The Watershed Association

Groundwater Awareness Week
2021-03-07 - 2021-03-13 | Online
Stay tuned this week for aquifer information, well maintenance tips, spring flow trends, and more! We’re planning to highlight the essential role of groundwater in the Hill Country in honor of National Groundwater Awareness Week!

Fix-A-Leak Week
2021-03-15 - 2021-03-21 | Online
Leaks are problematic in so many ways. Not only do they waste water, but they create needless extra work for water well pumps and septic systems. This can have an impact on your water bill or even shorten the life of your equipment. This week we encourage everyone to fix that pesky leak and celebrate a job well done!

Call for Artists - Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition submissions due
2021-06-01 - 2021-10-01 | Online
Calling all artists! Please submit concepts for art kites by October 1. Artists will receive $1,000 for a selected artwork for the Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition, recognition in the exhibition and accompanying catalog in print and online, as well as in press promotion and community events connected with the touring schedule.
The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition is the inaugural program of Art4Water, an initiative to advocate for environmental protection through the lens of art. The exhibition is a collaboration between Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) and Sky Wind World and brings together the art community around our love for Texas’ great springs. For over a quarter century, WVWA has protected and preserved clean, clear flowing water in Jacob’s Well, across the Hill Country, and all over Texas.
Through this exhibition, Art4Water, Sky Wind World, and WVWA will raise awareness of the vital connection of water to life. With the Well as one example, “Sacred Springs” seeks to float a collection of groundwater icons in the sky.
Full details, touring schedule, and submission instructions:
Art4Water (www.art4water.com)

Natural Bridge Caverns Discovery Days
2021-06-12, 2021-06-13, 2021-06-19, 2021-06-20, 2021-06-26, 2021-06-27
Natural Bridge Caverns | Discovery Days

Karst Walk at Blue Hole Regional Park
2021-09-01 - 2021-09-30 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Take a hike! Visit the Karst Walk all September at Blue Hole Regional Park‘s Prince-Provost trail–the trail between the Main Office and the Pavilion near the playground. This is the walking tour of Karst 101 compiled for the #DeepInTheKarstOfTexas education initiative in honor of the International Year of Caves and Karst.

Exercise your mind and body, learn about karst, water, and connections, and enjoy a beautiful part of the Texas Hill Country!

Find out more at: https://watershedassociation.org/…/education-and…/karst/

https://www.facebook.com/wimberleywatershed/videos/558040862280601/?source=13&player_origin=unknown&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDTTxMa9KUcI9VUqh_CHiMPm-_LhHjVffQLGqh0SgjCqGLO9su2H3MCQixLJ35zEb7kTFXPbf86iy4NDnMteem_OCwEvqC9HgxmNa2GusWRtb2UO2EwFlkU-VxLtjsME3vo8ES0v7sJEVklN6duk3rW39ImBgRBv6zhNR4-2UV0ex8M5WeRGbeanmNQdUdcYm6khsah3AtN5CvpvijcKGTsYelllKHXQEvlUJceDX7Gx_czgAnb193bjViNnuXmDkjL-vOPdTrvWsIn8q0S-2qssjVhJFnZw1sJklzTPyA11pwYUvTXJ9aGJERqQiEObw

Lights Out, Texas (Critical Fall Migration Period)
2021-09-05 - 2021-10-29
Did you know that 1 out of every 4 birds migrating through the U.S. in fall passes through Texas? Because most migratory birds fly at night, bright lights of commercial and residential buildings attract and disorient birds, causing collisions and leaving birds vulnerable to threats on the ground.
Here’s how you can help: turn out all non-essential lights outside and inside from 11 pm – 6 am every night through November 30, especially during the peak migration period of September 5 – October 29. Learn more and sign up for bird migration alerts: https://texanbynature.org/lightsouttexas/

Drug Take Back
2021-10-20 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Bring your unused or expired medication for safe disposal through the Drug Take Back program–right here in Wimberley! Thanks to Keep Wimberley Beautiful, the City of Wimberley, and Hays County for hosting the event at the Wimberley Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 20 between 10am and 2pm.
Safe disposal of medicines helps keep these emerging contaminants out of our aquifers, springs, and rivers. Help protect water supplies and aquatic habitat by bringing old/unused medicines to the Drug Take Back or call your local pharmacy to see if they have a drug disposal kiosk at their location. Hint: The Walgreens at William Cannon and Escarpment has one.

Imagine a Day Without Water
2021-10-21 - 2021-10-22
No water to drink, or wash your hands with. No water to shower, flush the toilet, or do laundry. Hospitals would close without water. Firefighters couldn’t put out fires and farmers couldn’t water their crops. Disease would spread.
This year, we want to help you learn more about where your water comes from and where your water goes. We’ll take a deeper dive into the impact drinking water and wastewater providers have within your community. Many Americans take water for granted every day. But what would a day be like without water?
Imagine a Day Without Water 2021 will be the seventh annual day to raise awareness and educate America about the value of water. Organized by the US Water Alliance, this is a great day to appreciate our incredible water supplies, creeks, rivers, springs, and aquifers.

Shred-It Day
2021-10-30 08:00 - 12:00
Keep Wimberley Beautiful, Ozona Bank, HEB, and the City of Wimberley are hosting a Shred-It Day on Oct. 30, from 8am-Noon at the Wimberley Community Center parking lot.
They invite you to bring by all paper household items for shredding! Guidelines for Shred-It Day:
The following ARE okay:

Staples
Small paper clips
Manilla folders
All dimensions of paper
All thickness size of paper except cardboard & no boxes will be shredded

The following ARE NOT okay:

Any other material other than paper (ie: batteries, hard drives, metal, CD’s, & anything else)
No 3 ring binders
No large chunky metal clips/paper clamps

Two-Step for Karst Barn Dance
2021-11-14 18:00 - 23:00 | Montesino Ranch, 300 Little Arkansas Rd, Wimberley, 78676, United States
TESPA and WVWA Come Together Again To Educate, To Advocate, To Protect.
We may know and treasure our iconic great springs and nearby karst caves, but this International Year of Karst and Caves is time to get to know and better understand the whole rocky system with holes through which the water flows, that powers creeks and streams to form our great rivers and carve great rolling vistas from the ancient shallow seas that once covered the land.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our Newsletters to stay in the loop!
Karst Campaign Activities, June – December, 2021:
June: What is Karst?
July: Karst and Water Quality
Aug: Hill Country Cave and Karst Heroes
Sept: Karst and Water Supplies
Oct: Karst and Development
Nov: Two-Step for Karst Barn Dance
Dec: Cave Tour

Drug Take Back Day
2022-04-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Keep Wimberley Beautiful and Constable Precinct 3 are hosting a Prescription Drug Take Back Day at the Wimberley Community Center on Saturday April 30th from 10am-Noon.
There will be a drive-through drop off for confidential and secure disposal. Safely disposing of prescription drugs helps protect water quality, reduce pollution, and lessen the potential for overdoses.

“Disposing of unneeded medications can help prevent drugs from being misused,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “Overdose deaths continue to hit tragic record highs. I encourage everyone to dispose of unneeded prescription medications now.”
Find out more about National Drug Take Back Day and find other dropoff locations: Take Back Day (dea.gov)

Wimberley Arts Fest
2022-04-30 11:00 - 16:00, 2022-05-01 11:00 - 16:00 | Waters Point Retreat, 13401 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676
The Wimberley Valley Art League is hosting Wimberley Arts Fest on April 30-May 1, 2022 at The Waters Point. The Wimberley Valley Art League‘s purpose is to promote the arts and artists in Wimberley and the Central Hill Country of Texas. They are a very active group with over 200 artist/members. ​Here’s what to expect.
You’ll arrive in Wimberley via Ranch Road 12 and pull into The Waters Point Retreat near the Blanco River. You will be able to park on the grounds and golf carts with happy drivers will pick you up and deposit you closer to the festival happenings. Entry into the festival is free. On-Site parking is $10. Other near-by parking is free with shuttle service to the festival.
You’ll see about 100 booths nestled among the pecan trees and cabins. Great effort is made to intermix the art so you will see a large variety of media. All the exhibiting artists are selected by invitation and all of them are experienced and talented. Some come from neighboring states and regions. About 25% are local artists.
Food truck aromas will beckon you to relax and have a picnic overlooking the river. A beer and wine booth will help you enjoy your picnic even more. Live music plays continuously and there will be chairs set up for you to rest and listen as you take breaks between art shopping. Only well-behaved dogs on leashes are permitted on the grounds.
It’s a great way to enjoy the Texas Hill Country and Wimberley, “a little bit of heaven.”

Art4Water Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition Opening Reception
2022-05-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Austin Central Library, 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX, 78701
Join us for the Opening Reception for Art4Water’s inaugural program, The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition–a collaboration between The Watershed Association, Terry Zee Lee and 30+ national artists in the creation of water-inspired art kites. Hanging like an oasis in the sky, The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition brings together diverse communities around the respect for Texas’ great springs–their history, their value, and the threats to their existence.
Through this exhibition, the Watershed Association partners with Terry Zee Lee, a renowned facilitator and curator of kite exhibitions, to raise awareness of the vital connection of water to life. With Jacob’s Well as one example, “Sacred Springs” seeks to float a collection of groundwater icons in the sky.
Capacity of the event is limited. Please, RSVP for the event at the Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition Opening Reception Eventbrite (link).
The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition will be on display at the Austin Central Library (710 W. César Chávez St, 78701) for free, through November 2022.
Full details: art4water.com

Art4Water Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition
2022-05-07 - 2022-11-15 | Austin Central Library, 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX, 78701
“Art shapes culture, and changes people and communities. Art tells a universally powerful story that communicates the value of water beyond words.”
Art4Water, a program of the Watershed Association, is an initiative that advocates for environmental protection through the lens of art.
Artists have always served society as visionaries, translators and storytellers– they help share powerful stories and elements of the human experience that are limited by spoken language.
Art4Water is devoted to uplifting conservation-inspired artists as they help us more deeply understand and connect to the necessity of water– the life it brings, the meaning it holds, and the threats that face it.
Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition
Celebrating the Great Springs of Texas

Art4Water’s inaugural program, The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition, is a collaboration between The Watershed Association, Terry Zee Lee and 30+ national artists in the creation of water-inspired art kites. Hanging like an oasis in the sky, The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition brings together diverse communities around the respect for Texas’ great springs–their history, their value, and the threats to their existence.
Through this exhibition, the Watershed Association partners with Terry Zee Lee, a renowned facilitator and curator of kite exhibitions, to raise awareness of the vital connection of water to life. With Jacob’s Well as one example, “Sacred Springs” seeks to float a collection of groundwater icons in the sky.
The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition will be on display at the Austin Central Library (710 W. César Chávez St, 78701) for free, through November 2022.
Full details: https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/art4water/

Blanco River Songwriter Festival
2022-05-07 11:00 - 22:00 | Fischer Dance Hall, 701 Fischer Store Rd, Fischer, TX, 78623, United States
The overall experience at a Blanco River Songwriter Festival is pretty much laid-back Hill Country perfection.
Curated by musicians themselves, the Songwriter Festival brings premier talent into an intimate setting for 11 hours of live music. The acoustics of the space with a cold beer in your hand and spring breezes blowing through the open windows of the dance hall will remind you of how lucky we are to be in the Texas Hill Country. This year’s lineup is one heavy-hitting songwriter after another. You won’t want to miss a single act, so get your tickets, get your drink in hand, and stay for the day!
Proceeds benefit Blanco River Academy.

Art4Water Launch Party
2022-05-15 14:00 - 17:00 | Beerburg, 13476 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX, 78736
Join us at Beerburg Brewery on Sunday, May 15 to celebrate! There will be live painting, kids kite-making workshops, two bands: Leyline and Jamie Ospina. Leyline are good friends of ours who are always singing about the waters. We are also bringing in artists, vendors, and other community partners who are passionate about the planet. This event will be interactive and experiential drawing attention to conservation through creativity.

We’re proud to officially launch of the Watershed Association’s Art4Water program aimed at highlighting the intersectionality between art, culture, expression and conservation. Our inaugural Art4Water offering is the Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition, featuring water-inspired work of 30+ artists in the form of large art kites, which will hang high in the Austin Central Library from May 6th-November.

Our official launch at Beerburg Brewery on May 15th will be an opportunity to celebrate, announce, and point attention to the Kite Exhibit as well as highlight artists and community members that are passionate about conservation.

The event is free, donations are appreciated, and a portion of the Cause-Brew sales will go to support Art4Water. Come celebrate with us!

Blue Hole: Deep in the Heart Movie Night
2022-07-29 20:00 - 22:00 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States

Hill Country Water Talk at Roughhouse Brewery
2022-08-27 12:00 - 14:00

Life of H2O: East Austin Studio Tour Event at TreeGarden
2022-11-12 15:00 - 21:00, 2022-11-13 15:00 - 21:00, 2022-11-19 15:00 - 21:00, 2022-11-20 15:00 - 21:00 | TreeGarden, 638 Tillery Street, Austin, TX, 78702
The Watershed Association and Art4Water is honored to be the beneficiary of TreeGarden’s EAST AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR event, “Life of H20.” TreeGarden’s mission is Cultivating Collaborative Community through Nature + Education + Art + Wellness + Outreach. The opening event for the 2022 showcase will take place on November 12th, from 3 – 9 pm at their east Austin location and will celebrate the essential, life-giving gifts of water while raising awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting our precious water sources.
There will be music, food, beverage, interactive art experiences, and an exhibit featuring 40+ local artists. Participating artists will have created a glass bottle to be filled with water and a plant cutting from TreeGarden’s family farm. These vessels and events will help generate attention, conversation, and support for the work of the Watershed Association as we conserve and protect our community’s most precious resource.
Find out more about the Austin Studio Tour at www.austinstudiotour.org.

Movie Screening: Battle for the Heart of Texas
2022-11-19 18:00 - 21:00

Blue Hole Regional Park Volunteer Tree Planting Event with Wimberley Parks and Treefolks
2023-01-21 09:30 - 14:00
