The Watershed Association

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/

Karst Walk at Blue Hole Regional Park
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/impactareas/education-and-outreach/karst/ And from the Friends of Karst: Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, TESPA, Jacob's Well, Save Barton Creek Association, Greater Edwards Aquifer, Hill Country Alliance, Comal County Conservation Alliance, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD), Environmental Science Institute, San Marcos River Foundation, Soil For Water, Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, Texas Speleological Survey, National Cave and Karst Research Institute, Friends of Blue Hole, Zarria Environmental Consulting
Posted by Wimberley Valley Watershed Association on Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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

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)

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!

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!

Amplify Austin - Day of Giving
2021-03-04 | Online

Seed Harvesting: Onion, Water Quality Protection Land
2020-12-20 09:00 - 12:00, 2020-12-01 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | City of Austin Water Quality Protection Land
**To reduce the spread of the coronavirus, participants must bring their own face mask and work gloves, and practice social distancing by maintaining 6 feet between each person at all times during the event.
Each adult participant must register themselves for an event and cannot register guests at this time. If you would like to request a space for a child/children, please email Audrey (Audrey.Stewart@austintexas.gov) with the number of spaces requested and the event you are attending.**
Join Austin Water Wildland Conservation staff to harvest native grass and wildflower seeds that they will later use on the Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) as part of ongoing grassland restoration efforts to establish strong, native grasslands that improve water quality and quantity in the Barton Springs recharge zone. They aim to harvest all of the seed we use locally, and volunteers play a huge role in the success of this grassland restoration.
Located on FM 967 near FM 1626. Directions and details sent upon registration. Masks and distancing required during events. Learn more about the WQPL at austintexas.gov/WQPLstory

Seed Harvesting - Little Bear, Water Quality Protection Land
2020-12-11 09:30 - 11:30

#GivingTuesday
2020-12-01 | Online
Support Wimberley Valley Watershed Association on #GivingTuesday!
The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization. In order to carry out our mission, we rely upon generous donations by people like you who care about protecting and preserving the natural beauty of the glorious valley. Your contributions are tax-deductible.
Three ways to show your support:

Make a financial donation to boost land and water protection and building connections that will inspire and ensure a bright future for the Hill Country.
Select Wimberley Valley Watershed Association as your Amazon Smile charity to support each time you order. You shop. Amazon gives.
Share our story with your network.

Wildfire and Eco Restoration - SBCA Happy Hour
2020-11-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Online
Save Barton Creek Association will host a happy hour chat with James Duff, the Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator at the Austin Fire Department, Wildfire Division on Thurs., Nov. 12 from 6:30-8pm. They’ll cover wildfire, eco restoration with the removal of invasive species, and the role that the Wildfire Division plays.

The Wildfire division addresses the potential threat of wildfires through public education, fuel (vegetation) management, and effective firefighting response. The Wildfire division also assists neighborhoods in becoming Fire Adapted Communities through public education by incorporating Firewise principles during community assessments and presentations conducted by our Firewise Program Coordinators. This will be an educational and informative event! You don’t want to miss it!

Vetran's Day
2020-11-11
Contributions from all perspectives, skillsets, cultures and backgrounds are what make the U.S. an exceptional nation. Thank you to all those who have served!

Jacob's Well Natural Area Guided Tour
2020-11-07 09:00 - 10:00 | Jacob’s Well Natural Area, 1699 Mt. Sharp Rd., Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Tours are led by Master Naturalist volunteers from the local Hays County Chapter who have a passion for all things natural. The guides will speak in-depth about the history of Jacob’s Well and the aquifer system that sustains it as well as the local wildlife and vegetation found here.
FREE guided morning tours are available on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of November at 9 a.m.
Guided morning tours last approximately one (1) hour and will lead you on various compacted granite and natural surface trails. While we do not consider our tours to be strenuous, you will travel up and down several inclines and walk on rock ledges. Please be aware of your own personal limitations.
Tours will begin at the Jacob’s Well Nature Center at 9 a.m. If you are interested in a guided tour please call ahead or email to sign-up: katherine.sturdivant@co.hays.tx.us or call (512)-214-4593.

Boo! Hole Halloween
2020-10-24 16:00 - 19:00 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
Get ready for a night of fun and frights at (Drive-Thru) Boo! Hole Halloween 2020!

Boo! Hole Halloween has become a tradition for Wimberley residents. Last year, they had over 1,300 people attend the event with 30 local businesses and organizations handing out candy and providing fun carnival games. This year, we will have a Drive-Thru event where families and friends can drive around the recreation loop at Blue Hole Regional Park and local businesses and organizations can pass out candy or small prizes in the open trunks of the cars to maintain social distancing. We will also have a car costume contest and a booth decorating contest so get creative!

Hill Country Living Festival and Rainwater Revival
2020-10-24 10:30 - 16:30 | Online
Join in for green-living tips, rainwater harvesting information, natural resource news, community science opportunities, learning activities for kids, musical entertainment, and conservation conversations over cocktails!
Of particular interest are:

Virtual Tour of the Wimberley ISD One Water School (10:55am)
What you need to know about rainwater harvesting (11:35)
Caring for Riparian Habitat (3:15pm)
Wonderous water-saving wicking gardens (3:45)

Saturday, October 24, 2020 – Program
Morning: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Afternoon: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Platform: Zoom Webinar + Facebook Livestream
Tune in for engaging hosts, prerecorded video segments, live Q&A, and panel discussions!
https://www.hillcountryalliance.org/rainwaterrevival/

Imagine A Day Without Water
2020-10-21 | Online
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, as communities across America faced the public health threat of the coronavirus pandemic, water and wastewater systems continued to do their job, 24/7, keeping the water flowing. Many Americans take water for granted every day. But what would a day be like without water? Imagine a Day Without Water 2020 is the sixth annual day to raise awareness and educate America about the value of water.
In drought-prone Central Texas, that hits close to home. Most residents in the Hill Country rely on groundwater from the Edwards or Trinity Aquifers for their sole source of drinking water. With irregular rainfall to recharge the groundwater systems, spring flow and water levels fluctuate substantially–sometimes wells even go dry during extended droughts. With increases in population our water supplies are stressed. Take this day to appreciate your water, check on your well, fix leaks, and plan for more natives or add a rainwater tank.
How do you #ValueWater?
https://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/

Blue Hole Star Party
2020-10-17 19:30 - 21:00 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
The Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department and the Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee present the next Blue Hole Star Party on October 17th at 7:30pm. The event is FREE but registration is required. The Star Party will be held on the Blue Hole soccer fields. We will have appropriate social distancing measures in place and will be utilizing new technology to ensure everyone can view the wonderful Texas Night Sky. Guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight, a picnic, chairs, or a blanket.

iNaturalist Training at Blue Hole
2020-10-10 13:00 - 15:30 | Blue Hole Regional Park, 100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley, TX, 78676, United States
This iNaturalist workshop is sponsored by Blue Hole and the Hays County Master Naturalist and is scheduled for this Saturday, October 10th at 1PM. Texas Nature Tracker Biologist, Craig Hensley, will guide you through how to use this great tool to document the vegetation on your land including lots of great tips like how to protect your privacy. Hope to see you there.
Register for the iNaturalist workshop: https://tpwdevents.webex.com/tpwdevents/j.php?RGID=r7f8e1bdb91d78d1de6d2853b70d279db

Master Gardeners' Native Plant Sale
2020-10-04 - 2020-10-20
Fall Aster
The Hays County Master Gardeners have been working hard growing beautiful, native plants and trees for you!
Please join them at the 2020 Fall Plant and Tree Sale where you will find plants and trees that will actually thrive here in our hot Texas weather, unlike many of the plants you will find at the big-box stores.
PLANT SALE

FEATURES: Texas native & adapted perennials, succulents, ornamental grasses, including Texas Superstars
DATES: Online Plant Sale starts OCT 4 and runs through OCT 20
WEBSITES: The sale website https://hcmga.square.site will be activated October 4 through October 20. Find a listing of plants offered on our website at http://txmg.org/hays

SALE PROCESS & PRODUCT PICK-UP:

Sales will be via a Square website that allows customers to shop our inventory just like any other online merchant, and then pay for their purchases via credit card
Customers will select date, location and time block for product pick-up

Buda Farmers Market on Sundays, Oct 11 or 18, 10AM – 2PM
Dripping Springs Farmers Market on Wednesdays, Oct 7, 14 or 21, 3 – 6PM

Customers will select time block for pickup at selected FM to limit the number of customers arriving at any one time

PICK-UP LOCATIONS:

Buda Farmers Market: Historic Downtown Buda – 308 South Main Street, Buda TX 78610
Dripping Springs Farmers Market – at The Triangle, intersection of Hwy 12 and Hwy 290 in Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Browse the plant list by clicking the link below to organize and plan your shopping experience!
Plants Being Offered

Hill Country Living Festival + Rainwater Revival
2020-04-04 10:00 - 17:00 | Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 1042 Event Center Dr, Dripping Springs, Texas, 78620
Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find in 2020:

100+ vendors, exhibitors, and demonstration sites
Hill Country Marketplace for artists, artisans, and pop-up shops
Native plant sale from Hays County Master Gardeners
Citizen Science Circle – where science and citizens connect
Interactive Workshops

Build Your Own Rain Barrel (registration required)
Introduction to Bees and Beekeeping (registration required)

Raindrop Stop for Kids – hands-on, nature-based activities
Texas Night Sky Festival exhibits and demonstrations
The Mobile River from Colorado River Alliance
Acoustic music stage
Hill Country wine tasting
Tricked-out travel trailers
The Chicken Farm — and more!

The FESTIVAL is held Rain or Shine
Our event location is inside of the expansive Dripping Springs Ranch Park. All vendor and Marketplace booths are inside with concrete floors. The arena is also inside, but with compact dirt floor – perfect for boot scootin’ and easy walking!

Be a part of it!
Click here to become a vendor.
Click here to become a sponsor.
Click here for a list of last year’s sponsors.
Questions? Email: info@hillcountryalliance.org
