Children in Nature | Welcome to Hill Country Alliance

Essential Austin nonprofit finding new ways to nourish community amid COVID-19

April 7, 2020
Children in Nature

Tune into the Urban Roots Instagram feed and you’ll find a new series of videos featuring executive director Max Elliott teaching viewers how to plant peppers; showcasing his ready crop of kale and the helpful, aphid-eating ladybug larvae that live on the leaves; or interviewing (at a safe distance) local restaurant business leaders. His tone is even and hopeful, a brief lifeline to those of us battling isolation as the COVID-19 outbreak wears on. In 2008, Elliott founded Urban Roots as…

Important Update: Hill Country Living FESTIVAL Rescheduled for October 24, 2020

March 12, 2020
Children in Nature

Vendors, Sponsors, Partners and Volunteers: Considering recent developments pertaining to COVID-19, and out of an abundance of caution, the Hill Country Alliance FESTIVAL planning team decided yesterday to RESCHEDULE the 4/4/20 Hill Country Living FESTIVAL + Rainwater Revival to SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020. We have been closely following public health guidelines from local, regional, and state authorities and have watched as numerous cities and counties nearby have reacted accordingly. We believe this decision is in the best interest of our volunteers, vendors, partners, and the…

Festival in Dripping Springs celebrates Hill Country living

March 2, 2020
Children in Nature

The Hill Country Living FESTIVAL + Rainwater Revival returns to the Dripping Spring Ranch Park on Saturday, April 4, from 10am to 5pm. This free, one-day event promises something for everyone who loves the Texas Hill Country — whether you call it home now, plan to make it home in the future, or just like to visit and play here. The Hill Country Alliance (HCA), FESTIVAL planner and host, has once again packed the day with fun things to do…

Ecopsychology: How immersion in nature benefits your health

January 27, 2020
Children in Nature

A growing body of research points to the beneficial effects that exposure to the natural world has on health, reducing stress and promoting healing. Now, policymakers, employers, and healthcare providers are increasingly considering the human need for nature in how they plan and operate. How long does it take to get a dose of nature high enough to make people say they feel healthy and have a strong sense of well-being? Precisely 120 minutes. In a study of 20,000 people,…

IDA Advocate helps teens open eyes to light pollution in Chicago

December 27, 2019
Children in Nature

Each month the International Dark-Sky Association features an IDA Advocate from the worldwide network of volunteers who are working to protect the night. This month we’re highlighting the work of IDA Delegate, Rosalía Lugo. Self-described as “a true believer in the potential of working-class youth of color,” IDA Delegate Rosalía Lugo works as the teen programs manager at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois. With a master’s in education policy, organization, and leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,…

Splash Into Science Snorkel Program launches at Spring Lake

September 23, 2019
Children in Nature

Spring Lake is renowned for being one of the most biologically diverse aquatic ecosystems in the country. While many visitors view Spring Lake’s artesian springs and teeming aquatic life on a glass-bottom boat, one can now get a closer look by enrolling in a new Splash into Science Snorkel Program from The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. “Splash into Science is an immersive snorkeling program that provides low-impact educational fun,” said Dr. Rob Dussler,…

September 15, 2017
Children in Nature

Nature Works Everywhere and the Nature Conservancy are awarding grants to support projects that implement green infrastructure to address local environmental challenges. These include: access to healthy food, air quality, heat island effect, climate change, and storm water collection. Young people will work as social innovators to help their communities through project design and implementation. Grants of $2,000 will be awarded to 60 public or charter schools across the United States… Learn more from NatureWorksEverywhere.org

Encourage the next generation of environmental Stewards!

January 8, 2016
Children in Nature

Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center Empowers New Environmental Leaders Nonprofit Group Announces 2016 Regional Legacy Camp at Shield Ranch Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center through the Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin (CiNCA) is partnering with the Children & Nature Network, El Ranchito Summer Camp, and the Shield Ranch to pilot a Regional Legacy Camp to help inspire and empower the next generation of environmental leaders in Austin. These Natural Leaders (18 -29 years of age) trained in Austin will be part…

Exciting things happening at Westcave Preserve

November 1, 2015
Children in Nature

Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center will soon be connecting more children with nature with their soon-to-be unveiled Roadrunner Outdoor Adventures Bus. Thanks to the support of Impact Austin and a successful Indiegogo campaign, more than 7,500 school kids will discover the wonders of nature over the next two years. In addition to their weekday school tours, Westcave offers guided tours of their stunning grotto each weekend and hosts monthly star parties where astronomers will be on hand to share their telescopes…

Teacher Celebration at the Wildflower Center, Sept. 3

August 18, 2015
Children in Nature

The Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin is holding a Teacher Celebration September 3rd at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Stroll through the gardens at the Wildflower Center and visit with CiNCA member organizations and learn about the variety of school field trip programming and resources available. Light snacks, beer, and wine will be served. Admission is free for teachers. RSVP here