Private lands are the next battleground in state conservation policy.

Private lands are the next battleground in state conservation policy.

Since last year, staff members at the Land Trust of Virginia have fielded phone call after phone call from landowners seeking to set aside their property for conservation. “We’re getting calls like crazy,” said Sally Price, executive director of the nonprofit, which...
Unique and creative approaches for conservation

Unique and creative approaches for conservation

Editorial by Commissioner Lon Shell, Hays County As our population surges, will the Hill Country retain its character? I believe it can, however it is a challenge that will require unique and creative approaches to balance that growth with preservation of the very...
USDA Takes Action to Strengthen Pollinator Research Support.

USDA Takes Action to Strengthen Pollinator Research Support.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced its strengthened commitment to advancing research and programmatic priorities that support pollinator health by soliciting nominations for members to serve on its newly formed USDA National Pollinator Subcommittee.The...
There oughta be a law (But there’s probably not!)

There oughta be a law (But there’s probably not!)

Editorial by Francine Romero, University of Texas at San Antonio After visiting Gruene recently and encountering the explosion of new housing developments along the old rural roads leading to downtown, I was further disheartened to read that 252 duplex units on 22...
‘Tipping point’: Waters under fire in Texas Hill Country as development, population boom

‘Tipping point’: Waters under fire in Texas Hill Country as development, population boom

The Texas Hill Country has long been lauded as the Land of 1,100 Springs, but there’s trouble brewing in those pristine waters. The area is growing at breakneck speed. More people are drawing water from a finite supply. More are putting wastewater — which helps...