Hill Country Conservancy (HCC) was born of an unlikely but necessary marriage between conservation and growth. In the mid-1990’s the Texas Hill Country, which includes the City of Austin, began exploding in population and new development without many protections for our natural resources. At the time, people argued that land conservation would inhibit economic growth by restricting building opportunities. HCC, …
The Ribbon Run
You made history on National Trails Day! Through your continued support, the newest portion of The Violet Crown Trail (VCT) opened at Slaughter Lane, completing yet another section of what is on track to become the longest trail of its kind in Central Texas. Now you, your family, and your furry friends have a beautiful new ADA-compliant trail to enjoy—forever. …
After the Flood
In the past month, extensive flooding forced the closure of many of our favorite outdoor recreational areas for extended amounts of time, including several sections of the Violet Crown Trail. As the Violet Crown Trail (VCT) is your trail, we at HCC want you to feel secure in the steps we take to protect your safety and the integrity of …
Land Trust Accredidation
Hill Country Conservancy is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation, first awarded in 2014. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Hill Country Conservancy is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation, first awarded in 2014. A …
Celebrating Earth Day Throughout the Year
To be honest, this should be an easy shift for Austin to make! Our city is proud of being green. There’s nothing weird about Austin’s standing as a national leader in its commitment to the environment. We have multiple conservancy projects in motion at all times, including: And that just scratches the surface! We haven’t even started to address the …
Promoting a Conservation Ethic- Advocacy at the State Capitol
On February 27, members of the Texas Land Trust Council (TLTC), including Hill Country Conservancy (HCC), spent an advocacy day at the capitol meeting with and discussing land conservation initiatives with our state law makers. The TLTC set the agenda based their recent study (completed in conjunction with Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute , the Equipped with this meaningful data, …
Inspiring Oaks Ranch
Inspiring Oaks Ranch is rich with karst features, sinks, and caves, which allow the 4.8 miles of creeks and streams found on the land to recharge into another important aquifer, the Middle Trinity Aquifer. Water from the Middle Trinity Aquifer bubbles back to the surface in two significant springs – Pleasant Valley Spring and the famous swimming hole, Jacob’s Well. …
Keeping the Stars at Night Big and Bright
The artist Vincent van Gogh once said, “For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” If Van Gogh were alive now, would he feel the same way? Today, manmade lighting results in urban night skies that are hundreds of times brighter than they were in 1889 when the twinkling Milky Way inspired Van Gogh to paint The Starry Night. Today, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the overabundance of artificial light prevents eighty percent of Americans and one third of humanity from even being able to see the Milky Way.
HCC Welcomes Scott Parker to the Team
Hill Country Conservancy is pleased to welcome Scott Parker as HCC’s Director of Land Conservation. His incredible talent, extensive experience, and life-long dedication to conservation will be valuable contributions towards HCC’s efforts to keep the Hill Country— here forever. Scott’s long and impressive career in conservation began in 1987 at The Trust for Public Land (TPL) in California. There, he …
Living in Flash Flood Alley
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 …