storm
Read More →
|
|
|
...AND MUCH MORE!
Check out HCA’s website for all of the latest news, including recent updates from the 87th Legislature, a new national poll from the Value of Water Campaign showing 78% of voters support Federal investment in water infrastructure, cool opportunity to get involved with Black-capped Vireo monitoring at Texas State Parks, and an interview with Suzanne Scott, State Director of The Nature Conservancy in Texas.
|
|
|
|
Featured Photo: The Red Hill - Jesus Corona, 2020 Photo Contest
|
|
|
|
|
Blue Hole Primary - One Water School Student-Tour
In early May 2021, the second grade GT class requested a tour of the One Water School, so Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) staff explored many of the one water components and discussed the rationale behind their design. WVWA is a one of many proud partners of the One Water project and has been helping facilitate the implementation and case study of Wimberley’s One Water School—Blue Hole Primary. Check out this video of how Second Graders explain Blue Hole Primary’s One Water components!
Watch and learn more→
|
|
|
|
Central Texas Floodplain Reforestation Program
The Central Texas Floodplain Reforestation Program restores healthy forest buffers along riparian or streamside areas within a 6-county region. Riparian forests improve water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and contribute to our overall well-being. These forests can sequester enough carbon to counteract the effects of local fossil fuel consumption while generating carbon offsets to address regional climate change. Public and private landowners in Travis, Bastrop, Hays, Williamson, Caldwell, and Burnet counties interested in protecting their land while creating a positive impact on our environment are encouraged to apply.
Learn more→
|
|
|
|
Ask your Representative to Cosponsor the Recovering America's Wildlife Act
The Texas Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife needs your help passing the Recovering America's Wildlife Act (RAWA). This act - H.R. 2773 - is bipartisan, game-changing legislation that would bring more than $50 million to Texas annually for the conservation of at-risk fish & wildlife species - without any new taxes. The money would come from existing revenues, so there would be no new taxes. Preventative fish and wildlife conservation is a smart investment to protect nature's benefits, which supports our economy, agriculture, health, and quality of life.
Email your Representative →
|
|
|
|
2021 Texas Hill Country Calendar
HCA’s annual Texas Hill Country Calendar features imagery from the 2020 Hill Country Photo Contest, highlights the beauty of the region, and provides an informative resource on Hill Country conservation. Get your copy today and enjoy a whole year's worth of great Texas views!
Buy now→
|
|
|
|
Social Media Spotlight
HCA Staff got to enjoy our first in-person fundraising event in over a year at the Kendra Scott Flagship store on South Congress last month. Thanks to all to who showed up in support!
Follow us on Instagram→
|
|
|
|
Private Land Stewardship Academies: Natural Resource Management
Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute is building a community of practice around land stewardship where you can click, open, explore, shuffle and share the content to save and use as you need it. We're excited to share four collections with you — first up: Natural Resource Management.
Learn more→
|
|
|
|
Job Alert: Director of Climate Science
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is hiring a Director of Climate Science to direct the Center’s role as a vital source of scientific information on climate change for the general public and policy-makers. This position will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing research opportunities; and, supporting stakeholder and agency engagement and consultation.
Learn more and apply→
|
|
|
|
HCA Issue Paper: Healthy Riparian Areas
The values we appreciate about hill country streams - namely clean flowing water, fish and wildlife habitat, groundwater recharge, recreational and scenic enjoyment are the result of healthy functioning riparian areas. Click the image above to learn more about riparian areas.
Explore all HCA issue papers→
|
|
|
|
Explore Land Trend Data
Since 1997, the Texas population increased nearly 470,000 new residents annually, or 1,287 people per day, accounting for a total population of 29M by 2017. Explore data from Texas Land Trends at the link below.
Learn more→
|
|
|
|
|
