This past month the City of Austin was placed under a boil water notice for the first time in its history. Flood waters of tremendous proportions from the Llano River barreled through the Highland Lakes’ system of dams before making their way, eventually, into Lakes Travis and Buchanan– the region’s water supply reservoirs. Copious amounts of silt and debris from …
Fire Wise
This wildfire season, the Texas A&M Forest Service has responded to 780 fires throughout 359,077 acres. Four of those fires took place in the last week of July and all were located in Central Texas. This has been a rough fire year so far, and researchers say that it may get worse. The Texas Drought Monitor reports that Central Texas …
HCC continues education & outreach
Spring was an extremely busy time for the Hill Country Conservancy’s land team. We conducted annual monitoring visits on five of our conservation easements, we significantly advanced four prospective conservation projects, and we worked tirelessly to strengthen collaborative efforts with conservation partners throughout Texas.
Deer Park Trailhead officially opened on National Trails Day
Because of you – our supporters, partner organizations, volunteers, and the Deer Park Neighborhood Association – the Deer Park Trailhead of the Violet Crown Trail (VCT) is now open! Meanwhile our National Trails Day volunteers braved the heat to plant a new butterfly garden and remove invasive species along the route. Hanna Holt made the world a more colorful place …
Conservation more important than ever
Within the last five years, 88% of Texas experienced an exceptional drought. The drought of 2010-2015 was the second worst in the history of our state, and although we received relief in the spring, we are learning that we can’t rely on regular rainfall. Worse yet, scientists have warned us that frequent droughts may become a permanent part of our lives. Nothing is more important for our lives – and livelihoods – than having clean water to drink.
Nature Day on Lake Austin
Spend the day in nature at Hill Country Conservancy’s Nalle Bunny Run Wildlife Preserve. This “choose-your-own-adventure” style event features two nature hikes, canoeing and swimming in Lake Austin, yard games, a BYO picnic, and more. Beer, water, and snacks will be provided.
National Trails Day Celebration at the Violet Crown Trail
Join HCC and our partners on National Trails Day to celebrate the opening of the newest section of the VCT. Trails make our communities more liveable by providing an opportunity for physical activity to improve fitness and mental health. Trails preserve and restore open space and improve the economy through tourism and civic improvement.
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) is an exciting opportunity to provide substantial funding for the conservation of at-risk species of fish and wildlife. With this funding, Texas alone aims to gain over $60 MM annually for implementation of conservation activities. These dollars would be available to provide increased incentives to private landowners managing in favor of healthy habitats and ecosystems. …
New Farm Bill to be finalized soon
The new Farm Bill will be finalized very soon. Hill Country Conservancy and its partners have played, and continue to play, a big role in ensuring passage of this important legislation. We frequently talk with elected officials on both sides of the aisle, to remind them of the important stewardship efforts of private landowners. Such efforts are even more critical …
Ecotourism & Conservation
Economic viability is one of the greatest concerns for landowners of rural and agricultural land. Particularly in the Hill Country, it is especially hard to earn income from the land through traditional means such as livestock grazing or farming. This is in large part due to the generally poor, unproductive soils of the region. Everybody agrees that the rocky hills …