The Watershed Association

The Future of Buildings, Transportation and Power
2020-11-19 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
Special guest Roger Duncan, co-author of the new book, The Future of Buildings, Transportation and Power.
About this Event
Buildings, transportation and power generation account for roughly 75% of energy conversions in our economy. Understanding the energy trends governing these sectors will help us develop a more sustainable future.
Join TPA for a special T5 webinar with energy efficiency pioneer Roger Duncan who will discuss his new book, The Future of Buildings, Transportation and Power, co-authored with Dr. Michael Webber.
Roger Duncan is a former Research Fellow at the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the former General Manager of Austin Energy, the municipal electric utility for Austin, Texas. Prior to that, he served as executive manager for several City of Austin departments, including the Environmental and Conservation Services department and Planning and Transportation.
Roger was also elected to two terms as Austin City Council member in the early 1980’s. In 2005, Business Week magazine recognized Roger as one of the 20 leading “carbon reducers” in the world, and in 2009 National Geographic recognized him as an international thought leader in energy efficiency.
PLEASE NOTE: The webinar meeting link will be sent prior to the event. Please email any questions to admin@texaspaceauthority.org
Thu, November 19, 2020
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST

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 | TX
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!

14th Annual North Texas Regional Water Conservation Symposium
2020-11-10 08:00 - 2020-11-11 17:00 | Online
Free online event hosted by North Texas Regional Water Providers
A one-of-a-kind virtual symposium experience for water professionals to learn, collaborate and network to advance conservation goals.
Speaker Program

Carl Lepper, Director, Utilities Intelligence, J.D. Power – “Understanding the Needs of Water Utility Customers to Drive Overall Satisfaction”
Sean J. Upshaw, PhD, Assistant Professor of Visual Information and Persuasion in Health Communication, The University of Texas at Austin – “I.P.S. and Water Conservation: A Social Marketing Approach for Public Engagement”
Jennifer Walker, Deputy Director, Texas Coast & Water Program, National Wildlife Federation – “North Texas Focuses on the Lawn – A report from the North Texas Outdoor Watering Summit”
Tia Lebherz, Executive Director, California Water Efficiency Partnership – “California Makes Water Conservation a Way of Life”
Melinda Knuth, PhD, Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Florida – “Water Conservation Messaging in the Horticulture Industry: Communicating Through the Supply Chain”
Kevin Kluge, Director of Innovative Water Strategies, Texas Water Development Board – “TWDB Conservation 2020 Unmasked”
Tamara Lawless, Water Conservation Manager, City of Flagstaff – “Flagstaff’s Water Conservation Program – Saving water in the Mountains of Arizona”
Hugh Sinclair, Section Manager – Asset Management, WSSC Water – “Water / People / Service”

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.

Our Water, Our Future, Ours To Protect
2020-11-04 11:30 - 13:30 | Upper Guadalupe River Authority auditorium, 125 Lehman Drive Ste 100, Kerrville, TX., 125 Lehman Drive Ste 100, Kerville, TX, United States
The Texas Master Naturalists present a roundtable, Our Water, Our Future, Ours To Protect. (formerly “The Near Future and Water Sustainability” and HOPE panel). as the culminating 2020 Certification Class program on Wednesday November 4 from 11:30am-1:30pm at the Upper Guadalupe River Authority auditorium located at 125 Lehman Drive Ste 100 in Kerrville.
The goal is to both inform as well as to inspire the students to engage in actions in their communities to relieve the threats to our watersheds. Conservation, good stewardship and intervening in these threats are all actionable options for us as Hill Country citizens.
We believe this Roundtable is an excellent way for Texas Master Naturalist students to learn from individuals who represent citizen engagement to halt ecological threats. Daniel Oppenheimer, Hill Country Alliance Land Program Manager, is the moderator. Margo Denke representing the efforts of the Friends of Hondo Canyon, David Baker founder of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association and Annalisa Peace who directs the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance and represents the Friends of Honey Creek are the three panelists.

Election Day
2020-11-03 07:00 - 19:00 | TX
Vote, vote, VOTE!
https://hayscountytx.com/departments/elections/current-year-elections/nov-3-2020-general-election/

History of Water in Texas - author panel
2020-10-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
The interface between land and water has a long history of grounding our economy, patterns of growth, and our quality of life here in Central Texas.
Join the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance and the Texas Real Estate Advocacy and Defense Coalition for a visit with two authors whose books describe the interdependence of land and water and the need to conserve these resources.

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/

TWCA Fall Conference
2020-10-21 - 2020-10-23 | Online
Texas Water Conservation Association is a nonprofit association of Texas water professionals. Our members represent river authorities, municipalities, all kinds of water districts, water users, associations, and other organizations with water interests.
TWCA’s MISSON:
To be a trusted resource promoting sound water policy for the state. Its mission is to educate members, build consensus among water stakeholders, and advocate solutions to Texas water matters.
The Fall Conference offers attendees a format similar to our Summer Conference for panel and committee meetings, as well as speaker sessions. They have also added new and improved networking and engagement features, including a virtual exhibit hall. We are pleased to announce our confirmed keynote speakers: Senate Water & Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Charles Perry, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, TCEQ Office of Water Deputy Director Earl Lott, and U.S. Water Alliance CEO Radhika Fox.
In addition to keynotes, topic highlights include: a panel discussing innovative financing approaches during drought and flood cycles moderated by TWDB Chairman Peter Lake, maintaining culture in a virtual work environment, a coastal spine update, a panel on the future of municipal water supply in Texas with Robert Puente, Terry Lowery, and Angel Bustamante, and more.
For full details visit: https://www.twca.org/fallconference

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/

Webinar: Environmental enforcement by local governments
2020-10-19 17:00 - 18:00 | Online
RSVP to cfraser@environmenttexas.org to join the webinar.

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.

Early Voting Begins
2020-10-13 | TX
Vote Vote Vote!

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

LWV Candidate Forum: San Marcos City Council and SM CISD
2020-10-08 08:00 - 17:00 | Online
The League of Women Voters is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing political candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. Their mission is Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Sign up now for the Candidate Forums using these links.

September 22 – Wimberley ISD & Woodcreek http://bit.ly/Woodcreek-WISD
September 24 – District Judge, County Court at Law #3, & Tax Assessor Forum http://bit.ly/Judges-TaxAssessor
September 29 – Hays County Commissioner #3 and County Constables Forum http://bit.ly/Commissioner3-Constables
October 1 – Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees http://bit.ly/DrippingSpgsISD
October 6 – House District 45 & Hays County Sheriff Candidates Forum http://bit.ly/HD45-Sheriff
October 8 – San Marcos City Council and SM CISD http://bit.ly/SanMarcosCity-SMCISD

Last day of Early Voting
2020-10-07 08:00 - 17:00 | TX
Vote, Vote, Vote!
Hays County General Election details:
https://hayscountytx.com/departments/elections/current-year-elections/nov-3-2020-general-election/

LWV Candidate Forum: House District 45 & Hays County Sheriff
2020-10-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
The League of Women Voters is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing political candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. Their mission is Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Sign up now for the Candidate Forums using these links.

September 22 – Wimberley ISD & Woodcreek http://bit.ly/Woodcreek-WISD
September 24 – District Judge, County Court at Law #3, & Tax Assessor Forum http://bit.ly/Judges-TaxAssessor
September 29 – Hays County Commissioner #3 and County Constables Forum http://bit.ly/Commissioner3-Constables
October 1 – Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees http://bit.ly/DrippingSpgsISD
October 6 – House District 45 & Hays County Sheriff Candidates Forum http://bit.ly/HD45-Sheriff
October 8 – San Marcos City Council and SM CISD http://bit.ly/SanMarcosCity-SMCISD

You can submit quest

North Texas Outdoor Watering Summit
2020-10-06 - 2020-10-08 | Online
The first-ever North Texas Outdoor Watering Summit is a three day online conference featuring peer-to-peer learning and expert technical assistance for North Texas cities and utilities currently implementing or interested in adopting programs to reduce outdoor watering as a water efficiency practice. We are focusing on North Texas, but any utility interesting in implementing or improving programs to reduce outdoor watering should plan on attending.
Many North Texas cities have yet to put in place programs to limit outdoor watering. Current population trends indicate these communities will face future water supply challenges that necessitate an extensive commitment to water conservation.
With the adoption of a no more than 2x-per-week outdoor watering schedule as well as other complimentary programs, North Texas cities are estimated to see 7% – 11% reductions in total municipal water use. Given this potential for positive change, this summit will be a forum on how cities and utilities can implement common-sense outdoor watering schedules and maximize their water savings.
Learn from state and national experts about the latest best management practices for controlling outdoor watering; the multiple benefits of such approaches; and receive practical guidance on how to plan, draft, and adopt successful ordinances.
The conference is a three-day virtual event that will include numerous opportunities for networking and collaboration.
October 6-8, 2020 – 10am – 12pm
Registration is $20. The conference is intended to be accessible to all, if registration costs presents a financial hardship, please contact Jennifer Walker at walkerj@nwf.org.
Presentations and workshop topics include:

Best Practices for Compliance and Positive Results
Planning, Drafting and Adopting Ordinances
Customer Behavior and Compliance
Regional Landscape Initiatives
Complementary Programs to Lock in Conservation Savings
Peer-to-Peer Learning with Early Adopters
Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Implementation
…and more!

Speakers:
The summit features speakers from the Alliance for Water Efficiency, Texas A&M Agrilife Water University, City of Frisco, Tarrant Regional Water District, North Texas Municipal Water District, National Wildlife Federation, and more.
View the full agenda here.

Master Gardeners' Native Plant Sale
2020-10-04 - 2020-10-20 | TX
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

LWV Candidate Forum: Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees
2020-10-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
The League of Women Voters is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing political candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. Their mission is Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Sign up now for the Candidate Forums using these links.

September 22 – Wimberley ISD & Woodcreek http://bit.ly/Woodcreek-WISD
September 24 – District Judge, County Court at Law #3, & Tax Assessor Forum http://bit.ly/Judges-TaxAssessor
September 29 – Hays County Commissioner #3 and County Constables Forum http://bit.ly/Commissioner3-Constables
October 1 – Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees http://bit.ly/DrippingSpgsISD
October 6 – House District 45 & Hays County Sheriff Candidates Forum http://bit.ly/HD45-Sheriff
October 8 – San Marcos City Council and SM CISD http://bit.ly/SanMarcosCity-SMCISD

You can submit questions/topics to lwvhaysco@gmail.com for candidates and races up to a week before each forum. Please specify which candidate or race they address.
Read all the details here.

LWV Candidate Forum: Hays County Commissioner #3 and County Constables
2020-09-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Online

LWV Candidate Forum: District Judge, County Court at Law #3, & Tax Assessor
2020-09-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Online

HCA Leadership Summit
2020-09-23 - 2020-09-25 | Online
The Hill Country Leadership Summit is the Hill Country Alliance’s premiere annual gathering, and provides an opportunity for learning, networking, and being inspired among our region’s top community leaders, conservation practitioners, and natural resource managers.
While historically a one-day event, this year’s online format allows the Summit to spread out over the course of three days – Wednesday, Sep. 23 from 2-4 PM, Thursday, Sep. 24 from 10-12 PM, and Friday, Sep. 25 from 10-12 PM. This new format will allow an expanded opportunity to tune-in to inspiring and informative talks from local and national environmental resource experts without having to sit on your computer all day!
View HCA’s site for more info and agenda.

LWV: Wimberley ISD & Woodcreek Candidate Forum
2020-09-22 19:00 | TX

Blanco City Council Meeting
2020-09-22 18:00 - 20:00 | TX
This meeting will be streamed live from the City of Blanco Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/blancocityhall/
Of particular interest is New Business Item #1 related to the No-Discharge Task Force:

Additional info and full agenda: http://www.cityofblanco.com/meetings/536/2020-09-22

HTGCD Board meeting
2020-08-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District will be conducting the August Board of Directors Meeting tonight starting at 6:00 pm. Please see the attached document for the Meeting Agenda and Public Hearing Notice. The meeting will be held via teleconference, details are below.
Agenda includes:

Possible drought declaration
Public Hearing on Rule change

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Telephone Conference Opens at 5:45 p.m.
Note: If you plan on participating in the meeting during the public comment period please contact the District at 512-858-9253 or at staff3@haysgroundwater.com to register as a speaker. You may also register as a speaker at the beginning of the meeting. Registration as a speaker will require providing (1) first name; (2) last name; (3) email address, and (4) phone number. Any person participating in the meeting must be recognized and identified by the Presiding Officer each time they speak.
Attendees can reach the meeting via telephone at +1 866-899-4679, access code: 871-180-469

Hays County Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Commission Project Discussion
2020-08-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
Hays County is hosting two free, public webinars to learn about the Hays County Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission (POSAC) recommendations on projects and a bond package for new parks, trails, open spaces, natural areas, water quality and flood mitigation lands.
The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association proposed 2 projects that would improve protections for groundwater in western Hays County. The presentations and materials are available online:

Colemans Canyon Preserve page
Regional Conservation Fund page

Please join the discussion and support groundwater protection and land conservation in our critical areas! The County requires advance registration to join the Zoom meeting:

POSAC Webinar: Tuesday, Aug 4, 5:30 to 6:30pm
POSAC Webinar: Thursday, Aug 6, 6 to 7 pm

Find out more about the POSAC, table of recommendations and map of proposed projects, and more at the Hays Co. POSAC page.

Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program - Cypress Creek Watershed
2020-08-06 13:00 - 17:00 | Online
The Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program aims to improve and protect surface water quality by enhancing awareness and knowledge of best management practices for residential landscape. At workshops, attendees will learn about the design and installation of residential rainwater harvesting systems and appropriate turf and landscape species based on local conditions.
The free event will be online from 1-5 p.m. August 6. Interested parties should register through the Tx Agrilife page to receive workshop updates, instructions to join the online meeting and materials related to the workshop via email.
Attendees can submit a free soil test prior to or up to one week after the meeting. Drop off locations for soil sample bag and information sheet include:

Blanco County AgriLife Extension office: 101 E. Cypress, Ste. 109, Johnson City
Hays County AgriLife Extension office, 200 Stillwater Road, Wimberley

Soil Testing details: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory.
