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.

The Texas Hill Country Was Home to Freedmen

When the Civil War ended in 1865, formerly enslaved people suddenly found themselves freed. As part of the Confederacy, Texas was home to thousands of slaves before the war, who worked in town as domestic servants or as farm workers on plantations. When freedom came, many flocked into Austin, seeking help…

God Bless Texas

By George Cofer Chief Executive Officer Hill Country ConservancyGeorge at Mustang Island I am very fortunate to have been born into an outdoor-nature-loving family. I have many fond memories of spending time on the beach in Port Aransas with my dad’s parents. I’m told Mom taught me how to swim by tying a small rope to my ankle and pitching …

A Time to Breathe

By Frank Davis Like those of many others, my life and my family’s lives have been dramatically altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now cliché to say that we’re living inside the movie “Groundhog Day,” with each day a virtual repeat of the one before. On the worst of days, the repetition of spending each day at home with …

The Strength of Texans

The Strength of Texans By Will Roman Founder & Chief Texan Chisos Boots The variety of landscapes contained within the state of Texas is unparalleled. You’d be forgiven if, on a long road trip, you fell asleep in the Chihuahuan desert of West Texas, awoke upon passing Hamilton Pool in the Hill Country, and thought you were observing a heavenly …

Fighting Fire with Fire

Welcome to wildfire season! Currently, only 22% of Texas is under drought conditions—a relatively low amount compared to previous years. However, as of June 17, 2020, there are already three large woodland fires burning in Texas covering 11,223 acres. As the quintessential hot and dry Texas summer conditions ramp up, grasses and brush will dry out and soon become dangerous …

Why are Trails so Important?

Why Are Trails Important? As a member of the Hill Country Conservancy family, you, like many of us, may occasionally find yourself on the Violet Crown Trail. Surveys in the Austin area show that trails are the most desired recreational activity. Why the popularity? You can use a trail at a time that works in your schedule. You don’t have …