Opinion: Vote for Hays Proposition A, reap benefits for generations to come

Opinion: Vote for Hays Proposition A, reap benefits for generations to come

Despite the intense attention races at the top of the ballot have received—and despite the massive voter turnout those races are driving—some of the most important decisions can be found at the bottom of the Hays County ballot. This year, Proposition A seeks to issue $75 million in bonds over the next 10 years to support local parks and green spaces. Proposition A can only benefit the people—and the plants and animals—that call Hays County home. Read more from Toni…

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Invasive zebra mussels are infesting Texas lakes, TPWD says

Invasive zebra mussels are infesting Texas lakes, TPWD says

A north Texas lake is fully infested with zebra mussels and reproducing, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The species has been found in 30 Texas reservoirs across five river basins and in rivers that branch off of infested lakes, including the Richland Chambers Reservoir, just southeast of Dallas. Despite efforts to eradicate the species, evidence suggests the population is growing in the body of water. Read more from Taylor Pettaway with Houston Chronicle here.

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Have questions about the Hays County Park Bond? Here’s what you need to know before voting

Have questions about the Hays County Park Bond? Here’s what you need to know before voting

Before heading to the polls to vote, Hays County has invited voters to learn more about Proposition A – the 2020 Parks and Open Spaces Bond – on the ballot this year. To help voters be informed, Hays County created an educational outreach effort including a website: hays2020parksbond.com… “POSAC reviewed 19 submitted projects and recommended funding of 16 over several budget cycles,” Kennedy said. “Each project on the story map indicates the types of features that would result, including public…

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Hill Country Night Sky Month in Dripping Springs

Hill Country Night Sky Month in Dripping Springs

October is officially Hill Country Night Sky Month in Dripping Springs, TX. With urban sprawl creeping in from Austin and the east, and more people finding refuge in the hills of Dripping Springs, the importance of preserving darkness in our night skies is as important as ever. Across the world, artificial light at night is increasing and getting brighter, so why do the night skies need to be preserved? In 2014, Dripping Springs was the first community in Texas to…

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Public voices concerns on final day of rock crusher town halls

Public voices concerns on final day of rock crusher town halls

Blasting, clouds of fine particulates, and over-taxed roads were all issues raised by the public Thursday, Oct. 1, during the final of three virtual town hall meetings hosted by state Rep. Terry Wilson on the subject of Aggregate Production Operations (APOs), a category that includes rock crushers, surface miners, concrete plants, and more. Wilson, the chair of the House Interim Study Committee on APOs, had in previous days invited industry professionals and community action groups to speak. Today, the public…

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Hill Country Conservancy is now accepting pre-applications for financing of stewardship projects through the Hill Country Headwaters Conservation Initiative

Hill Country Conservancy is now accepting pre-applications for financing of stewardship projects through the Hill Country Headwaters Conservation Initiative

The Hill Country Headwaters Conservation Initiative (HCHCI), a program of Hill Country Conservancy, the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network and 18 partner organizations, is now accepting pre-applications from landowners located within specified critical river basins, for stewardship projects aimed at enhancing soil cover, water quality, and native biodiversity. The Hill Country Headwaters Conservation Initiative is accepting pre-applications now through October 30, 2020. To be considered for financial assistance, landowners must take this first step in the application process by the…

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Red doors and purple posts?

Red doors and purple posts?

Green, green, and many more shades of green in all flavors of grass, forbs, and trees. Green’s not the only color around. There are also purple posts and red doors. Have you seen a painted purple post or fence or tree on a boundary line? Texas and several other states have a “Purple Paint Law.” Purple paint on a boundary is the same as a “No Trespassing sign.” For instance, if you live in the Marble Falls area, the Bluebonnet…

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Millions of snout butterflies emerging around San Antonio

Millions of snout butterflies emerging around San Antonio

Earlier this week, Jessica Beckham stood in her backyard and watched a stream of brown and orange butterflies floating overhead. “I was seeing them just fly over, and you have to look up and say, ‘Wow, this is amazing,’” said Beckham, an entomologist who teaches environmental science classes at the University of Texas at San Antonio. “And then I start to worry about them getting smashed by cars.” Read more from Brendan Gibbons with San Antonio Report here.

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Gracias and do look up!

Gracias and do look up!

The Comal County Conservation Alliance (CCCA) wishes to express thanks to 61+ generous folks who reached toward open space protection with BIG GIVE gifts to enhance the Land Conservation Fund! For those wishing they had or who failed to reach out on that day, you can go to the CCCA website and hit DONATE! Thanks for helping! When last have you looked skyward at night? There’s much in the NIGHT SKIES you’ll want to see and some you’ll wish you…

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