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Hill Country Alliance Friends & Allies
The mission of the Hill Country Alliance is to bring together an ever-expanding alliance of groups throughout a multi-county region of Central Texas with the long-term objective of preserving open spaces, water supply, water quality and the unique character of the Texas Hill Country.
Please visit our friends and allies.
Bamberger Ranch - A 5,500 acre ranch that has been described as the largest habitat restoration project on private land in Texas.
Bandera Canyonlands Alliance - Neighbors working together to share resources, knowledge and experiences for the benefit of land, water, native plants and animals and rural way of life in the Bandera Canyonlands.
Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District - Created in 1987 by the 70th Legislature with a directive to conserve, protect and enhance the groundwater resources of the Barton Springs segment of the aquifer.
Blanco Verde - Fostering the sustainability of the Blanco River Watershed and its natural systems.
Boerne Together - A city and county citizens group interested in supporting responsible growth policies that will keep Boerne and Kendall County a unique, beautiful and pleasant place to live and work.
Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce - The mission of the Canyon Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is to preserve the natural beauty and rich heritage of the Texas Hill Country by encouraging responsible commerce and carefully managed growth, by promoting opportunities for all citizens and by leaving a proud legacy for future generations.
CARD - The Citizens Alliance for Responsible Development (CARD) promotes sensible growth in the Wimberley Valley and western Hays County, an area known for its abundant natural beauty and rural Hill Country character.
Cibolo Nature Center - Open to the public since Earth Day 1990, the Cibolo Nature Center provides education, research, entertainment and outdoor activities for more than 100,000 visitors a year, while promoting sound stewardship of land, water and wildlife.
Cibolo Conservancy - Group of land owners whose mission is the preservation and conservation of the cultural and natural resources of the Cibolo Creek Watershed and surrounding areas in the Texas Hill Country.
Clear View Alliance - Neighbors working for responsible transmission line planning.
Draininglaketravis.org - A non-profit corporation whose purpose is to inform the public of issues on the Lower Colorado River, raise public awareness and effect change and protection of our water through an enormous groundswell of public opinion.
Fix 290 - The Fix290 Coalition is a grass-roots community alliance dedicated to saving Oak Hill from the TxDOT Tollway Plan for the US 290/ SH 71 highway interchange.
Friendship Alliance - Neighbors in Northern Hays County and Texas Hill Country working to ensure water quality, protect aquifers, open spaces, rural character…and children’s access to public education.
Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance - A non-profit organization that promotes effective broad-based advocacy for protection and preservation of the Edwards Aquifer, its springs, watersheds, and the Texas Hill Country that sustains it.
Green Living Hill Country - Helping individuals, businesses, farms, organizations, and communities in the Hill Country implement cost-effective green living practices.
Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas - A non-profit dedicated to keeping South Texas green by preserving large parcels of land, fostering community gardens and educating the public.
Hamilton Pool Road Scenic Corridor Coalition - A neighborhood preservation group along scenic Hamilton Pool Road in Travis and Blanco Counties.
Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District - Promoting conservation, preservation, recharge and prevention of groundwater waste within Western Hays County.
Helotes Creek Nature Center - Working for the preservation of the Helotes Creek area and other riparian areas.
Hill Country Conservancy - Working to ensure a healthy environment and economy in the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer region by preserving natural areas, scenic vistas, rivers and streams, working farms and ranches and the rural heritage of the Texas Hill Country for generations to come.
Hill Country Directions Magazine - An original voice and an unconventional window into the distinct allure of the Texas Hill Country.
Hill Country Land Trust - Non-profit organized by resident landowners concerned that increasingly intense development pressures throughout the Texas Hill Country area threaten to destroy its very nature.
Hill Country Planning Association - A group of local citizens whose mission is the preservation and protection of our heritage, communities, land, water, and the general environment through education and participation in the governmental process.
Hill Country Portal - A Powerful Information Database & Gateway Service for the Texas Hill Country
Holistic Resource Management of Texas - All about improving the health and productivity of the land by working with nature to help land managers create sustainable enterprises that keep them on healthy land for the good of the whole.
Jacob's Well - A perpetual artesian spring, pumping thousands of gallons of fresh water per minute to form Cypress Creek. Considered a sacred place by native Americans and the heart of Wimberley by early settlers, today Jacob's Well supports a habitat rich in wildlife and plant life, including several endangered species.
Kendall County Partnership for Parks - Helping to purchase, preserve, and develop county parklands along our Texas Hill Country rivers and waterways.
League of Women Voters - A nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Medina River Protection Fund - Fund to provide ongoing support for the annual Medina River Cleanup.
Nature Conservancy - Texas - Land trust working to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
New Braunfels Roots & Shoots - A program of the Jane Goodall Institute, giving youth of all ages the opportunity to improve our world through service-learning projects promoting care and concern for the environment, the human community, and animals.
PEC4U - Member/Owners of Pedernales Electric Cooperative working to improve the Coop. Helped establish a democratic Board election process and open meetings & records in 2008.
Preserve Our Water - Working to educate and encourage citizen participation in the protection of water resources and other natural attributes of Blanco County.
Protect Lake Travis Association - The purpose of the PLTA is to protect Lake Travis and its watershed from any events and conditions that could affect the health and safety of area residents, recreational users of the lake, and wildlife, and to protect the aesthetic natural beauty and recreational quality of the area.
Public Citizen, Texas Office - Promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, cleaner cars, cleaner air, and safe products, for all Texans.
River House Gift Boutique - Famous Hill Country boutique now offering an expansive array of the finest gifts and home products.
River Systems Institute - Working to develop and promote programs and techniques for ensuring sustainable water resources for human needs, ecosystem health and economic development.
San Geronimo Valley Alliance - Serving the San Geronimo Valley NW of San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country with a misson to preserve and protect the rural quality of life and natural resources in northwestern Bexar and northeastern Medina counties, including San Geronimo Creek and Valley and the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers of Texas.
San Marcos River Foundation - Founded in 1985 to preserve public access to the San Marcos River and protect the flow, natural beauty and purity of the river, its watershed and estuaries for future generations.
Save Barton Creek Association - Protects and conserves the flora, fauna and water quality of Barton Creek and the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer, a sole-source drinking water aquifer, through research, public education and land conservation.
Save our Scenic Hill Country Environment - Organized by a group of landowners, business people and other concerned citizens in Gillespie County who are committed to sensible development in our beautiful Texas Hill Country.
Save Our Springs Alliance - Protecting the Edwards Aquifer, its springs and contributing streams, and the natural and cultural heritage of the Hill Country region and its watersheds, with special emphasis on Barton Springs
Scenic Texas - Dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our state's visual environment, particularly as seen by the traveling public.
Sierra Club - The oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization in the United States, working to protect communities, wild places and the planet itself (local chapter).
South Llano Watershed Alliance - Organization of landowners and interested stakeholders whose mission statement is to preserve and enhance the South Llano River and adjoining watersheds by encouraging land and water stewardship through collaboration, education, and community participation.
Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Coalition (SEED Coalition) - An alliance of individuals, businesses, and organizations advocating sustainable energy strategies for Texas, including the use of renewables and conservation.
Texas AgrAbility - A non-profit service that works as an intermediate agency between the farmers with disability and agencies that provide assistance to those farmers.
Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association - Working toward development and improvements of equestrian trails on public lands and parks while providing education and public awareness on the positive impacts of equestrian activities.
Texas Drought Project - Bringing together experts in farming, ranching, hydrology, civil engineering, climatology, and environmental science to present forums in key regions most affected by drought.
Texas Land Conservancy - Working to conserve natural areas in Texas and to protect the physical and ecological integrity of their wildlife habitat, native plant communities, and scenic landscapes for the benefit of present and future generations.
Texas Land Trust Council - Promoting and sustaining the conservation efforts of Texas land trusts. To date, land trusts have helped conserve more than 1.3 million acres in Texas.
Texas Master Naturalist, Hill Country Chapter -An organization sponsored jointly by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas AgriLife Extension Service offering in-depth, research-based, scientific training in wildlife and natural resource management.
Texas Water Matters - Joint effort by three conservation organizations - Environmental Defense Fund, the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, and National Wildlife Federation - to reform the way Texas manages and uses its fresh water. Our goal is to ensure that environmental water needs, the fresh water needed to support healthy fish and wildlife populations, are recognized and supplied along with municipal, industrial, and agricultural needs.
Tree Folks - A non-profit organization dedicated to growing the urban forest of Central Texas through tree planting, education and community partnerships. Since its inception in 1989, Tree Folks has planted tens of thousands of trees in Austin and Central Texas.
Westcave Preserve - A 30-acre nature preserve and award winning education center in the Texas Hill Country providing a variety of programs for children and adults with the goal of inspiring greater environmental conservation and awareness.
Westside Creeks Restoration Project - A community-based planning effort whose mission is to develop concepts for restoring the environmental condition of the Alazán, Apache, Martínez, and San Pedro Creeks; maintain the current flood control components of these creeks and provide increased opportunities for people to enjoy these urban creeks.
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation - Rescues, rehabilitates, and releases orphaned, injured, and displaced wildlife and provides sanctuary with dignity for non-releasable animals, both native and non-native.
Wimberley Valley Watershed Association - Dedicated to protecting the water quality and quantity of the Wimberley region by promoting sustainable watershed management through community education, conservation, and land protection.
The Latest News
Texas Completes Key Groundwater Planning Step
An intensive process to plan out the maximum depletion of aquifers over the next half-century has been completed just ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline. Read full Texas Tribune article here.
Wind transmission lines across Hill Country face holdup at Public Utility Commission
By the time the first segment of the Hill Country line came before the commission in April, the commissioners told the LCRA to go back to the drawing board on proposed routes. And now, with commission Chairman Barry Smitherman signaling his unwillingness to go forward, the commissioners appear to be on the verge of scotching the line altogether. Read full Statesman.com article here.
Endangered Historic Place” in the Hill Country
Preservation Texas has called for nominations for its annual naming of “Texas’ Most Endangered Historic Places”. Nominations are due October 15th. HCA has resources and people who will help. Think about a special place that deserves help with preservation and public attention and take it upon yourself to get the ball rolling. Learn more
Riparian Landowner’s Workshops scheduled for October
Riparian areas are important components of the landscape and water cycle. Please read Steve Nelle’s (NRCS) “Riparian Notes”, learn about taking care of your water resources. More information and details about upcoming workshops here.
TCEQ Considers lower water quality standards. SARA says “clean enough to swim in”
The board of the San Antonio River Authority has come out against the state lowering water quality standards for any of the creeks and rivers it oversees. Other Hill Country river basins are looking at this issue carefully. Sign a petition supporting high standards and learn more here.
Mainstreet Architect Introduces Design Guideline Process to Blanco
The first Design Guideline Public Meeting was held on Tuesday evening, July 27, 2010 at the Blanco Public library at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce to Blanco citizens and business owners the steps involved in developing design guidelines for the city. Read more from Blanco County News here.
Kerr Wildlife Management Area to be Dedicated Aug. 27th
New, $1.8 million conference center to be dedicated Aug. 27 at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area will provide Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with a quality venue for presenting habitat management and ecological programs to thousands of landowners, students and researchers.
More…
UGRA to host Watershed Stewards event this Thursday
August 26th from 8 am – 4pm in Kerrville. Free, one-day workshop designed to help watershed residents improve and protect their watershed, the Guadalupe River above Canyon Lake. Details
Water Matters: Highland Lakes Group
One thing that almost everyone involved with water supply from groundwater agrees with, including users, marketers and regulators alike, is that the volume of water pumped from an aquifer should not exceed the natural recharge of water into the aquifer” Read Water Matters.
Capitol Area transportation planning news
The Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's (CAMPO’s) August “CAMPO Connection” features information about the newly adopted 2035 Plan and ECT’s forum taking place on September 10th, “Innovate or Stagnate: Can New Approaches to Infrastructure Development Transform our Region?
Hill Country elected officials urging re-evaluation of transmission lines
Public officials participated in the August 19th PUC Open Meeting in Austin; “CREZ transmission line would have a significant negative impact on the Hill Country which is truly a unique area…” Read the summary from SOS Hill Country here. Senator Fraser continues to push for use of existing rights of way. Read Fraser’s letter to the PUC dated Aug 19th here.
Rainwater Revival announces speaker and live music line-up
The Rainwater Revival today announced the speaker and live music line-up for this outdoor festival created to celebrate the timeless conservation practice of rainwater collection. Read more here.
Senator Fraser Announces Gillespie-Newton Transmission Line Unnecessary
Senator Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay) announced on Tuesday that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has determined that the Gillespie to Newton transmission line is not necessary to solve congestion problems as part of the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone project. Read more here.
TWCA Fall Meeting Scheduled for October 13-15
State Representative Doug Miller and TWDB Board Member Thomas Weir Labatt III will headline the fall meeting of the Texas Water Conservation Association (TWCA), scheduled for October 13-15, 2010, at the Crowne Plaza Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio. The program will also include numerous presentations on surface and groundwater management. Registration information and a full agenda should be available on the TWCA website by mid-August.
Hill Country power line may not be needed, state grid operator says
A controversial power line proposed to cross the Hill Country to transmit wind power from West Texas may not have to get built after all, according to a letter Tuesday from the agency operating the state's electricity grid. Read full Statesman.com article here.
TCEQ recognizes need for Hays, Travis, Comal Groundwater District
The TCEQ issued a report that draws the conclusion that an order be issued to create a Groundwater Conservation District to include Western Travis, Hays and Comal Counties. The report was filed June 30th and is available online here. More information here. A hearing has been set for set for October 28, 2010 at the Hays County Courthouse at 10:00 a.m. Click here for details.
Hays County picks Nicholson Ranch for Conservation
Nicholson Ranch tract may contain some karst features, which allow substances to more easily enter aquifers. The property includes a small section of Glen Rose limestone, is at the headwaters of Onion Creek, includes several branches of the creek, and may possess springs. Read full San Marcos News article here.
SOS Hill Country requests re-evaluation of transmission line
SaveOur Scenic Hill Country Environment (SOSHCE)is an organization of more than 500 members in Gillespie, Llano, Mason, Kerr and Kimble counties. They are highly concerned about the negative impacts that the McCamey D – Kendall – Gillespie CREZ line will have on the future of the Hill Country and are asking for a re-evaluation of the need for these lines. Read their letter to PUC here.
Great Video About Bear Springs Blossom Preserve
Peter and Marianne Bonenberger were recently awarded a Lone Star Land Steward Award for their excellent work educating the public about land conservation and active restoration practices. Texas Parks & Wildlife put together a great video about the Bonenbergers that is now available. Take five minutes and see what these awesome folks have been doing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6m8pLdxxww
LCRA Newsletter announces procedural schedule for Hill Country CREZ
LCRA TSC mailed about 5,100 notice letters to landowners along each of the 75 alternative routes the same day it filed the application on July 28. Newspaper notices describing LCRA TSC's proposed routes began running in area newspapers the week of Aug.2” August 27th is the intervention deadline. Complete LCRA Newsletter can be viewed here.
American Planning Association/Texas Conference October 6-9 in San Antonio
Water, Wind and Solar Resources - will there be enough for our growing State? Other topics include; physical and social sustainability planning; planning services to assist in meeting specific community needs; tools for planner's to use in their professional development and Ethics and legislative and court decisions and their effect on community development. HCA friend Randall Arendt, the nation's premier "green" landscape planner, site designer, author and lecturer and an advocate of "conservation planning" will return to Texas as a featured speaker. Learn more here.
Tom Mason, GM at LCRA to speak to PLTA Sept 9th
The Protect Lake Travis Association annual general membership meeting will be combined with a special meeting of the newly formed Lake Travis Community Coalition. The meeting will be held at the Travis County West Service Center near Mansfield Dam at 7PM on Thursday, September 9th. Learn more here.
Transmission Line Seminars Offer Information and Options for Landowners
Five transmission line seminars are scheduled across the state featuring expert information on the electric transmission line process, CREZ, and options for private landowners who may be impacted by proposed transmission line routes. Read details from Texas Wildlife Association here.
Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan 2035
TxDot hosts an open-house style public meeting for the development of the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan addressing roads, transit, rail, and all transportation related planning - Wednesday, August 11th in San Antonio - Details
Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust Becomes Texas' First Accredited Land Trust
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, announced today that Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust has been awarded accredited status, making Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust the first accredited land trust in the state of Texas. Read more from Texas Land Trust Council here.
TCEQ Draws Flak for Studies That Might Result in Weaker Water Quality Standards The efforts of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to weaken water quality standards for numerous Texas streams through so-called “recreational use” studies were dealt a serious setback Thursday night in the small community of Kosciusko southeast of San Antonio when over 300 residents of Wilson, Karnes, and neighboring counties turned out to demand better water quality for their local stream, Lower Cibolo Creek. Read full story here.
Viewpoint: Comal County needs groundwater conservation district
In the state of Texas, the state owns surface water, including lakes and rivers. But groundwater is a private-property rights matter. In this regard, the state has declared that the preferred method of managing groundwater in Texas is by a groundwater conservation district. (Comal) county has no such groundwater conservation district atop the Trinity Aquifer, which spans about two-thirds of our county. Read full San Antonio Express community article here.
The Future of Water: GMA 9's 30-foot drawdown decision could crimp future growth
After nearly four years of hydrology modeling and politicking, representatives from groundwater districts in Kendall and eight other Hill Country counties decided Monday to limit the drawdown of aquifer levels to no more than 30 feet over the next 50 years. Read full Boerne Star article here.
Read more Hill Country news
Upcoming Events
September
September 1 in Wichita Falls - Transmission Line Seminar Hosted by Texas Wildlife Association and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association - Details
September 2 in San Marcos - Texas Wildlife Association Landowner Workshop and Membership Reception - Details
September 9 in Austin - Combined Protect Late Travis Association (PLTA) and Lake Travis Community Coalition (LTCC) meeting, open to the public - Details
September 10 in Austin - INNOVATE OR STAGNATE: Could New Approaches to Infrastructure Transform Our Region? - Envision Central Texas Regional Forum III - Details
September 11 - 21st Annual Frio River Trash Bash - Details
September 17 in San Antonio - Texas Riparian Association 2010 Annual Meeting - Details
September 17 in San Antonio - Edwards Aquifer Authority workshop on Karst Aquifers - Details
September 17 in New Braunfels - Austin-San Antonio Growth Summit - Details
September 21 in San Antonio - Saving Family Lands Seminar - Land conservation, tax planning and financial strategies for landowners and their advisors - Registration deadline: September 13 - Details
September 25 in Brenham - 2nd Annual South Central Texas Water Conservation Conference - Details
September 25 in Helotes - Riparian Zone Workshop: San Geronimo Creek - Details
September 26 in Helotes - Riparian Zone Workshop: Helotes Creek - Details
September 26 in Driftwood - Wimberley Valley Watershed Association annual Hill Country Water Celebration - Details
September 27 in San Antonio - Riparian Zone Workshop: San Antonio River - Details
October
October 4 in Lockhart - Riparian Landowners' Workshop - Details
October 5 in Swinney Switch - - Riparian Landowners' Workshop - Details
October 6 in Camp Wood - Riparian Landowners' Workshop - Details
October 6-9 in San Antonio - 2010 American Planning Association Texas Conference - Details
October 7 in Tarpley - Riparian Landowners' Workshop - Details
October 8 in Barksdale - Riparian Landowners' Workshop - Details
October 8 in Kerrville - Transmission Line Seminar Hosted by Texas Wildlife Association and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association - Details
October 9 in Dripping Springs - Hays County Rainwater Revival - All day event celebrating and learning about Rainwater Harvesting and Water Conservation - Details
October 11-12 in San Antonio - Texas Innovative Water 2010 - Details
October 13 in Cleburn - Transmission Line Seminar Hosted by Texas Wildlife Association and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association - Details
October 13-15 in San Antonio - Texas Water Conservation Association Fall Meeting - Registration information and a full agenda should be available on the http://www.twca.org/TWCA website by mid-August.
October 22 in Driftwood - Hill Country Conservancy's 4th Annual Hill Country Nights - Details
October 27 in Lubbock - Transmission Line Seminar Hosted by Texas Wildlife Association and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association - Details
October 27-30 in Austin - National Preservation Conference - Details
The Hill Country is an idea Texans share.
The Hill Country Alliance connects people and place as active stewards of a regional heritage worth sharing and sustaining for future generations.
"The Mission of the Hill Country Alliance is to bring together an ever-expanding alliance of groups throughout a multi-county region of Central Texas with the long-term objective of preserving open spaces, water supply, water quality and the unigue character of the Texas Hill Country."
