The Watershed Association

Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District meeting
2021-01-26 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
REGULAR BOARD MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING
HAYS TRINITY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 26, 2021 6:00 PM
Via Teleconference
AGENDA

Call to Order – 6pm.
Public Comments To address the Board of Directors, please complete and submit a Public Participation Form to District staff. Comments will be limited to this section of the agenda.
Announcements (no discussion or possible action)
Discussion and Possible Action:

1. Proposed draft amendments to the District Enabling Act……………………………………Holly Fults

Adjournment

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION:
Telephone Conference Opens at 5:45 p.m.
Registration for Public Comment requires submitting a Public Participation Form to staff3@haysgroundwater.com before the meeting begins. Properly registered speakers must limit Public Comments to 5 minutes for all topics. All Public Comments will be made during the Public Comments section of the meeting. Any person participating in the meeting must be recognized and identified by the Presiding Officer each time they speak. The District will accept written comments by 4pm the business day before the Board Meeting. Written comments may be submitted on any item by mail to PO Box 1648, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 or by email to staff3@haysgroundwater.com.
Attendees can reach the meeting via telephone at 1 (877) 568-4106, access code: 868-180-029. Agenda items may be taken in any order at the discretion of the Board. HTGCD agendas, Public Participation Forms, approved meeting minutes, and any available backup materials are posted on the District website, www.haysgroundwater.com under Quick Links/Agendas/Meeting Year/ Meeting Date.

Incorporating Mushrooms into Restoration (BCP Forest Restoration Webinars)
2021-01-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve is hosting the last two webinars in their BCP Forest Restoration series. The goal of this series is to share best practices and build a community of trained volunteers who will join them on the BCP to enhance and restore functional ecosystems from the ground up. The webinars are free and open to anyone.
Learn more and register for the next webinars through links below:

Soil Biology & Geology- Jan. 11, 6-7:30pm – register here
Incorporating Mushrooms into Restoration – Jan. 25, 6-7:30pm – register here

Please note that you need to register for each individual webinar you want to attend in this series. Catch episodes you missed on their YouTube channel.

Woodcreek Citizens' Comprehensive Plan Committee
2021-01-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Camp Young Judea, 121 Camp Young Judaea Rd, Woodcreek, TX, United States
The City of Woodcreek is updating their comprehensive plan. This Citizens’ Comprehensive Plan Committee will meet to provide input to the City Council. Agenda and full details about the meeting are available at the link below.

Tuesday Night Arts (Wimberley Parks and Rec)
2021-01-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
Tuesday Night Arts is a new program from Wimberley’s Parks and Recreation Department in collaboration with the Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance (WVACA) created to support artists during COVID and provide a venue for our community to become familiar with the fabulous artists who live here. Jointly produced with WVACA, the two-hour interview and demonstration program will highlight an artist from each of 4 areas: Visual, Literary, Culinary, and Performing Arts.
The programs will take participants “behind the scenes” into the studios of accomplished professionals, who will share their own artistic journeys and talents and offer advice to aspiring painters, actors, musicians, writers, chefs and creatives of all kinds – and provide enjoyment for all who join.
Every second Tuesday of the month, tune in to view the work from 4 different artists, musicians, writers, poets, or chefs from their home studios. A new artist goes live every 30 minutes so come for your favorites or stay to see them all.

Soil Biology & Geology (BCP Forest Restoration webinars)
2021-01-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Online

Seed Harvesting: Onion, Water Quality Protection Land
2020-12-20 09:00 - 12:00, 2020-12-01 13:00 - 16:00 | 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 | TX

OpenET Webinar
2020-12-08 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
The Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts is pleased to present a free educational webinar for TAGD members and the greater water community.
Presenters:

Matt Bromley, Assistant Research Scientist, Desert Research Institute
Robyn Grimm, Senior Manager of Water Information Systems, Environmental Defense Fund
Dana Rollison, Senior Outreach Specialist, Environmental Defense Fund

Access to consumptive water use data for irrigated agriculture has been limited and expensive, keeping it out of the hands of most water users and decision-makers. OpenET is a collaborative effort to develop an online platform for mapping evapotranspiration (ET) at the scale of individual fields. A partnership between NASA, the Desert Research Institute, and Environmental Defense Fund, and Google Earth Engine, OpenET aims to use the best available science and publicly available data to increase access to satellite-based ET and consumptive water use information for farmers and water managers.
Click here to view a two-page summary of OpenET. Click here to read some Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information about OpenET, please see: https://openetdata.org/.

Rehydration of the Landscape - City of Austin BCCP Reforestation Series webinars
2020-12-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
Desertification is not only a worldwide issue, but a local problem as well. Massive clear-cutting in Central Texas has led to erosion, soil compaction, and loss of biodiversity.

Join us on December 7th at 6pm for this installment of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Reforestation Series – Rehydration of the Landscape, as Dr. Nico Hauwert addresses the effects of deforestation from global to local impacts. Biologist Jim O’Donnell will then demonstrate techniques to rehydrate degraded landscapes on the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.

Register for the webinar here: https://bit.ly/337AikL

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

#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.

The Future of Buildings, Transportation and Power
2020-11-19 14:00 - 15:00 | 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

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