Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # The Watershed Association Land. Water. Connection. ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://watershedassociation.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [News](https://watershedassociation.org/news/) - [Reading the Water: Cypress Creek and the Blanco River August Water Quality Report](https://watershedassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/READING-THE-WATER-Cypress-Creek-and-the-Blanco-River-August-Water-Quality-Report.docx-1.pdf) - [Your Watershed News: Don't Miss a Drop!](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Don-t-Miss-a-Drop--Your-Watershed-News-.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=aQCwX3VeHCo) - [Hays County Strategic Plan: Participate in Listening Session](https://watershedassociation.org/2026/08/05/hays-county-strategic-plan-participate-in-listening-session/) - The County is hosting two virtual listening sessions focused on Infrastructure & Sustainable Growth. One session will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. and another will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 12 - 1:30 p.m. The information shared at both sessions will be the same. This discussion is - [Aquifers Are Infrastructure: State of the Water Luncheon Calls for Collaboration on Our Shared Water Future](https://watershedassociation.org/2026/07/20/aquifers-are-infrastructure-state-of-the-water-luncheon-calls-for-collaboration-on-our-shared-water-future/) - Aquifers Are Infrastructure: State of the Water Luncheon Calls for Collaboration on Our Shared Water Future After nearly four years, Jacob's Well briefly flowed again last week. For three days, water rose before dropping back to a trickle - a clear message that anchored this year's State of the Water Luncheon. The relief of recent - [Rainwater Harvesting Walk](https://www.facebook.com/events/1699-mt-sharp-road-wimberley-tx-united-states-texas-78676/rainwater-harvesting-walk/850472854227515/) - [Making Sense of the Unknown: A Day with Dr. George Veni at Karst Canyon Preserve](https://watershedassociation.org/2026/06/16/making-sense-of-the-unknown-dr-george-veni-at-karst-canyon-preserve/) - Article Written By: Zane Liston This spring, the Watershed Association team spent the morning at Jacobs Well with one of the great minds of hydrogeology and karst. Pat Egan, the Watershed Association's Volunteer Coordinator and Land and Facilities Assistant, and Zane Porterfield, the Watershed Association's Policy and Outreach Coordinator, had the rare privilege of - [Your Watershed News! Don't Miss A Drop!](https://conta.cc/4uBNKXX) - [What the HDR Groundwater Study means for the Wimberley Valley](https://watershedassociation.org/2026/06/16/what-the-hdr-groundwater-study-means-for-the-wimberley-valley/) - Article Written By: Zane Liston Engineers are now mapping Hays County's water future...again. In a public forum at the Wimberley Community Center, over 50 people gathered to meet the engineers leading the study and to give their input on the study's scope and importance. Hays County hired engineering firm HDR earlier this year to build - [Land Water Connection: What Pete Van Dyck Taught Us About Drought-Proofing Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/2026/06/16/land-water-connection-what-pete-van-dyck-taught-us-about-drought-proofing-texas/) - Article Written By: Zane Liston Last month, the Watershed Association continued our Land. Water. Connection series, an ongoing educational program to connect landowners, neighbors, and community members with the knowledge and tools to become active stewards of our aquifers, springs, creeks, and rivers. What better than a field trip to a living example of a - [Groundwater Well Survey: The University of Texas' Bureau of Economic Geology](https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8Im6MqaHZd3yrVs) - [Your Watershed News & Events for This Weekend!](https://conta.cc/4dJr55s) - [Your Watershed News: May 6, 2026](https://conta.cc/4encA9o) - [In Memoriam: Lew Valentine Adams](https://watershedassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/In-Memoriam_-Lew-Valentine-Adams-2.pdf) - [Legacy Highlight: Roy Creek Canyon](https://watershedassociation.org/2026/05/06/legacy-highlight-roy-creek-canyon/) - [May 31st: Film Screening of "Hope for the Guadalupe"](https://events.humanitix.com/filmscreening) - [Clean Rivers Program (CRP) Annual Meeting at GBRA — BCWPP Update](https://watershedassociation.org/2026/04/17/clean-rivers-program-crp-annual-meeting-at-gbra-bcwpp-update/) - Spring 2026 In attendance: Jenna Walker, David Baker, Zane Porterfield, Karl Flocke, Melissa Wolter (new Hays County Watershed Coordinator) The Watershed Association is proud to announce a historic milestone in our mission to protect the heart of the Texas Hill Country: the official opening of the Karst Canyon Preserve. Representing years of dedicated advocacy and - [Your Watershed News! Don't Miss a Drop!](https://conta.cc/484UcOK) - [A Sacred Place Protected: Karst Canyon Preserve Opens to the Public](https://watershedassociation.org/2026/04/17/a-sacred-place-protected-karst-canyon-preserve-opens-to-the-public/) - “Karst Canyon Preserve is a critical aquifer recharge zone and endangered species habitat directly feeding the Trinity Aquifer, Jacob’s Well, and Cypress Creek— a cathedral of over 118 karst limestone caves, live oak and juniper forest, native prairies, and a canyon that is now conserved in perpetuity. This land is protected and belongs to the - [Karst Canyon Preserve: Protecting the Source](https://watershedassociation.org/2026/03/25/karst-canyon-preserve-protecting-the-source/) - Hays County will celebrate the official opening of Karst Canyon Preserve with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on March 27. Participants will park at Parking Lot A at Jacob’s Well Natural Area, located at 1699 Mt. Sharp Road, Wimberley, Texas 78676. From there, attendees may choose to take a short 0.8-mile round-trip hike to - [Your Watershed New: Don't Miss a Drop](https://conta.cc/4spyXPQ) - [Amplify Austin Day! Support Your Watershed](https://conta.cc/4rAAhyI) - [Important Update: Refund Protections Secured for Aqua Customers](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Important-Update--Refund-Protections-Secured-for-Aqua-Customers.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=78tWWrwg67U) - [Your Watershed News: February 18, 2026](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Your-Watershed-News.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=uNn5mhlhzQY) - [Tomorrow, February 10th at 10 AM CT: Texas Hearing on Groundwater & the Future of Texas Water](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Tomorrow--February-10th-at-10-AM-CT--Texas-Hearing-on-Groundwater---the-Future-of-Texas-Water.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=34zgnM4uuaI) - [Your Watershed News: Don't Miss a Drop](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Your-Watershed-News.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=jLh-oYaXro0) - [Loopholes & Springholes](https://sosecretoccultandconcealed.com/2025/12/30/loopholes-and-springflows/) - [Last Day of Year-End Giving & Happy New Year from the Watershed!](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Last-Day-for-Year-End-Giving-.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=Vbl1ROKZqmQ) - [2025 Year in Review: Our Impact in Regenerative Connection and Environmental Education](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/2025-Year-in-Review--Our-2025-Impact-in-Regenerative-Connection---Environmental-Education.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=QGQeMD-36y0) - [2025 Year in Review: Our Impact in Land Conservation & Watershed Protection](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/2025-Year-in-Review--Our-2025-Impact-in-Land-Conservation---Watershed-Protection.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=mn6DI0jrfHg) - [Job Opportunity: Watershed Protection Plan Coordinator](https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hayscountytx/jobs/5171731/watershed-coordinator) - [2025 Year in Review: Watershed Magazine, Volunteer Opportunities, and more!](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/2025-Year-in-Review--Celebrating-Milestones---Inviting-You-to-Join-our-Next-Chaper.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=AHVg5GXGWaQ) - [2025 Year in Review: Our 2025 Impact in Planning, Policy, & Advocacy](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/2025-Year-in-Review--Our-2025-Impact-in-Planning--Policy--and-Advocacy--.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=uNJVG04LRHA) - [Something in the Water Presents: Big Thief, Live at 7A Ranch Opera House](https://events.humanitix.com/something-in-the-water-live-music-series-big-thief) - [Your Watershed News: Water Wise Educational Series Launches, Blanco/TCEQ Meeting Recap, and More.](https://conta.cc/4gSRQW7) - [Community Voices Push for Zero-Discharge Future at Blanco Wastewater Hearing Blanco, TX](https://watershedassociation.org/2025/10/02/community-voices-push-for-zero-discharge-future-at-blanco-wastewater-hearing-blanco-tx/) - On September 11, community members, city officials, and staff from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) gathered in Blanco to debate the future of the city’s wastewater treatment plant permit. The packed hearing combined an informal Q&A session with a formal comment period, giving residents, scientists, and conservation groups the chance to weigh in - [Watershed Association and Meadows Center Present Watershed Protection Update to Hays County](https://watershedassociation.org/2025/10/02/watershed-association-and-meadows-center-present-watershed-protection-update-to-hays-county/) - San Marcos, TX – September 30, 2025 — “Rapid growth, drought, and land-use change are putting enormous stress on our rivers and aquifers,” said David Baker, Executive Director of the Watershed Association, opening a presentation to the Hays County Commissioners Court. “The Blanco-Cypress Watershed Protection Plan is how we protect public health, safety, and quality - [Protecting the Blanco River: Public Meeting on Wastewater Permit, Sep 11, 2025](https://watershedassociation.org/2025/09/03/protecting-the-blanco-river-public-meeting-on-wastewater-permit-sep-11-2025/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 3, 2025 Media Contact: Amber Smith Communications Manager The Watershed Association amber@watershedassociation.org www.watershedassociation.org Protecting the Blanco River: Public Meeting on Wastewater Permit, Sep 11, 2025 The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, September 11, at 7:00 p.m. at Gem of the Hills, 2233 US - [Watershed Association Intervenes to Challenge Aqua Texas Rate Hike Case](https://watershedassociation.org/2025/09/03/watershed-association-intervenes-to-challenge-aqua-texas-rate-hike-case/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 3, 2025 Media Contact: Amber Smith Communications Manager The Watershed Association amber@watershedassociation.org www.watershedassociation.org Watershed Association Intervenes to Challenge Aqua Texas Rate Hike Case The Watershed Association has formally intervened in Aqua Texas’ latest rate case at the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Hays County and the City of Woodcreek are seeking to - [Your Watershed News: Aqua Texas Rate Case Updates and More](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Defending-Hill-County-Water.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=eopavXbrI2g) - [Why the Best Chance to Save Jacob’s Well Drained Away](https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/jacobs-well-texas-greg-abbott-veto/) - [Standing with Central Texas: Flood Relief & Community Action](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Standing-with-Central-Texas--.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=mQs8lyhRMk4) - [Central Texas Faces Devastating Floods: Support the Recovery](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Central-Texas-Faces-Devastating-Floods-Support-the-Recovery.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=qOxRTKJFwxg) - [How to help with, donate to flood recovery efforts](https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/how-to-help-with-donate-to-flood-recovery-efforts/amp/) - [Hill Country flooding death toll rises to 27 as search continues for missing girls, other survivors](https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/05/texas-hill-country-flooding-updates-kerrville-camp-mystic/?_bhlid=9d28886d07da6a6b3ccccafa9235c6030fb03218) - [Multiple water rescues as rare Flash Flood Emergency near Austin drops more than a foot of rain](https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2025-07-05/flash-flooding-severe-weather-austin-tx-travis-williamson-emergency) - [Your Watershed News: SB 1253 & Aqua Texas Rate Case Updates](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Aqua-Texas--Rate-Hike---Senate-Bill-1253-Veto-What-Comes-Next-.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=R8V04VFn79k) - [Our Water, Our Texas: What's Next in the Battle with Aqua Texas](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Water-Wins--Community-Voices--and-What-s-Next.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=oXtpyDeR_LI) - [Jacob’s Well closed due to flooding after seeing ‘the most rain in years’](https://www.kxan.com/video/jacob’s-well-closed-due-to-flooding-after-seeing-‘the-most-rain-in-years’/10802535/) - [Cumin & Clove: A Pop-Up Dinner Benefiting the Watershed Association](https://www.wimberleyvalleydinnerclub.com/pop-up-dinner) - [Leadership Shifts at TESPA, But the Fight for Groundwater Presses On](https://watershedassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/TESPA_PressRelease_FINAL_061325.docx.pdf) - [Something in the Water Live Music Series: David Ramirez & Greyhounds](https://events.humanitix.com/something-in-the-water-live-music-series-david-ramirez-and-greyhounds) - [State of the Water Luncheon to Highlight Groundwater, Growth, and Conservation in the Hill Country](https://watershedassociation.org/2025/06/13/state-of-the-water-luncheon-to-highlight-groundwater-growth-and-conservation-in-the-hill-country/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amber Smith Watershed Association amber@watershedassociation.org State of the Water Luncheon to Highlight Groundwater, Growth, and Conservation in the Hill Country WIMBERLEY, TX – On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, community members, water leaders, and elected officials will gather for the State of the Water Luncheon—a timely event hosted by the Wimberley Valley - [A Closer Look at SB 1253 and What it Really Means for the Future of Our Water.](https://watershedassociation.org/2025/06/06/the-truth-about-sb-1253-what-it-really-means-for-our-water-and-wells/) - As debate around Senate Bill 1253 grows, so does the spread of misinformation, particularly about its impact on private well owners and the authority of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD). SB 1253 provides HTGCD with critical tools to sustainably manage groundwater, align with state standards, and respond to increasing pressures from drought and - [Contact Governor Abbott to Protect Texas Water!](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Senate-Bill-1253-is-on-Governor-Abbott-s-desk--.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=JfeRMLkAS-c) - [URGENT: FINAL HOURS TO PROTECT OUR WATER](https://conta.cc/4kwhSiJ) - [Protecting Texas's Pristine Streams, Rivers, and Creeks](https://conta.cc/4j97dcR) - [Protect Hays County Water: SB 2660 Hits the Senate Floor](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/-ACTION-NEEDED--Protect-Hays-County-Water.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=sc_QWzyGCAs) - [Celebrate Conservation & Community: Something in the Water Live Music Series](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Celebrate-Conservation---Community--Something-in-the-Water-Live-Music-Series.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=S5uRluvRdXQ) - [“Water is the new oil” as Texas cities square off over aquifer pipeline plans](https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/31/texas-water-pipeline-dispute-georgetown-bryan-college-station-aquifer/) - [Sign Petition to Protect Hays County’s Water Future - Support SB 2660](https://www.thepetitionsite.com/659/241/875/sign-petition-to-protect-hays-county’s-water-future-support-sb-2660/) - [Raffle Tickets for Michael Martin Murphy, Signed Guitar: An Ode to the Wimberley Valley](https://givebutter.com/D9OSyp) - [Raffle Tickets for Michael Martin Murphy, Signed Guitar: An Ode to the Wimberley Valley](https://givebutter.com/D9OSyp) - [Texas lawmakers will debate saving the state’s water supply after key legislation is introduced](https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-water-fund-new-supply-infrastructure/) - [Hot Science//Cool Talks](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-future-of-texas-water-tickets-1047118187687?aff=oddtdtcreator) - [Conservation easement between Shield Ranch and City of Austin ensures water quality protection including Barton Creek](https://www.shieldranch.com/conservation-easement-between-shield-ranch-and-city-of-austin-ensures-water-quality-protection-including-barton-creek/) - [Volunteers Needed: Support the Emerging Visionary Incubator](https://1988d3l14db.typeform.com/to/jgJdbeyw?typeform-source=linktr.ee) - [Something in the Water Live Music Series: 2.28.25](https://watershedassociation.org/something-in-the-water-live-music-series/) - [Central Texas Leaders Tackle Water and Energy Challenges at Kyle Summit](https://watershedassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Central-Texas-Leaders-Tackle-Water-and-Energy-Infrastructure-Challenges-.pdf) - [VICTORY FOR RATEPAYERS: PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION DENIES AQUA TEXAS' $8.8 MILLION RATE INCREASE REQUEST](https://watershedassociation.org/2025/02/01/11795/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2025 Contact: David Baker Executive Director, Watershed Association davidbaker@watershedassociation.org 512-785-8950 Lauren Ice, lauren@txenvirolaw.com 512-469-6000 VICTORY FOR RATEPAYERS: PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION DENIES AQUA TEXAS' $8.8 MILLION RATE INCREASE REQUEST AUSTIN, TX - In a landmark decision yesterday, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) unanimously voted to deny Aqua Texas' request - [Building the Future of Environmental Leadership](https://watershedassociation.org/2025/01/15/building-the-future-of-environmental-leadership/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amber Smith Communications Manager The Watershed Association Email: amber@watershedassociation.org Building the Future of Environmental Leadership: The Watershed Association [in partnership with] the One Village Project Announce the Emerging Visionary Incubator [Wimberley, TX] – The Watershed Association is honored to partner with the One Village Project to bring their Emerging Visionary Incubator - [💧Impact Your Watershed💧Policy, Advocacy, and a Century of Watershed Stories at Jacob’s Well](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/--Impact-Your-Watershed--.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=1QkouRvJL0g) - [Dec 6th show! Something in the Water Live Music Series](https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-something-in-the-water-live-music-series-2?_gl=1*1gep22e*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3Mjg0MjgzNzEuQ2owS0NRandzSk80QmhEb0FSSXNBRER2NHZEejh0dkpWejRqSHdoQ1djZ2hKOVV5Rk1feDJmQ0xPdG8wY29sanJnQjZ4eFd0SDRnNDVNVWFBbk83RUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*ODgxNzM2MzcxLjE3MjUzMTgwNjg.*_ga*MTEzMDQyNjIyNS4xNzI1MzE4MDY4*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*MTczMjU1MDExNC43Mi4xLjE3MzI1NTAxOTUuNTAuMC4w) - [MILESTONE IN PROTECTING RATEPAYERS AS STATE AGENCY RECOMMENDS DENIAL OF AQUA TEXAS' $8.8 MILLION RATE INCREASE](https://watershedassociation.org/2024/11/15/watershed-association-achieves-milestone-in-protecting-ratepayers-as-state-agency-recommends-denial-of-aqua-texas-8-8-million-rate-increase/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 14, 2024 Contact: David Baker davidbaker@watershedassociation.org WATERSHED ASSOCIATION ACHIEVES MILESTONE IN PROTECTING RATEPAYERS AS STATE AGENCY RECOMMENDS DENIAL OF AQUA TEXAS' $8.8 MILLION RATE INCREASE WIMBERLEY, TX - The Watershed Association (WA), along with the Woodcreek Property Owners Association and Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association, achieved a major victory this week - [Nominate the Watershed Association for Mozart's Holiday Giving Campaign!](https://watershedassociation.org/2024/11/13/nominate-the-watershed-association-for-mozarts-holiday-giving-campaign/) - This holiday season, you can help the Watershed Association secure a $12,500 grant through Mozart’s Annual Holiday Giving Campaign! With your nomination, we’ll be able to fully sponsor four delegates in our Emerging Visionary Program—a unique initiative dedicated to nurturing tomorrow’s environmental leaders. This funding would provide these delegates with everything they need for success, - [Don't miss a drop of Watershed News!](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Don-t-miss-a-drop----of-Watershed-News.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=CBF8PCUFPbQ) - [Hays County Announces New Watershed Coordinator Position](https://watershedassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/W.C.-Press-Release-10.31.24.docx.pdf) - [Ruling from State’s Public Utility Commission Advances Community’s Fight Against Aqua Texas’ Over Pumping and Wasting of Hill Country Water ](https://watershedassociation.org/2024/11/05/ruling-from-states-public-utility-commission-advances-communitys-fight-against-aqua-texas-over-pumping-and-wasting-of-hill-country-water/) - Ruling from State’s Public Utility Commission Advances Community’s Fight Against Aqua Texas’ Over Pumping and Wasting of Hill Country Water With PUC vote, request for action against Aqua is referred to the State Office of Administrative Hearings Complaint – to be docketed and assigned a preliminary hearing date – asserts: Unlawful operations by Aqua Texas - [Our Water Matters: Managing Groundwater in the Texas Hill Country](https://bigbendsentinel.com/2024/09/18/our-water-matters-managing-groundwater-in-the-texas-hill-country/) - [Mirasol Springs development pursues alternative water source following pushback](https://www.kxan.com/texas-water/mirasol-springs-development-pursues-alternative-water-source-following-pushback/amp/) - [Honoring Dorothy Malone Gumbert](https://watershedassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Dorothy-Malone-Gumbert-obit-w-pics.pdf) - [Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program: 2024 Evaluation Report](https://nri.tamu.edu/publications/research-reports/2024/texas-farm-and-ranch-lands-conservation-program-2024-evaluation-report/) - [September 2024: Drought Update](https://bseacd.org/2024/10/drought-update-september-2024/) - [Court grants nonprofit's motion in lawsuit with utility company for overpumping in Hays County](https://communityimpact.com/austin/san-marcos-buda-kyle/environment/2024/09/30/court-grants-nonprofits-motion-in-lawsuit-with-utility-company-for-overpumping-in-hays-county/) - [American Farmland Trust: Texas Solar Survey](https://qualtricsxmtn78nq56c.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d069HewvSZHuUTk) - [City of Wimberley: Stakeholder Planning Guide](https://watershedassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WImberley-Stakeholder-Planning-Guide.pdf) - [Texas springs in crisis: New study highlights overwhelming increase in dry springs](https://news.txst.edu/research-and-innovation/2024/research-shows-increase-in-texas-dry-springs.html) - [Understanding Groundwater Law](https://twri.tamu.edu/publications/txh2o/2024/summer-2024/understanding-groundwater-law/?utm_source=txH2O&utm_campaign=1db1dfd2ee-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_09_16_03_56&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-1db1dfd2ee-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]) - [Hays County Cape's Bond Park Open House](https://mailchi.mp/e417c5e63687/project-updates-jan2023-17860977?e=996ce8fadd/) - [Something in the Water: Live Music Series](https://watershedassociation.org/something-in-the-water-live-music-series/) - [Central Texas water company under fire again for wanting to raise prices for customers](https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/aqua-texas-water-rate-hike-wimberley/269-56a50c16-6bb1-49b8-89b0-9cd265e3405f) - [Texan by Nature: Return on Conservation Report](https://texanbynature.org/rocreport/) - [The Ultimate Guide on Water Conservation: How To Save Every Drop](https://californiadegrees.org/the-ultimate-guide-on-water-conservation-how-to-save-every-drop/) - [The People vs. Aqua Texas // Community Meeting Recap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf4CBAIG6bM) - [AQUA RATE CASE - PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION HEARING - AUGUST, 7th 9:00am](https://watershedassociation.org/2024/08/01/aqua-rate-case-public-utility-commission-hearing-august-7th-900am/) - As you may be aware, Aqua Texas is proposing an exorbitant rate hike for the water and wastewater services provided to our community. After years of proving themselves as a bad actor, this corporation is seeking to profit even more off our hardworking residents – they have proposed charging as much as $20.81 for water - [Your Guide to Austin: Jacob's Well Swimming Hole, and more.](https://view.email.kut.org/?qs=7587a5bff3441c6300cdb1ddf44cf8d678f69f45131df82c84fd3bb14656f17a1f15e863773e0942668468b431ff53955964be7a56fafb46fe238973a26e7d8f8ed3cc3959ef96e938957824fe17b87e483a1d2567530134) - [The Watershed Association: Spring/Summer 2024 Seasonal Update](https://watershedassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Seasonal-Report-Final.pdf) - [Hays Commons Public Meeting & Dry Comal Creek Trails Open House](https://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=431426&f=3281&s=3447&m=527638&t=e86af88b7f29fb9ab73e723ac79ac29ad97e9a3c7cdd8b9e461a7176270f5941) - [Old pipes cause Texas cities to lose tens of millions of gallons of water each year](https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/05/texas-cities-water-loss/) - [Texas Community Fights Back Against Illegally Operating Water Company, Asks State’s Public Utility Commission to Ensure Lawful and Reliable Water Supply](https://watershedassociation.org/2024/05/02/texas-community-fights-back-against-illegally-operating-water-company-asks-states-public-utility-commission-to-ensure-lawful-and-reliable-water-supply/) - [2024 summer swimming season suspended at Jacob's Well](https://www.kvue.com/video/news/local/269-0bb2a963-fff1-4e0c-a889-cc33e026823e) - [Wimberley Community Meeting Summary Report](https://conta.cc/3wA2uOv) - [Every Drop Counts - Commit to a Water-Wise Home this Spring](https://texaswaternewsroom.org/articles/every_drop_counts_spring_is_the_perfect_time_to_commit_to_a_water-wise_home.html) - [Texas springs in crisis: New study highlights overwhelming increase in dry springs](https://phys.org/news/2024-02-texas-crisis-highlights-overwhelming-dry.amp) - [Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-central-texas-water-conservation-symposium-tickets-816146234357) - [Mirasol Springs resort development gets pushback from landowners, environmental activists](https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2024/02/12/mirasol-springs-development-texas-real-estate-landowners-activists-push-back-resort-roy-creek-canyon/72480926007/) - [Take Action to Protect Golden-cheeked Warblers](https://view.emails.sierraclub.org/?qs=6100900f28c717a02969704412f3de3f2a9d63c0e5030de9f4418951759a0379f18c2a8e022a9d85576c68972ccec0e810bcaabb1664ed2600b804d0089569166dbecbc3cf432c4cdaab7516bd01ce26) - [Jacob’s Well Was Dry for Seven Months—One Company Just Kept Pumping](https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/jacobs-well-dry-overpumping-aqua-texas/) - [Thanks to recent rain, Jacob's Well flows with water again](https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/thanks-to-recent-rain-water-flowing-at-jacobs-well-again/) - [Jacob's Well rushes with water again fueling excitement. But it might only be temporary.](https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2024-01-25/jacobs-well-rushes-with-water-again-fueling-excitement-but-it-might-only-be-temporary) - [‘Not enough water to go around’: Why landowners are pushing back against new development](https://www.kxan.com/texas-water/not-enough-water-to-go-around-why-landowners-are-pushing-back-against-new-development/) - [Hold Aqua Texas Accountable - Public Meeting February 9th at 6 PM - Wimberley Community Center](https://conta.cc/494VKX6) - [Aqua Texas Rate Increase Proposal Faces Pushback](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/11/22/aqua-texas-rate-increase-proposal-faces-pushback/) - Aqua Texas Rate Increase Proposal Faces Pushback WOODCREEK, Texas, November 21, 2023 - Aqua Texas, Inc. has filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to increase water and wastewater rates for customers in its Southwest service area. This comes on the heels of another recent rate hike which was approved but - [TREAD Coalition - For Landowner Rights: 2023 Annual Report](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yyjtcAa_4UYA5t8MvbpmYap9p-t0wGNt/view) - [Aqua Texas Sues HTGCD Over a Nearly $450,000 Over-Pumping Fine](https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2024-01-09/aqua-texas-sues-hays-county-groundwater-district-over-a-nearly-450-000-overpumping-fine) - [District Declares Stage IV Drought](https://bseacd.org/2023/12/stageivdrought/) - [How New Legislation and Growth Threaten Edwards Aquifer](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/11/30/how-new-legislation-and-growth-threaten-edwards-aquifer/) - By Annalisa Peace, For the Express-NewsUpdated Nov 27, 2023 1:06 p.m. Under a new state law, those who own property in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, where most of the development in our region is occurring, can forgo compliance with municipal regulations. San Antonio should join the fight against this new law. While recently reviewing documents I write for - [GivingTuesday - November 28, 2023: Your Support Makes a Difference!](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/GivingTuesday--November-28--2023.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=hz-8sanKOgM) - [November 10, 2023: A Historic Day for Pristine Streams.](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/11/17/november-10-2023-a-historic-day-for-pristine-streams/) - Written By: Margo Secretary/Treasurer Friends of Hondo Canyon TCEQ was handed a proposal for decision by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), a decision that identified the maximum level of phosphorus in wastewater effluent that could safely be directly discharged into the formerly Pristine San Gabriel River without causing degradation and algal blooms. At its most stringent phase, the - [Tell Texas State to WAIT to sell University Camp](https://www.change.org/p/tell-texas-state-to-wait-to-sell-university-camp?recruiter=1014868316&recruited_by_id=d7ca58f0-fb87-11e9-8174-6fc9d47e736b&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_medium=copylink) - [Local Breweries Release Beverages Inspired by Foraged Plants](https://www.austinmonthly.com/local-breweries-release-beverages-inspired-by-foraged-plants/) - [This November, Texans can vote on Prop. 14 to Grow Texas Parks](https://growtexasparks.com/) - [Texan by Nature - Conservation Summit in Dallas, TX](https://texanbynature.org/symposium/conservation-summit/) - [One Water: How a Hill Country School is Trying a New Way to Save Water](https://www.expressnews.com/hill-country/article/one-water-new-braunfels-wimberley-18367284.php) - [Preserving Jacob's Well: Examining the Texas Hill Country's Water Crisis](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Preserving-Jacob-s-Well--Examining-the-Texas-Hill-Country-s-Water-Crisis.html?soid=1133865920685&aid=peRqdgVaxqQ) - [America Is Using Up Its Groundwater Like There’s No Tomorrow](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/28/climate/groundwater-drying-climate-change.html?unlocked_article_code=RsIRNkDn7Dyh8DX3U54_G8LgMbhnm5Wcl5Mu53X2vTJom4YS-uOm00dPy3oJr7Di5DqqdmqxJu3p4oMEd2o46esW1v5iRZVnvfWSO-Nw-dFRg0wZz6HCY85MjyVH5m9bNu4AF27zA9j92wEs1VLgE9oubG4h37pGZpW4jrbdJML1lOHuVRxxmcCUuitMV5XcDMslJICHDjK5kKJOdqGyoZHbXWXYiq0jv3p7gEIdpNcXTIJfHrzLxFd0MAAS-kczIKOQ1NtV3CLLugMh3dwvdFNWEOwBoFxj3MDFtFCiSJCNK4sTqFocPWfKU27b7uO3PUY9Ww2f2BwePSXLKOTo1aEaBgmjWo1ZYl_TRMOfLWGLyS3VLikxJxoi3w&smid=url-share) - [Heat, Drought and Population Growth Have Stressed Aquifers that Supply Water to Millions of Texans](https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/16/texas-drought-heat-aquifers-groundwater-stress/?utm_source=Texas+Tribune+Newsletters&utm_campaign=6a56ea4d8d-trib-newsletters-thebrief&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-6a56ea4d8d-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]&mc_cid=6a56ea4d8d&mc_eid=19427e6768) - [Land Stewardship for Birds](https://www.tamupress.com/book/9781648430794/land-stewardship-for-birds/) - [Dry Springs in Central Texas Warn of Water Shortage Ahead](https://insideclimatenews.org/news/15082023/central-texas-dry-wells-water-shortage/) - [Who's Killing Jacob's Well?](https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/jacobs-well-drought-water/) - [Aqua Texas Fined Nearly Half A Million Dollars for Overpumping, Threatening Jacob's Well](https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2023-08-15/utility-company-aqua-texas-ignored-pumping-limits-in-2022-threatening-jacobs-well) - [Jacob's Well Stops Flowing for Sixth Time in Recorded istory](https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2023-08-02/jacobs-well-swimming-hole-spring-water-flow-wimberley-texas-hill-country) - [Austinite posts unique hiking trails, oases across Central Texas](https://www.statesman.com/story/entertainment/local/2023/07/22/unique-hiking-trails-hidden-oases-austin-central-texas-instagram-matthew-guthrie/70439820007/) - [The Watershed Association - 2023 Summer Program Update](https://watershedassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/WatershedAssociation_2023SummerSUP_WebSinglePageHyperlinks-1.pdf) - [Texas City Strictly Limits Water Consumption as Thousands Across State Face Water Shortages](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blanco-texas-drought-water-emergency/?ftag=CNM-00-10aac3a) - [Press Release: One Water Implementation: A Case Study of Blue Hole Primary School, Wimberley ISD, Hays County, Texas report available](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/07/10/press-release-one-water-implementation-a-case-study-of-blue-hole-primary-school-wimberley-isd-hays-county-texas-report-released/) - For Immediate Release WIMBERLEY, TEXAS- July 10, 2023 - Using innovative One Water concepts to minimize water use and optimize onsite reuse, Wimberley Independent School District’s newest campus—Blue Hole Primary—was designed and constructed with strong support from the Watershed Association, Texas State’s Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, and the community. One Water is - [A Natural Infrastructure Plan for the Hill Country](https://ourtxhillcountry.org/) - [Texas to Benefit from Generational Investment in Water](https://www.texaswater.org/news/texas-to-benefit-from-generational-investment-in-water-from-88th-legislative-session) - [June 2023 Bacteria Results for Cypress Creek and Blanco River Now Available](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/bacteria-sampling/) - [Septic System Recap (Cypress Creek Project)](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/05/05/septic-system-recap-cypress-creek-project/) - The Cypress Creek Project was proud to host the Septic System Workshop at the Hays County Precinct 3 Building, AgriLife Extension Office on May 3, 2023. Over 20 people attended either in-person or online. Click here for the Zoom recording. Ryan Gerlich, OSSF Specialist with Texas AgriLife Extension, lead an Introduction to Septic Systems Workshop - [2022 In Review: Rainfall, Spring Flow, Streamflow, and Groundwater Levels (Jan 2023 Hydro Report)](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/01/29/2022-in-review-rainfall-spring-flow-streamflow-and-groundwater-levels-jan-2023-hydro-report/) - Rainfall 2022 was a dry year. According to the Watershed Association weather station, the Jacob’s Well area received a total of 16.2 inches of rain for the year. Historic monthly rainfall records for Blanco, Texas show an annual average of 34.87 inches, which would mean our area is experiencing a 16.3 inch rainfall deficit for - [Artistree’s 10-year anniversary with music, food, and fun at Cypress Valley!](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/05/18/artistrees-10-year-anniversary-with-music-food-and-fun-at-cypress-valley/) - Join us for Artistree’s 10-year anniversary with music, food, and fun at Cypress Valley! Saturday, June 3rd from 4 - 9 PM All proceeds will be donated to Hill Country Alliance and The Watershed Association. Whether you know Artistree through experiencing Cypress Valley treehouses or saw them in Architecture Digest, you may not be - [Aqua Aquifer Test - Coordinated Monitoring Effort](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/05/10/aquifer-test-coordinated-monitoring-effort/) - Aqua Texas drilled two test wells in September 2022 near the FM 2325 and Ballpark Rd intersection. In collaboration with the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District and The Watershed Association, Aqua Texas plans to perform an aquifer test to provide pumpage data and water level responses to help determine if pumping the new wells will - [The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition, Gallery Opening was a huge success!](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/05/08/the-sacred-springs-kite-exhibition-gallery-opening-was-a-huge-success/) - On May 5th, Art4Water presented The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition, Gallery Opening at the San Marcos Public Library! The Exhibit attracted over 300 people from all ages and walks of life. It was a noteworthy time to honor our Sacred Texas Springs through the lens of art and an inspiring way to gather with our - [A Day with Bob Mud](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/05/17/a-day-with-bob-mud/) - Bob Mud is an artist, poet, and activist who creates from his heart. He lives in a small community in Brisbane, Australia where he offers programming that builds community, teaches alignment with nature, and helps people tap into their creativity as a means to connect, heal and inspire. Bob has dedicated his life to environmental - [Recap of Earth Day in San Marcos!](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/05/08/recap-of-earth-day-in-san-marcos/) - Earth Day in San Marcos was a true delight! We were blessed with a beautiful Texas Spring day, kite flying and building, many local vendors, and glass-bottom boat tours. The celebration of our planet brought many visitors from San Marcos and other local cities. We were able to share the importance of water conservation and - [Talk+Water Interviews David Baker and Robin Gary](https://texaspluswater.wp.txstate.edu/2023/04/06/talkwater-david-baker-robin-gary/) - [What Does Recharge Look Like? (May 2023 Hydro Report)](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/water-monitoring/) - [Groundwater Workshop Recap](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/04/21/groundwater-workshop-recap/) - Western Hays County is a groundwater-dependent area. All residents and businesses rely on groundwater or rainwater as their drinking water supply. The springs that provide baseflow to Cypress Creek and the Blanco River come from the same water supply aquifer--the Middle Trinity. With drought and increases in population, it is important to raise awareness about - [Texas Land Trends: Landowner Survey Report Now Available](https://nri.tamu.edu/blog/2023/april/state-wide-texas-landowner-survey-results-are-here/) - [Final 2022 Ecoli Bacteria Results for Cypress Creek and the Blanco River](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/11/15/final-2022-ecoli-bacteria-results-for-cypress-creek-and-the-blanco-river/) - Every year since 1984, volunteers with the Wimberley Water Advisory Group have sampled 10 sites on Cypress Creek and the Blanco River to monitor long-term bacteria trends. This program continues with support from the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, the Watershed Association, the Wimberley Community Civic Club, and the Wimberley Lions Club. Special thanks to Pete - [April Bacteria Results for Cypress Creek and the Blanco River now available](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/bacteria-sampling/) - [The Kites are Back and You're Invited!](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/04/06/the-kites-are-back-and-youre-invited/) - The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition is back with new artists and three new locations in San Marcos, Texas! The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition is a showcase of Art4Water, a program of the Watershed Association, highlighting the intersection between art, culture, expression, and conservation. The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition made its debut in Austin in May - [Riparian Workshop Recap - Sentinel Peak Preserve, 3/22/2023](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/03/28/riparian-workshop-recap-sentinel-peak-preserve-3-22-2023/) - Healthy riparian areas help sustain the Hill Country’s iconic, clear creeks and rivers. At the boundary between land and water, riparian areas are natural infrastructure that help filter and slow stormwater, prevent erosion, trap sediment and uptake nutrients, and allow for infiltration and recharge into the groundwater system. Conserving healthy riparian areas while allowing - [Legislation Filed: Texas Land and Water Conservation Fund](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/03/13/legislation-filed-texas-land-and-water-conservation-fund/) - The Watershed Association proudly supports the recently filed legislation (HB 3165, HJR 138, SB 2485) to create a much-needed statewide Land and Water Conservation Fund. Staff joined dozens of partner organizations through Texas Land Trust Council's Advocacy Day at the State Capital on March 1. The partners were able to meet with Senators and Representatives - [Creating a New Water-Focused Community Gathering Space in Wimberley - The Center at the Oaks.](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/02/13/center-at-the-oaks/) - Wimberley, Texas– February 13, 2023- The Watershed Association (formerly the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association) has recently acquired the property at the Oaks at Blue Hole (501 Old Kyle Rd). The site is the gateway entrance of Blue Hole Park and is located in the heart of downtown Wimberley. For over 30 years, the Watershed Association - [Recent Rains Lead to Some Flow at Jacob’s Well (Oct 2022 Hydro Report)](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/10/28/recent-rains-lead-to-some-flow-at-jacobs-well-oct-2022-hydro-report/) - After 32 days of zero flow this year, Jacob’s Well finally started flowing again! With a total of about 3/4 of an inch of rain this week, a little recharge and less groundwater pumping goes a long way! It’s a happy thing to see, but springflow is less than 0.5 cfs and will likely subside - [Art Exhibit Features Cypress Creek: David Gibson, Photographer](https://www.cartermuseum.org/exhibitions/morning-light-photographs-david-h-gibson) - [Texas’ First House Water Caucus Positions Water as a Top Priority this Legislative Session and Beyond](https://www.texaswater.org/news/texas-first-house-water-caucus-positions-water-as-a-top-priority-this-legislative-session-and-beyond) - [Texas Groundwater Protection Committee issues biennial report to the Texas Legislature](https://watershedassociation.org/2023/01/10/texas-groundwater-protection-committee-issues-biennial-report-to-the-texas-legislature/) - The Texas Groundwater Protection Committee (TGPC) recently issued its biennial report to the Texas Legislature. Among the several recommendations for legislative support are the establishment of a statewide fund to plug abandoned water wells and the establishment of a statewide evapotranspiration network. Member organizations of the TGPC include the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas - [2022 Winter Program Updates](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/12/07/2022-winter-program-updates/) - The Watershed Association’s Winter Program Updates provides a snapshot of the wide range of our impactful programs and initiatives to protect land and water and connect individuals and organizations. Our programs focus on the long-term health and sustainability of the communities we serve. From land conservation and restoration to watershed education, from water quality monitoring - [Wimberley City Council Recap - Transportation Plan Approved with 3 Roads Removed](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/12/02/wimberley-city-council-recap-transportation-plan-approved-with-3-roads-removed/) - At the December 1, 2022 meeting, the Wimberley City Council voted unanimously to approve the Transportation Plan with three roads removed. While the Transportation Plan was approved, Council Members expressed a clear intention that this was an interim Plan until a more comprehensive Land, Water, and Transportation planning process with a focus on stakeholder involvement - [Giving Tuesday - Support Your Watershed!](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/11/29/giving-tuesday-support-your-watershed/) - The work of the Watershed Association is ever more important as droughts, increases in pumping, and rapid development threaten the Hill Country's finite water resources. As a non-profit, we rely on your support to strengthen our land conservation, watershed protection, science, art, and education efforts. Please consider a donation this Giving Tuesday to support your - [Wimberley Transportation Master Plan - Watershed Association Public Comments](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/11/28/wimberley-transportation-master-plan-watershed-association-public-comments/) - The City of Wimberley Council has opened a public hearing on the Transportation Master Plan. Public Comments will continue to be accepted until December 1 at the next City Council Meeting where agenda items include the public hearing and discussion and possible action on the Transportation Master Plan. The intense drought of 2022 reminds us - [Jacob's Well Monitoring During Severe Drought](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/11/08/jacobs-well-monitoring-during-severe-drought/) - Jacob's Well springflow is an important metric to inform groundwater management but maintaining the gauge during severe drought and zero flow is particularly challenging. During a recent field trip for the University of Texas Beginning Geology Field Experience class (GEO 401), students explored how the gauging station at Jacob's Well calculates flow. The USGS uses - [About the Jacob's Well Multiport Monitor Well](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/11/04/about-the-jacobs-well-multiport-monitor-well/) - The Watershed Association is proud to host the Jacob's Well Multiport Monitor Well featured in the recent Texas Water Development Board video: Groundwater sampling helps better understand Edwards-Trinity Aquifers. The Multiport Well was one of two wells installed earlier this year to better measure recharge and aquifer dynamics in the Jacob's Well Groundwater Management Zone. - [Press Release: TESPA Announces Legal Action Against Proposed Rock Quarry in Edwards Recharge Zone](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/11/10/press-release-tespa-announces-legal-action-against-proposed-rock-quarry-in-edwards-recharge-zone/) - The Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Alliance (TESPA) formally filed for legal action against the rock crushing facility on Needmore Ranch by Far South Mining LLC on November 7, 2022. More details can be found in their press release issued November 10, 2022 or on their website: Far South Mining LLC — TESPA (tespatexas.org) FOR IMMEDIATE - [David Baker honored with HCA Heart of the Hill Country Award](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/11/05/david-baker-honored-with-hca-heart-of-the-hill-country-award/) - Our Executive Director, David Baker, was honored with this year's Heart of the Hill Country Award. The award honors exceptional environmental stewards and recognizes their leadership in conservation. Cibolo Center for Conservation's Carolyn Chipman Evans was also honored at the event. David and Carolyn join past recipients-Sky Lewey of the Nueces River Authority, Karen Ford - [Final 2022 Bacteria Results for Cypress Creek and Blanco River](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/bacteria-sampling/) - [Development in Austin's ETJ Threatens Groundwater Quality](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/10/20/development-in-austins-etj-threatens-groundwater-quality/) - Municipal Utility Districts, like the one proposed at Hays Commons, are often outside of city limits or within small communities, where there are fewer environmental protections. Because groundwater supplies have expansive recharge areas, land use over those sensitive areas should be well-planned to safeguard community water supplies, groundwater quality, and way of life for those - [What Does Drought Recovery Look Like? (Sept 2022 Hydro Report)](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/09/13/9550/) - In the last weeks of August, Wimberley received between 1.5-2 inches of rain. It's a refreshing change to the persistent hot, dry weather this summer. Richard Shaver, Director of the Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department, asked a wise question: "What does recovery look like?" With Jacob's Well basically not flowing (see photo by David Baker - [Severe Rainfall Deficit](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/water-monitoring/) - [Future of Blanco County Meeting - Drought, Groundwater & Conservation Recap](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/09/16/future-of-blanco-county-meeting-drought-groundwater-conservation-recap/) - It was so heartening to see the crowd at the Future of Blanco County meeting last night. We're proud to be part of it! Thank you, City of Blanco, Hill Country Alliance, Selah - Bamberger Preserve, Comal County Conservation Alliance, and friends and neighbors in Blanco County. Drought, Groundwater Pumping, and Conservation are an integral - [Drought Severely Impacting Spring Flow and Groundwater Levels](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/07/18/drought-severely-impacting-spring-flow-and-groundwater-levels-2/) - July 2022 Hydro Report Springs and monitor wells in both the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers show significant drought impacts. Jacob's Well spring flow is fluctuating between 0.6 and 0.09 cfs. Nearby pumping from water supply wells supplying Woodcreek are known to directly affect spring flow when the pumps are running. The County suspended swimming at - [Roughhouse Brewing event features Clear Springs Lager, benefiting watershed awareness](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/08/25/roughhouse-brewing-announces-clear-springs-a-cause-brew-benefitting-the-watershed-association/) - We’re so excited that Roughhouse Brewing’s newest small batch brew is a cause-brew benefiting the Watershed Association! Clear Springs is a light lager with a hint of Meyer lemon. The Watershed Association continues to expand its impact across central Texas through all of our programs, including our recent work through the Art4Water Kite Exhibit and - [TCEQ Pristine Streams Stakeholder Meeting - Aug. 31, 1:30-4:30](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/08/22/tceq-pristine-streams-stakeholder-meeting-aug-31-130-430/) - On March 30, 2022, TCEQ Commissioners voted to deny the Pristine Streams Rule Change Petition, but they opened the door for continued discussion with staff and stakeholders on how to better protect Texas' pristine streams. Nearly 5 months later, TCEQ is holding a Pristine Streams Stakeholders Meeting, so staff can present and hear from the - [Drought, Groundwater Pumping, and the Need for Conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/08/18/drought-groundwater-pumping-and-the-need-for-conservation/) - Jacob's Well flow reached a daily average of zero flow on August 6, 2022. As of August 18, there have been 7 days with a daily average of zero. Including this year, Jacob's Well has stopped flowing 5 times in recent history--2000, 2009, 2011, 2013, and now 2022. Zero and low flow conditions have major - [Now Hiring: Texas Brewshed® Alliance Coordinator](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/08/25/now-hiring-texas-brewshed-alliance-coordinator/) - The Texas Brewshed® Alliance inspires land and water stewardship across Texas through engaging brewers and beer drinkers through incentives to conserve and protect water. This program highlights watersheds as the source of clear water and their vital role in sustaining the natural landscapes and craft beer that we love. The Texas Brewshed® Alliance is a - [Drought as catalyst: Hill Country residents seeking greater protections for Trinity Aquifer](https://sanantonioreport.org/drought-trinity-aquifer-protections/) - [Action Alert: Support TCEQ Pristine Streams Petition](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/03/09/action-alert-support-tceq-pristine-streams-petition/) - The Watershed Association has long worked to protect our springs, streams, and rivers and lends its strong support for the TCEQ Pristine Streams Petition. Only 22 classified stream segments remain clean, clear, and pristine--Cypress Creek, the Blanco River, Barton Creek, and Onion Creek are among them. Hill Country creeks and rivers are low-nutrient environments and - [A Message on the Drought from HTGCD General Manager](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/08/08/a-message-on-the-drought-from-htgcd-general-manager/) - Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District has declared Emergency Drought for the first time in history. We are seeing the severe impact of drought and increased pumping across the Hill Country. In Wimberley, Jacob's Well and Blue Hole are both closed for swimming due to low or no flow and associated water quality concerns. Groundwater levels - [Final 2021 Ecoli Bacteria Results for Cypress Creek and the Blanco River](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/11/16/final-2021-ecoli-bacteria-results-for-cypress-creek-and-the-blanco-river/) - Every year since 1984, volunteers with the Wimberley Water Advisory Group have sampled 10 sites on Cypress Creek and the Blanco River to monitor long-term bacteria trends. This program continues with support from the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, the Watershed Association, the Wimberley Community Civic Club, and the Wimberley Lions Club. Special thanks to Pete - [Trinity Aquifer Water Level Changes](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/08/01/trinity-aquifer-water-level-changes/) - Today, staff accompanied a Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District hydrogeologist to measure water level changes in wells near Burnett Ranches. A 2021 Neighborhood Site Visits program documented water levels in wells in four areas near the Regional Recharge Study Area (along the Blanco, generally upstream of Fischer Store Rd) and in the Jacob's Well Groundwater - [Press Release: Jacob's Well Reaches Zero Flow](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/07/28/press-release-jacobs-well-reaches-zero-flow/) - WIMBERLEY, TEXAS - July 28, 2022: Jacob’s Well has reached zero flow. This has serious ramifications for the surrounding community. The Middle Trinity Aquifer is both a major water supply for the area and the water source for Jacob’s Well, the headwaters of Cypress Creek. With low to no flow from Jacob's Well over the - [TESPA News Release: EP GONE HOME?](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/07/28/tespa-news-release-ep-gone-home/) - Our colleagues at TESPA sent out the following news release today (7/28/2022): According to records at the Texas Secretary of State’s office, Electro Purification LLC has been dissolved. The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is moving through the required process of concluding the EP permit request. This news puts an end to a seven-year - [An urgent message to groundwater users in the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/07/22/an-urgent-message-to-groundwater-users-in-the-hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district/) - Spring flow and groundwater levels are at critically low levels. Most residents in western Hays County rely on groundwater for potable drinking water, whether from an individual well or a water utility like Aqua Texas or Wimberley Water Supply Corp. We need to reduce water use to preserve existing water supplies until we receive enough - [Press Release: Art4Water Spotlights Eight Great Texas Springs](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/07/19/press-release-the-sacred-springs-kite-exhibition-spotlights-eight-great-texas-springs/) - AUSTIN, TEXAS- July 19, 2022 - In partnership with the Austin Central Library, the Watershed Association has created a poster exhibit highlighting eight great Texas springs. The exhibit, located on the 6th floor gallery, features posters illustrating the beauty, significance and challenges for each spring. The poster exhibit deepens the discussion of the springs initiated - [Drought Severely Impacting Spring Flow and Groundwater Levels](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/water-monitoring/) - [Wide-spread Drought](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/06/16/wide-spread-drought/) - June 2022 Hydro Report Springs and monitor wells in both the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers show significant drought impacts. Jacob’s Well spring flow average is less than 1 cubic feet per second (cfs). Evident in the hydrograph above, daily fluctuations in spring flow are due to local effects of groundwater pumping. Baseflow provided by Pleasant - [Art4Water Sponsorship Invitation](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/06/17/art4water-sponsorship-invitation/) - While we have been protecting Texas land and water for over 25 years through shaping public policy, land and water stewardship, education, and conservation, this year we are celebrating a new era of advocacy that includes the language of expression, through the Art4Water Program. Art4Water increases support for Texas Water by hosting experiences, events and initiatives - [The Watershed Association - New Logo and Brochure](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/06/17/the-watershed-association-who-we-are-and-what-we-do/) - We are thrilled to share our brand-new logo and brochure with you! As we deepen and expand our programming for Art4Water and revitalize the Brewshed Alliance, we continue our ongoing work in the primary impact areas of land and water conservation, educating and inspiring stewardship both locally in Wimberley and across the region. Our - [Removing the Mystery of Groundwater](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/06/17/removing-the-mystery-of-groundwater/) - VANESSA PUIG-WILLIAMS BOARD MEMBER OF WIMBERLEY VALLEY WATERSHED ASSOCIATION This is part of an eight part op-ed series as part of the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network. To read the rest of the op-eds, visit ourtxhillcountry.org/#blogs What makes the Texas Hill Country unique? In my mind, it comes down to one thing: groundwater. It is - [GBRA Planning for Habitat Conservation Plan](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/06/09/gbra-planning-for-habitat-conservation-plan/) - Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) are designed to protect endangered and threatened species from activities within their range. The Guadalupe Blanco River Authority announced last year that they are working to develop a basin-wide Guadalupe River HCP, which includes the Blanco River. The first public meeting in the planning process will be held on Tuesday, June - [Texas Brewshed Alliance Re-Launch at Nomadic Beerworks](https://watershedassociation.org/event/texas-brewshed-alliance-re-launch-at-nomadic-beerworks/) - [June Bacteria Results for Cypress Creek and the Blanco River](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/bacteria-sampling/) - [Texas Hill Country Land, Water, and Natural Infrastructure Plan Survey](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/06/10/texas-hill-country-natural-infrastructure-plan-survey/) - With a booming population and limited natural resources, there is a clear need for conservation in the Hill Country. As a member of the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network, the Watershed Association has been working with other member organizations to develop a Natural Infrastructure Plan that documents community priorities related to parks, open spaces, agricultural - [Tribute to Sky Jones-Lewey](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/06/02/tribute-to-sky-jones-lewey/) - This May we all lost a powerful, no-nonsense, force of nature—Sky Jones-Lewey. As Resource Protection and Education Director for the Nueces River Authority, she touched thousands of lives, spearheaded award-winning programs, and lead wide-reaching efforts to control invasive plants and protect water quality. Her smile, her tenacity, her knowledge, and her contagious love of the - [Hydro Report: 2022 April](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/04/04/hydro-report-2022-april/) - Drought Conditions Return April 2022 Hydro Report Middle Trinity spring flow in the Blanco River basin has been generally on the decline since November 2021, with only a small recharge event at the end of February. Drought conditions have returned. Jacob’s Well spring, and therefore Cypress Creek, is fluctuating between 2 and 3 cubic feet - [TESPA Initiates Legal Action to Protect Water & Endangered Species](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/05/17/tespa-initiates-legal-action-to-protect-water-endangered-species/) - Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) has issued a notice of intent to take legal action protesting the proposed Far South Mining LLC TCEQ permit to stop the proposed quarry and rock crushing plant on the Needmore Ranch. The Watershed Association has a long history of collaborating and supporting TESPA through the Water Protectors Fund, - [Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition Now Open](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/art4water/sacred-springs-kite-exhibition/) - The Art4Water Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition at the Austin Central Library is a MUST-SEE exhibit for at least two reasons. First, the Watershed’s Art4Water team guided by the vision and leadership of Terry Zee Lee and Ryan Willett have collaborated with 47 incredible artists and kitemakers, for the last year to create the first exhibit - [Cypress Creek and Blanco River Clean Rivers Coordinated Monitoring Update](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/05/12/clean-rivers-coordinated-monitoring-update/) - Monitoring the water quality of our springs, creeks, and rivers is an essential part of stewardship. It is impossible to manage what isn't measured. The Watershed Association has been collecting quality assured water quality data since 2003 in collaboration with the Clean Rivers Program, a statewide water quality monitoring program run by the Texas Commission - [Texas Highways Spotlights State of the Hill Country Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/05/10/texas-highways-spotlights-state-of-the-hill-country-report/) - The State of the Hill Country Report is making a splash! It is highlighted in Texas Highways' May Hidden Hill Country edition. The 8 conservation and development metrics presented in the report provide insight for residents, business owners, and policy makers for how to grow more sustainably. The report is a collaborative project of the - [We are all in this drought together](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/05/04/we-are-all-in-this-drought-together/) - Article by Ben Eldredge is Vice President of Conservation at the Cibolo Center for Conservation and on the Board of the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District According to Micah Voulgaris at the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, we have received 1.77 inches of rain in 2022, less than the 2.02 inches received from January through - [Small-town Boerne works to preserve resources as development gobbles Hill Country land](https://cibolo.org/2022/04/small-town-boerne-works-to-preserve-resources-as-development-gobbles-hill-country-land) - [Removing the mystery of groundwater to protect Texas’ beloved Hill Country](http://blogs.edf.org/growingreturns/2022/04/26/removing-the-mystery-of-goundwater-hill-country/?fbclid=IwAR0E9tEIEuy5D4q9kekpG56hKHQfZqKaEjF3b7HTqjg2b7RdEsJD7fdvhpc) - [Rethinking our relationship with Hill Country water, before it’s too late](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/04/22/rethinking-our-relationship-with-hill-country-water-before-its-too-late/) - For immediate release: Opinion Editorial April 11, 2022 By: Jennifer Walker, National Wildlife Federation Water is an integral part of the Hill Country fabric, and it is embodied in the rivers and springs that make this region special. It is also the single most limiting factor in the Hill Country. The region’s population is growing - [Groundwater Permit Planning Guide for Western Hays County](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/04/18/groundwater-permit-planning-guide-for-western-hays-county/) - The new Groundwater Permit Planning Guide provides an overview of groundwater systems, aquifers and the associated geologic formations, and permit limitations in Western Hays County. This guide, a collaboration between the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, the Hays County Development Services, and the Cypress Creek Project partners (including the Watershed Association), is meant to inform - [Drought Conditions Return](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/04/11/drought-conditions-return/) - April 2022 Hydro Report Middle Trinity spring flow in the Blanco River basin has been generally on the decline since November 2021, with only a small recharge event at the end of February. Drought conditions have returned. Jacob's Well spring, and therefore Cypress Creek, is fluctuating between 2 and 3 cubic feet per second (cfs). - [Two New Monitor Wells for the Jacobs Well GMZ](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/04/11/two-new-monitor-wells-for-the-jacobs-well-gmz/) - In March and April, two new monitor wells were installed inside the Jacob's Well Groundwater Management Zone to better document groundwater conditions and aquifer dynamics. These are no ordinary wells. The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, and Hays County collaborated with the Watershed Association and Hays County Jacob's Well - [TCEQ Denies Pristine Streams Rulemaking Petition but...](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/04/08/tceq-denies-pristine-streams-rulemaking-petition-but/) - From January 31 to March 30, over 1200 comments were submitted on the TCEQ Pristine Streams rule change petition. This had incredible effect on the Commissioners as they met on March 30th to hear public comments and take action on the petition. Over an hour of eloquent, heart-felt, researched comments made a lasting impression. Blanco - [April Bacteria Results for Cypress Creek and the Blanco River Available](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/bacteria-sampling/) - [Trinity Aquifer Desired Future Conditions](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/04/07/trinity-aquifer-desired-future-conditions/) - In Texas, every 5 years the Texas Water Development Board, groundwater conservation districts, and stakeholders work through a planning process to establish a Desired Future Condition (DFC) for all the major aquifers in the state. DFCs for the major aquifers are defined by region for each of the 16 Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs). GMA 9 - [State of the Hill Country Report Now Available](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/03/01/state-of-the-hill-country-report-now-available/) - The Hill Country is growing. Population is booming and communities are trying to keep up with soaring demand. The State of the Hill Country Report helps give a snapshot of conditions and policies that effect land, water, and communities in our area. Informed decisions are a more sustainable way to manage the delicate resources of - [Tribute to Joe Day](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/02/07/tribute-to-joe-day/) - The Wimberley Valley and Texas Hill Country benefit from conservation successes made possible because of passionate individuals like Joe Day. Last week, we lost this water protector, land steward, and champion for groundwater conservation to complications caused by cancer. From the mid-1990s, Joe focused his insight and expertise to further sustainable economic development and environmental - [Three-month Dry Spell Ends with Icy Precipitation](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/02/03/three-month-dry-spell-ends-with-icy-precipitation/) - February 2022 Hydro Report The last significant rainfall was nearly three months ago. During the dry winter months, spring flow at Middle Trinity springs--Jacob's Well, Pleasant Valley, and Park Springs--have been on the decline. Despite frigid temperatures, the January 31 and February 3 rains have boosted streamflow in Cypress Creek and the Blanco River and - [Groundwater and Surface Water 3D Animation](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/01/31/groundwater-and-surface-water-3d-animation/) - In the Hill Country, groundwater and surface water are connected. Clear springs feed our iconic creeks and rivers. Water recharges aquifers (our groundwater supply) through caves and fractures in creek and riverbeds. Groundwater and surface water are managed differently. Groundwater is considered a private property right and managed through local groundwater conservation districts. Surface water - [Feral Hog Management to Include Bounty Program in Hays County for 2022](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/01/24/feral-hog-management-to-include-bounty-program-in-hays-county-for-2022/) - In a press release earlier this month, the Feral Hog Task Force announced the continuation of a County-wide feral hog management effort. Hays County will be continuing countywide feral hog management efforts in 2022 after receiving a $7,500 grant from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Wildlife Services. The Hays County program will include a five-dollar - [Results from Well Visits - Trinity Aquifers](https://watershedassociation.org/2022/01/31/results-from-trinity-aquifers-well-visits/) - The scientific report documenting the summer 2021 well visits is now available. The Lower Trinity and Middle Trinity Aquifer potentiometric surface maps presented in this report are indices for aquifer health and characterize Trinity Aquifer flow regimes in-depth. The maps provided are compared to previous studies and will be valuable timestamps for future studies. Additionally, - [Recycling, Upcycling, and Greenfielding at Coleman's Canyon Preserve](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/05/20/recycling-upcycling-and-greenfielding-at-colemans-canyon-preserve/) - When WVWA purchased the Coleman's Canyon property in 2019, there was a lot of work needed to restore the land. Perhaps the biggest project was greenfielding the derelict buildings--removing structures and impervious cover. Finding opportunity in the challenge, David Baker, WVWA's Executive Director, searched for a company that could strategically deconstruct the buildings to recycle, - [2021 Reflections and Accomplishments](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/12/23/2021-reflections-and-accomplishments/) - Directors' Year-End Letter Jacob’s Well is a timeless source of inspiration and a symbol of gratitude for the gift of water- the water that connects all of us. The Well serves as a reminder of the Hill Country’s natural beauty and the delicate balance that requires us to work together to preserve what we love. - [Parks and Open Space Projects](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/12/22/parks-and-open-space-projects/) - Nature is more important than ever these days. As the fastest growing county in Texas, Hays County has taken a proactive approach to setting aside sensitive lands and preserving them as parks and open spaces. The $75 million bond funding approved by voters (Prop A) in the November 2020 election will help increase access to - [Support Your Watershed Association This Giving Tuesday](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/11/18/support-your-watershed-association-this-giving-tuesday/) - There are so many worthy, incredible nonprofits that make the Hill Country a better place and deserve support--especially today, Giving Tuesday. We are proud to be part of the Hill Country Conservation Network and collaborate with so many talented scientists, policy makers, and stewards. Together with friends, members, and colleagues, we have worked to inspire - [Watershed Association Purchases 74 acres of Dry Cypress for Recharge Protection](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/11/18/watershed-association-purchases-74-acres-of-dry-cypress-for-recharge-protection/) - Wimberley Valley Watershed Association FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 19, 2021 WIMBERLEY, TX The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) finalized the purchase of 74 acres adjacent to the Colemans Canyon Preserve on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. This purchase secures critical recharge area for the Middle Trinity Aquifer and is within the catchment area for Jacob’s Well. - [Rain brings increases in spring flow and groundwater levels](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/11/15/2021novemberhydroreport/) - November 2021 Hydro Report The wet conditions this Fall have boosted spring flow at area Middle Trinity springs. Flow in the Blanco River peaked at 9,210 cfs on Oct. 14. After runoff subsided, springs continue well above previous baseflow conditions. Pre-rain conditions at Pleasant Valley and Park Springs on the Blanco River upstream of Fischer - [Texas Innovation Corridor Future Development Project Launches](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/11/17/texas-innovation-corridor-future-development-project-launches/) - Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP) and Watershed Partners, a program of WVWA, jointly launched the Texas Innovation Corridor (TxIC) Future Development project Nov. 15, celebrating funding approval in October from GSMP’s board matched equally by WVWA. The $43,000, five-month project will be executed by Siglo Group, led by Jonathan Ogren, to create a conservation and - [Support for Blanco Land Application Permit instead of Direct Discharge](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/11/11/support-for-blanco-land-application-permit-instead-of-direct-discharge/) - WVWA firmly supports the Blanco Water Reclamation Task Force recommendation to the City of Blanco dated October 30, 2021. WVWA applauds the thorough analysis done by Aqua Strategies documented in the Assessment of the Costs for Two Wastewater Disposal Strategies for the City of Blanco memo. We agree with no discharge. By relying on wastewater - [Rain brings temporary increases in spring flow and groundwater levels - October 2021](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/10/07/rain-brings-temporary-increases-in-spring-flow-and-groundwater-levels-october-2021/) - October 2021 Hydro Report Even with 3-4" of rain in the last week, area Middle Trinity springs have almost returned pre-rain flow conditions. Pleasant Valley and Park Springs on the Blanco River upstream of Fischer Store Road saw a temporary increase in baseflow, but flow has returned to 16 cubic feet per second (cfs). Baseflow - [Liberty Hill’s troubled sewage plant set for hearing](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/10/09/liberty-hills-troubled-sewage-plant-set-for-hearing/) - Hill Country streams are low-nutrient environments, and wastewater discharges alter those environments drastically. We are pleased that the TCEQ approved a rare contested case hearing for Liberty Hill's wastewater plant’s permit renewal. From Hondo Canyon and the Nueces River to the Blanco River, Barton Creek, and the San Gabriel, impacts from wastewater threaten sensitive habitat. - [Rain brings temporary increases in spring flow and groundwater levels -- 2021 Oct. Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/10/07/rain-brings-temporary-increases-in-spring-flow-and-groundwater-levels-2021-oct-hydro-report/) - Even with 3-4" of rain in the last week, area Middle Trinity springs have almost returned pre-rain flow conditions. Pleasant Valley and Park Springs on the Blanco River upstream of Fischer Store Road saw a temporary increase in baseflow, but flow has returned to 16 cubic feet per second (cfs). Baseflow at Jacob's Well is - [Water levels and spring flow on the decline (again) - 2021 Sept Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/09/16/water-levels-and-spring-flow-on-the-decline-again-2021-sept-hydro-report/) - With above average rainfall for Central Texas, surface vegetation is thriving, rainwater catchment systems are full, but aquifer conditions aren’t doing as well. Water levels in monitor wells rose after this summer's wet conditions, but they've started to decline again. Similarly, after summer rains baseflow increased from Middle Trinity springs (Jacob's Well and Pleasant Valley - [TPWD Commissioners Vote to Support Land Acquisition of Honey Creek Ranch](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/08/23/action-alert-support-tpwd-land-acquisition-of-honey-creek-ranch/) - The TPWD Commissioners voted to approve funds to acquire the environmentally sensitive Honey Creek Ranch on August 26, 2021! At the headwaters of Honey Creek, the land acquisition will prevent the land from being developed as residential lots in favor of maintaining high-quality recharge lands. Honey Creek Ranch was going to be a subdivision, but - [Swim Season ends Sept. 30](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/09/17/swim-season-ends-sept-30/) - Thousands of visitors flock to the Wimberley Valley each year to swim at Jacob's Well or Blue Hole, stroll along Cypress Creek, relax at bed and breakfasts, and visit shops, galleries, and restaurants. September 30 marks the end of a sold-out swim season for both Jacob's Well and Blue Hole. If you weren't able to - [US FWS Proposed Listing for Six Texas Mussel Species](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/09/10/proposed-endangered-species-listing-for-texas-mussels/) - Aquatic species, like freshwater mussels, are particularly useful as indicators of water quality. They have limited range and rely heavily on the surrounding aquatic community to reproduce. Since they're largely immobile, water quality and habitat degradation pose significant risks. Loading of creeks and rivers with fine sediments, low-flow and drought, and water quality changes negatively - [Spring flow increased, Groundwater levels still low - July 2021 Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/07/06/spring-flow-increased-groundwater-levels-still-low-july-2021-hydro-report/) - Spring flow increased, Groundwater levels still low. July 2021 Hydro Report Welcome rains in May and early June have produced some recharge. Spring flow from two Middle Trinity springs--Jacob's Well and Pleasant Valley is shown in the hydrograph above. These springs provide the baseflow for Cypress Creek and the Blanco River in western Hays - [Diving Deep into Karst webinar](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/09/09/diving-deep-into-karst-webinar/) - As part of the Deep in the Karst of Texas education initiative, WVWA and TESPA hosted a lunchtime webinar on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Presenters discussed the International Year of Caves and Karst, Texas karst and conservation initiatives, and recent well visits. From global to local, this discussion was insightful and entertaining. The presentations, links - [Wastewater WIN for the Hill Country](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/08/17/wastewater-win-for-the-hill-country/) - We've received wonderful news from the Nueces River watershed -- Young Life's LoneHollow Ranch has opted to treat wastewater through a land application process rather than direct discharge into the Upper Sabinal River. This is particularly important because the Upper Sabinal River is one of Texas' last Pristine Stream Segments (where there's no detectable phosphorus, - [Summer 2021 Neighborhood Site Visits - Trinity Aquifers](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/06/24/neighborhoodsitevisits/) - This summer the Watershed Association is collaborating with the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) and the Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (CTGCD) to provide a limited number of Trinity Aquifer water well visits. Previous Neighborhood Site Visits have focused on Edwards in the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and Trinity wells in the - [Behold the Bounty of the Blanco (Texas Highways)](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/06/22/behold-the-bounty-of-the-blanco-texas-highways/) - This month's Texas Highways features the Blanco on the cover! The author--Joe Nick Patoski--covers a lot of river miles and even makes it to Jacob's Well, the headwaters of Cypress Creek and an important tributary to the Blanco River. Discussion ranges from land stewardship and conservation efforts to the economy of the river towns, big - [One Water Components Explained by Blue Hole Primary Second Grade Students](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/05/28/7556/) - WVWA is one of many proud partners of the One Water Project and we have been helping facilitate the implementation and case study of Wimberley’s One Water School—Blue Hole Primary. Check out the youtube video of how Second Graders explain Blue Hole Primary’s one water components! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMmIVsBN83g The video covers: Site-harvested supply tank Firefighter supply - [Mini-BioBlitz at Colemans Canyon](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/07/06/mini-bioblitz-at-colemans-canyon/) - The Jacob's Well Natural Area and Colemans Canyon Preserve are connected biologically, hydrogeologically, and through conservation efforts. We (with a lot of help from our friends) have come a long way with trail building, trash cleanups, green fielding at Colemans, and now we’re gearing up for a species inventory to inform restoration work. WVWA and - [What Future Do We Desire for the Trinity Aquifers?](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/07/01/futureoftrinityaquifers/) - Across the Hill Country, residents and visitors depend on the groundwater stored in the Trinity Aquifers as water supply and to provide baseflow through springs that keep iconic creeks and rivers flowing. Residents have a voice through the regional planning process to discuss and set goals to guide the future we desire for the Trinity - [Deep in the Karst of Texas Education Campaign Launched](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/07/01/deep-in-the-karst-of-texas-education-campaign-launched/) - TESPA and WVWA Join Together: For the Love of Karst! The Trinity Edwards Springs Association (TESPA) and Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) have once again joined forces for an educational campaign to celebrate and raise awareness about the unique, fragile landscape beneath our feet – our karst and caves. Our campaign theme jingles in with - [Jacob's Well Is A Source Of Life For The Wimberley Valley. What Would Happen If It Were To Stop Flowing For Good? (KUT)](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/06/23/kut/) - As the headwaters for Cypress Creek, flow from Jacob's Well is critical for the businesses, residents, and wildlife that call the Wimberley Valley home. Flow at Jacob's Well also indicates the status of groundwater storage in the Middle Trinity Aquifer--the water supply for the majority of residents. KUT's Riane Roldan hiked, interviewed, and researched the - [Settlement Agreement Finalized between Needmore, BSEACD, and TESPA](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/06/11/settlement-agreement-finalized-between-needmore-bseacd-and-tespa/) - Since 2015, Needmore, LLC's large-volume permit has been a topic of heated debate. The agricultural, irrigation, and wildlife use permit was formally contested by TESPA with support from WVWA and many others. The permit has been under litigation until this week (June 9) when all parties reached a settlement agreement. The settlement agreement secures substantial - [Recharge to Discharge Karst Tour - Coleman's Canyon to Jacob's Well](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/05/20/recharge-to-discharge-karst-tour-colemans-canyon-to-jacobs-well/) - UT Jackson School of Geosciences Hydro Field Camp visited staff at the WVWA Coleman's Canyon Preserve with Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) and Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District on May 19, 2021. The students saw the EAA Geophysical Logging truck in action, discussed the layers of rock that intersected by the monitor well (hint: the same - [Recharge! (May Hydro Report)](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/05/20/recharge-may-hydro-report/) - Welcome rains have saturated soils and allowed runoff. That runoff has translated into recharge as water makes its way through karst features like caves and sinkholes into the groundwater system. Once the recharge creeks start flowing, recharge reaches the aquifers quickly with little filtration. The graph above shows flow at two Middle Trinity springs–Jacob’s Well - [Bacteria Results for Cypress Creek and Blanco River - May 2021](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/05/20/bacteria-results-for-cypress-creek-and-blanco-river-may-2021/) - The Wimberley Water Advisory Group, a group of volunteers, has monitored both Cypress Creek and the Blanco River near Wimberley for E. Coli bacteria for decades. Long-time supporters of this data gathering effort, the WVWA is coordinating with Pete Anderson and the volunteers to expand the availability of this monthly data collected during the swim - [Senate's Turn to Address Protection for Texas' Pristine Waters](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/05/17/boost-protection-for-texas-pristine-waters/) - There are only a few truly pristine rivers left in Texas. HB 4146 (passed by the House on 5/11/21) would help protect them. Lt. Gov. Patrick will send it to the Senate for consideration soon. Help by voicing support for this bill. Only about 40 streams out of over 2,000 streams in all of Texas - [Central Texas Floodplain Reforestation Program](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/05/03/central-texas-floodplain-reforestation-program/) - Tree impacts--especially to iconic Cypress trees--along the Blanco River is still evident from the 2015 flood. Those trees are a key part of the riparian habitat and help stabilize banks to minimize erosion. We learned that Treefolks is expanding a floodplain reforestation program to include Travis, Hays, Caldwell, Bastrop, and Burnet counties. The program works - [Action alert: Bill Will Restore Texas Parks’ Role in Protecting the State’s Water, Fish, and Wildlife Resources](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/04/28/bill-will-restore-texas-parks-role-in-protecting-the-states-water-fish-and-wildlife-resources/) - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is an essential partner in environmental stewardship. Their staff specializes in natural resource management. They need to be able to serve the citizens of the State of Texas by speaking for the health of Texas parks, wildlife, and water resources. Representative Tracy King's proposed HB 2716 would allow TPWD to - [Developer withdraws permit application for sewage plant on Barton Creek](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/04/23/developer-withdraws-permit-application-for-sewage-plant-on-barton-creek/) - Hill Country creeks, streams, and rivers are low-nutrient waterways. Direct discharges to these creeks alter the nutrient load and impact the natural ecosystem. We are so pleased that the developer withdrew the TCEQ application for sewage treatment facility along Barton Creek. The Save Barton Creek Association and Save Our Springs' recent press release details the - [Ecoli Monitoring in Cypress Creek and the Blanco River - April 2021 Results](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/04/20/ecoli-monitoring-in-cypress-creek-and-the-blanco-river/) - The Wimberley Water Advisory Group, a group of volunteers, has monitored both Cypress Creek and the Blanco River near Wimberley for E. Coli bacteria for decades. Long-time supporters of this data gathering effort, the WVWA is coordinating with Pete Anderson and the volunteers to expand the availability of this monthly data collected during the swim - [Earth Day Legislative Update](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/04/23/earth-day-legislative-update/) - Things move very quickly at this stage in the legislative process. The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance provided an Earth Day update (4/22/21) with some great news: The Texas legislature is giving us some real reasons to celebrate Earth Day! We are delighted to inform you that yesterday the House of Representatives voted final approval to one of our favorite - [Lowest Groundwater Level Recorded Since 2005 (2021 April Hydro Report)](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/04/22/2021-april-hydro-report/) - Lowest Groundwater Level Recorded Since 2005 April 2021 Hydro Report Groundwater, springs, creeks, and rivers are connected in the Hill Country. In March, groundwater levels in the HTGCD Mt. Baldy monitor well, a Middle Trinity Aquifer (Cow Creek) well, reached the lowest level recorded since Nov. 2005 (Fig. 1). Most of Western Hays County residents - [Rebecca Springs, salamander surveys, and WHY they matter](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/04/22/rebecca-springs-salamander-surveys-and-why-they-matter/) - Salamanders are sensitive critters. With external gills and limited habitats, they are good indicators of groundwater health. They rely on clean, clear, flowing springs to maintain healthy populations. Low water levels in aquifers lead to less spring flow and less dissolved oxygen in the water. Pollution and contaminants from surface water runoff can drastically alter - [Texas House backs green solutions to water problems](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/04/22/texas-house-backs-green-solutions-to-water-problems/) - Environment Texas released an update on the Green Infrastructure funding through HB 2350--it passed the House! This progress is exciting news, because it makes nature-based solutions to reduce pollution and flooding economically viable. Wimberley's One Water School is a prime example of nature-based design! Environment Texas Press Release, April 21, 2021: Texas House backs green - [New Species Described at Jacob's Well Honors David Baker](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/04/21/new-species-described-at-jacobs-well-honors-david-baker/) - The karst springs of the Texas Hill Country are unique and specialized environments. Thanks to a collaboration of biologists, a new species--Stygobromus bakeri--has been described from 4 central Texas limestone karst springs; Jacob’s Well (Hays County), John Knox Spring (Comal County), Mormon Spring (Travis County) and Salado Springs (Bell County). The new species' name--Stygobromus bakeri--honors - [Speak for Water at the Capitol](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/04/10/speak-for-water-at-the-capitol/) - Action Needed Now As 87th Session Heats Up! QUICK LINKS: Comment Online Pristine Waters Natural Answers to Big Problems Three for Better Water Data "Dirty" Water Bills to Watch A Few to Fight Watersheds across the state stand to gain from bills alive in an 87th Texas Legislature that enters its pivotal month-long run into - [2021 March Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/03/23/2021-march-hydro-report/) - On March 23, the Wimberley area received almost 1 inch of rainfall. This will help add moisture to very dry soils, but it will do little to generate recharge to the rivers and aquifers. Flow at Jacob's Well is very low--consistently below 2 cubic feet per second, and water levels in HTGCD monitor wells are - [TESPA Press Release: Has EP Gone Home Yet?](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/03/11/tespa-press-release-has-ep-gone-home-yet/) - “We couldn’t be happier to hear that the BSEACD is returning EP’s application fee and cancelling the permitting process. Who knows what EP’s next move will be, but today is a big win for well owners, residents, and visitors who love the Hill Country. Most of all, it’s a reprieve for the precious groundwater that - [TESPA and Kinder Morgan Settle Litigation](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/12/30/tespa-and-kinder-morgan-settle-litigation/) - After securing significant positive results, TESPA announced the legal team has settled litigation against the Kinder Morgan PHP Pipeline. The following is an excerpt from the TESPA newsletter released on December 30, 2020. Today, TESPA filed papers settling its lawsuit against Kinder Morgan, an action done jointly with its partner Wimberley Valley Watershed Alliance (WVWA). - [Job posting: Southwest Travis County GCD General Manager](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/03/02/7068/) - Groundwater conservation districts (GCDs) are Texas' preferred way to manage limited groundwater resources. With population increases, development impacts, and frequent droughts, effective and transparent management is more important than ever. The Southwest Travis County GCD just posted a job announcement for a full time general manager. Know a good candidate? Apply today! Jobs | Southwest - [Finding and Fixing Hidden Leaks is Critical](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/02/24/finding-and-fixing-hidden-leaks-is-critical/) - Leak Detection After record-breaking cold, many central Texans are chasing leaks and working to restore water service. Water utility customers can use their meters to check their plumbing integrity, but well owners will have a harder time verifying that all leaks have been found. Groundwater levels in our aquifers are low, and the NOAA Climate - [Aqua Texas Woodcreek Systems: Boil Water Notices Lifted](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/02/19/aqua-texas-woodcreek-systems-boil-water-notices/) - City/County: Wimberley Division/System: Woodcreek Phase 1 Start: 2/22/2021 10:20:00 AM End: 2/24/2021 11:00:00 PM Project: Outage: **BOIL WATER LIFT** This is an important notice from Aqua sent February 22, 2021, to customers living in the Woodcreek Phase 1 water system. The boil water advisory has been lifted. On February 18, 2021, Aqua notified all customers to boil their water to consumption in - [Wimberley Water Supply Corp: Boil Water Notice Lifted](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/02/19/wimberley-water-supply-corp-boil-water-notice/) - Boil Water Notice Rescinded February 21, 2021 Boil Water Notice Rescinded February 21, 2021 On February 17, 2021, the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality required the Wimberley Water Supply Corporation, public water system, 1050018 to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the - [WVWA Public Comment on Hays County Transportation Plan](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/02/09/wvwa-public-comment-on-hays-county-transportation-plan/) - Thanks to all of you for submitting comments through the County's survey. The draft plan’s vision shows the County Commissioners are listening to public input and responding with purpose since the CAMPO 2045 regional transportation plan adopted last summer. Nonetheless, our community will benefit from additional care and consideration, as the plan is refined. The - [Survey Window Opens for Draft Hays County Transportation Plan](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/01/12/survey-window-opens-for-draft-hays-county-transportation-plan/) - Thanks to all of you for submitting comments through the County's survey. The draft plan’s vision shows the County Commissioners are listening to public input and responding with purpose since the CAMPO 2045 regional transportation plan adopted last summer. Nonetheless, our community will benefit from additional care and consideration, as the plan is refined. The - [Blanco Task Force Engineering RFQ](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/02/04/engineering-request-for-qualifications-blanco-water-reclamation-task-force/) - The City of Blanco Council formed the Blanco River Water Reclamation Task Force in September 2020 to help identify engineering solutions that balance wastewater treatment, beneficial reuse, and water quality protection. Protect Our Blanco (POB), Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA), and the Council have approved a Request for Qualifications for engineering analysis that will inform - [EP Ends Contested Case Hearing in Hays County (TESPA Press Release)](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/02/05/ep-ends-contested-case-hearing-in-hays-county-tespa-press-release/) - In a February 4th press release, TESPA explains that Electro Purification (EP) has ended the contested case hearing process. EP's permit application will be returned to the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, who had reduced the permit volume to a fraction of the original amount proposed by the applicant. While this is good news, - [Artesiana 3: Joe Day](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/02/03/artesiana-3-joe-day/) - Joe Day, Brother for Water Sacred Springs, Karst Mitigation, and Life in the Sky Forest In episode 3, we bring you Joe Day, a man who turned early retirement from an intense career dealing with disasters across the region into a pro bono passion for environmental education, watershed protection, and marketing sustainable economic development. Joe’s - [Jacob's Well Flow Monitoring](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/02/03/jacobs-well-flow-monitoring/) - The WVWA would like to applaud all the agencies involved in flow monitoring at Jacob's Well. As flow has declined and management decisions leverage these critical measurements, staff have been busy coordinating to ensure that the data are as accurate as possible. Jacob's Well's gauge is an incredible example of collaboration from Federal to local - [Alex S. Broun Geology Collection donated to the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/01/21/alex-s-broun-geology-collection-donated-to-the-university-of-texas-bureau-of-economic-geology/) - The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District recently honored a local geologic legend, Al Broun. His work interpreting geophysical logs, collaborating on field studies, and contributing and reviewing reports as vastly improved understanding of the Trinity Aquifers in western Hays County. We join the HTGCD in celebrating Al Broun and thank him for his important contributions. - [Hays County Reconstitutes the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/01/28/hays-county-reconstitutes-the-parks-and-open-space-advisory-committee/) - Recently, the Hays County Commissioners voted to reconstitute the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) to help evaluate projects and allocate the $75 million bond funding approved through Prop A in November's election. Through last year's POSAC process, the Committee reviewed and ranked 18 projects designed to increase access to nature, better protect water - [2021 January Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/01/19/2021-january-hydro-report/) - Flow at Jacob’s Well is approaching zero. The USGS daily average for January 21 was 0.9 cubic feet per second (cfs), which is up slightly after rainfall earlier this week. Flow in the upper reaches of the Blanco River is reliant on baseflow provided by Trinity Springs, and Pleasant Valley and Park Springs only measure - [TESPA Statement on Electro Purification Filing Notice of Non-suit](https://watershedassociation.org/2021/01/12/tespa-statement-on-electro-purification-filing-notice-of-non-suit/) - TESPA Public Statement issued January 12, 2021 On January 11, 2021, shortly after 8:00 p.m., Electro Purification (EP) filed a Notice of Nonsuit and Request to Remand the Application to Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD). TESPA anticipates the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) Judge will grant the Nonsuit next week. When that - [Letter from David Baker, WVWA Executive Director](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/12/24/letter-from-david-baker-wvwa-executive-director/) - [View email version] Dear WVWA Supporters, Nothing could have prepared us for 2020. And yet, here we are, with grief for lost loved ones and mentors, yet steeled to rise out of this pandemic with renewed resolve. Jacob’s Well is a timeless source of inspiration and a symbol of gratitude for the gift of water. - [2020 Accomplishments](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/12/22/2020-accomplishments-well-wishes/) - With collaboration, creativity, and grit, 2020 is a year marked with accomplishments! We’re celebrating the wild 2020 ride with a look at our proudest accomplishments. Help build a legacy of resilience and sustainability with a tax-deductible contribution. Donate now! Clean Rivers Program Data collected from November 2018 to November 2020 provides a valuable snapshot of - [Great American Outdoors Act - Action Alert](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/12/03/great-american-outdoor-act/) - It’s "go" time once again! In June, the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association joined over 40 conservation leaders in strong support of the passage of the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (s. 3422). Congress passed it and the President signed it into law on August 4, 2020. The next big decisions relate to funding the Great - [WVWA Recipient of Texas Water Trade Technical Assistance Grant](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/05/18/wvwa-recipient-of-texas-water-trade-technical-assistance-grant/) - Today, Texas Water Trade announced the recipients of a unique grant. Texas Water Trade's program, the Texas Water Market Makers, will deliver technical expertise and dedicated strategic support to three conservation entities committed to protecting and enhancing freshwater flows in Texas’ rivers and bays. Over the next two years, TWT will support the selected Market - [Tell Blanco: Don't Waste Wastewater](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/06/11/tell-blanco-dont-waste-wastewater/) - Hill Country streams are especially sensitive to pollution. The City of Blanco has an opportunity to stop new water pollution by using the city’s wastewater for irrigation and other purposes. Beneficial reuse protects water quality and can replace potable water for irrigation use. We need these innovative solutions to help conserve the sensitive, finite water - [Blanco City Council Votes to Establish A Task Force to Investigate Engineering Options](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/09/10/blanco-city-council-votes-to-establish-a-task-force-to-investigate-engineering-options/) - With its unanimous vote Sept. 8, the Blanco City Council delivered on progress toward a lasting solution with Protect Our Blanco for growth and development without wastewater discharge into the Blanco River. A contentious recent history is replaced today by a task force to discuss and quantify engineering options before the end of the year. - [Encourage Blanco City Council to reduce discharge volume and establish a task force](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/08/07/6485/) - It has been over seven months since the City reported its last Blanco Wastewater Treatment Plant direct discharge into the Blanco River, and the water conditions show it! Downstream of the discharge point, the algae blooms have cleared. The WVWA and Protect Our Blanco (POB) have also seen some very positive signs for our anticipated negotiations - [2020 December Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/12/09/2020-december-hydro-report/) - The EAA weather station near Burnett Ranches measured 1 inch of rain at the end of November. With dry conditions, the rainfall was absorbed by exceptionally dry soils. Even the six inches of rain in early September did little to boost groundwater storage for the long term. This late in the dry season, it will - [Hays Co. Prop A Passes](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/11/12/vote-yes-on-prop-a/) - "We couldn't be more pleased with the strong support Hays County voters showed for Prop A. This commitment to conserve land and preserve irreplaceable natural resources will serve many generations and provide for outdoor recreation and better health. WVWA is excited to share Coleman's Canyon Preserve and the Wimberley Bat Cave, working with the County - [2020 November Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/11/11/2020-november-hydro-report/) - No matter what area agencies call their drought declaration, it's obvious water levels and spring flows have declined to exceptionally low levels. In order to preserve groundwater availability, coordinated water conservation measures are essential. Groundwater Drought Declarations Agency Drought Stage Date Declared Details Hays Trinity GCD Jacob's Well GMZ - 30% Curtailment Remaining GCD - - [Blanco Water Reclamation Task Force](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/11/19/blanco-city-council-development-without-discharge-presentation/) - With its unanimous vote Sept. 8, the Blanco City Council delivered on progress toward a lasting solution with Protect Our Blanco for growth and development without wastewater discharge into the Blanco River. A contentious recent history is replaced today by a task force to discuss and quantify engineering options before the end of the year. - [2020 October Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/10/12/2020-october-hydro-report/) - No matter what area agencies call their drought declaration, it's obvious water levels and spring flows have declined to exceptionally low levels. In order to preserve groundwater availability, coordinated water conservation measures are essential. Groundwater Drought Declarations Agency Drought Stage Date Declared Details Hays Trinity GCD Jacob's Well GMZ - 20% Curtailment Remaining GCD - - [Artesiana 2: Lori Olson](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/11/03/artesiana-2-lori-olson/) - Lori Olson, Leader in Land Trusts Half-Earth, One Water, Too Few Open Spaces to Waste Lori Olson is the subject of our second Artesiana podcast, Wimberley Valley Watershed Association’s stories from the watershed featuring the voices of the history and ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the land, water, and natural heritage of the Texas - [Our Treasured Springs Need Protection](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/11/02/our-treasured-springs-need-protection/) - Another win for the conservation community: the Texas Agricultural Land Trust (TALT) announced in October 2020 that they've closed closed on a donated conservation easement on David Langford’s beloved Laurels Ranch in Kendall County. David Langford and his family are long-time land stewards and proud of their decision that will forever affect future generations of - [Dripping Springs' Direct Discharge Permit Reversed by District Court](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/10/30/dripping-springs-direct-discharge-permit-reversed-by-district-court/) - Yesterday, water quality advocates received affirmation that direct discharge in Hill Country streams goes against the Clean Water Act. After the State of Texas 459th District Court Judge Maya Guerra Gamble issued her ruling in the Save Our Springs v TCEQ case contesting the Dripping Springs wastewater discharge permit, SOS attorney, Kelly Davis, announced: "We - [Pristine to Polluted: A Hill Country Sewage Scorecard](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/10/20/hillcountrysewagescorecard/) - In response to Hill Country sewage woes, the Save Barton Creek Association published "Pristine to Polluted: Sewage Problems & Solutions in the Texas Hill Country,” a 45-page scorecard that documents wastewater discharge problems in the Hill Country and proposes solutions. Sewage pollution in the Hill Country is getting worse, and we need answers. Save Barton - [ACTION ALERT! Dripping Springs to Consider EP Wholesale Contract](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/10/09/action-alert-dripping-springs-to-consider-ep-wholesale-contract/) - Thanks to all of you who spoke up! Dripping Springs WSC did not sign on to an Electro Purification wholesale contract on Monday--but they will revisit the possibility in January. Science and financial reasons were topics of conversation. TESPA Update, 10/13/20 The DSWSC did not vote or take formal action, but overwhelmingly rejected the proposed - [2020 - September Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/09/16/september-hydro-report/) - We've seen a series of rain events over the past few weeks, and rivers and springflow have responded! The Edwards Aquifer Authority weather station on the Blanco River upstream of Wimberley measured over 8 inches of rain in September alone. The rainfall initially generated considerable runoff--seen in the graph above as a high peak flow - [Roadway Planning Process: Hays Co. Transportation Update in Progress](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/10/05/roadways/) - Water is scarce, and open spaces are scarred by a pipeline project and eroded by development. Charming roadways integral to life in Hays County and the Texas Hill Country are bold lines in upgrade plans. The mitigating burden lies on public officials and their consultants, informed by citizen engagement and supported by research and conservation. When market and safety integrate with science and multigenerational love of the land, we can all move around and still splash in the water. - [Hays Trinity GCD expands Drought Curtailments](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/09/18/hays-trinity-gcd-expands-drought-curtailments/) - Recent rains have added much-needed recharge to the Trinity Aquifer in western Hays County. The Edwards Aquifer Authority weather station on the Blanco River upstream of Wimberley measured over 8 inches of rain in September alone. The rainfall initially generated considerable runoff and temporarily increased flow in both the Blanco River and Cypress Creek. Soils - [Blue Hole Primary wins TWDB Rain Catcher Award](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/09/04/blue-hole-primary-wins-twdb-rain-catcher-award/) - The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association is so proud of the collective accomplishment that is Wimberley ISD’s One Water School – Blue Hole Primary. The honor of the 2020 TWDB Rain Catcher Award will be shared by the many hands and minds that came together to make this reality—not just theory. The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association - [Update on Lawsuit Against Kinder Morgan](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/08/13/update-on-lawsuit-against-kinder-morgan/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWimberley Valley Watershed Association and Trinity Edwards Springs Association Press ReleaseAugust 13, 2020 In June 2020, attorneys for Trinity Edwards Springs Projection Association (TESPA), acting on behalf of Blanco County landowners whose sole source of drinking water was contaminated, filed suit in federal court against the Permian Highway Pipeline LLC (PHP) and its - [Hays Trinity GCD declares drought for Jacob's Well GMZ](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/08/21/jwgmz_drought/) - Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Press Release [8/18/2020]: Effective August 1, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors voted to move the Jacobs Well Groundwater Management Zone (See Map) into 20% Curtailment drought status. The 20% curtailment will help prolong groundwater availability for all users. Permittees operating within the Jacobs Well Groundwater Management - [August Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/08/17/august-hydro-report/) - [Parks and Open Space Recommendations](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/08/07/parks-and-open-space-recommendations/) - $75M Parks and Open Space Bond on the Nov. 3 Ballot by Ray Don Tilley, Wimberley Valley Watershed Association San Marcos 8/11/20: Hays County Commissioners Court ordered a bond election for the Nov. 3 ballot, proposing a total of $75 million in response to recommendations from the Parks & Open Space Advisory Commission. Commissioner Lon - [Artesiana, Episode 1: Malcolm Harris](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/07/31/artesiana-episode-1-malcolm-harris/) - Welcome to something we call “Artesiana.” Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) presents stories from the watershed, featuring the voices of the history and ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the land, water, and natural heritage of the Texas Hill Country. We begin with Malcolm Harris, president of WVWA and a long-time landowner and advocate for - [Letter to Hays Co. Well Owners from HTGCD](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/07/13/letter-to-hays-co-well-owners-from-htgcd/) - On July 10, 2020, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District released a letter to well owners within their jurisdiction in Hays County within 5 miles of the Kinder Morgan pipeline. The letter contains recommendations for well owners if they notice a change in taste, odor or appearance of their well water. In an effort to - [Sediment Impacts to Wells Near Kinder Morgan Construction Site and Intent to Sue](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/04/08/sediment-impacts-in-wells-near-kinder-morgan-construction-site/) - Press Release: TESPA Issues Notice of Intent To Sue Permian Highway Pipeline For Contamination of an Underground Source of Drinking Water For Immediate Release: April 8, 2020 WIMBERLEY, TX Attorneys acting on behalf of the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) today issued a notice of intent to sue the Permian Highway Pipeline LLC (PHP) - [Helping Protect Groundwater Quality - Trash Cleanup at Coleman's Canyon](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/03/13/helping-protect-groundwater-quality-trash-cleanup-at-colemans-canyon/) - As part of the great Texas River Cleanup on Saturday, March 7, 2020, the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) combined forces with Danforth Middle School to host a trash cleanup at Coleman's Canyon Preserve. This land is situated directly above the Wimberley Bat Cave, lies within the newly christened Jacobs Well Groundwater Management Zone, and - [Water Samples from Homes Near Construction Blunder Were Found to Contain Trace Metal Levels that Exceed EPA Drinking Water Standards](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/04/15/trace-metal-levels-exceed-epa-drinking-water-standards/) - WIMBERLEY, TX Three days following the March 28 underground loss of 36,000 gallons of drilling fluid during construction of the Permian Highway Pipeline in Blanco County, two affected homeowners captured well samples of their chocolate-colored drinking water and had the samples delivered to LCRA Environmental Laboratory Services in Austin for testing and analyses. The resulting - [Montana Federal Judge’s Ruling in Keystone XL Impacts Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/05/14/montana-federal-judges-ruling-in-keystone-xl-impacts-permian-highway-pipeline/) - Press Release: 5/12/2020 WIMBERLEY, TX — Yesterday, Montana Federal Judge Brian Morris reaffirmed his decision vacating the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Nationwide Permit 12 (NWP 12) in the Keystone XL pipeline case. His decision continued a previous ruling that removed this administrative device that allows for pipeline construction across waterways without the necessity of - [GEAA Shares Their Endorsements for You Votes on 3 Texas Propositions](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/10/02/geaa-shares-their-endorsements-for-you-votes-on-3-texas-propositions/) - You will have the opportunity to vote for ten Propositions for Texas on November 5th. GEAA is delighted to endorse three of these measures: Proposition 5 (SJR 24) “The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the - [WVWA joins with other cities to file an intent to sue the federal government](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/10/16/wvwa-joins-with-other-cities-to-file-an-intent-to-sue-the-federal-government/) - A coalition of Central Texas cities and conservation organizations are notifying the federal government that they will sue if it fails to hold Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP) project accountable to requirements outlined in the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The cities of Kyle, Austin, and San Marcos have joined with the Barton Springs Edwards - [URGENT: Call to Action to Protect Our Springs!](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/10/29/urgent-call-to-action-to-protect-our-springs/) - The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) will be voting on two rules that are intended to protect spring flow from the Trinity aquifer to Jacob’s Well and Pleasant Valley Springs, the primary source of water to Cypress Creek and the Blanco River. By adopting Rule 15 (Option 1) and Rule 16, this Wednesday, October - [WVWA's Response to Court Rulings on the PHP](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/02/20/wvwas-response-to-judge-pittmans-ruling-on-the-php/) - On Wednesday, March 4th at 9:00 am, Judge Pittman will rule on a temporary injunction against the Permian Highway Pipeline. The public is welcome to attend; please adhere to the respectful rules of the courtroom. 501 W. 5th Street, Austin, TX 78701, 9-1:00 pm [update posted 3/3/2020] Response to Judge Pittman's Ruling The Wimberley Valley - [Speak Now Please!  Together We Can Save Our Hill Country Future, Not Pave It!](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/04/23/speak-now-please-together-we-can-save-our-hill-country-future-not-pave-it/) - It’s truly amazing how much our Hill Country community of Hays, Blanco and Gillespie counties have come together to oppose Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway pipeline. Uniting against this existential, external threat has brought us together to stand up for our rights for clean water and to protect the health and safety of our families and - [Well Owner Resources](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/04/22/well-owner-resources/) - Arm yourself with information! There has been a lot of interest from well owners looking for guidance on a number of different topics. Here's a compilation of the top links, resources, and recommendations from those in the know! Water Well Sampling Options, Guidance and Recommendations The US EPA testing guidance for private well owners includes - [Montana Court Revokes Nationwide Permit 12 Under Endangered Species Act Permian Highway Pipeline Permit Now In Question](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/04/17/montana-court-revokes-nationwide-permit-12-under-endangered-species-act-permian-highway-pipeline-permit-now-in-question/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2020 WIMBERLEY, TX — On April 15 chief federal Judge Brian Morris of the Montana District issued an opinion that revoked the permit under which the Keystone XL oil pipeline is being constructed for violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The opinion may affect the use of Nationwide Permit - [One Water](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/04/03/one-water/) - In mid-February, the Friends of Blue Hole held a learning series seminar focused on One Water principles, which seek to optimize water use by linking creative and thoughtful use of groundwater, surface water, rainwater, storm water, and wastewater. Wimberley ISD’s Blue Hole Primary is set to be the first One Water campus, and as such - [Parks and Open Spaces](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/04/03/parks-and-open-spaces/) - The Hays County Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission (POSAC) had its second meeting using a virtual platform on March 25th. Highlights included a briefing by Commissioner Lon Shell, an overview of past bond initiatives and the Parks and Open Spaces Master Plan by county staff, and discussion of the most inclusive way to compile - [WVWA Covid-19 Response](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/04/03/wvwa-covid-19-response/) - The COVID-19 pandemic is certainly uncharted waters. Staff at the WVWA have moved to remote collaboration and are heeding the social distancing advice and shelter in place order of our public officials. (COVID-19 Information for Hays County Residents) With technology, many of the key discussions continue through online forums. As you’ll see in the updates - [April Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/04/03/april-hydro-report/) - In March and the beginning of April, there were several small rain events and the Blanco watershed received between 1.9 to 4.7 inches of rain (according to Edwards Aquifer Authority weather stations). Soil moisture sensors show a measurable response in the shallow soils, but the deeper sensors indicate that soils are not fully saturated. Both - [TESPA sues Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District over Needmore Permit](https://watershedassociation.org/2020/02/20/tespa-sues-barton-springs-edwards-aquifer-conservation-district-over-needmore-permit/) - The Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) announced on February 11th, 2020 that it has filed suit in Travis County District Court challenging the decision by the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) to issue a permit to Needmore Water, LLC to withdraw about 289 million gallons of groundwater each year in Hays County - [Blanco Residents Urge the City to Consider Better Alternatives to Dumping in the Blanco River](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/10/24/blanco-residents-urge-the-city-to-consider-better-alternatives-to-dumping-in-the-blanco-river/) - Last Sunday October 20th Protect Our Blanco held an open membership meeting at Gem of the Hills with local and regional experts to share information with local residents about the water quality threats to the Blanco River from wastewater discharge. Below we share with you some of the research and information that was shared at - [The Riverheads Invite You to Fight the Permian Highway Pipeline with Music](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/10/21/the-riverheads-invite-you-to-fight-the-permian-highway-pipeline-with-music/) - A local San Marcos studio band, The Riverheads, wrote four amazing and inspiring "pipeline songs" as a grassroots protest songs from the heart of Central Texas. All income from sales of the songs will be donated to the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association legal fund in the Kinder Morgan lawsuit. The songs are only 99 cents - [Hays County to Hold Public Meeting to Discuss the Aquisition of 533 Acres of Riverfront at El Rancho Cima for Conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/10/01/hays-county-to-hold-public-meeting-to-discuss-acquiring-533-acres-of-riverfront-at-el-rancho-cima/) - Precinct 3 Office Invites Residents to Public Meeting on El Rancho Cima Conservation Efforts Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX (Oct. 1, 2019) – The Hays County Precinct 3 Office will host a public meeting Wednesday, October 9, to discuss recent efforts to conserve portions of El Rancho Cima. The meeting will be held at - [Groups team up to contest the City of Blanco's wastewater discharge permit](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/09/23/groups-team-up-to-contest-the-city-of-blancos-wastewater-discharge-permit/) - The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association has recently filed a request for a contested case hearing for the City of Blanco’s wastewater permit (#WQ0010549002), which will allow the city to discharge an average of 1.6 million gallons of wastewater daily into the Blanco River. WVWA and our partner organization, Protect Our Blanco, are very concerned about - [One Water in the Hill Country](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/09/18/one-water-in-the-hill-country/) - The 2019 National One Water Summit begins today and the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association is proud to be a member of the Hill Country Delegation! Our executive director, David Baker, will be leading a tour of the Jacob's Well Natural Area and highlighting the important One Water work that WVWA has collaborated on in the - [Update from GEAA on Honey Creek Wastewater Fight](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/09/10/update-from-geaa-on-honey-creek-wastewater-fight/) - On August 20th approximately 90 people came together at a meeting hosted by the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ) held in Bulverde, Texas to voice opposition to a plan they believe will cause irreparable harm to two Texas treasures. Developers of Honey Creek Ranch propose to release up to 500,000/gallons per day of treated sewage - [Update From Protect Our Blanco](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/08/23/update-from-protect-our-blanco/) - Blanco and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)ProcessThe City of Blanco has requested a permit to discharge 1.6 million gallons of treated wastewater into the Blanco River per day. This is 7 times the amount of their current permit. [Note: As a point of reference, Dripping Springs’ permit is about half this capacity, at - [Now You Can Help the Texas Coast & Climate Change at the Same Time](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/08/22/now-you-can-help-the-texas-coast-climate-change-at-the-same-time/) - The Texas Coastal Exchange (TCX), a Texas non-profit organization, is up and running and ready to hear from you if you are interested in doing something about climate change that will also help the Texas Coast. For years, they have been working on a system to help Texas coastal landowners keep their land natural so that it - [Wimberley Waste Water Update](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/01/22/wimberley-waste-water-update/) - A mandatory public hearing of the Texas Water Development Board was held by the City of Wimberley on January 10th and because of the high level of concern and engagement by Wimberley Valley residents, there was an audience of nearly 300 citizens. Ninety Five Wimberley Valley residents signed up to speak, but only twenty seven - [Texas Land Trends & Conservation Easements](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/01/24/texas-land-trends-conservation-easements/) - Texas Land Trends & Conservation Easements"Conservation will ultimately boil down to rewarding the private landowner who conserves the public interest." – Aldo Leopold Conservationist, forester and wildlife biologist The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute has just released a fascinating Texas Land Trends Report. Texas working lands are undergoing a fundamental change, one that has implications for rural economies, - [TESPA Scores First Win in EP Case!](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/02/06/tespa-scores-first-win-in-ep-case/) - This week the SOAH Administrative Law Judge assigned to the Electro Purification contested case denied motions filed by both Electro Purification and GoForth Special Utility District opposing TESPA's request for a subpoena commanding GoForth to produce certain documents relevant to the case. When evaluating whether to grant or deny a permit, the Barton Springs Edwards - [Jacob's Well Groundwater Management Zone](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/07/25/jacobs-well-groundwater-management-zone/) - By: David Baker, Executive Director of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Assoc.WIMBERLEY, TX - A new Groundwater Management Zone has been proposed to protect sustainable spring flow from Jacob's Well into Cypress Creek, often called the lifeblood of Wimberley. A Jacob's Well Groundwater Management Zone (JWGMZ) was recommended last month by a "Spring Flow" task force formed - [Riparian Recovery Network News](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/07/25/riparian-recovery-network-news/) - A Shared Publication from the Hays County Master Naturalists Reassessing Your Riparian Zone Summer is a good time to observe your riparian zone and assess whether you have achieved the best balance between your needs and those of the waterway that flows past your property. Here are just some of questions you might want to - [Cherryville Plans to Dump Sewage into the San Marcos River](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/06/20/cherryville-plans-to-dump-sewage-into-the-san-marcos-river/) - An Alert From Our Friends at the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance We’ve informed you in the past about various Texas developments attempting to dump their treated sewage into our Hill Country waterways, but none of those developments rival Cherryville for sheer size. When completed in a few years, Cherryville will be an actual city of 25,000 - - [A Review of Texas Water Legislation for the 86th Session](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/06/20/a-review-of-texas-water-legislation-for-the-86th-session/) - By: Cyndi Jackson - Woodcreek City Council Here are all the water bills that passed (and might affect us) excluding the amendment. Understanding critical water supplies, creative methods of re-using water, and enhanced protection against polluters underscore the water “wins” during this legislative session. While not every good bill made it through, the ones that - [Austin City Council Unanimously Opposes the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/06/20/austin-city-council-unanimously-opposes-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - Joining a great many other Central Texas communities, the Austin City Council on Wednesday June 19, unanimously approved a resolution opposing the 430 mile natural gas pipeline that energy company Kinder Morgan is routing through the Hill Country.With that, Austin joins the ranks of cities and counties, school districts, and businesses and organizations opposed to the PHP - [Microplastics are making their way into our food, water, air and bodies!](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/06/19/microplastics-are-making-their-way-into-our-food-water-air-and-bodies/) - A new study from the World Wildlife Federation suggests we are ingesting an average of 5 grams of plastic every week. The plastic we are ingesting is from particles smaller than five millimeters. These "microplastics" are making their way into our food, drinking water and even the air. A study by the University of Newcastle, in Australia - [Feral Hog Management Program to Continue in Hays County](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/04/24/feral-hog-management-program-to-continue-in-hays-county/) - Hays County will be continuing countywide feral hog management efforts in 2019 after receiving a $13,100 grant from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Wildlife Services. The Hays County program will include a feral hog workshop and three webinars, aerial control services, a damage assessment and free trapping equipment for a limited number of local participants. - [Tell Governor Abbott to Veto HB 1806 Which Goes Against The Edwards Aquifer Authority's Long Term Goals](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/05/31/tell-governor-abbott-to-veto-hb-1806-which-goes-against-the-edwards-aquifer-authoritys-long-term-goals/) - The article below by Elena Tucker was published by The Boerne Star on Friday, May 24, 2019 On May 22, HB 1806 was voted through by the Texas Senate, clearing the way for the San Antonio Water System to sell 1,500 acre feet of water across county lines from Bexar into Kendall. Despite vigorous and organized opposition - [Hays County, City of Kyle join lawsuit against Kinder Morgan, Texas Railroad Commission](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/04/22/hays-county-city-of-kyle-join-lawsuit-against-kinder-morgan-texas-railroad-commission/) - KYLE, Texas, April 22, 2019 – The consistent failure of the Texas Railroad Commission to oversee the routing of oil and gas pipelines leaves Texans vulnerable to abuse, landowners and officials from the City of Kyle and Hays County said today. A coalition of landowners, joined by the City of Kyle and Hays County, today - [Wastewater Woes](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/04/29/cities-across-texas-are-dumping-treated-wastewater-into-the-very-places-we-get-our-drinking-water/) - Cities across Texas are dumping wastewater in our rivers and the effects are obvious. In 2018, the City of Blanco requested a permit from TCEQ to discharge 1.6 million gallons of treated wastewater daily into the Blanco River. If approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), this would be a 7 fold increase - [Permian Highway Pipeline Threatens Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/03/13/cypress-creek-watershed-protection-plan/) - The Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan was the first EPA-approved watershed protection plan focused on preventative measures. Kinder Morgan’s proposed Permian Highway Pipeline project, (PHP project), directly intersects and undermines the Cypress Creek WPP. The route also directly affects the Upper Llano River WPP, the Plum Creek WPP, and the Lavaca River WPP. The PHP - [Skull Creek Disaster Exposes Inadequate Regard for Texas Water](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/04/24/skull-creek-disaster-exposes-inadequate-regard-for-texas-water/) - A disturbing report published by the Texas Tribune on April 17 demonstrates the colossal effect that one’s actions and negligence can have on their neighbors downstream, and highlights the absolute necessity to be hyper vigilant about what we introduce to our waterways. The Tribune’s article details the upsetting story of a family who lives on - [Preferred Wastewater Systems for the Texas Hill Country Report](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/04/03/the-preferred-green-wastewater-systems-report/) - The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, in collaboration with the Save Barton Creek Association, the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) and Community Environmental Services, recently published a report that provides guidance on a variety of cost-effective wastewater solutions for the Texas Hill Country. “Water is a precious and limited - [HB 2771 Would Allow Oil & Gas to Dump Wastewater into our Rivers and Streams](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/04/02/hb-2771-would-allow-oil-gas-to-dump-their-wastewater-in-our-rivers-and-streams/) - The audacity of this proposed bill is going to astound you! JM Lozano filed a bill, HB 2771, that would allow the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to authorize the dumping of wastewater from oil and gas operations into our state’s streams, rivers, reservoirs, and bays. Any claims that oil and gas wastewater is - [For the Love of Water](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/04/03/the-power-of-water/) - By: Thom Woodruff - The World Poet WHEN THE CITY SQUEEZES ME TOO TIGHT I seek access to water as respite, Springs, wells, rivers, creeks, waterfalls All are medicinal in their ways of accessing space and slowing time and sharing their liquidity . Flow and depth are human facilities, too - and who can deny - [Possible Dangers of the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/02/27/possible-dangers-of-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - When a potential accident means death or the pollution of our drinking water, how infrequent accidents are becomes irrelevant. Pipeline Corporations such as Kinder Morgan should be required to choose less populous routes, (than the PHP's current route through the city of Kyle), that do not threaten large aquifers like ours which supply drinking water - [Permian Highway Pipeline: BREAKING NEWS](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/03/11/permian-highway-pipeline-breaking-news/) - BREAKING NEWS! At the Caldwell County Commissioners Court Meeting this morning Kinder Morgan Vice President Allen Fore made a concession saying that due to landowner environmental concerns, they will promise to incorporate language into their contracts that states that this pipeline will be for "natural gas only." This does not alleviate the Wimberley Valley Watershed - [“Save the Hill Country” Gathering at Vista Brewing Bonds Local Resistance to Pipeline Project](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/03/28/save-the-hill-country-gathering-at-vista-brewery-bonds-local-resistance-to-pipeline-project/) - The grounds of Karen and Kent Killough’s brewery is an embodiment of the Texas Hill Country. Picnic tables crowd up under gently sloped live oak groves where patrons can sip on beers brewed with water mined from directly underfoot. A wooden swing sways in the early evening breeze. Hummingbirds buzz around while music plays. It’s - [The New Looming Threat to Central Texas Endangered Salamanders and Our Water](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/03/17/the-new-looming-threat-to-central-texas-endangered-salamanders-and-our-water/) - Unbeknownst to many, The karstic Edwards–Trinity aquifer system of West Central Texas is one of the most species rich groundwater systems in the world. Groundwater dependent species are among the least known components of global biodiversity, as well as some of the most vulnerable because of rapid groundwater depletion at regional and global scales. The - [Permian Highway Pipeline Would Clear Cut Endangered Golden Cheek Warbler Habitat](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/03/18/permian-highway-pipeline-would-clear-cut-endangered-golden-cheek-warbler-habitat/) - With Spring starting to bloom the beautiful and iconic Golden Cheek Warblers are arriving in Texas to nest. Unlike other warbler species, this species’ breeding range is restricted to a band of 33 to 39 counties in central Texas. The Golden-cheeked Warbler breeds nowhere else in the world. Birders come to Central Texas from all - [Over 90 People Attend "Saving Family Lands" Workshop](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/03/17/over-90-people-attend-saving-family-lands-workshop/) - The “Saving Family Lands: Tools for Landowners in Comal County,” was a BIG success! The Comal County Conservation Alliance (CCCA) and the Hill Country Alliance co-hosted the workshop on February 15, 2019 at the Anhalt Dance Hall in Spring Branch, Texas. The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association was a co-sponsor. The one-day workshop, which highlighted financial - [New Report by the Texas Land Trust Council Highlights Over $1 Billion in Annual Economic Benefits of Conserved Lands to Flood Mitigation, Ag, Water Resources](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/03/08/new-report-by-the-texas-land-trust-council-highlights-over-1-billion-in-annual-economic-benefits-of-conserved-lands-to-flood-mitigation-ag-water-resources/) - The new study, produced by Siglo Group in partnership with the Texas Land Trust Council, quantifies the value of lands and conservation easements that have been conserved by or with assistance from the Texas land trust community. The study found that the lands put into conservation with the help of Texas land trusts are estimated - [SAN MARCOS CITY COUNCIL PASSES RESOLUTION; FORMALLY OPPOSES PIPELINE](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/03/07/san-marcos-city-council-passes-resolution-formally-opposes-pipeline/) - Opponents of Kinder Morgan’s planned Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP) project and supporters of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association celebrated the passing of a resolution by the San Marcos City Council that officially objects to the company’s intended route for the pipeline. Council members voted unanimously to support the resolution during the council meeting on Tuesday, - [Representative Erin Zwiener Files HB 2277 to Require Pipeline Corporations to do an Environmental Impact Study for Intrastate Projects](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/02/26/representative-erin-zwiener-files-hb-2277-to-require-pipeline-corporations-to-do-an-environmental-impact-study-for-intrastate-projects/) - On February 22nd Representative Erin Zwiener House Bill 2277 that would require corporations such as Kinder Morgan to do an Environmental Impact Assessment when building a pipeline within the state of Texas. Currently there is no such regulation and pipeline companies have very little they have to do before choosing a route. Please write your - [NEW REPORT SAYS STATE PARKS ARE A BOON TO TEXAS ECONOMY](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/02/08/new-report-says-state-parks-are-a-boon-to-texas-economy/) - Parks generated nearly $900 million in sales in 2018 AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation today released a new report about the strong and growing economic role state parks have on the Texas economy. The research showed the parks generated more than $891 million in sales activity, had a $240 million impact on the incomes of Texas residents, - [Representative Erin Zwiener Files Bill to Strengthen HTGCD and to Protect Groundwater in Hays County](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/02/06/representative-erin-zwiener-files-bill-to-strengthen-htgcd-and-to-protect-groundwater-in-hays-county/) - The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District’s (HTGCD) job is to protect the groundwater that you own beneath your property and all the groundwater resources, like Jacob’s Well, that play a vital role in Hays County’s economy. As a local groundwater conservation district with an elected board, HTGCD provides landowners in Hays County with representation and a voice. Unfortunately, since - [Texas Cities Turn to ASR as an Innovative Water Supply Strategy](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/01/22/texas-cities-turn-to-asr-as-an-innovative-water-supply-strategy/) - The fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA) has made it crystal clear how the challenges of climate change are impacting our aquifers across the country. Municipalities are turning to new technologies to meet water demands. For many entities, investing in Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) systems seems like a viable solution. ASR works like this: during times of plentiful water, - [Bulverde Meeting to Organize Opposition to Indian Creek Sewage Discharge Permit](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/01/21/bulverde-meeting-to-organize-opposition-to-indian-creek-sewage-discharge-permit/) - January 23, 2019 at 6:30PMGVTC Auditorium, 36101 Farm to Market 3159, New Braunfels, TX Strategy Meeting Regarding Indian Creek Ranch Wastewater Permit The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is calling a meeting to discuss strategies for fighting a local developer’s attempt to dump up to 300,000 gallons per day of treated sewage into Indian Creek, a - [Climate Change Could Be a Major Challenge for the Edwards Aquifer](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/01/22/climate-change-could-be-a-major-challenge-for-the-edwards-aquifer/) - Below are a couple excerpts from The National Climate Assessment's review of the Edwards Aquifer. This review was written to help inform decision-makers, utility and natural resource managers, public health officials, emergency planners, and other stakeholders by providing a thorough examination of the effects of climate change on the United States. As a shallow karst - [Hays County Commissioners Office Calls Public Meeting to Discuss the Permian Basin Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/2019/01/21/important-public-gathering-with-the-hays-county-commissioners-office-to-discuss-the-permian-basin-pipeline/) - Wimberley Community Center January 29th at 5:30 PMMeeting called by Hays County Precinct 3 Commissioner's Office The Kinder Morgan Permian Highway Pipeline is currently planned to come through the Hill Country and will directly impact 82 properties in Hays County. Along its route, the pipeline will cross rivers, creeks, karst aquifer recharge zones and critical - [New restaurant gets approval to build along Cypress Creek](https://watershedassociation.org/2018/11/26/new-restaurant-gets-approval-to-build-along-cypress-creek/) - Photo by Thomas Waymouth The article below has been shared from the Wimberley View. Dalton Sweat Editor KEVIN FOWLER Kevin Fowler’s proposal for a new restaurant facility along Cypress Creek was approved by the city of Wimberley’s Board of Adjustment after he made significant changes to the project to accommodate concerns voiced in the process. - [LCRA seeks permit for 25,000 acre-feet/yr of groundwater from Griffith Scout Ranch](https://watershedassociation.org/2018/09/17/lcra-seeks-permit-for-25000-acre-feet-yr-of-groundwater-from-griffith-scout-ranch/) - LCRA Griffith League Ranch Application (2018) Location of LCRA’s Proposed Wells on Griffith League Scout Ranch, Bastrop County, TX (click map for larger view) The map shows the location of the proposed well-field site in Bastrop County, TX. The well-field is approximately northeast of FM1441 and northwest of HWY 21 going northeast out of Bastrop. The - [SOAH Hearing for EP](https://watershedassociation.org/2018/09/10/soah-hearing-for-ep/) - EP requested that BSEACD refer all of the contested cases to SOAH. Under the law, as the applicant, they have the right to do this. This means that EP has to pay for the SOAH hearing, and they have deposited $70,000 with BSEACD to sign a contract with SOAH to conduct the hearing. Remember, the - [Three Additional Ranches Conserved with Travis County Bonds](https://watershedassociation.org/2018/08/01/three-additional-ranches-conserved-with-travis-county-bonds/) - Diverse Partners Protect Hamilton Pool Road Corridor (Dripping Springs, TX) – On Monday, July 30th, Travis County and the Puryear family celebrated the closing of a real estate deal on their 423-acre historic ranch. Unlike most real estate deals, however, this one allows them to stay on the land, where their family has lived for - [Bloomberg – Here's How America Uses Its Land](https://watershedassociation.org/2018/08/01/bloomberg-heres-how-america-uses-its-land/) - By Dave Merrill and Lauren Leatherby July 31, 2018 There are many statistical measures that show how productive the U.S. is. Its economy is the largest in the world and grew at a rate of 4.1 percent last quarter, its fastest pace since 2014. The unemployment rate is near the lowest mark in a half century. What can - [Water Crisis in the Making: Antiquated Texas Laws Meet a Hotter Climate](https://watershedassociation.org/2018/08/01/water-crisis-in-the-making-antiquated-texas-laws-meet-a-hotter-climate/) - By Seamus McGraw July 26, 2018 Even in the best of times, water in Texas has always been an ornery and mercurial resource. It falls from the sky in torrents in the sodden eastern counties along the Gulf of Mexico and falls sometimes not at all in the parched counties to the west where, in - [Hays County Master Naturalists Launch New Website](https://watershedassociation.org/2018/07/30/hays-county-master-naturalists-launch-new-website/) - A new website, Beautiful Hays County, is now available for Hays Country residents who want to find out more about the natural environment of the Texas hill country. It was created by The Hays County Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist™ program. “The site is a valuable source of information for everyone interested in nature, ## Pages - [Home](https://watershedassociation.org/) - [Land. Water. Connection. Educational Series](https://watershedassociation.org/educational-series/) - The Watershed Association is excited to bring our next educational series, [Land. Water. Connection] to our community as part of the Blanco Cypress Watershed Protection Plan (BCWPP). This collaborative effort with Meadows Center for Water & the Environment, Hays County, the City of Woodcreek, and the City of Wimberley plays a vital role in shaping - [Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/cypress-creek-watershed-protection-plan/) - What is the Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan? The Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan (CCWPP) is a collaborative approach involving the cities, county, civic organizations, and citizens of the Wimberley Valley in the conservation and preservation of Cypress Creek. The community-led and EPA accepted Watershed Protection Plan is an important tool used to help guide - [Newsletters](https://watershedassociation.org/news/newsletters/) - 2026 Newsletters August 11, 2026: Don't Miss a Drop! Your Watershed News: New Coalition Launches 'Say No to Aqua Texas' Campaign, LWC Fall Educational Series Release, and More! July, 21 2026: State of the Water Luncheon Recap, BCWPP Updates, TWDB's New Campaign, and Much More... June 18, 2026: Learn about critical groundwater studies, a recap - [Bacteria Sampling](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/bacteria-sampling/) - The Wimberley Water Advisory Group, a group of volunteers, has monitored both Cypress Creek and the Blanco River near Wimberley for E. Coli bacteria for decades. Long-time supporters of this data gathering effort, the Watershed Association is coordinating with Pete Anderson and the volunteers to expand the availability of this monthly data collected during the - [Contact Us](https://watershedassociation.org/contact-us/) - The Watershed Association is a non-profit organization located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, born out of a love for water. Founded in 1996, the Watershed Association works to protect water through land conservation, policy & advocacy, watershed protection & conservation science, and education and community engagement across the Hill Country. We welcome - [Rainmakers Business Alliance](https://wimberleywatershed.app.neoncrm.com/forms/rainmakers-business-alliance) - [Volunteer with us!](https://watershedassociation.org/volunteer/) - Join us for Volunteer Days on the first Friday of every month at Cypress Creek Nature Preserve from 8AM - 10AM. Most workdays focus on ongoing habitat restoration efforts, including removing invasive plants, girdling invasive trees, trimming invasives away from native vegetation, and planting native seeds. Please come prepared for a bit of adventure! We’ll - [Volunteer With Us](https://events.humanitix.com/volunteer-with-the-watershed-association) - [Volunteer](https://watershedassociation.org/volunteer-2/) - [First Friday Volunteer Days](https://events.humanitix.com/volunteer-with-the-watershed-association) - [Trash Free Gulf: Cypress Creek Watershed Clean Up](https://events.humanitix.com/trash-free-gulf-roadside-clean-up-in-wimberley) - [2025 Watershed Magazine](https://watershedassociation.org/2025-watershed-association-magazine/) - Welcome to the newest edition of our 2025 Watershed Magazine! In this issue, we’re celebrating the milestones of the past year and all the incredible progress we’ve made together. We hope you enjoy diving into this fresh publication and feel as inspired as we are for the journey ahead. 2025 Watershed Association Seasonal Report - [Jack Hollon Scholarship Fund](https://wimberleywatershed.app.neoncrm.com/forms/jack-hollon-scholarship-fund) - [Performers](https://watershedassociation.org/performers/) - [em_performers] - [Venues](https://watershedassociation.org/venues/) - [em_sites] - [Booking](https://watershedassociation.org/booking/) - [em_booking] - [User Profile](https://watershedassociation.org/user-profile/) - [em_profile] - [Event Types](https://watershedassociation.org/event-types/) - [em_event_types] - [Submit Event](https://watershedassociation.org/submit-event/) - [em_event_submit_form] - [Booking Details](https://watershedassociation.org/booking-details/) - [em_booking_details] - [Event Organizers](https://watershedassociation.org/event-organizers/) - [em_event_organizers] - [Login](https://watershedassociation.org/login/) - [em_login] - [Register](https://watershedassociation.org/register/) - [em_register] - [Something in the Water: Live Music Series](https://watershedassociation.org/something-in-the-water-live-music-series/) - Wimberley locals Skylar Wilson and Max Piotrzkowski, guided by their love for music and the land that raised them, created Something in the Water—a bi-monthly concert series at 7A Resort’s Opera House benefiting the Watershed Association and Art4Water. In Wimberley, art and water are inseparable. Like Jacob’s Well feeding the Blanco, this community springs - [Board of Directors](https://watershedassociation.org/about/board/) - The Watershed Association Board of Directors We are honored to have the following Board Members to help guide, lead, and inform our organization's mission. Parc Smith, President Scott Price, Treasurer Jason Pinchback, Secretary Dain Dunston Dorothy Knight Pokey Rehmet - [Something in the Water Live Music Series](https://watershedassociation.org/something-in-the-water-live-music-series-2/) - Meet Skylar Willson & Max Piotrzkowski: The Heart Behind Something in the Water Wimberley locals Skylar Wilson and Max Piotrzkowski, guided by their love for music and the land that raised them, created Something in the Water—a bi-monthly concert series at 7A Resort’s Opera House benefiting the Watershed Association and Art4Water.In Wimberley, art and water - [Our Team](https://watershedassociation.org/our-team/) - Meet the Team David Baker Founder and executive Director Ellen Evans Director of Operations Aliya Rosenbloom Director of Creative Strategy and Program Implementation Amber Smith Communications and Development Manager Shelly Buse Facilities Assistant Paul Stuffel Maintenance Manager Patrick Egan Community Engagement Coordinator and Land & Facilities Assistant Zane Porterfield Liston - [Project Bedrock](https://www.projectbedrocktx.org/) - [Our Team](https://watershedassociation.org/about/our-staff/) - David Baker Founder and Executive Director davidbaker@watershedassociation.org TEL: (512) 722-3390 / (512) 785-8950 Twitter: @lovejacobswell Founded WVWA: 1996 David Baker is an artist, conservationist, and environmental advocate equally at ease with a brush in his studio or envisioning an environmental canvas the size of the Texas Hill Country. Since moving his family to the - [Sponsor a Visionary Delegate](https://sponsorship.watershedassociation.org/) - [Emerging Visionary Incubator](https://visionaryincubator.watershedassociation.org/) - [Sponsorship Page - Incubator](https://watershedassociation.my.canva.site/sponsorship) - [2025 Environmental Visionary Incubator](https://watershedassociation.my.canva.site/) - The Watershed Association is Hosting a 5-Day Immersive Experience for Young Leaders - [Annual Reports](https://watershedassociation.org/about/annual-reports/) - Watershed Association 2024 Summer Program Update Watershed Association 2023 Summer Program Update Watershed Association 2022 Winter Program Update WVWA 2018 - 2019 ANNUAL REPORT WVWA 2017 ANNUAL REPORT - [Take Back Our Water](https://watershedassociation.org/take-back-our-water/) - We want to bring your attention to a critical issue affecting our beloved Jacob's Well and the Hays County community. Aqua Texas, the primary water provider for Hays County, has significantly over-pumped the Trinity Aquifer, the lifeblood of Jacob's Well, exceeding their allotted quota by double (89 Million Gallons) compared to last year. This over-pumping - [Impact Areas](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/) - The Watershed Association focuses on five impact areas to ensure a holistic approach to watershed protection throughout the Texas Hill Country. Watershed Protection & Conservation Science The Hill Country requires development approaches that deliver multifaceted benefits – preventing wastewater pollutants from contaminating local streams, accounting for water scarcity in our drought-prone region, and providing affordable - [Education & Outreach](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/education-and-outreach/) - Education is central to our mission and is a fundamental element of all our goals and objectives across our impact areas. The Watershed Association collaborates with partner organizations and volunteer groups, including: Friends of Jacob's Well Jacob's Well Interpretive Guides Restoration Rangers Hays County Master Naturalists Hays County Parks Department Texas State University UT School - [Donate](https://wimberleywatershed.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate) - [Buy Art, Save Water](https://0f7a29-2.myshopify.com/) - [Jacob's Well Natural Area](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/landconservation/jacobs-well-natural-area/) - Jacob’s Well Natural Area Protecting the 96 acres of land surrounding Jacob’s Well with conservation easements designed to restore and protect the conservation values of the land in perpetuity means more than just saving the spring. By transferring the Jacob’s Well Natural Area to Hays County, we have created new opportunities for public recreational access - [Art4Water: Artist Bios](https://watershedassociation.org/art4water-artist-bios/) - In an effort to raise awareness of the vital connection of water to life, Art4Water partnered with Terry Zee Lee--a national facilitator of kite exhibitions, the Austin Public Library, Library Foundation, and over 30 artists to launch The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition. The exhibition features the work of 47 local, national, and international artists and - [Aqua Texas Rate Increase Proposal Faces Pushback](https://watershedassociation.org/aqua-texas-rate-increase-proposal-faces-pushback/) - Aqua Texas Rate Increase Proposal Faces Pushback WOODCREEK, Texas, November 21, 2023 - Aqua Texas, Inc. has filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to increase water and wastewater rates for customers in its Southwest service area. This comes on the heels of another recent rate hike which was approved but - [Membership](https://watershedassociation.org/membership/) - Support the Watershed Association More info about Donors More info about the Rainmakers Club More info about Business Partners Your contribution fuels our mission and makes our critical on-the-ground work possible. Join to support our initiatives for Land Conservation & Stewardship, Watershed Protection & Scientific Research, One Water Regenerative Land Planning, and Development of Regional - [Art4Water](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/art4water/) - Art4Water, a program of the Watershed Association, is an initiative that advocates for environmental protection through the lens of art. Video made by Stellar Video, LLC. Art4Water turns to our community’s artists as facilitators of a deeper connection to nature through the medium of visual expression. Traditionally, artists have served humanity as storytellers and - [Take Back Our Water](https://watershedassociation.org/take-back-our-water-2/) - News - [Shopify](https://0f7a29-2.myshopify.com/) - [Sacred Springs Media](https://www.battlefortheheartoftexas.com/) - [Cypress Creek Nature Preserve](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/landconservation/cypress-creek-nature-preserve/) - In 2002, The City of Wimberley acquired The Cypress Creek Nature Preserve—7.24 acres of land along Cypress Creek stretching from just east of Wimberley Square to the southwestern edge of Blue Hole Regional Park. Termed a remnant property, the land has never been farmed or developed, so it offers visitors the opportunity to experience a - [Coleman's Canyon Preserve](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/landconservation/colemans-canyon-preserve/) - The Watershed Association purchased Coleman’s Canyon in 2019 from a developer planning to build 1600 high-density residential lots within the critical recharge zone of Jacob’s Well. Today, The Watershed Association's Coleman's Canyon Preserve is a land conservation and restoration project contiguous to Jacob's Well Natural Area and proposed to be transferred to the County through - [The Bluffs](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/landconservation/the-bluffs/) - Located on Cypress Creek just north of Wimberley on Ranch Road 12, this riparian tract includes land above and below the limestone bluffs for which the property was named. The Watershed purchased the land to stop a large condominium development that would have introduced a large amount of impervious cover directly above the creek. It - [Land Conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/landconservation/) - The Watershed Associations' land conservation program is a combination of science, policy, and education. To further land and water conservation, the Watershed Association acts as a regional land trust serving Hays County and is a proud member of the Texas Land Trust Council. From our inception, the Watershed Association worked to reassemble land that had - [Our Partners](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/environmental-planning-policy-advocacy/our-partners/) - Citizen's Alliance for Responsible Development - CARD is a volunteer, non-partisan organization working with citizens and officials for development that enhances the traditional character of the Hill Country. They believe preserving our open spaces, flowing water, clean air, and starry skies is good for our economy and our rural lifestyle. Clean Water Action - - [Environmental Planning, Policy, Advocacy](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/environmental-planning-policy-advocacy/) - The Watershed Association has focused for years on defending the sustained spring flows from the Trinity Aquifer to Jacob’s Well and Cypress Creek. In addition to responding to local and regional environmental threats, The Watershed Association is concentrating our current protection efforts on promoting sustainable groundwater management policy and low-impact development strategies in the critical - [Living with Karst](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/education-and-outreach/karst/) - Karst The term 'Karst' usually refers to either features or terrain formed by dissolution. Think holes. Water erodes soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum creating features like caves, sinkholes, and springs. Karst landscapes are characterized by underground drainage systems where surface water and groundwater systems are linked. A quarter of the world's population - [Water Monitoring](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/water-monitoring/) - There are several key players when it comes to water monitoring in the Hill Country. Each agency publishes data through different platforms and reports. This page compiles useful references that can help get a more comprehensive view of water resources in the Hill Country. Rainfall Spring flow Streamflow Groundwater Interactive Maps What Does Recharge Look - [Jacob's Well Community Garden](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/education-and-outreach/jacobs-well-community-garden/) - The Jacob's Well Community Garden is located on The Watershed Association's property on Logans Run in Woodcreek North. The former condo tennis court provides an affordable way for local gardeners to grow healthy, organic produce while giving back to the community at large. The space features 30 garden beds, 3 of which are devoted to - [Home Owner Resources](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/education-and-outreach/home-owner-resources/) - Groundwater Wells Well owners are independently responsible for monitoring and maintaining their wells. There are many agencies and resources available to help. From well-servicers to local groundwater conservation districts and national agencies, here is a list of useful links. Water well drillers and pump installers list: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has a searchable - [Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/art4water/sacred-springs-kite-exhibition/) - The Art4Water Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition at the Austin Central Library is a MUST-SEE exhibit for at least two reasons. First, the Watershed’s Art4Water team guided by the vision and leadership of Terry Zee Lee and Ryan Willett have collaborated with 47 incredible artists and kitemakers, for the last year to create the first exhibit - [About the Sacred Springs](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/art4water/about-the-sacred-springs/) - Water is life—especially in Texas. Native Americans, explorers, settlers, and tourists have been attracted to Texas' springs for thousands of years. Springs give rise to beautiful rivers, they reflect the health of our most important aquifers, and they are the center of our communities, providing a vital connection to nature and strengthening local economies. There - [About Us](https://watershedassociation.org/about/) - The Watershed Association is a non-profit organization located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, born out of a love for water. The Watershed Association has been working since 1996 to keep Jacob's Well, the headwaters of Cypress Creek, clean, clear, and flowing for generations to come. The Watershed Association's mission is to ensure - [Our Story](https://watershedassociation.org/about/our-story/) - Jacob’s Well is a unique artesian spring that provides millions of gallons of fresh water to Cypress Creek that runs through the center of the historic square in Wimberley Texas, the City of Woodcreek, and the famous Blue Hole swimming area. The Well is the second-longest underwater cave in Texas and a one-of-a-kind geologic wonder. - [One Water](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/environmental-planning-policy-advocacy/one-water/) - One Water is defined by the Water Research Foundation (WRF) as an integrated planning and implementation approach to managing finite water resources for long-term resilience and reliability, meeting both community and ecosystem needs. It is the emerging term in the United States for what is commonly known as integrated urban water management. Given Central Texas' - [contact](https://watershedassociation.org/contact/) - [Protect Our Blanco - Blanco Water Reclamation Task Force](https://watershedassociation.org/current-issues/blancowater/) - On March 8, 2022, the Blanco City Council voted to approve the Task Force recommendations and direct staff to negotiate a new TLAP permit with phased adoption of no discharge, with reference to the Protect Our Blanco sample guidelines. (See Blanco City Council Minutes, March 8, 2022, New Business Item #5) Blanco Water Reclamation Task - [Pristine Streams Protections](https://watershedassociation.org/current-issues/pristine-streams-protections/) - Thousands of stakeholders across Texas recognize that our pristine streams need special protection from wastewater discharge. An initiative that originally started as an effort to pass a Pristine Streams bill in the Texas Legislature has now become a collaborative effort with TCEQ to refine current TCEQ rules to better protect Texas' few remaining pristine streams. - [Our Mission](https://watershedassociation.org/about/our-mission/) - Making Impacts that Benefit the Community The Watershed Association's vision is for a future with clean, plentiful water flowing from Jacob's Well into Cypress Creek, a healthy ecosystem essential to the culture and economy of the Wimberley Valley. Over the past two decades, our broader mission has emerged to include fostering community awareness of the - [Water Protectors Fund](https://watershedassociation.org/current-issues/water-protectors-fund/) - TESPA and WVWA launch the Water Protectors Fund We know new water challenges are coming. The threat of Electro Purification has not gone away. Needmore is a sleeping giant. There are big threats to our Hill Country land and water just around the corner—marching toward us as a steady stream of population growth and economic - [Jacobs Well GMZ](https://watershedassociation.org/current-issues/jacobs-well-gmz/) - A big win for the Cypress Creek Protection Plan, groundwater users, and fans of Cypress Creek and the Blanco River: On March 5, 2020, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors passed Rule 15, creating the Jacob’s Well Groundwater Management Zone. The WVWA has long supported tools such as this one to better - [Rebecca Springs](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/landconservation/rebecca-springs/) - Purportedly named after Jacob de Cordoba’s wife, Rebecca Spring and surrounding land was acquired by WVWA to protect it from similar threats to the famous spring named after the land agent himself, Jacob’s Well. A public supply well on this tract of land directly impacted spring flow. With strong community support, WVWA purchased the land - [Texas Hill Country Conservation Network](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/thccn/) - In order to promote resilience in the eighteen-county region, the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network (THCCN), a group of more than 150 NGOs, businesses, universities, and government agencies are collaborating to scale up the impact of conservation focused initiatives to protect the natural resources and rural heritage and quality of life in the Texas Hill - [STOP the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/current-issues/permian-highway-pipeline/) - Save the Hill Country Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline project is currently planned to cross through the Texas Hill Country and will directly impact hundreds of properties in Central Texas. This pipeline will be transporting 2.1 billion cubic feet of fracked gas on a daily basis! Along the route, the pipeline will cross rivers, creeks, - [Electro Purification](https://watershedassociation.org/current-issues/electro-purification/) - In July of 2017, Electro Purification, LLC (EP) applied for a groundwater production permit at the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) for a Middle Trinity Aquifer well field in Hays County - the same well field that previously, had been unregulated. For background info click here. The permit application indicates that pumping rates will - [Watershed Protection & Conservation Science](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/) - The Texas Hill Country is blessed with incredible charm and aesthetic appeal; Its natural environment including creeks, rivers, and springs are a central draw. Many Hill Country residents rely on wells for their drinking water and livelihoods. Creeks and springs serve as important recreational hubs and help sustain wildlife and livestock. Water in the Hill - [Needmore Ranch](https://watershedassociation.org/current-issues/needmore-ranch/) - Needmore Ranch, a pristine, 5,000 acre ranch along the Blanco River outside Wimberley, Texas, has applied for a massive groundwater production permit with the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD). TESPA is fighting this proposed permit. - [No Dumping Sewage](https://watershedassociation.org/current-issues/nodumpingsewage/) - WVWA teamed up with Save Barton Creek Association, Clean Water Action, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, Save Our Springs Alliance, and Protect Our Water to advocate for a legislative ban on sewage discharge permits within the hydrological contributing zone of the Edwards Aquifer. Such a ban would also help protect the interconnected Trinity Aquifer. Although the - [Move the Pipeline - Save the Water](https://watershedassociation.org/current-issues/permian-highway-pipeline/move-the-pipeline-save-the-water/) - Move The Pipeline — Save The Water (MTPSTW) is a coalition backed by organizations and individuals who share a common belief: Kinder Morgan’s current route for the Permian Highway Pipeline is bad for Texas because it threatens the drinking water for millions of Texans. MTPSTW has come together because Kinder Morgan can and should do better! - [Current Issues](https://watershedassociation.org/current-issues/) - The Hill Country is facing a wide variety of critical topics from unrestricted development, over-pumping of the aquifer, and drought. Each challenge is an opportunity for our community to come together and work towards a more sustainable future for our region. Check here to stay informed. No Dumping Sewage Electro Purification Protect Our Blanco - [Regional Conservation Fund](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/landconservation/regional-conservation-fund/) - The Regional Conservation Fund is a project proposed by the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association to the Hays County Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Commission. The project proposes a fund with $20 million to permanently protect priority parcels of 20 acres or more in the Jacob’s Well Groundwater Management Zone and the Regional Recharge Study Area. - [Permian Highway Pipeline archive](https://watershedassociation.org/pipeline-archive/) - DONATE TO THE HILL COUNTRY LEGAL DEFENSE FUND Local businesses, non-profits, landowners, and residents are deeply concerned about the pipeline’s potential negative impact to our tourism economy, our drinking water, our sensitive ecosystem, our treasured endangered species and property values. Texas state law is currently very generous to Kinder Morgan, giving them the power to - [Contacts for Elected Officials 2019](https://watershedassociation.org/contacts-for-elected-officials-2019/) - Texas Governor Greg AbbottOffice of the GovernorP.O. Box 12428Austin, TX 78711-2428 Texas Lt. Governor Dan PatrickOffice of the Lieutenant GovernorP.O. Box 12068Austin, TX 78711 US Senator Ted Cruz 9901 IH -10W, Suite 950San Antonio, TX 78230 US Senator John Cornyn600 Navarro, Suite 210San Antonio, TX 78205 US Representative Chip Roy125 Lehmann Dr., Suite 201Kerrville, TX 78028State - [Official Resolutions Opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline Route](https://watershedassociation.org/official-resolutions-opposing-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - Below are the cities, counties & districts that have passed resolutions expressing concerns or opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline Route. Counties Hays County Resolution | Gillespie County Resolution Cities Kyle | San Marcos | Buda | Wimberley | Woodcreek | Fredricksburg Conservation Districts Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Groundwater Conservation District - [Remembering The Flood](https://watershedassociation.org/a-reminder-about-the-likelihood-of-tragic-flood/) - Memorial Day Weekend 2015, a massive flood devastated Wimberley and changed the lived of many of it's inhabitants forever. In remembrance of this epic water event and the people who came together to help each other rebuild - We would like to start by sharing this moving video made by Kara Lael Buse which artistically - [Cypress Fairway Village POA Resolution Opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/cypress-fairway-village-poa-resolution-opposing-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - Cypress Fairway Village POA Resolution PDFDownload - [Fredricksburg Independent School District Resolution Opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/fredricksburg-independent-school-district-resolution-opposing-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - Fredricksburg ISD Resolution PDFDownload - [The Jacob's Well Restoration Rangers Work Hard to Keep Our Natural Area Beautiful](https://watershedassociation.org/the-jacobs-well-restoration-rangers-work-hard-to-keep-our-natural-area-beautiful/) - The May work day for the Jacob's Well Restoration Rangers went great. The weather cooperated with clouds and breezes and a lot got done. Irene Bonde and Sue Hardin weeded the gardens around the Nature Center. Art Crowe, Brutus and Tom Housler, Jim Miller, Richard Lindley and Jay Taylor spread decomposed granite to wash outs - [Businesses Against the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/businesses-against-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - [City of Fredricksburg Resolution Opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/city-of-fredricksburg-resolution-opposing-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - City of Fredricksburg Resolution Opposing Kinder Morgan Permian Highway PipelineDownload - [Gillespie County Economic Development Commission Resolution Opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/gillespie-county-economic-development-commission-resolution-opposing-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - EDC Pipeline ResolutionDownload - [Fredricksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau](https://watershedassociation.org/fredricksburg-convention-visitors-bureau/) - FCVB Board Resolution Opposing PHP Download - [Harper Independent School District Resolution Opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/harper-independent-school-district-resolution-opposing-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - HISD Resolution Opposing Permian Highway PipelineDownload - [Pipeline Legislation Toolkit](https://watershedassociation.org/pipeline-legislation-toolkit/) - 3 Action Items To Take for Every Bill 1) Call and Email Committee Members, urging them to support/oppose these bills, (They are separated into 2 sections: ones we support and ones we oppose). Each bill has the contact information for all the committee members at the bottom with a sample comment template. 2) Attend the hearing and - [HB 4001 Toolkit](https://watershedassociation.org/hb-4001-toolkit/) - On Wednesday April 17th, the House State Affairs Committee will hear HB 4001, (Nevarez), a critical bill that would establish a pipeline routing process for the first time in Texas. If passed, this law would require the same analysis and public input that power line routes currently undergo. As you well know, there is currently - [Clean Rivers Program](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/watershedprotection/clean-rivers-program/) - WVWA has been collecting quality assured water quality data since 2003 and is the only nonprofit organization in the state of Texas to do so. This data is used to assess whether surface water in the Blanco River and Cypress Creek is meeting Federal Clean Water Act standards. WVWA will continue to participate in the - [Your 2019 Representatives By District](https://watershedassociation.org/your-2019-representatives-by-district/) - U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBER, Based on Your District: Rep. John Carter, TX-31, 2110 Rayburn HOB, Washington DC, 20515 Rep. Lloyd Doggett, TX-35, 2307 Rayburn HOB, Washington DC, 20515 Rep. Bill Flores, TX-17, 2440 Rayburn HOB, Washington DC, 20515 Rep. Michael McCaul, TX-10, 2001 Rayburn HOB, Washington DC, 20515 Rep. Chip Roy, TX-21, 1319 Longworth - [SB 1993 and HB 3557](https://watershedassociation.org/sb-1993/) - SB 1993 (Birdwell) and HB 3557(Paddie)would create substantial criminal and civil liability for individuals and organizations for conduct around critical infrastructure, and as such is likely to chill anti-infrastructure demonstrations and protests. Comprehensive Description, Email Scripts, Sample Posts and More Talking Points These bills are unnecessary. This legislation was drafted by the most powerful corporations - [Rolling Oaks Club and Park Resolution Opposing th Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/rolling-oaks-club-and-park-resolution-opposing-th-permian-highway-pipeline/) - [HB 3479](https://watershedassociation.org/hb-3479/) - HB 3479 (Rosenthal) Relating to cleanliness standards for pipelines crossing karst topographic areas. Call Template Karst topography is very sensitive to any toxins because of it's permeable nature and lack of topsoil. Please pass 3479 and help protect these regions of Texas that are invaluable to the water quality of Central Texas. Energy Resources Committee - [SB 2276](https://watershedassociation.org/sb-2276/) - SB 2276 (Sen. Buckingham) Relating to the issuance of a permit by the Railroad Commission of Texas for the routing of certain oil or gas pipelines; establishing a fee. Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development Senator Brian Birdwell CHAIR | Austin Office: (512) 463-0122 | Home District Office: (254) 772-6225 Senator Judith Zaffirini - [HB 3327 Toolkit](https://watershedassociation.org/hb-3327-toolkit/) - HB 3327 (Zwiener) | Relating to the acquisition of real property for a proposed oil and gas pipeline through eminent domain by a common carrier. Filed 3/6/2019; Referred to Land & Resource Management Committee Code: Amends Chapter 21 of the Texas Property Code by adding Subchapter B-1. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES FOR ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY BY COMMON - [Hays County Resolution Opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/hays-county-resolution-opposing-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - A RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO THE ROUTING OF THE PROPOSED PERMIAN HIGHWAY PIPELINE THROUGH HAYS COUNTY AND REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ACTION FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE WHEREAS, Kinder Morgan and Exxon Mobil in partnership with EagleClaw Midstream Ventures ("Private Partnership") have begun the process of routing a 42-inch buried natural gas pipeline, known as the Permian Highway - [HB 3324 Toolkit](https://watershedassociation.org/hb-3324-toolkit/) - HB 3324 (Zwiener) Relating to groundwater impact contingency planning by pipeline operators Call Template Many Texans get their drinking water from complex interconnected groundwater systems such as karst aquifers. It is imperative that companies transporting toxic hydrocarbons have a contingency plan to mitigate equipment or operator failure. We must protect our groundwater. Please vote YES - [SB 2229 Toolkit](https://watershedassociation.org/sb-2229-toolkit/) - SB 2229 would revise the law on criminal trespass and criminal mischief in Texas such that individuals and organizations involved in protests on infrastructure sites could be subject to harsh new penalties. Find Out More About SB 2229 Talking Points This bills is unnecessary. This legislation was drafted by the most powerful corporations in the - [SB 2229 INFO](https://watershedassociation.org/sb-2229-toolkit/sb-2229-info/) - As an initial matter, Section 4 of the bill would expand the current definition of “critical infrastructure” under Texas law to include not only facilities that are “completely enclosed by a fence or other physical barrier” (true under existing law) but also property that is “clearly marked by a sign or signs that are posted - [HB 2771 Opposition Toolkit](https://watershedassociation.org/hb-2771-opposition-toolkit/) - HB 2771: Relating to the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue permits for the discharge into water of this state of produced water, hydrostatic test water, and gas plant effluent resulting from certain oil and gas activities. Find Out More About This Bill Call Template Please do not allow the TCEQ - [HB 2920 Toolkit](https://watershedassociation.org/hb-2920-toolkit/) - HB 2920(Turner) will require the Texas Railroad Commission to hold a local hearing and consider the public comments before permitting an oil and gas well within 1500' of a school or daycare. The compendium of fracking harm is here https://concernedhealthny.org/compendium Call Template I believe placing this kind of infrastructure next to our schools comes with - [HB 2277 Toolkit](https://watershedassociation.org/hb-2277-toolkit/) - HB 2277 Zwiener | Would require corporations to do an Environmental Impact Study for the construction of an intrastate natural gas pipelines. Referred to House Energy Resources Committee 3/6/2019: Talking Points Texas Environmental Heritage is very important to me. Please make sure these for profit corporations have to do environmental impact studies for intrastate lines - [SB 1993 and HB 3557 Comprehensive Toolkit](https://watershedassociation.org/sb-1993/sb-1993-comprehensive-toolkit/) - Contents StatusTalking pointsSample action alertCall scriptList of committee members & contact infoMemesLegal analysis Status: Currently referred to Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development Committee.SB1993 & HB3557 are now identical. The bill text for HB3557 on the TX Lege site is not the correct bill language a sub has been approved and the link is below. - [SB 421 Toolkit](https://watershedassociation.org/sb-421-toolkit/) - Stay tuned to see which committee in the House of Representatives this bill is referred to and be ready to call the members of that committee in support of this bill, (See our suggested comments at the bottom of the page). Below is a comprehensive update on where SB 421 stands. Senator Lois Kolkhorst’s comments - [Concerns about HB 2771 From Sierra Club Conservation Director for the Lone Star Chapter, Cyrus Reed](https://watershedassociation.org/concerns-about-hb-2771-from-sierra-club-conservation-director-for-the-lone-star-chapter-cyrus-reed/) - [Woodcreek Resolution Opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/woodcreek-resolution-opposing-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WOODCREEK, TEXAS OPPOSING THE ROUTING OF THE PROPOSED PERMIAN HIGHWAY PIPELINE THROUGH THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY AND REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ACTION FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE WHEREAS, Exxon Mobil and Kinder Morgan in partnership with EagleClaw Midstream (“Private Partnership”) have begun the process of routing a 42-inch buried natural gas pipeline, known - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Resolution Opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district-resolution-opposing-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - RESOLUTION NO. 20190327 § § § A RESOLUTION OF THE HAYS TRINITY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT CONCERNING THE KINDER MORGAN PERMIAN PIPELINE Whereas, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (“HTGCD”) is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, created in Chapter 8843, Special District Local Laws Code, and Whereas, HTGCD has as its purpose the - [Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Resolution Opposing the Kinder Morgan Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/barton-springs-edwards-aquifer-conservation-district-resolution-opposing-the-kinder-morgan-permian-highway-pipeline/) - [San Marcos City Council Resolution Opposing the Routing of the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/san-marcos-city-council-resolution-opposing-the-routing-of-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - 2/28/2019 RESOLUTION NO. 2019- R A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS OPPOSING THE ROUTING OF THE PROPOSED PERMIAN HIGHWAY PIPELINE THROUGH HAYS COUNTY; REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ACTION FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, Kinder Morgan and Exxon Mobil in partnership with EagleClaw Midstream Ventures (“Private - [Volunteer Opportunities](https://watershedassociation.org/volunteer-opportunities/) - Many of the volunteer programs that help maintain and restore conserved public lands are led by the Hays County Master Naturalists. Interested in becoming one? Find out more here. The Jacob's Well Restoration Rangers... description & contact info. Jacob's Well Interpretive Guides...description & contact info ## Soliloquy Sliders - [News Slider](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/art4water/) - [Art4Water Presents: The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition Moves to San Macros](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/art4water/) - [Art4Water Presents: The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition Moves to San Marcos](https://watershedassociation.org/impactareas/art4water/) - [Art4Water](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=10147) - [Austin Central Library](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=9013) - [Sacred Springs Artists](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=8989) - [JacobsWell](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=8183) - [Colemans Canyon Multiport Monitor Well](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=8791) - [2021 Accomplishments](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=8368) - [One Water School](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=5492) - [Coleman's Canyon](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=7246) - [Karst Campaign](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=7737) - [Karst Waters](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=7586) - [Front Slider](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=177) - [KarstTour](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=7472) - [Rebecca Springs](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=7217) - [2020 Accomplishments](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=6638) - [Nature Preserve Slider](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=2666) - [Malcolm Harris interview](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=5641) - [JWCG](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=2935) - [Shop Slider](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=642) - [Featured Post Slider](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=322) - [Video Background](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=287) - [Front Page One Slider](https://watershedassociation.org/?post_type=soliloquy&p=239) ## Venues - [Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/sul-ross-state-university-alpine-tx/) - [630 E Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/630-e-hopkins-st-san-marcos-tx-78666-usa/) - [Comfort Park Pavilion](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/comfort-park-pavilion/) - [Wimberley City Hall](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/wimberley-city-hall/) - [Villa at the Vineyard](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/villa-at-the-vineyard/) - [Zoom](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/zoom/) - [204 Main St, Martindale TX 78655](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/204-main-st-martindale-tx-78655/) - [Barnabas Connection](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/barnabas-connection/) - [The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/the-meadows-center-for-water-and-the-environment/) - [Texas State University, Comal Building, Room 102](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/texas-state-university-comal-building-room-102/) - [San Marcos Public Library](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/san-marcos-public-library/) - [Hays County Precinct 3 Building](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/hays-county-precinct-3-building/) - [Twin Sisters Dancehall](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/twin-sisters-dancehall/) - [TreeGarden](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/treegarden/) - [Texas Commission on Environmental Quality](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/texas-commission-on-environmental-quality/) - [Nomadic Beerworks](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/nomadic-beerworks/) - [GBRA River Annex](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/gbra-river-annex/) - [Landa Haus, 360 Aquatic Circle, Landa Park, New Braunfels, TX](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/landa-haus-360-aquatic-circle-landa-park-new-braunfels-tx/) - [Beerburg](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/beerburg/) - [Waters Point Retreat](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/waters-point-retreat/) - [Schreiner University: Cailloux Campus Activity Center Ballroom](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/schreiner-university-cailloux-campus-activity-center-ballroom/) - [Austin Central Library](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/austin-central-library/) - [Fischer Dance Hall](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/fischer-dance-hall/) - [Austin, Tx](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/austin-tx/) - [City of Blanco Byars Building](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/city-of-blanco-byars-building/) - [Wimberley City Chambers](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/wimberley-city-chambers/) - [Hays County Court House](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/hays-county-court-house/) - [Montesino Ranch](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/montesino-ranch/) - [Coleman's Canyon Preserve](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/colemans-canyon-preserve/) - [Wimberley Village Library](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/wimberley-library/) - [Camp Young Judea](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/camp-young-judea/) - [City of Austin Water Quality Protection Land](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/city-of-austin-water-quality-protection-land/) - [Jacob's Well Natural Area](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/jacobs-well-natural-area/) - [Online](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/online/) - [Upper Guadalupe River Authority auditorium, 125 Lehman Drive Ste 100, Kerrville, TX.](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/upper-guadalupe-river-authority-auditorium-125-lehman-drive-ste-100-kerrville-tx/) - [Westin Riverwalk](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/westin-riverwalk/) - [Herff Farm](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/herff-farm/) - [Anywhere You Are!](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/anywhere-you-are/) - [Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/ladybird-johnson-wildflower-center/) - [ABOR Member Event Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/abor-member-event-center/) - [Oddwood Ales](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/oddwood-ales/) - [San Marcos Activity Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/san-marcos-activity-center/) - [Arnosky Family Farm](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/arnosky-family-farm/) - [Gem of the Hills](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/gem-of-the-hills/) - [JW Marriot](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/jw-marriot/) - [jester king brewery](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/jester-king-brewery/) - [black star coop](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/black-star-coop/) - [Craft Pride](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/craft-pride/) - [HCISD Performing Arts Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/hcisd-performing-arts-center/) - [Aquabrew](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/aquabrew/) - [Gruene Grove](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/gruene-grove/) - [Cave Without A Name](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/cave-without-a-name/) - [Sunset Canyon Baptist Church](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/sunset-canyon-baptist-church/) - [](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/4687/) - [one texas center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/one-texas-center/) - [Bulverde Elementary School](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/bulverde-elementary-school/) - [buda city hall](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/buda-city-hall/) - [Star Cinema Grill](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/star-cinema-grill/) - [moody theatre](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/moody-theatre/) - [UT Thompson Conference Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/ut-thompson-conference-center/) - [Slaughter Trailhead](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/slaughter-trailhead/) - [Real Ale Brewing](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/real-ale-brewing/) - [Spicewood Ranch](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/spicewood-ranch/) - [The King Evangelical Lutheran Church](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/the-king-evangelical-lutheran-church/) - [Galveston Island Convention Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/galveston-island-convention-center/) - [AFS Cinema](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/afs-cinema/) - [Huston-Tillotson University](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/huston-tillotson-university/) - [Jacobs Well Community Garden](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/jacobs-well-community-garden/) - [Vista Brewery](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/vista-brewery/) - [San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/san-marcos-unitarian-universalist-fellowship/) - [The Shady Llama](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/the-shady-llama/) - [Mochas & Javas](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/mochas-javas/) - [Grapevine Convention Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/grapevine-convention-center/) - [Wimberley Lion's Club](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/wimberley-lions-club/) - [Gillespie Co. Farm Bureau](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/gillespie-co-farm-bureau/) - [Gillespie Co. Fairgrounds (Exhibit Hall)](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/gillespie-co-fairgrounds-exhibit-hall/) - [Old Blanco County Courthouse](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/old-blanco-county-courthouse/) - [Wallace Middle School](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/wallace-middle-school/) - [Dripping Springs Ranch Park](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/dripping-springs-ranch-park/) - [United Way Community Resource Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/united-way-community-resource-center/) - [San Marcos](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/san-marcos/) - [Anhalt Dance Hall](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/anhalt-dance-hall/) - [Omni Hotel on Corpus Christi Bay](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/omni-hotel-on-corpus-christi-bay/) - [Mckenna Event Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/mckenna-event-center/) - [The Golf Club of Texas at Concan](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/the-golf-club-of-texas-at-concan/) - [Old 300 BBQ](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/old-300-bbq/) - [AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/att-executive-education-conference-center/) - [Canyon View Event Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/canyon-view-event-center/) - [Student Activity Center (SAC) - UT Campus](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/student-activity-center-sac-ut-campus/) - [Blue Hole Regional Park](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/blue-hole-regional-park/) - [Texas State University: Student Center - LBJ Teaching Theater](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/texas-state-university-student-center-lbj-teaching-theater/) - [Community Gardens](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/community-gardens/) - [Lion's Field Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/lions-field-center/) - [Camp Lucy](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/camp-lucy/) - [Veramendi Plaza Park](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/veramendi-plaza-park/) - [Bently Station](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/bently-station/) - [Barton Springs Pool](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/barton-springs-pool/) - [Mission Branch Library](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/mission-branch-library/) - [Bracken Cave](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/bracken-cave/) - [Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/cibolo-nature-center-auditorium/) - [Wimberley Community Center](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/wimberley-community-center/) - [Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/hyatt-regency-hill-country-resort/) - [Texas Capitol, Texas Senate - Betty King Room](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/texas-capitol-texas-senate-betty-king-room/) - [The Beanery](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/the-beanery/) - [New Brookland Tavern](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/new-brookland-tavern/) - [The Corn Palace](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/the-corn-palace/) - [Party Haus](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/party-haus/) - [San Diego Zoo](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/san-diego-zoo/) - [Doug Fir Lounge](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/doug-fir-lounge/) - [Krispy Kreme](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/krispy-kreme/) - [Bamboo Fresh](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/bamboo-fresh/) - [Winchester Mystery House](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/winchester-mystery-house/) - [Musee D’Orsay](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/musee-dorsay/) - [Cambridge University Library](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/cambridge-university-library/) - [Art Institute of Chicago](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/art-institute-of-chicago/) - [Kaboko](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/kaboko/) - [Maisha](https://watershedassociation.org/venue/maisha/) ## Organizers - [US EPA Environmental Justice](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/us-epa-environmental-justice/) - [Texas State University](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-state-university/) - [GBRA](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/gbra/) - [Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/cow-creek-groundwater-conservation-district/) - [Keep Wimberley Beautiful](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/keep-wimberley-beautiful/) - [Wimberley Valley Art League](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/wimberley-valley-art-league/) - [Austin Central Library](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/austin-central-library/) - [Blanco River Songwriters](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/blanco-river-songwriters/) - [Texas Land Trust Council](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-land-trust-council/) - [City of Wimberley](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/city-of-wimberley/) - [Texan By Nature](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texan-by-nature/) - [Sky Wind World](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/sky-wind-world/) - [Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/comal-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district/) - [National Cave and Karst Management Symposium](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/national-cave-and-karst-management-symposium/) - [Natural Bridge Caverns](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/natural-bridge-caverns/) - [Environmental Defense Fund](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/environmental-defense-fund/) - [Pipeline Safety Trust](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/pipeline-safety-trust/) - [Texas Water Journal](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-water-journal/) - [Greater San Marcos Partnership](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/greater-san-marcos-partnership/) - [Wimberley Valley Trails Project](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/wimberley-valley-trails-project/) - [City of Woodcreek](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/city-of-woodcreek/) - [Hays County](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/hays-county/) - [Balcones Canyonlands Preserve](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/balcones-canyonlands-preserve/) - [Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-alliance-of-groundwater-districts/) - [Austin Water Wildland Conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/austin-water-wildland-conservation/) - [Texas PACE Authority](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-pace-authority/) - [Hays County Master Naturalists](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/hays-county-master-naturalists/) - [Hays County Parks Dept.](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/hays-county-parks-dept/) - [Environment Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/environment-texas/) - [Wimberley Parks and Recreation Dept.](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/wimberley-parks-and-recreation-dept/) - [Hays County Master Gardeners](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/hays-county-master-gardeners/) - [Texas Water Conservation Association](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-water-conservation-association/) - [City of Blanco](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/city-of-blanco/) - [League of Women Voters Hays County](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/league-of-women-voters-hays-county/) - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district/) - [Hays County POSAC](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/hays-county-posac/) - [Texas AgriLife](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-agrilife/) - [Cypress Creek Project](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/cypress-creek-project/) - [Texas Master Naturalists](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-master-naturalists/) - [The River Network](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/the-river-network/) - [Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/barton-springs-edwards-aquifer-conservation-district/) - [Friends of Blue Hole](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/friends-of-blue-hole/) - [Central Texas Water Efficiency Network](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/central-texas-water-efficiency-network/) - [Blanco: Stop the Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/blanco-stop-the-pipeline-2/) - [Save Barton Creek Association](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/save-barton-creek-association/) - [Texas Brewshed Alliance](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-brewshed-alliance/) - [Keep San Marcos Beautiful](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/keep-san-marcos-beautiful/) - [meadows center for water and the environment](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/meadows-center-for-water-and-the-environment/) - [texas parks and wildlife](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-parks-and-wildlife/) - [tespa](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/tespa/) - [cibolo nature center](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/cibolo-nature-center/) - [hill country conservatory](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/hill-country-conservatory/) - [Blanco Stop the Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/blanco-stop-the-pipeline/) - [tread coalition](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/tread-coalition/) - [Wimberley Valley Watershed Association](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/wimberley-valley-watershed-association/) - [Soil & Water Conservation District](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/soil-water-conservation-district/) - [Wimberley Lion's Club](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/wimberley-lions-club/) - [Gillespie County Agent, Farm Bureau, Texas Cattle Raisers](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/gillespie-county-agent-farm-bureau-texas-cattle-raisers/) - [Kinder Morgan](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/kinder-morgan/) - [International Dark Sky Association](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/international-dark-sky-association-2/) - [Texas Living Waters](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-living-waters-2/) - [Treefolks](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/treefolks/) - [Carolyn Vogel](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/carolyn-vogel/) - [Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-organic-farmers-gardeners-association/) - [Comal County Conservation Alliance](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/comal-county-conservation-alliance/) - [Protect Our Blanco](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/protect-our-blanco/) - [Texas Water Development Board](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-water-development-board/) - [Texas Living Waters](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-living-waters/) - [Environmental Science Institutue](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/environmental-science-institutue/) - [Blue Hole Regional Park](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/blue-hole-regional-park/) - [7th Generation Labs](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/7th-generation-labs/) - [Pines and Prairies Land Trust](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/pines-and-prairies-land-trust/) - [Native Plant Society of Texas - San Antonio Chapter](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/native-plant-society-of-texas-san-antonio-chapter/) - [Texas State Stream Team](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/texas-state-stream-team/) - [Mermaid Society SMTX](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/mermaid-society-smtx/) - [Upper Trinity Conservation Trust](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/upper-trinity-conservation-trust/) - [Save Our Springs Alliance](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/save-our-springs-alliance/) - [Native Plant Society of Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/native-plant-society-of-texas/) - [Invaders of Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/invaders-of-texas/) - [Greater Edward's Aquifer Alliance](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/greater-edwards-aquifer-alliance/) - [The Cibolo Conservancy](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/the-cibolo-conservancy/) - [Hill Country Alliance](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/hill-country-alliance/) - [Innovation Event Management](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/innovation-event-management/) - [WRG](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/wrg/) - [Marilyn Monroe](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/marilyn-monroe/) - [Elvis Presley](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/elvis-presley/) - [Brad Pitt](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/brad-pitt/) - [Mr. Ed](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/mr-ed/) - [Famous Amos](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/famous-amos/) - [Sammy Sosa](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/sammy-sosa/) - [Barney Stinson](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/barney-stinson/) - [Maisha](https://watershedassociation.org/organizer/maisha/) ## Events - [Land.Water.Connection Event [Every Drop Counts: One Water School Tour with the Rainbees]](https://events.humanitix.com/every-count-drops-one-water-school-tour-with-the-rainbees) - [Land.Water.Connection Event [Thriving in Dry Landscapes: Innovative Solutions for a Changing Climate]](https://events.humanitix.com/thriving-in-dry-landscapes-innovative-solutions-for-a-changing-climate) - [Hays County Strategic Plan: Participate in Listening Session](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-strategic-plan-participate-in-listening-session-2/) - The County is hosting two virtual listening sessions focused on Infrastructure & Sustainable Growth. One session will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 5 – 6:30 p.m. and another will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 12 – 1:30 p.m. The information shared at both sessions will be the same. This discussion is - [Hays County Strategic Plan: Participate in Listening Session](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-strategic-plan-participate-in-listening-session/) - The County is hosting two virtual listening sessions focused on Infrastructure & Sustainable Growth. One session will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. and another will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 12 - 1:30 p.m. The information shared at both sessions will be the same. This discussion is - [Public Hearing: Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District](https://haysgroundwater.com/agendaminutes-overview/htgcd-meeting-agendas-supporting-documents-minutes-2026/) - [Hays County Development Regulations Re-Write Community Open Houses.](https://www.facebook.com/WaltSmithHaysOfficial/posts/your-voice-mattersjoin-us-on-tuesday-july-28-at-600-pm-at-dripping-springs-ranch/1346778557625697/) - [Hays County Development Regulations Re-Write Community Open Houses](https://www.facebook.com/WaltSmithHaysOfficial/posts/your-voice-mattersjoin-us-on-tuesday-july-28-at-600-pm-at-dripping-springs-ranch/1346778557625697/) - [Rainwater Harvesting Walk](https://www.facebook.com/events/1699-mt-sharp-road-wimberley-tx-united-states-texas-78676/rainwater-harvesting-walk/850472854227515/) - [State of Water Luncheon](https://www.chamberdata.net/webforms/EvtListing.aspx?dbid2=txwimb&evtid=49456&class=B&fbclid=IwY2xjawST861leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE1OWhIQThDb3BqVW9IdHQ0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvQN_O-qwHp9et9VryEsQqJlnHROKRxV-tBQaaa1ViCiKkYCxCmvaEG7vtjD_aem_KNmYbslmZpM1j5as0JLFrA) - [Film Screening of 'Hope for the Guadalupe' & Live Music at 7A Ranch](https://events.humanitix.com/filmscreening) - [LWC: Watershed Field Project with Pete Van Dyck](https://events.humanitix.com/drought-proofing-the-land-workshop-and-field-tour) - [Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-rainwater-harvesting-tickets-1979758756735) - [First Fridays: Volunteer for Your Watershed](https://events.humanitix.com/volunteer-with-the-watershed-association) - [Celebrate Earth Day in San Marcos!](https://www.meadowscenter.txst.edu/Education/earth-day.html) - [Hays County Water Planning: Public Meeting and Open House](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-water-planning-public-meeting-and-open-house/) - [Trash Free Gulf: Cypress Creek Watershed Clean Up](https://events.humanitix.com/trash-free-gulf-roadside-clean-up-in-wimberley) - [Austin Film Society Screening: The River and the Wall](https://www.austinfilm.org/screening/the-river-and-the-wall-w-ben-masters-and-crew/) - [Water Wonks Hour Lecture Series: San Antonio’s Growing Heat Challenge](https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/) - [Water Wonks Hour Lecture Series: Data Centers in Texas: A Call for Regulation](https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/) - [Water Wonks Hour Lecture Series: An Overview of Water Pollution Criminal Laws from a uniquely Texas perspective](https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/) - [Water Wonks Hour Lecture Series: A Deep Dive into Atmospheric Water Generation](https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/) - [Water Wonks Hour Lecture Series: How Water Utilities Can Protect the Water Supply.](https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/) - [GMA-9 Groundwater Management Area Meeting](https://www.gma9.org/) - [2026 Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-central-texas-water-conservation-symposium-tickets-1976959633482?aff=oddtdtcreator) - [Hays County Private Water Well Screenings](https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/event-advance/private-water-well-screenings-set-for-march-4-5-in-hays-county/) - [Activating Stewardship: Strategies for the Future](https://events.humanitix.com/land-water-connection-activating-stewardship) - [Land & Water in our Valley: Understanding the State of Hill Country Water](https://events.humanitix.com/land-water-connection-land-and-water-in-our-valley) - [Groundwater Management Area 9 Joint Planning Committee Meeting](https://www.gma9.org/) - [Volunteer Day at Cypress Creek Preserve](https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/A4gG6Kc/volunteer) - [Texas Natural Resources Committee Hearing: Rule of Capture, Groundwater Protection, and Long-term Water Planning](https://watershedassociation.org/event/texas-natural-resources-committee-hearing-rule-of-capture-groundwater-protection-and-long-term-water-planning/) - The Texas House Natural Resources Committee will hold a critical hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, February 10, at 10:00 AM, focused on aquifer sustainability and the Rule of Capture: the laws that govern groundwater use and control. The hearing will also address growing pressures from unsustainable pumping in the Hill Country’s Trinity Aquifer, which have caused severe impacts to - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Board Meeting](https://haysgroundwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-02-05_Regular-Meeting-Agenda.pdf) - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://wimberleytx.portal.civicclerk.com/) - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://wimberleytx.portal.civicclerk.com/) - [San Marcos City Council Meeting.](https://watershedassociation.org/event/san-marcos-city-council-meeting-3/2026-09-01/) - [San Marcos City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/san-marcos-city-council-meeting-2/2026-08-18/) - [GMA 9 Joint Planning Committee Meeting](https://www.gma9.org/) - [Wimberley Town Hall & Comprehensive Plan Showcase](https://www.cityofwimberley.com/462/Comprehensive-Master-Plan#:~:text=January 29, 2026 (4-,on adoption of Master Plan) - [2026 Water Wonks Hour Lecture Series #1: Soil carbon analysis process, the USDA 2022 soil carbon survey, and more!](https://aquiferalliance.org/event/2025-water-wonks-hour-lecture-series-3-545-269-140-915-288/) - [Fischer Neighbors Community Meeting](https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044EAFA72AA1FBC70-61592641-fischer?useFullSite=true#/) - [Water Webinar // Tapping Potential: Water, Economics, and People](https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mw-_9d9URCK2EXqAkY8dhg#/registration) - [From Aquifers to Policy: A Citizen's Guide to Texas Groundwater](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QppBxAw5SaS4hDBnX0G4EQ#/registration) - [Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan: Science & Implementing Committee Meeting](https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/events_list/eahcp-stakeholder-science-implementing-committee-meeting/) - [Guadalupe Blanco River Authority Board Meeting](https://www.gbra.org/about/meetings/) - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://www.hayscountytx.gov/commissioners-court-live-stream) - [Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board Meeting](https://bseacd.org/agendas/) - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://woodcreektx.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12102025-242) - [Austin Area Urban Nature Roundtable](https://watershedassociation.org/event/austin-area-urban-nature-roundtable/) - The Austin Area Urban Nature Roundtable is organized by the Urban Ecosystems research group at the University of Texas at Austin to foster communication and collaboration between environmental organizations in the Austin area. We will hold our second meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 from 9:30-11am. The meeting will be hybrid, with an in person meeting on the UT campus in CMA 5.136 and an online option on Zoom - [City of San Marcos Planning and Zoning Meeting](https://www.sanmarcostx.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-4734) - [Groundwater Management Area 9 Joint Planning Committee Meeting](https://www.gma9.org/services) - [Water in the Desert: A Conference About Water in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/event/water-in-the-desert-a-conference-about-water-in-the-chihuahuan-desert-of-west-texas-2/2026-02-13/) - [City of Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://wimberleytx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1403/files/agenda/2660) - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Meeting](https://haysgroundwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251204_Public-Hearing-and-Regular-Meeting-Agenda.pdf) - [Wimberley Parks & Recreation Board Meeting](https://www.cityofwimberley.com/217/Parks-Recreation-Board) - [San Marcos City Council Meeting](https://www.sanmarcostx.gov/149/City-Council) - [Blanco City Council Meeting](https://blanco.municipalimpact.com/documents/383/CC_Agenda_12.04.25F.pdf) - [Public Meeting: Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District](https://haysgroundwater.com/agendaminutes-overview/htgcd-meeting-agendas-supporting-documents-minutes-2025/) - [Life of H2O: East Austin Studio Tour Event at TreeGarden](https://watershedassociation.org/event/life-of-h2o-east-austin-studio-tour-event-at-treegarden/2022-11-20/) - 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 - [Something in the Water Presents: Big Thief, Live at 7A Ranch Opera House](https://events.humanitix.com/something-in-the-water-live-music-series-big-thief) - [Festival Beach Food Forest: Fall Planting Series // Celebrating 10 years](https://app.betterunite.com/plantingparty) - [​Festival Beach Food Forest: Fall Planting Series](https://app.betterunite.com/plantingparty) - [​Festival Beach Food Forest: Fall Planting Series](https://app.betterunite.com/plantingparty) - [​Festival Beach Food Forest: Fall Planting Series](https://app.betterunite.com/plantingparty) - [Groundwater Management Zone (GMA-9) Committee Meeting](https://www.gma9.org/services) - [San Marcos River Foundation Annual Social](https://www.sanmarcosriver.org/fundraiser) - [Imagine a Day Without Water](https://thevalueofwater.org/imagineaday?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23041908915&gbraid=0AAAAA9WFojtdQiL6Fk7_9NfooXRu3whGO&gclid=CjwKCAjwxrLHBhA2EiwAu9EdMyojCgcUl690honz1twk54JrRjnx6VaF08KidXETIERe018cx05e-RoCFjAQAvD_BwE) - [Water Wise Educational Series: Wicking Gardens and Seed Saving](https://events.humanitix.com/water-wise-educational-series?_gl=1*1s1w62n*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NTg5MTkyMTMuQ2p3S0NBanc4OWpHQmhCMEVpd0EybzFPbl9Fb29GSktKTUx6eDk1c1hYZ21JQkZxc2ZrSlV1ajk0QnVJaDRBelBhdDN4UktnckxZTTNSb0NQY3dRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjYwMjU4MjY0LjE3NTg1NjA4NTI.*_ga*MTEzMDQyNjIyNS4xNzI1MzE4MDY4*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*czE3NTkzMzgzNzIkbzE5MiRnMSR0MTc1OTMzOTM3MiRqNjAkbDAkaDA./) - [Water Wise Educational Series: Integrating Native Landscapes in Your Neighborhood](https://events.humanitix.com/water-wise-educational-series?_gl=1*1s1w62n*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NTg5MTkyMTMuQ2p3S0NBanc4OWpHQmhCMEVpd0EybzFPbl9Fb29GSktKTUx6eDk1c1hYZ21JQkZxc2ZrSlV1ajk0QnVJaDRBelBhdDN4UktnckxZTTNSb0NQY3dRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjYwMjU4MjY0LjE3NTg1NjA4NTI.*_ga*MTEzMDQyNjIyNS4xNzI1MzE4MDY4*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*czE3NTkzMzgzNzIkbzE5MiRnMSR0MTc1OTMzOTM3MiRqNjAkbDAkaDA./) - [Water Wise Educational Series: Water Wise Native Plant Gardens](https://events.humanitix.com/water-wise-educational-series?_gl=1*1s1w62n*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NTg5MTkyMTMuQ2p3S0NBanc4OWpHQmhCMEVpd0EybzFPbl9Fb29GSktKTUx6eDk1c1hYZ21JQkZxc2ZrSlV1ajk0QnVJaDRBelBhdDN4UktnckxZTTNSb0NQY3dRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjYwMjU4MjY0LjE3NTg1NjA4NTI.*_ga*MTEzMDQyNjIyNS4xNzI1MzE4MDY4*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*czE3NTkzMzgzNzIkbzE5MiRnMSR0MTc1OTMzOTM3MiRqNjAkbDAkaDA./) - [Water Wise Educational Series: Aquifer Health & Water Flows](https://events.humanitix.com/water-wise-educational-series?_gl=1*1s1w62n*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NTg5MTkyMTMuQ2p3S0NBanc4OWpHQmhCMEVpd0EybzFPbl9Fb29GSktKTUx6eDk1c1hYZ21JQkZxc2ZrSlV1ajk0QnVJaDRBelBhdDN4UktnckxZTTNSb0NQY3dRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjYwMjU4MjY0LjE3NTg1NjA4NTI.*_ga*MTEzMDQyNjIyNS4xNzI1MzE4MDY4*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*czE3NTkzMzgzNzIkbzE5MiRnMSR0MTc1OTMzOTM3MiRqNjAkbDAkaDA.) - [HTGCD Public Meeting](https://haysgroundwater.com/agendaminutes-overview/htgcd-meeting-agendas-supporting-documents-minutes-2025/) - [Volunteer at Cypress Creek Preserve!](https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A45AAA828A6F9C52-58196223-volunteer#/) - [TCEQ Public Meeting on Blanco Wastewater Permit](https://www.tceq.texas.gov/agency/decisions/hearings/events/2025-09-11-city-of-blanco-wq0010549002-pm.html) - [Groundwater Management Area (GMA-9) Committee Meeting](https://www.gma9.org/services) - [The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Thursday, August 7 at 5:00 pm.](https://watershedassociation.org/event/the-hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district-board-of-directors-will-hold-a-regular-public-meeting-on-thursday-august-7-at-500-pm/) - The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Thursday, August 7 at 5:00 pm. The location is the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, Texas 78667. The Notice/Agenda can be found on the District's website here under 2025-8-07. We look forward to seeing you. Sincerely, Laura - [Press Conference: Coalition of Natural Resource Experts Demands Immediate Land Use Reform Following Guadalupe River Tragedy](https://watershedassociation.org/event/press-conference-coalition-of-natural-resource-experts-demands-immediate-land-use-reform-following-guadalupe-river-tragedy/) - Coalition of Natural Resource Experts Calls for Immediate Land Use Reform in Texas After the Guadalupe River Tragedy WHO: A coalition of respected natural resource and land conservation organizations in Texas —including Heart of Texas Conservancy, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, Green Spaces Alliance, and Cibolo Center for Conservation—joined by water experts, land stewards, and advocates from across - [Proposed Texas Underground Injection Control Primacy Program Public Hearing](https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_AfdDTc5uRVqjm5GV4yRGEA?link_id=0&can_id=72ea7baa18eca92aaf8998b9820c3a7f&source=email-protect-our-groundwater-and-our-communities-from-carbon-capture-and-storage&email_referrer=email_2809943&email_subject=protect-our-groundwater-and-our-communities-from-carbon-capture-and-storage&&#/registration) - [Cumin & Clove: A Pop-Up Dinner Benefiting the Watershed Association](https://www.wimberleyvalleydinnerclub.com/pop-up-dinner) - [Something in the Water Live Music Series: David Ramirez & Greyhounds](https://events.humanitix.com/something-in-the-water-live-music-series-david-ramirez-and-greyhounds) - [Groundwater Management Area 9 Joint Planning Committee Meeting](https://www.gma9.org/services) - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Public Meeting](https://haysgroundwater.com/agendaminutes-overview/htgcd-meeting-agendas-supporting-documents-minutes-2025/) - [State of the Water Luncheon](https://www.chamberdata.net/webforms/EvtListing.aspx?dbid2=txwimb&evtid=37845&class=B) - [Texas Hill Country Conservation Network: Drought Webinar](https://watershedassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Drought-Webinar-June_4_2025.pdf) - RSVP FOR FREE HERE! - [Hillside Stewardship Landowner Workshop](https://hillcountryalliance.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/hillcountryalliance/eventRegistration.jsp?event=442&) - [Wimberley Roundtable Panel Discussion: Living in Stage 5](https://allevents.in/wimberley/water-living-in-stage-5/200028108472025) - [Lone Star Healthy Streams Workshop](https://lshs.tamu.edu/event/lshs-cypress-creek-hays-county/) - [Groundwater Management Area 9 (GMA-9) Joint Planning Committee Meeting](https://www.gma9.org/services) - [Something in the Water Live Music Series: Theo Lawrence & Brennen Leigh](https://events.humanitix.com/something-in-the-water-5th-show) - [Drought Proof Texas](https://allevents.in/blanco/drought-proof-texas/200028028670947) - [Wimberley Strong Memorial Concert](https://wimberleyparksandrec.com/wimberleystrong/wimberleystrong/wimberleystrong/wimberleystrong/) - [Building Right in the Hill Country](https://www.comalconservation.org/event/building-right-in-the-hill-country/) - [9th Annual Blanco River Songwriter Festival](https://www.blancoriversongfest.com/) - [Earth Day San Marcos](https://www.meadowscenter.txst.edu/education/earth-day.html) - [Wimberley Film Festival](https://wimberleyparksandrec.com/special-events/wimberley-film-festival/) - [How To Give: Trust Based Philanthropy](https://ilhigh.my.salesforce-sites.com/event/home/htgapril) - [Something in the Water Live Music Series: Shakey Graves & Buffalo Hunt](https://events.humanitix.com/something-in-the-water-live-music-series-25fy9cm4) - [The Future of Texas Water](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-future-of-texas-water-tickets-1047118187687?aff=oddtdtcreator) - [Something in the Water Live Music Series](https://events.humanitix.com/something-in-the-water-live-music-series) - [GMA 9 Committee Meeting & Workshop](https://www.gma9.org/services) - [Landscaping with Natives 101](https://www.tickettailor.com/events/headwaters/1564605?) - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Regular Public Meeting and Hearing](https://haysgroundwater.com/agendaminutes-overview/htgcd-meeting-agendas-supporting-documents-minutes-2025/) - [Sir Woman • Double Album Listening Party & Fundraiser](https://sirwoman.bandcamp.com/merch/sir-woman-double-album-listening-party-fundraiser) - [Texas Land Trust Council: Texas Land Conservation Conference](https://texaslandtrustcouncil.org/what-we-do/texas-land-conservation-conference-details/) - [Emerging Visionary Incubator](https://visionaryincubator.watershedassociation.org/) - [Infrastructure Summit: Water & Energy Insights](https://business.sanmarcostexas.com/events/details/infrastructure-summit-water-energy-insights-5160044) - [Building in the Texas Hill Country – A Regional Developers Workshop](https://aquiferalliance.org/event/regional-developers-workshop-building-in-the-texas-hill-country/) - [HTGCD - Public Hearing](https://watershedassociation.org/event/htgcd-public-hearing-2/) - The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 5:00 pm. The location is the Sunset Canyon Baptist Church, Multi-Purpose Room in the Family Life Center Building, 4000 US-290 West, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. The Notice and supporting document can be found on the website by clicking here and - [Water Wonks Hour](https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/#register/) - [Water Wonks Hour](https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/#register) - [December 6th! Something in the Water Live Music Series](https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-something-in-the-water-live-music-series-2?_gl=1*1gep22e*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3Mjg0MjgzNzEuQ2owS0NRandzSk80QmhEb0FSSXNBRER2NHZEejh0dkpWejRqSHdoQ1djZ2hKOVV5Rk1feDJmQ0xPdG8wY29sanJnQjZ4eFd0SDRnNDVNVWFBbk83RUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*ODgxNzM2MzcxLjE3MjUzMTgwNjg.*_ga*MTEzMDQyNjIyNS4xNzI1MzE4MDY4*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*MTczMjU1MDExNC43Mi4xLjE3MzI1NTAxOTUuNTAuMC4w) - [2025 Urban Riparian Symposium Bridging Nature and the City](https://texasriparian.org/2025-urban-riparian-symposium/) - [Webinar: Current Issues in the Practice of Geoscience in Texas](https://halfmoonseminars.org/product/webinars/current-issues-in-the-practice-of-geoscience-in-texas-2/?variation=175309) - [Resilient Communities Program - Stakeholder Planning Workshop](https://watershedassociation.org/event/resilient-communities-program-stakeholder-planning-workshop/) - As a reminder, the Stakeholder Planning Workshop is scheduled for Monday, October 7th, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Wimberley City Hall. The meeting is an interactive workshop to review the community feedback surveys and determine preferred growth patterns for the City. We will also discuss the water conservation chapter in more detail. Before the workshop, we will be sending you a Stakeholder Planning Guide to review and bring with you - [Private Dams Webinar: Understanding the Permitting Process](https://watershedassociation.org/event/private-dams-webinar-understanding-the-permitting-process/) - Click Here to Register! - [HTGCD: Notice of Hearing and Regular Meeting](https://haysgroundwater.com/agendaminutes-overview/htgcd-meeting-agendas-supporting-documents-minutes-2024/) - [Cape’s Pond Park Open House](https://mailchi.mp/e417c5e63687/project-updates-jan2023-17860977?e=996ce8fadd) - [Something in the Water: Live Music Series](https://events.humanitix.com/something-in-the-water-live-at-the-opera-house?_gl=1*x9y0xa*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MjY1MzA3NjguQ2owS0NRandycC0zQmhEZ0FSSXNBRVdKNlN5ZVhkak5KZUcxX2tyTmRnX01lRmVOWFFBUUVObUJfLVh5V1FaQmdJQTVNQ1BKclNXZjBLVWFBbnc5RUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*ODgxNzM2MzcxLjE3MjUzMTgwNjg.*_ga*MTEzMDQyNjIyNS4xNzI1MzE4MDY4*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*MTcyNjU5NzcyMi4xNC4xLjE3MjY1OTg4MjUuNTQuMC4w) - [Groundwater Management Area 9 (GMA 9): Public Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/groundwater-management-area-9-gma-9-public-meeting/) - The meeting will take place in the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District’s Meeting Room located at 9 Toepperwein Road in Boerne, Texas, 78006 Click Here for More Information! - [HTGCD Public Hearing](https://haysgroundwater.com/agendaminutes-overview/htgcd-meeting-agendas-supporting-documents-minutes-2024/) - [The Nature of our Economy](https://watershedassociation.org/event/the-nature-of-our-economy/) - [Water Wonks Lecture Series: Building a Healthy Soil to Reduce Climate Change](https://aquiferalliance.org/event/water-wonks-hour-lecture-series-9/) - [The Texas Tribune Festival](https://festival.texastribune.org/event/651560b0-5404-4ea0-b75e-8725c648826d/summary?RefId=TTF_Events) - [Cypress Creek and Blanco River Water Quality Training](https://watershedassociation.org/event/cypress-creek-and-blanco-river-water-quality-training/) - Click Here to Learn More! - [Rate Case Hearing (ONLINE) SOAH](https://watershedassociation.org/event/rate-case-hearing-online-soah/) - As you may be aware, Aqua Texas is proposing an exorbitant rate hike for the water and wastewater services provided to our community. After years of proving themselves as a bad actor, this corporation is seeking to profit even more off our hardworking residents – they have proposed charging as much as $20.81 for water - [Water Wonks Hour: Online Monthly Lecture Series](https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/) - [TCEQ Public Meeting to Discuss Milestones Wastewater Permit](https://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=431426&f=3281&s=3447&m=527638&t=e86af88b7f29fb9ab73e723ac79ac29ad97e9a3c7cdd8b9e461a7176270f5941) - [Billy F Gibbons And The BFG'S perform Fundraiser Event for True South: An Antarctica Story – Feature Documentary](https://www.tickettailor.com/events/frozenintime/1308744) - [Wimberley Film Festival](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-film-festival/) - The Wimberley Film Festival, a new documentary and experimental film festival, is set to make its debut on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at the picturesque Blue Hole Park on Cypress Creek in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. This one day event, sponsored by the Watershed Association, Netta Lou Creative, Rough House Brewing, and - [HAYS TRINITY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district-board-of-directors-meeting/) - Click Here for More Information! - [Talking Water with The Watershed Association](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talking-water-with-the-watershed-association-tickets-903864471967?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*17ocib5*_up*MQ..*_ga*OTA5MzcyMDg4LjE3MTU0NDk3MDI.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*MTcxNTQ0OTcwMi4xLjEuMTcxNTQ0OTkwNi4wLjAuMA..) - [Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Workshop: Weslaco](https://calendar.tamu.edu/twri/event/320121-texas-riparian-and-stream-ecosystem-workshop) - [Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Workshop: Eagle Mountain Lake](https://calendar.tamu.edu/twri/event/320765-riparian-and-stream-ecosystem-workshop-eagle) - [Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Workshop: Baffin Bay](https://calendar.tamu.edu/twri/event/320762-riparian-and-stream-ecosystem-workshop-baffin-bay) - [Texas Water Foundation Presents: 9th Annual Film Festival](https://www.watertexasfilms.org/) - [Water Loss: Solutions and Opportunities in Texas](https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oYLpZogATFCBLodEiK7JbA#/registration) - [Hays County Round Table Discussion](https://hays.agrilife.org/hays-county-round-table-discussion-rsvp/) - [Hays County Round Table Discussion](https://hays.agrilife.org/hays-county-round-table-discussion-rsvp/) - [Land and Sky Celebration](https://www.facebook.com/landandskycelebration) - [Groundwater Management 9 Committee Meeting](https://www.gma9.org/services) - [One Water in Comal County](https://www.comalconservation.org/upcoming_events_2023.html) - [Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium](https://watershedassociation.org/event/central-texas-water-conservation-symposium-2/) - Click Here to Purchase Your Tickets! About this event: The Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium provides water utilities with the information needed to implement successful water conservation programs, effectively engage customers, and plan for the future. Learn from state and national experts about the latest approaches, what is coming next, and best practices for maximum - [Hold Aqua Texas Accountable - Public Meeting at Wimberley Community Center](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hold-aqua-texas-accountable-public-meeting-at-wimberley-community-center/) - Click Here to Learn More! - [Riparian Restoration Field Day | Boerne, TX (Part of a Riparian Stewardship Workshop Series)](https://hillcountryalliance.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/hillcountryalliance/eventRegistration.jsp?event=215&) - [HTGCD - Regular Board Meeting in Wimberley](https://haysgroundwater.com/agendaminutes-overview/htgcd-meeting-agendas-supporting-documents-minutes-2024/) - [TCEQ Public Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/tceq-public-meeting/) - Gram Vikas Partners and principal Kelly Leach have applied for a permit to discharge 300,000/gal/day of wastewater effluent from 1,000 homes planned to be built on 195 acres into Hondo Creek just north of Hondo near CR 442. Hondo Creek is currently classified as one of the 22 Pristine Streams that were proposed for enhanced - [Upcoming GMA-9 Joint Planning Committee Meeting](https://www.gma9.org/services) - [Hays County Growth Talk at Vista Brewing, Driftwood TX](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-growth-talk-at-vista-brewing-driftwood-tx/) - [Texan by Nature - Conservation Summit in Dallas, TX](https://texanbynature.org/symposium/conservation-summit/) - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Regular Board Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/htgcd-regular-board-meeting/2023-12-07/) - REGULAR BOARD MEETING HAYS TRINITY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS - HELD IN WIMBERLEY LOCATION Normal time: 5:00 PM The location alternates between Wimberley and Dripping Springs. Wimberley Location: Hays County Extension Office (Meeting Room) 200 Stillwater Rd, Wimberley, TX 78676 Dripping Springs Location: Sunset Canyon Baptist Church, Multi-Purpose Room in the Family Life - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Regular Board Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/htgcd-regular-board-meeting/2023-12-07/) - REGULAR BOARD MEETING HAYS TRINITY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS - HELD IN WIMBERLEY LOCATION Normal time: 5:00 PM The location alternates between Wimberley and Dripping Springs. Wimberley Location: Hays County Extension Office (Meeting Room) 200 Stillwater Rd, Wimberley, TX 78676 Dripping Springs Location: Sunset Canyon Baptist Church, Multi-Purpose Room in the Family Life - [Engaged Ecology (Empathy, Emotion, and Planetary Healing) with Vicente Lopes, PhD](https://watershedassociation.org/event/engaged-ecology-empathy-emotion-and-planetary-healing-with-vicente-lopes-phd/) - In these times of impending ecological disaster and social upheaval, there is a demand for a deeper root from which to derive sustenance, guidance, and a wider sense of care and compassion for all living beings who share our planet with us. In this lecture, we will explore our living connection with Nature through the - [Living Wonders of the Hill Country - Hot Science - Cool Talks with Dr. David Hillis](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/living-wonders-of-the-hill-country-tickets-709477354867?aff=odeieiconstantcontact&ctct_id=1255b8c8-ddea-440e-bbc8-92b50efe1c83_p2&ctct_c=) - [Barton Springs University Day](https://www.bartonspringsuniversity.org/) - [San Marcos River Foundation Social](https://donorbox.org/events/481158) - [The Long Game: Creating lasting conservation in a high growth region.](https://watershedassociation.org/event/the-long-game-creating-lasting-conservation-in-a-high-growth-region/) - Program Description: It is no secret that Comal County and the Hill Country face enormous challenges. Deep drought, booming population growth, catastrophic flood, and limited planning tools all characterize this particularly unique part of the state. And at the same time, there is an increased awareness of the urgency of changing the way we - [Texas A&M: Watershed Steward Workshop](https://tws.tamu.edu/workshops/registration/) - [First Tuesday SMTX Film Series Presents: Water Rising](https://firsttuesdaysmtx.com/) - [June 23rd and 24th, Forklift Presents: The Way of Water - Onion Creek](https://www.forkliftdanceworks.org/projects/way-of-water-onion-creek/) - [Tour - Headwaters at the Comal](https://www.usgbctexas.org/Calendar) - [Edwards Aquifer Authority and Southwest Research Institute Lecture Series](https://watershedassociation.org/event/edwards-aquifer-authority-and-southwest-research-institute-lecture-series/) - EDTalks The Edwards Aquifer Authority and Southwest Research Institute are pleased to announce a new take on our previous lecture series with a more topic-based approach that will explore current and existing issues, relevant research, and the application of research to the Edwards Aquifer and other aquifer systems of south-central Texas. Because it’s the EDwards Aquifer - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Public Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district-public-meeting/) - The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors will hold a Regular Public Meeting Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 5:00 pm. The location is Sunset Canyon Baptist Church, 4000 US-290 West, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Family Life Center Bldg. The Family Life Center building and parking are behind - [Beers Made By Walking at Beerburg Brewing](https://beerburgbrewing.com/beers-made-by-walking/) - [Benefits of Habitat Restoration for Water Security (Wild at Work Stewardship Webinar)](https://secure.qgiv.com/for/wawass-cwd/event/therelationshipbetweenhabitatrestorationwatersecurity/) - [Texas Passion Vine Natural History (Wild Neighbors Speaker Series)](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XUwFn79UR66tgZUx62XSeA#/registration) - [Prescribed Burns - Planning and Benefits (Water Quality Protection Lands webinar)](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NqprQCI1QwmgAezwSs-OLw#/registration) - [Rural Roundup: Inspiring Community Identity, Bandera, TX](https://hillcountryalliance.org/event/bandera-rural-roundup-inspiring-community-identity/) - [Land Stewardship Ranch Tour in Fredericksburg, TX](https://hillcountryalliance.org/event/fredericksburg-land-stewardship-ranch-tour/) - [Holistic Grazing Workshop in Comfort, TX](https://hillcountryalliance.org/event/comfort-grazing-workshop-with-holistic-management-international/) - [Native Plant Society of Texas, Hill Country Chapter meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/native-plant-society-of-texas-hill-country-chapter-meeting/) - At the Hill Country Chapter of the Native Plant Society quarterly meeting, David Baker will give an overview of the Watershed Association Mission and Purpose and outline environmental challenges and existential threats we face in the Texas Hill Country along with Nature Based solutions we are collectively working on to mitigate the impacts of growth, - [Septic System Workshop (Cypress Creek Project)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/septic-system-workshop-cypress-creek-project/) - Ryan Gerlich, OSSF Specialist with Texas Agrilife Extension, will lead an Introduction to Septic Systems Workshop that will highlight common system types, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Presentations will cover the treatment processes, health and safety considerations, how to inspect, and maintain the system. This course also provides answers to the most frequently asked septic system questions, - [Earth Day - Kite Flying and Building!](https://watershedassociation.org/event/earth-day-at-the-meadows-center-in-san-marcos/) - The 10th Annual Earth Day San Marcos Festival returns to the headwaters of the San Marcos River on Saturday, April 22, 2023! This FREE community-wide, family-friendly event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our local natural resources and connect with nature. Earth Day San Marcos will offer hands-on educational activities for all ages and a full day - [Environmental Justice Leaders Roundtable Virtual Discussion (US EPA)](https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1606326835) - The US EPA announced a Virtual Discussion at the Environmental Justice Leaders Roundtable with the Regional Administrator, Dr. Earthea Nance and EJ team. Questions or input about the virtual discussion can be emailed directly to Kathryn Vogle at Vogle.Kathryn@epa.gov. Join by Zoom: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1606326835 - [National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Call (US EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/national-environmental-justice-public-engagement-calls) - [Engaged Ecology: Exploring the Ecology of Transformation (Texas State University Philosophy Dialogue Series)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/engaged-ecology-exploring-the-ecology-of-transformation-texas-state-university-philosophy-dialogue-series/) - [Drought and Groundwater Demand (Water Quality Protection Lands Speaker Series)](https://www.facebook.com/events/561730482617849/) - [Groundwater Workshop (Cypress Creek Project)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/groundwater-workshop-cypress-creek-project/) - Details: Well owners and groundwater users across Hays County are invited to a Groundwater Workshop on Wednesday, April 19 from 11-1. Join for the full workshop in-person or watch presentations live through a virtual edition. RSVP links below. Presentations will include information on troubleshooting tips and tricks for water supply wells during drought, interpreting data - [Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition: Gallery Opening](https://watershedassociation.org/event/sacred-springs-kite-exhibition-gallery-opening/) - Experience 50+ Art Kites inspired by water, free lite bites, and mocktails, artist meet and greet, and music by Big Cedar Fever! The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition is a showcase of Art4Water, a program of the Watershed Association, highlighting the intersection between art, culture, expression, and conservation. A collaboration between The Watershed Association, Terry Zee - [Friends of the Little Blanco River Valley Gathering](https://watershedassociation.org/event/friends-of-the-little-blanco-river-valley-gathering/) - [Hillside Stewardship Workshop at EAA's Field Research Park](https://hillcountryalliance.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/hillcountryalliance/eventRegistration.jsp?event=161) - [Blue Hole Regional Park Volunteer Tree Planting Event with Wimberley Parks and Treefolks](https://www.cityofwimberley.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=59) - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-commissioners-court-2022-02-01-2022-12-20/2023-12-26/) - Weekly Court sessions take place at the Hays County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 E. San Antonio St., in San Marcos, Texas. The five-member body of elected officials hold Court beginning at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at the County Courthouse, unless otherwise posted. Court Agendas The Court’s agenda is posted on this site each Friday prior to - [Woodcreek City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/woodcreek-city-council-meeting/2023-12-13/) - Woodcreek City Council meets at 6:30pm on the second Wednesday of each month, usually at Camp Young Judea. Meetings are also streamed online. Agendas are available on the Meetings webpage (link). - [Blanco City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/blanco-city-council-meeting-2/2023-12-12/) - The Blanco City Council holds regular meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month usually at the Byars Building (308 Pecan Street) at 6 p.m. Check agenda for location. Agendas are posted online on the City Council page (link) and at City Hall 72 hours before meetings. Meetings are also livestreamed through GoToMeeting. The link - [HTGCD Notice of a Public Meeting and Hearing](https://watershedassociation.org/event/htgcd-notice-of-a-public-meeting-and-hearing/) - The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors will hold a Regular Public Meeting and Hearing this Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 6:00pm. The Notice and supporting documents can be found on the website here under January. PLEASE NOTE TIME, DATE, and LOCATION: The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm and will be held - [The Four Fountain Springs of Texas (CCCA Community Event)](https://www.comalconservation.org/events.html) - [Webinar: Navigating the TCEQ Wastewater Permitting Process](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/webinar-navigating-the-tceq-wastewater-permitting-process-tickets-499704879747) - [From Dust to Deluge: Managing Water in Changing Conditions (Central Tx Water Conservation Symposium)](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-central-texas-water-conservation-symposium-tickets-489976862987) - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-city-council-meeting-3/2023-11-16/) - The Wimberley City Council generally holds bi-weekly regular board meetings on Thursday evenings at the City offices at 221 Stillwater, Wimberley, Texas 78676, starting at 6pm. Schedule adjustments are made for holidays and agenda load. Check the Public Meetings page for details and official postings. Agendas and meeting packets are available on the City Agendas - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-city-council-meeting-3/2023-11-30/) - The Wimberley City Council generally holds bi-weekly regular board meetings on Thursday evenings at the City offices at 221 Stillwater, Wimberley, Texas 78676, starting at 6pm. Schedule adjustments are made for holidays and agenda load. Check the Public Meetings page for details and official postings. Agendas and meeting packets are available on the City Agendas - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-city-council-meeting-3/2023-12-14/) - The Wimberley City Council generally holds bi-weekly regular board meetings on Thursday evenings at the City offices at 221 Stillwater, Wimberley, Texas 78676, starting at 6pm. Schedule adjustments are made for holidays and agenda load. Check the Public Meetings page for details and official postings. Agendas and meeting packets are available on the City Agendas - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-city-council-meeting-3/2023-12-28/) - The Wimberley City Council generally holds bi-weekly regular board meetings on Thursday evenings at the City offices at 221 Stillwater, Wimberley, Texas 78676, starting at 6pm. Schedule adjustments are made for holidays and agenda load. Check the Public Meetings page for details and official postings. Agendas and meeting packets are available on the City Agendas - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-city-council-meeting-3/2023-12-28/) - The Wimberley City Council generally holds bi-weekly regular board meetings on Thursday evenings at the City offices at 221 Stillwater, Wimberley, Texas 78676, starting at 6pm. Schedule adjustments are made for holidays and agenda load. Check the Public Meetings page for details and official postings. Agendas and meeting packets are available on the City Agendas - [Cypress Creek Stakeholders Meeting - (including Drought and Bacteria presentations)](https://mailchi.mp/txstate/ccp-stakeholder-meeting-dec-2022?e=dd9f036ce1) - [Neighborhood meeting to discuss Rockingwall Amphitheater Project](https://www.paperlesspost.com/go/AJMom01SVJe1vyCpAeXnK) - [Movie Screening: Battle for the Heart of Texas](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/battle-for-the-heart-of-texas-blanco-river-academy-wimberley-tx-tickets-464292851417) - [Life of H2O: East Austin Studio Tour Event at TreeGarden](https://watershedassociation.org/event/life-of-h2o-east-austin-studio-tour-event-at-treegarden/2022-11-19/) - 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 - [Don't Crush Our Hill Country (TESPA Fundraiser)](https://www.tespatexas.org/dontcrushourhillcountry) - [The Future of Blanco County](https://hillcountryalliance.org/event/blanco-the-future-of-blanco-county/) - [TCEQ Pristine Streams Stakeholder Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/tceq-pristine-streams-stakeholder-meeting/) - You are invited to the upcoming in-person meeting to discuss domestic wastewater permitting for “pristine streams” scheduled on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 from 1:30-4:30pm at TCEQ. Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2022 Time: 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM Location: TCEQ Campus 12100 Park 35 Circle Building E, Room 201S Austin, Texas 78753 Map Local Restaurants What: - [Movie Screening: Battle for the Heart of Texas](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/battle-for-the-heart-of-texas-wimberley-film-screening-tickets-397193836457) - [Hill Country Water Talk at Roughhouse Brewery](https://fb.me/e/6HLuBuNtT) - [Blue Hole: Deep in the Heart Movie Night](https://www.cityofwimberley.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=791&month=7&year=2022&day=29&calType=0) - [Region 11. Guadalupe Flood Planning Group Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/region-11-guadalupe-flood-planning-group-meeting/) - Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 3:30 PM Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority River Annex 905 Nolan Street Seguin, TX 78155 Agenda: Call to Order Welcome Approval of minutes from the June 1, 2022 Region 11 RFPG meeting Region 11 Guadalupe RFPG Chair Updates Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Updates Guadalupe Region 11 RFPG Sponsor Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) - [Texas Brewshed Alliance Re-Launch at Nomadic Beerworks](https://watershedassociation.org/event/texas-brewshed-alliance-re-launch-at-nomadic-beerworks/) - Come raise a glass in celebration to the re-launch of the Watershed Association's The Texas Brewshed Alliance! Join us on Friday, Jun 24 from 2-7pm to talk beer, brewing, and water at Nomadic Beerworks . Good times, cold beer, and support for healthy watersheds! - [GBRA Habitat Conservation Plan Public Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/gbra-habitat-conservation-plan-public-meeting/) - The Guadalupe Blanco River Authority (GBRA) announced the first public meeting in the Habitat Conservation Plan development process. Join the meeting at GBRA's River Annex (905 Nolan St., Seguin, Texas 78155) at 10am on Tuesday, June 10, 2022. MEETING HIGHLIGHTS: Introduction to the GRHCP concept Permit area and proposed covered species Outline of the stakeholder - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-commissioners-court-2022-02-01/2022-12-20/) - Weekly Court sessions take place at the Hays County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 E. San Antonio St., in San Marcos, Texas. The five-member body of elected officials hold Court beginning at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at the County Courthouse, unless otherwise posted. Court Agendas The Court’s agenda is posted on this site each Friday prior to - [Art4Water Launch Party](https://watershedassociation.org/event/art4water-launch-party/) - 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. - [GMA-9 Public Meeting](https://haysgroundwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/05092022-GMA-9-Meetiong-Agenda.pdf) - [Community Program on “Mountain Cedars: Wanted Dead and Alive!”](https://www.comalconservation.org/upcoming-events.html) - [Art4Water Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition Opening Reception](https://watershedassociation.org/event/sacred-springs-kite-exhibition-opening-reception/) - 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’ - [Hays County Tire Drive](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-tire-drive/) - Hays County is hosting a Tire Drive on Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 750 River Road, San Marcos, TX. The drive is free and for Hays County residents only. Only the first 800 tires are being accepted; rims are not being collected. Accepted tires include cars, light trucks, SUVs, 18-wheelers, - [Drug Take Back Day](https://watershedassociation.org/event/drug-take-back-day/) - 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. - [Wimberley Arts Fest](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-arts-fest/2022-05-01/) - 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. - [Spring Water Revival (HCA)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/spring-water-revival-hca/) - The Hill Country Alliance is hosting a Spring Water Revival featuring an interactive panel to spotlight the once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalize water infrastructure, featuring experts and rural leaders excited to put these funds into action. Learn where communities can look for funds and the benefits of taking a One Water approach. Featuring: Katherine Romans, Executive - [Art4Water Tweens Kite Build with Terry Zee Lee](https://watershedassociation.org/event/art4water-tweens-kite-build-with-terry-zee-lee/) - Learn how to build and fly a kite, kite engineering basics, different kite-making materials, and three key kitemaker knots. Learn how the artistry of kites can convey a powerful message plus how to plan a kite festival at your school! Class is taught by Terry Zee Lee, president of Sky Wind World in conjunction with - [Art4Water Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition](https://watershedassociation.org/event/art4water-sacred-springs-kite-exhibition/) - “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 - [Blanco River Songwriter Festival](https://watershedassociation.org/event/blanco-river-songwriter-festival/) - 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 - [Groundwater: Planning for the Future](https://watershedassociation.org/event/groundwater-planning-for-the-future/) - 2022 is the beginning of a new 5-year groundwater planning cycle. What does it all mean, and when it is best for you to have effective engagement in the process? Please join the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District and Hill Country Alliance for an in-person and interactive presentation -Groundwater: Planning For the Future- that explains the process and how community members can - [Texas Land Conservation Conference](https://watershedassociation.org/event/texas-land-conservation-conference/) - The Texas Land Trust Council's 26th annual Texas Land Conservation Conference will be held in person on March 2-4, 2022 at the Hilton Austin Airport.The conference is the preeminent statewide meeting for anyone working in the field of land and water conservation, private landowners interested in conserving their land, government, business and NGO agency partners, - [Old Kyle Road Improvements: Wimberley Valley Trails Initiative Virtual Public Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/old-kyle-road-improvements-wimberley-valley-trails-initiative-virtual-public-meeting/) - Old Kyle Road in downtown Wimberley is one of the busiest and most congested roads in the Valley. Parking, pedestrian access, traffic, bike routes, and stormwater runoff make it a particularly tricky improvement project. This is an opportunity to improve and protect water quality in Cypress Creek, make walking and biking safer, and enhance the - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Regular Board Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/htgcd-regular-board-meeting-2022-02-03/) - ** Rescheduled due to icy weather REGULAR BOARD MEETING HAYS TRINITY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Normal time: 5:00 PM Location alternates between Wimberley and Dripping Springs. Wimberley Location: Hays County Extension Office (Meeting Room) 200 Stillwater Rd, Wimberley, TX 78676 Dripping Springs Location: Sunset Canyon Baptist Church, Multi-Purpose Room in the Family Life - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-city-council-meeting-2/2025-10-16/) - City of Wimberley City Council meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Wimberley City Chambers located at 221 Stillwater Drive, Wimberley, Texas 78676. 2022 Agendas and Meeting Minutes (link) - [Woodcreek City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/woodcreek-city-council-meeting/2023-11-08/) - Woodcreek City Council meets at 6:30pm on the second Wednesday of each month, usually at Camp Young Judea. Meetings are also streamed online. Agendas are available on the Meetings webpage (link). - [Woodcreek City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/woodcreek-city-council-meeting/2023-12-13/) - Woodcreek City Council meets at 6:30pm on the second Wednesday of each month, usually at Camp Young Judea. Meetings are also streamed online. Agendas are available on the Meetings webpage (link). - [Blanco City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/blanco-city-council-meeting-2/2023-11-14/) - The Blanco City Council holds regular meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month usually at the Byars Building (308 Pecan Street) at 6 p.m. Check agenda for location. Agendas are posted online on the City Council page (link) and at City Hall 72 hours before meetings. Meetings are also livestreamed through GoToMeeting. The link - [Blanco City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/blanco-city-council-meeting-2/2023-12-12/) - The Blanco City Council holds regular meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month usually at the Byars Building (308 Pecan Street) at 6 p.m. Check agenda for location. Agendas are posted online on the City Council page (link) and at City Hall 72 hours before meetings. Meetings are also livestreamed through GoToMeeting. The link - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-city-council-meeting/2025-11-06/) - City of Wimberley City Council meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Wimberley City Chambers located at 221 Stillwater Drive, Wimberley, Texas 78676. 2022 Agendas and Meeting Minutes (link) - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-commissioners-court-2022-02-01-2022-12-20/2023-11-07/) - Weekly Court sessions take place at the Hays County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 E. San Antonio St., in San Marcos, Texas. The five-member body of elected officials hold Court beginning at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at the County Courthouse, unless otherwise posted. Court Agendas The Court’s agenda is posted on this site each Friday prior to - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-commissioners-court-2022-02-01-2022-12-20/2023-11-14/) - Weekly Court sessions take place at the Hays County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 E. San Antonio St., in San Marcos, Texas. The five-member body of elected officials hold Court beginning at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at the County Courthouse, unless otherwise posted. Court Agendas The Court’s agenda is posted on this site each Friday prior to - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-commissioners-court-2022-02-01-2022-12-20/2023-11-21/) - Weekly Court sessions take place at the Hays County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 E. San Antonio St., in San Marcos, Texas. The five-member body of elected officials hold Court beginning at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at the County Courthouse, unless otherwise posted. Court Agendas The Court’s agenda is posted on this site each Friday prior to - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-commissioners-court-2022-02-01-2022-12-20/2023-11-28/) - Weekly Court sessions take place at the Hays County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 E. San Antonio St., in San Marcos, Texas. The five-member body of elected officials hold Court beginning at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at the County Courthouse, unless otherwise posted. Court Agendas The Court’s agenda is posted on this site each Friday prior to - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-commissioners-court-2022-02-01-2022-12-20/2023-12-05/) - Weekly Court sessions take place at the Hays County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 E. San Antonio St., in San Marcos, Texas. The five-member body of elected officials hold Court beginning at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at the County Courthouse, unless otherwise posted. Court Agendas The Court’s agenda is posted on this site each Friday prior to - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-commissioners-court-2022-02-01-2022-12-20/2023-12-12/) - Weekly Court sessions take place at the Hays County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 E. San Antonio St., in San Marcos, Texas. The five-member body of elected officials hold Court beginning at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at the County Courthouse, unless otherwise posted. Court Agendas The Court’s agenda is posted on this site each Friday prior to - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-commissioners-court-2022-02-01-2022-12-20/2023-12-19/) - Weekly Court sessions take place at the Hays County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 E. San Antonio St., in San Marcos, Texas. The five-member body of elected officials hold Court beginning at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at the County Courthouse, unless otherwise posted. Court Agendas The Court’s agenda is posted on this site each Friday prior to - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-commissioners-court-2022-02-01-2022-12-20/2023-12-26/) - Weekly Court sessions take place at the Hays County Historic Courthouse, located at 111 E. San Antonio St., in San Marcos, Texas. The five-member body of elected officials hold Court beginning at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at the County Courthouse, unless otherwise posted. Court Agendas The Court’s agenda is posted on this site each Friday prior to - [Flooding, Carbon, Climate -- Oh MY! (CCCA Virtual Community Program)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/flooding-carbon-climate-oh-my-ccca-virtual-community-program/) - Ever wonder what we can do about flooding, carbon in the air, and climate? Debbie Reid will talk about how conserving land in a watershed can reduce downstream flooding and capture carbon from the atmosphere, thus helping avert the worst consequences of a changing climate. Healthy soils in parks, open spaces, and undisturbed natural areas - [Shred-It Day](https://watershedassociation.org/event/shred-it-day/) - 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 - [Drug Take Back](https://watershedassociation.org/event/drug-take-back/) - 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 - [Imagine a Day Without Water](https://watershedassociation.org/event/imagine-a-day-without-water-2/) - 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 - [Lights Out, Texas (Critical Fall Migration Period)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/lights-out-texas-critical-fall-migration-period/) - 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 - [Leadership Summit - A Hill Country Conservation Reunion (HCA)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/leadership-summit-a-hill-country-conservation-reunion-hca/) - The Hill Country Alliance's annual Leadership Summit will be held outdoors at Jester King Brewery and livestreamed online, Thursday, September 30. Topics span from Hill Country Conservation Network metrics, dark skies, cedar, One Water, and much more! The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association staff will participate in the One Water panel and reinforce the need for - [Karst Walk at Blue Hole Regional Park](https://watershedassociation.org/event/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 - [Diving Deep into Karst webinar](https://watershedassociation.org/event/diving-deep-into-karst-webinar/) - As part of the Deep in the Karst of Texas education initiative, WVWA and TESPA hosted a lunchtime webinar on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Presenters discussed the International Year of Caves and Karst, Texas karst and conservation initiatives, and recent well visits. From global to local, this discussion is insightful and entertaining. We hope you - [HTGCD Water Wise Speakers Series - Wimberley One Water School](https://watershedassociation.org/event/htgcd-water-wise-speakers-series-wimberley-one-water-school/) - The 4th installment of the HTGCD 2021 Water Wise Speaker Series features the innovative conservation design used in the creation of the Wimberley's Blue Hole Primary school, which was built following One Water design principles. Bring questions for a brief Q&A period following this presentation. See the September Board Meeting Agenda on haysgroundwater.com for more - [Call for Artists - Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition submissions due](https://watershedassociation.org/event/call-for-artists-sacred-springs-kite-exhibition-submissions-due/) - 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 - [Cypress Flows: Stakeholder Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/cypress-flows-stakeholder-meeting/) - Hello Cypress Creek Friends and Neighbors, Due to concerns over rising COVID-19 cases and out of an abundance of caution, we will be moving our Stakeholder Meeting to an online format. Please RSVP to the meeting, to receive instructions on how to join the Zoom meeting. Cypress Creek Project Stakeholder Meeting July 29th, 2021 | - [Financing Nature-Based Solutions: Role of Environmental Credits (webinar)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/financing-nature-based-solutions-role-of-environmental-credits-webinar/) - You probably know carbon markets are heating up rapidly (no pun intended) and demand to buy carbon credits is skyrocketing. But what do you know about the supply chain of carbon credits (and other environmental credits)? How are they originated, who creates them, and how do they get to market? On Thursday, July 29 at - [Two-Step for Karst Barn Dance](https://watershedassociation.org/event/two-step-for-karst-barn-dance/) - 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 - [Neighborhood Site Visits - Trinity Aquifers](https://watershedassociation.org/event/neighborhood-site-visits/) - This summer the Watershed Association is collaborating with the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) and the Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (CTGCD) to provide a limited number of Trinity Aquifer water well visits. Previous Neighborhood Site Visits have focused on Edwards in the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and Trinity wells in the eastern portion of the HTGCD. This - [On River Time (Wimberley Radio)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/on-river-time-wimberley-radio/) - David Baker joins On River Time host, Duanne Redus in this week's radio show live on Wimberley Radio (KWVH, 94.3). Listen live from 2-3, Thursday July 8th, 2021. Radio | Wimberley Valley Radio | United States (kwvh.org) - [Endangered Species, Endangered Caves, Endangered Aquifers (NCKMS)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/endangered-species-endangered-caves-endangered-aquifers-nckms/) - The National Cave and Karst Management Symposium (NCKMS) will be held in San Marcos this year. Volunteers from area grottos, cave and karst organizations, and researchers have lined up an impressive schedule of field trips, workshops, presentations, and networking events. This is a fabulous way to celebrate the International Year of Karst and learn more - [Climate and Weather Trends in the Hill Country (HTGCD Speaker Series)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/2021-water-20-speaker-series-hays-trinity-gcd/2021-07-01/) - The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District has announced its 2021 Water-20 Speaker Series. Subject matter experts will discuss a variety of water topics important to Hays County residents. Hays County is listed by the US Census Bureau as the second fastest growing county in the United States. Great schools, good housing, proximity to growing business - [iNaturalist 101 at Coleman's Canyon Preserve](https://watershedassociation.org/event/inaturalist-101-at-colemans-canyon-preserve/) - Join WVWA staff, Restoration Rangers, and Hays County Master Naturalists for an iNaturalist overview and mini-bioblitz at the Coleman's Canyon Preserve. Please RSVP to robingary@wimberleywatershed.org to be added to the list. Space is limited and access to the preserve is closed to the public at this time. Attendees will hike and explore the Preserve to - [Natural Bridge Caverns Discovery Days](https://watershedassociation.org/event/natural-bridge-caverns-discovery-days/2021-06-27/) - Natural Bridge Caverns | Discovery Days - [GMA 9 Desired Future Conditions - Public Comments Due](https://watershedassociation.org/event/gma-9-desired-future-conditions-public-comments-due/) - GMA 9: 30 foot drawdown of Trinity Aquifer Groundwater Management Area 9 | Texas Water Development Board - [Sustainable Land Stewardship: Creating a Plan for Your Land](https://watershedassociation.org/event/sustainable-land-stewardship-creating-a-plan-for-your-land/) - The Wimberley Village Library is hosting a Zoom webinar about Sustainable Land Stewardship. Jamie Kinscherff who advises Texas landowners seeking 1-D-1 Wildlife tax status will discuss key elements associated with developing and implementing a sound, informed land management plan. To register for this event: Register in advance for this meeting for Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkcO2hpz8sGdPBgoySKZQYz2Gmx6Ca0uMX Afterregistering, you - [What's Next for Texas Water?](https://watershedassociation.org/event/whats-next-for-texas-water/) - Texas' underground water supplies are struggling. That creates long-term uncertainty for landowners who rely on groundwater, the rivers and streams that are fed by it, and the plants and wildlife that will die without it. Yet the Legislature has done little in the 2021 legislative session to address Texas' water future. So what's next for - [Protecting Air & Water Through Pipeline Leak Detection](https://watershedassociation.org/event/protecting-air-water-through-pipeline-leak-detection/2021-05-20/) - The Pipeline Safety Trust is planning for a return to an in-person conference in 2022, they will continue with virtual conferences. They have two sessions planned for May. The event flyer details topics, speakers, and panelists. Please go to the Conference Page to register. Look for events on the Pipeline Safety Trust Facebook page for - [MUDs in Blanco - Community Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/muds-in-blanco-community-meeting/) - Protect Our Blanco is co-sponsoring an educational event with the Hill Country Alliance to help prepare our elected officials and Blanco citizens for growth - Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)! While we all know that growth can be good and is inevitable, we also know that if it's not managed effectively we are endangering our - [Wimberley Valley Trails Initiative Virtual Public Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-valley-trails-virtual-public-meeting/) - Virtual Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 25th from 5:30 - 6:30 pm and kicks off the public comment period. Find out more and register for the meeting (or view the archived video post-meeting) here: Public Meeting | Wimberley Vly Trails (wimberleyvalleytrails.com) What is Wimberley Valley Trails? The Wimberley Valley Trails Study is - [Groundwater Awareness Week](https://watershedassociation.org/event/groundwater-awareness-week/) - 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! - [Wimberley Valley Trails Initiative Public Survey Period](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-valley-trails-initiative-public-survey-period/) - [Wild Neighbors webinar: Animal Tracks and Signs](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wild-neighbors-webinar-animal-tracks-and-signs/) - Join Austin Wildlands on Friday, March 12 from noon to 1pm for this month's Wild Neighbors webinar: Animal Tracks and Signs: The Language of Nature with Jonah Evans, State Mammologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He'll talk about how tracks can tell stories about the hidden lives of animals. Register for the webinar here. - [Our Water, Our Environment and Our Way of Life: Economic Drivers for the Wimberley Valley](https://watershedassociation.org/event/our-water-our-environment-and-our-way-of-life-economic-drivers-for-the-wimberley-valley/) - The Cypress Creek stakeholder's semi-annual public stakeholder meeting includes a special online event, “Our Water, Our Environment and Our Way of Life: Economic Drivers for the Wimberley Valley.” that features round table discussions with Wimberley Valley experts and keynote speakers: Lon Shell, Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Dr. Joni Charles, Associate Professor of Economics at - [Amplify Austin - Day of Giving](https://watershedassociation.org/event/amplify-austin-day-of-giving/) - [Economics of Water webinar (Texas Water Journal)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/economics-of-water-webinar-texas-water-journal/) - Texas Resources Water Resource Institute (Texas State-San Marcos) will host a webinar discussing recently published research on the economics of water on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 10 AM. Todd Vottler will moderate then facilitate a round table discussion. You can learn more about the webinar at https://twj.media/water-journal-webinars/ Justin Thompson, in the Earth Resources Graduate Program - [Economic Development in Hays and Caldwell Counties - Virtual Discussion](https://watershedassociation.org/event/economic-development-in-hays-and-caldwell-counties-virtual-discussion-2/) - The Greater San Marcos Partnership will host a virtual discussion on Economic Development in Hays and Caldwell Counties. On Thursday, Feb 11, from 10:30 to 11:30 am they'll host a FREE virtual event where Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra and Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden will discuss their plans regarding economic development in our region - [Hays Co. Transportation Plan Public Comment Period Closes](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-co-transportation-plan-public-comment-period-closes/) - Your time is now to comment on Hays County’s Transportation Plan update, which has been in development since the summer. Virtual Open House Round 2 and public input survey (due by Feb. 7) are available online: https://www.haystransportationplan.com/open-house-2 Here's the WVWA synopsis of projects: Survey Window Opens for Draft Hays County Transportation Plan - Wimberley Valley - [Economic Development in Hays and Caldwell Counties Virtual Discussion](https://watershedassociation.org/event/economic-development-in-hays-and-caldwell-counties-virtual-discussion/) - The Greater San Marcos Partnership will host a moderated conversation about Economic Development in Hays and Caldwell Counties. On Thursday, Feb 11, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., they will host a FREE virtual event where you will hear directly from Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra and Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden about their plans regarding - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district/2021-01-26/) - 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 - [Fix-A-Leak Week](https://watershedassociation.org/event/fix-a-leak-week/) - 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 - [Woodcreek Citizens' Comprehensive Plan Committee](https://watershedassociation.org/event/woodcreek-citizens-comprehensive-plan-committee/) - 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)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/tuesday-night-arts-wimberley-parks-and-rec/2021-02-12/) - 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 - [Incorporating Mushrooms into Restoration (BCP Forest Restoration Webinars)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/incorporating-mushrooms-into-restoration-bcp-forest-restoration-webinars/) - 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 - [Soil Biology & Geology (BCP Forest Restoration webinars)](https://watershedassociation.org/event/soil-biology-geology-bcp-forest-restoration-webinars/) - 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 - [OpenET Webinar](https://watershedassociation.org/event/openet-webinar/) - 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 - [Seed Harvesting: Onion, Water Quality Protection Land](https://watershedassociation.org/event/seed-harvesting-onion-water-quality-protection-land-2/) - **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 - [Seed Harvesting: Onion, Water Quality Protection Land](https://watershedassociation.org/event/seed-harvesting-onion-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 - [Seed Harvesting - Little Bear, Water Quality Protection Land](https://watershedassociation.org/event/seed-harvesting-wqpl-little-bear-property/) - **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 - [Rehydration of the Landscape - City of Austin BCCP Reforestation Series webinars](https://watershedassociation.org/event/rehydration-of-the-landscape-city-of-austin-bccp-reforestation-series-webinars/) - 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 - [#GivingTuesday](https://watershedassociation.org/event/givingtuesday/) - 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 - [The Future of Buildings, Transportation and Power](https://watershedassociation.org/event/the-future-of-buildings-transportation-and-power/) - 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 - [14th Annual North Texas Regional Water Conservation Symposium](https://watershedassociation.org/event/14th-annual-north-texas-regional-water-conservation-symposium/) - 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 - [Jacob's Well Natural Area Guided Tour](https://watershedassociation.org/event/jacobs-well-natural-area-guided-tour/) - 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 - [Election Day](https://watershedassociation.org/event/election-day/) - Vote, vote, VOTE! https://hayscountytx.com/departments/elections/current-year-elections/nov-3-2020-general-election/ - [Vetran's Day](https://watershedassociation.org/event/vetrans-day/) - 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! - [Wildfire and Eco Restoration - SBCA Happy Hour](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wildfire-and-eco-restoration-sbca-happy-hour/) - 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 - [History of Water in Texas - author panel](https://watershedassociation.org/event/history-of-water-in-texas-author-panel/) - 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 - [Hill Country Living Festival and Rainwater Revival](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hill-country-living-festival-and-rainwater-revival/) - 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 - [Webinar: Environmental enforcement by local governments](https://watershedassociation.org/event/webinar-environmental-enforcement-by-local-governments/) - RSVP to cfraser@environmenttexas.org to join the webinar. - [Imagine A Day Without Water](https://watershedassociation.org/event/imagine-a-day-without-water/) - 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 - [Blue Hole Star Party](https://watershedassociation.org/event/blue-hole-star-party-2/) - 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 - [Master Gardeners' Native Plant Sale](https://watershedassociation.org/event/last-day-of-master-gardeners-native-plant-sale/) - 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 - [iNaturalist Training at Blue Hole](https://watershedassociation.org/event/inaturalist-training/) - 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 - [Boo! Hole Halloween](https://watershedassociation.org/event/boo-hole-halloween/) - 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 - [Last day of Early Voting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/last-day-of-early-voting/) - Vote, Vote, Vote! Hays County General Election details: https://hayscountytx.com/departments/elections/current-year-elections/nov-3-2020-general-election/ - [Early Voting Begins](https://watershedassociation.org/event/early-voting-begins/) - Vote Vote Vote! - [North Texas Outdoor Watering Summit](https://watershedassociation.org/event/north-texas-outdoor-watering-summit/) - 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 - [TWCA Fall Conference](https://watershedassociation.org/event/twca-fall-conference/) - 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 - [Blanco City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/blanco-city-council-meeting/) - 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 - [LWV Candidate Forum: San Marcos City Council and SM CISD](https://watershedassociation.org/event/lwv-candidate-forum-san-marcos-city-council-and-sm-cisd/) - 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 - [LWV Candidate Forum: House District 45 & Hays County Sheriff](https://watershedassociation.org/event/lwv-candidate-forum-house-district-45-hays-county-sheriff/) - 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 - [LWV Candidate Forum: Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees](https://watershedassociation.org/event/lwv-candidate-forum-dripping-springs-isd-board-of-trustees/) - 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 - [LWV Candidate Forum: Hays County Commissioner #3 and County Constables](https://watershedassociation.org/event/lwv-candidate-forum-hays-county-commissioner-3-and-county-constables/) - 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 - [LWV Candidate Forum: District Judge, County Court at Law #3, & Tax Assessor](https://watershedassociation.org/event/lwv-candidate-forum-district-judge-county-court-at-law-3-tax-assessor/) - 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 - [LWV: Wimberley ISD & Woodcreek Candidate Forum](https://watershedassociation.org/event/lwv-wimberley-isd-woodcreek-candidate-forum/) - 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 - [HCA Leadership Summit](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hca-leadership-summit/) - 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, - [HTGCD Board meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/htgcd-board-meeting/) - 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 - [Hays County Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Commission Project Discussion](https://watershedassociation.org/event/5608/) - 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 - [Hays County Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission Projects Discussion](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-parks-and-open-space-advisory-commission-projects-discussion/) - 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 - [Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program - Cypress Creek Watershed](https://watershedassociation.org/event/healthy-lawns-and-healthy-waters-program-cypress-creek-watershed/) - 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 - [Our Water, Our Future, Ours To Protect](https://watershedassociation.org/event/our-water-our-future-ours-to-protect/) - 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 - [River Rally 2020](https://watershedassociation.org/event/river-rally-2020/) - River Rally 2020 Program What’s in store at River Rally 2020 in San Antonio, Texas? From plenary panels on regenerative agriculture and the history of the San Antonio River, to workshops across nine themes, led by industry leaders from San Antonio River Authority, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas A&M, Texas Water Trade, EPA, NOAA, - [Hill Country Living Festival + Rainwater Revival](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hill-country-living-festival-rainwater-revival/) - 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 - [Prairie Restoration Workshop](https://watershedassociation.org/event/prairie-restoration-workshop/) - Many grasslands in the Texas Hill Country have been badly degraded by poor stewardship and, and we are in bad shape. Fortunately, there are land restoration strategies that can be applied to increase the diversity and abundance of wildlife on the land. This workshop will cover land stewardship practices, preparation of old fields for restoration, - [7th Annual Amplify Austin Day](https://watershedassociation.org/event/7th-annual-amplify-austin-day/) - Amplify Austin Day is the Central Texas region’s day of giving. It is a local generosity movement that connects individuals, families, businesses, and foundations with the causes they are passionate about to create real, lasting change for the local nonprofits that address our most pressing needs. On Amplify Austin Day, your gifts have the opportunity - [Austin Cave Festival](https://watershedassociation.org/event/austin-cave-festival-2/) - Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020 (10am-3pm) Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX 78739rr This free, family-friendly event will feature hands-on activities, cave tours, live music, and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a cave and see how water makes its way to the aquifer and Barton Springs, learn about - [Creating a Land Legacy: Comal County Landowner's Workshop](https://watershedassociation.org/event/creating-a-land-legacy-comal-county-landowners-workshop/) - Click here to register for this event. - [One Water: Cutting Costs & Protecting Our Aquifers](https://watershedassociation.org/event/one-water-cutting-costs-protecting-our-aquifers/) - The least expensive water is the water we already have. Communities can build water resilience through creative and thoughtful use of groundwater, surface water, rainwater, storm water, and wastewater. At this event, hear the latest success stories, learn from Texas water experts, and identify new collaborators. There’s not a minute to lose. Please join us. - [Water Conservation Symposium](https://watershedassociation.org/event/water-conservation-symposium/) - 10th Annual Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium Collaborating for Success: Planning & Programs that get Results The Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium provides water utilities with the information needed to implement successful water conservation programs, effectively engage customers, and plan for the future. Learn from state and national experts about the latest approaches, what is - [Cold Ones for Conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/event/cold-ones-for-conservation/) - Come join the Hill Country Alliance for a fun day in Blanco! During the first quarter of 2020, Real Ale Brewing Company is partnering with the Hill Country Alliance and Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky on a special project: a single batch of their OG Full Moon Pale Rye Ale! This will be on tap only, and $1 from - [Explorer's Guide Release Party](https://watershedassociation.org/event/explorers-guide-release-party/) - The Explorer's Guide to the Hill Country Oasis is here, come celebrate with us and pick up your very own copy! Continued thanks to all of our sponsors and contributors, who allow us to provide this resource to the public for FREE! This print and online (https://explorersguide.org/) resource will help you become the explorer you - [San Marcos & Blanco Riverine Flood Mitigations Project: Public Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/san-marcos-blanco-riverine-flood-mitigations-project-public-meeting/) - [Blanco: Stop the Pipeline Community Potluck](https://watershedassociation.org/event/blanco-stop-the-pipeline-community-potluck/) - Join Blanco Stop the Pipeline for their monthly Community Potluck ! ⭐️Bring food to share, beverage of choice, folding chairs and enthusiasm to stop the Permian Highway Pipeline. Remember, it's NOT a done deal! 6:00 PM - Arnosky Family Farm, 13977 FM 2325, Blanco, Texas 78606 - [BSEACD & HTGCD Neighborhood Site Visits](https://watershedassociation.org/event/bseacd-htgcd-neighborhood-site-visits-6/) - Neighborhood Site Visits Water level tracking is particularly important in Edwards and Trinity wells, because water levels fluctuate substantially during drought and wet periods. When home owners know the depth of their pump, a water level measurement can show how much water is above the level of the pump. 2019 Neighborhood Site Visits This year’s - [BSEACD & HTGCD Neighborhood Site Visits](https://watershedassociation.org/event/bseacd-htgcd-neighborhood-site-visits-5/) - Neighborhood Site Visits Water level tracking is particularly important in Edwards and Trinity wells, because water levels fluctuate substantially during drought and wet periods. When home owners know the depth of their pump, a water level measurement can show how much water is above the level of the pump. 2019 Neighborhood Site Visits This year’s - [BSEACD & HTGCD Neighborhood Site Visits](https://watershedassociation.org/event/bseacd-htgcd-neighborhood-site-visits-4/) - Neighborhood Site Visits Water level tracking is particularly important in Edwards and Trinity wells, because water levels fluctuate substantially during drought and wet periods. When home owners know the depth of their pump, a water level measurement can show how much water is above the level of the pump. 2019 Neighborhood Site Visits This year’s - [BSEACD & HTGCD Neighborhood Site Visits](https://watershedassociation.org/event/bseacd-htgcd-neighborhood-site-visits-3/) - Neighborhood Site Visits Water level tracking is particularly important in Edwards and Trinity wells, because water levels fluctuate substantially during drought and wet periods. When home owners know the depth of their pump, a water level measurement can show how much water is above the level of the pump. 2019 Neighborhood Site Visits This year’s - [BSEACD & HTGCD Neighborhood Site Visits](https://watershedassociation.org/event/bseacd-htgcd-neighborhood-site-visits-2/) - Neighborhood Site Visits Water level tracking is particularly important in Edwards and Trinity wells, because water levels fluctuate substantially during drought and wet periods. When home owners know the depth of their pump, a water level measurement can show how much water is above the level of the pump. 2019 Neighborhood Site Visits This year’s - [BSEACD & HTGCD Neighborhood Site Visits](https://watershedassociation.org/event/bseacd-htgcd-neighborhood-site-visits/) - Neighborhood Site Visits Water level tracking is particularly important in Edwards and Trinity wells, because water levels fluctuate substantially during drought and wet periods. When home owners know the depth of their pump, a water level measurement can show how much water is above the level of the pump. 2019 Neighborhood Site Visits This year’s - [Protect Our Blanco: Membership Event](https://watershedassociation.org/event/protect-our-blanco-membership-event/) - [Caring for Your Land – Incentives for Stewardship and Conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/event/caring-for-your-land-incentives-for-stewardship-and-conservation/) - Hosted by the Hill Country Conservancy and the partners of the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network. Presented by the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. October 4th, 9:30 - 1:30 (lunch provided) at Gem of the Hills, Blanco TX Register (Free) & More info: https://www.texas-wildlife.org/resources/events/caring-for-your-land - [Bluegrass and Beer - Keep Sewage out of Barton Creek](https://watershedassociation.org/event/bluegrass-and-beer-keep-sewage-out-of-barton-creek/) - Come to Bluegrass and Beer to listen to bluegrass music and learn more about how sewage pollution is threatening Long Branch, Barton Creek, and waterways across the Hill Country. The informational program about the sewage pollution problem and ways to get involved will start at 7 PM. Throughout the event, beer and food is available - [Water's Of Central Texas Beer Tasting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/waters-of-central-texas-beer-tasting/) - Great beer begins with clean water! Come taste how your water affects your beer. For this event 3 of your favorite brewers, Real Ale, Vista Brewing and Black Star Coop have all brewed an American Lager with the same recipe and 3 different water sources: Austin City Water, Trinity Aquifer Water and rainwater. Thank you - [One Water Summit](https://watershedassociation.org/event/one-water-summit/) - Join hundreds of top water leaders in Austin for One Water Summit 2019. It is the premier national conference focused on sustainable, integrated, and inclusive approaches to managing water, our most precious natural resource. With inspiring plenary sessions, skills-building institutes, interactive workshops, mobile tours, and unparalleled networking opportunities, One Water Summit 2019 is not to - [Austin Underground Beer Release at Black Star COOP](https://watershedassociation.org/event/austin-underground-beer-release-at-black-star-coop/) - Come taste the Austin Water version of the "Waters of Central Texas" multi-brewery cause brew with our favorite Austin Brewpub, Black Star Coop. In collaboration with the The Texas Brewshed Alliance, they have brewed another water focused beer alongside Real Ale Brewing Company in Blanco, TX and Vista Brewing in Driftwood, TX. Each brewery used - [Hays County Preparedness Fair](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-county-preparedness-fair/) - HAYS COUNTY PREPAREDNESS FAIR: Hold Sept 14 from 10 to 4 at HCISD Performing Arts Center in Kyle, off Kohler's Crossing. All first responders in the county will be represented and vendors with preparedness items on site. Live music and raffle items benefit the BR3T, the long term disaster recovery organization for Blanco, Hays, Caldwell - [Fall San Marcos River Cleanup](https://watershedassociation.org/event/fall-san-marcos-river-cleanup/) - [Fall Native Plant Sale](https://watershedassociation.org/event/fall-native-plant-sale/) - Fall Plant Sale- Hays County Master Gardeners September 21, 9 am-1pm, San Marcos Details - [River of Innocence Screening](https://watershedassociation.org/event/river-of-innocence-screening/) - The showing of a great movie about the San Marcos River, River of Innocence will be at Aquabrew on September 12th. - [Benefit for Comal County Conservation Alliance](https://watershedassociation.org/event/benefit-for-comal-county-conservation-alliance/) - Our sister organization in New Braunfels is hosting a fun event at the Gruene Grove which is a lovely patio bar behind the red brick antique shop, 2 doors to the left from Gruene Hall. This event is from 4-8pm on Tuesday the 17th. The purpose of this organization is very similar to ours in that it - [LATEST AND GREATEST FERAL HOG UPDATES WEBINAR](https://watershedassociation.org/event/latest-and-greatest-feral-hog-updates-webinar/) - About: Hear the latest updates on feral hog regulations, management measures, and resources. Date and Time: August 27, 3:00-3:30pm Host: Josh Helcel - AgriLife Extension associate with the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute Webinar Link: https://txstate.zoom.us/j/7417959635 - [Wimberley Art and Soul](https://watershedassociation.org/event/4716/) - You're invited to be a part of it. THE THIRD ANNUAL WIMBERLEY ART & SOUL! Designed to bring visitors to Wimberley during a slow time of year, this combined group of events will be marketed and promoted throughout Texas. Chamber member businesses are invited to provide an event or experience. Last year more than 40 - [Wimberley Art & Soul](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-art-soul/) - [6th Annual Hydro Geo Workshop](https://watershedassociation.org/event/4696/) - Spend the weekend in real-world field settings, gaining valuable hands-on experience! The Texas Hydro-Geo Workshop is centered on the collection, processing, analysis and evaluation of hydrologic and geologic field data. It serves as an excellent introduction for aspiring geology, hydrology, and environmental science students, as well as a refresher for seasoned professionals. The Workshop was - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district-meeting/) - At this HTGCD meeting, the Board will be reviewing and voting on adopting the newly proposed Jacob's Well Groundwater Management Zone. We encourage everyone in attendance to support this new measure to help ensure that Jacob's Well can continue to flow year-round. For more information about the JWGMZ, please visit this link. - [FREE Webinar: The Devil's River - Saving one of the last great Texas rivers.](https://watershedassociation.org/event/free-webinar-the-devils-river-saving-one-of-the-last-great-texas-rivers/) - The next Texas Waters Webinar is under one week away! The webinar will be held Tuesday, August 20th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Sarah’s webinar will discuss Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s effort to protect the Devils River, which includes working with numerous partners to employ holistic stewardship of the river including conducting and funding biological and hydrologic - [NEEDMORE Follow Up Meeting with TESPA](https://watershedassociation.org/event/needmore-follow-up-meeting-with-tespa/) - NEEDMORE POST MORTEM and the FIGHT AHEAD! How did we get here? And what are we going to do about it? That's the essence of the Trinity Groundwater Protection Planning Meeting set for next Monday. Jim Blackburn, TESPA attorney and board president, will provide an insightful look back, and then map our way forward with your help and support.Your attendance - [Managing Our Stormwater - A FREE Green Infrastructure Workshop](https://watershedassociation.org/event/4679/) - Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service and City of Austin Watershed Protection are hosting a free half‐day workshop on Green Infrastructure, nature based techniques to clean and conserve stormwater. Tuesday, August 13, 2019 1pm - 4pm One Texas Center 505 Barton Springs Rd, Room 325 Austin, TX 78704 Speakers will focus on the why and how of green infrastructure practices using case - [Hill Country Leadership Summit](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hill-country-leadership-summit/) - Come join the Hill Country Alliance for our 2019 Leadership Summit on Thursday, September 26th at Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, TX. Get your tickets today - our special early bird registration price of $85 is only available through Wednesday, July 31st! - [Free Workshop: Top Laws TX Landowners need to know](https://watershedassociation.org/event/free-workshop-top-laws-tx-landowners-need-to-know/) - https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/2828 Agricultural law is an important topic for Texas landowners. This program will provide attendees with information on a broad number of common issues facing landowners from water law to eminent domain, special use tax valuation to landowner liability, fence law to key estate planning documents, and more. All attendees will receive a copy of - [TCEQ Public Meeting for Honey Creek](https://watershedassociation.org/event/tceq-public-meeting-for-honey-creek/) - From our friends at GEAA: A public meeting will be held on the permit application of Silesia Properties to discharge 500,000 gallons/day into Honey Creek (Permit No. WQ0015688001). As you may recall, the discharge point is upstream of Honey Creek State Natural Area and Guadalupe State Park. The Public Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August - [Sinkhole Conference 2020](https://watershedassociation.org/event/sinkhole-conference-2020/) - The 16th Sinkhole Conference: Call for Abstracts and Registration The Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst, generally called “The Sinkhole Conference,” is the longest-running international conference of its type. Since 1984, engineers, geologists, hydrologists, land managers, biologists, and many others have gathered at these meetings to exchange cutting-edge information on karst - [Know Your Plants: Native plant identification for common grasses, forbs & wildflowers](https://watershedassociation.org/event/know-your-plants-native-plant-identification-for-common-grasses-forbs-wildflowers/) - Native vegetation is much more than aesthetics and can provide habitat, food, and shelter for wildlife. We will discuss an overview of the native plant families of Central Texas and some common members of each, as well as some of the flora-fauna mutualistic benefits created. Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Mlse6yRWSeig022pshM7Kg - [Final Hearing for the Needmore Water, LLC Permit](https://watershedassociation.org/event/final-hearing-for-the-needmore-water-llc-permit/) - Read the notice here. The BSEACD Board will hear public comments on Needmore's proposed permit. Comments must not be repetitive and must be limited to three minutes per person. TESPA is encouraging landowners who will be affected by the permit, or who are concerned about over production of groundwater resources in Hays County, to attend the hearing - [Conservation Easement Workshop](https://watershedassociation.org/event/conservation-easement-workshop/) - [Jacobs Well Community Garden Potluck](https://watershedassociation.org/event/jacobs-well-community-garden-potluck/) - Hello Dear Garden Lovers! We invite you to join us for our upcoming JWCG Garden Party and community gathering Saturday, June 29 at 6pm. This is Farm to Table at its best! We will harvest and cook on the spot! Please bring a folding chair, water to drink and a dish to contribute to - [Wild and Scenic Film Festival](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wild-and-scenic-film-festival/) - 5th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival Join us: Thursday, August 29 from 6 - 9:30 pm at Star Cinema Grill in Springwoods Village Wild and Scenic Film Festival, a festival by activists for activists, leaves you feeling inspired and motivated to make a difference in your community and the world. Here you can experience - [Hill Country Nights](https://watershedassociation.org/event/hill-country-nights/) - The Hill Country's party of the year is back!... So, dust off your boots, grab your partner, and join us for a Hill Country good time! For the lucky 13th annual Hill Country Nights, Hill Country Conservancy brings you the fastest rising stars in Texas—The Texas Gentlemen! With music that touches on blues, soul, folk, country, rock - [Groundbreaking Ceremony: One Water Elementary School](https://watershedassociation.org/event/groundbreaking-ceremony-one-water-elementary-school/) - Wimberley ISD's groundbreaking ceremony for the first one water school in Texas is set for Monday, June 24th, at 5pm. The ceremony will take place at the school's location at the intersection of Winter's Mill Parkway and RR12 in Wimberley. - [CAMPO: Transportation Policy Board Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/campo-transportation-policy-board-meeting/) - July 8 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm The Transportation Policy Board Meeting takes place in Room 3.102 of the University of Texas Thompson Center. CURRENT OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES Community outreach and input are a key part of CAMPO’s transportation planning efforts. CAMPO’s planning studies include in-person and online input through open houses. Current Comment Opportunities - [The River and the Wall Screening & Potluck](https://watershedassociation.org/event/4509/) - Documentary Night features "The River and the Wall" Tuesday, June 4, Healthy Potluck at 6:45 pm Film starts promptly at 7 pm At 1,759 miles, the Rio Grande is the fourth-largest river in the United States, beginning in Colorado and running down to South Texas.The overwhelming beauty and pristine awesomeness of Big Bend and the - [Keys to a Healthy, Resilient valley](https://watershedassociation.org/event/keys-to-a-healthy-resilient-valley/) - "Keys to a Healthy, Resilient valley" with Daniel Oppenheimer - Hill Country Alliance Monday, June 24, 6 - 7:30 pm Whether you live up on the hillside or down by the creek, there are great opportunities to steward your "Little Bit of Heaven." Good land stewardship provides interconnected benefits for people, plants, animals and water. - [Austin Regenerative Practitioner Meet & Greet](https://watershedassociation.org/event/austin-regenerative-practitioner-meet-greet/) - Friday, May 31, at 5:30 pm at Casa de Luz hosted by local practitioners of regenerative development. Regenerative development works to align human activities with the continuing evolution of life on Earth, reversing ecosystem degradation while growing community wellbeing. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/austin-regenerative-practitioner-meet-greet-tickets-61742797369 A number of us were part of the 2018 Austin Regenerative Practitioner cohort and have been continuing - [Violet Crown Trail Ribbon Run](https://watershedassociation.org/event/violet-crown-trail-ribbon-run/) - Thank you for your support of the Violet Crown Trail! Hill Country Conservancy is proud to announce the grand opening of the Violet Crown Trail’s latest trailhead at Slaughter Lane. This milestone is 13 years in the making and would not be possible without the continued support, generosity and hard work of donors like you. - [It's Not a Done Deal Fest](https://watershedassociation.org/event/its-not-a-done-deal-fest/) - We want to get this pipeline moved out of the Texas Hill Country. It's NOT a Done Deal, but we can't fight Kinder Morgan without your help. Rub elbows with your neighbors, enjoy live music, learn what you can do to help protect our Hill Country communities. Tap room will be open and food available. - [14th Annual Central Texas Funders Forum](https://watershedassociation.org/event/14th-annual-central-texas-funders-forum/) - Organized by the Austin-Central Texas Chapter of the Grant Professional Association and the Austin Community College Center for Nonprofit Studies, and presented by the St. David’s Foundation, this event provides professional development and networking for grant, development, and executive professionals in the Texas nonprofit sector. This year’s theme, “Grants and The Art of Storytelling,” will - [Annual Lende Lecture Series at Cibolo Creek Featuring Andy Samson](https://watershedassociation.org/event/annual-lende-lecture-series-at-cibolo-creek-featuring-andy-samson/) - A community lecture on critical water issues in Texas. Cibolo Nature Center & Farm and the Cibolo Preserve invite you to learn about water conservation in the delicate Cibolo Creek and beyond. This second installment in the Lende Lecture Series will address critcal water issues and provide valuable insight on local water conservation and efficiency - [Spicewood Ranch Spring Native Plant ID Workshop](https://watershedassociation.org/event/spicewood-ranch-spring-native-plant-id-workshop/) - Friends, We are excited to announce the first of two ESC Spicewood Ranch Spring Native Plant ID Workshops for Spring 2019! Instructor- Bill Carr, Acme Botanical Services Location- Spicewood Ranch Time: 9 am to 1 pm, Sunday, April 14, 2019 Registration Details: Registration required. $25 to be paid in person at the workshop (cash, check, credit cards OK). Workshop - [Texas Groundwater Summit](https://watershedassociation.org/event/texas-groundwater-summit-2/) - Student Scholarships Studying groundwater? Interested in learning more and connecting with professionals in the field? Apply for a scholarship to attend the 2019 Texas Groundwater Summit. Students are also encouraged to submit your research for inclusion in our Student Poster Session. More information is available here. Interested? Please contact Beth Hood at beth@texasgroundwater.org. Register Now Early Bird registration for the - [Talk on the Texas Coastal Exchange, a new carbon offset program for the Gulf Coast.](https://watershedassociation.org/event/talk-on-the-texas-coastal-exchange-a-new-carbon-offset-program-for-the-gulf-coast/) - Presented by Jim Blackburn There will be a talk on Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. in Houston, and online, about how you, and/or your house of worship, can participate in the Texas Coastal Exchange, a new carbon offset program for the Gulf Coast. You may participate by purchasing offsets, or selling them, if you - [Readiness for Resilience: A Smart Technology Roadmap for Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/event/readiness-for-resilience-a-smart-technology-roadmap-for-texas/) - Join us for this two day workshop as we continue our commitment to post-Harvey long-term community resilience,through the Smart Technology Roadmap for Texas. Community leaders, stakeholders, and technology partners will convene to discuss post-Harvey regional project directions, case studies, public-private partnerships, and funding opportunities as we work together to build a more resilient Texas through - [Plant Diversity and a Healthy Native Landscape](https://watershedassociation.org/event/plant-diversity-and-a-healthy-native-landscape/) - Michele Bertelsen, an ecologist from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will be speaking about plant diversity and the ecological functions needed to sustain a healthy native landscape using work done at our own Blue Hole Park as an example. - [Cypress Creek Nature Trail Stakeholders Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/event/cypress-creek-nature-trail-stakeholders-meeting/) - There will be a second meeting for Cypress Creek Nature Trail (CCNT) stakeholders. The meeting will be facilitated by a third-party specialist and is designed to take stakeholders through an assessment of the status of the CCNT and Preserve. - [A Texas Myth Screening](https://watershedassociation.org/event/screening/) - In this new documentary, West Texas landowners and Native Americans band together to resist the Trans Pecos oil pipeline - [Earth Day Austin](https://watershedassociation.org/event/earth-day-austin/) - Earth Day ATX is a zero waste event, which means we will have many opportunities to lower your carbon footprint, conserve, recycle and upcycle. Stay tuned to find out more important details about the event. - [Jacobs Well Garden Party](https://watershedassociation.org/event/jacobs-well-garden-party/) - please bring a pot luck dish to share, and cold drinks as well. - [Texas Water Syposium: Water and the 2019 Legislative Session: The Outlook for Hill Country Water Resources](https://watershedassociation.org/event/texas-water-syposium-water-and-the-2019-legislative-session-the-outlook-for-hill-country-water-resources/) - 2019.3.28_TWS_86 Legislature and Texas Water_FLYER Join state representatives from the Hill Country as they engage in a conversation and public question and answer session to discuss bills that address flooding, treated effluent discharges, water well protection, growth, and support of sound science oriented natural resource policy. The program, titled Water and the 2019 Legislative Session: The - [Blanco County Town Hall - Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/event/blanco-county-town-hall-permian-highway-pipeline/) - [Stop the Permian Highway Pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/event/stop-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - A FREE Gathering of Central Texas people concerned about the proposed Kinder Morgan Permian Highway Pipeline. We will have experts speaking, yard signs and stickers, a raffle and other ways to engage. Vista brewery is a quintessentially beautiful Hill Country venue. There will be craft beer, cider, wine and farm-to-table dinner from the restaurant available - [Social Justice Forum: Stop the Permian Highway Pipeline!](https://watershedassociation.org/event/social-justice-forum-stop-the-permian-highway-pipeline/) - San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship . Our San Marcos-based group focuses on educational awareness of the pipeline, the route, the implications, the companies track record, & what we can do about it as citizens. Free coffee, professional childcare & parking! Optional service at 11AM, following the forum. https://www.facebook.com/events/489959418200339/ - [PHP Fundraiser @ the Shady Llama](https://watershedassociation.org/event/php-fundraiser-the-shady-llama/) - This is a free and fun event for everyone affected by the Pipeline to network, learn more and fundraise for WVWA's Legal Defense Fund as they prepare to fight Kinder Morgan. The pipeline is slated to be constructed 1400 feet from the Shady Llama! You can see the route clearly from their beautiful venue. Shady - [Austin Cave Festival](https://watershedassociation.org/event/austin-cave-festival/) - Austin Cave Festival Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 10am-3pm Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center FREE admission! Event will be held rain or shine! In addition to caving, there will be lots of indoor and outdoor activities. Visit the website for more information! Cave Adventure Tours (10:15am–2:30pm) Please come prepared if you plan to participate in a - [Coffee & Conversation](https://watershedassociation.org/event/coffee-conversation/) - On Friday, February 22, the Hays County Soil and Water Conservation District will host their third Coffee and Conservations event. The event, which started in 2018, has been held at Mazama Coffee in Dripping Springs back in August 2018 and Wimberley’s Sip!OnTheSquare in December previously. February’s date will be held at Mochas and Javas in - [2019 Urban Riparian Symposium - Building Community Connections for Healthy Urban Streams](https://watershedassociation.org/event/2019-urban-riparian-symposium-building-community-connections-for-healthy-urban-streams/) - Grapevine Convention Center Grapevine, Texas February 27 – March 1, 2019 Early Conference Registration is Open! Register Online Register Online for the afternoon Pre-Conference Workshops on 2/27/19. Please register for the workshops online. Registration is limited, so reserve your spot early. 1. Green Infrastructure/ Low Impact Development Workshop, Instructor: Dr. Fouad Jaber 2. Riparian Bullseye Assessment Training,(***Course is Full) - [Great Texas River Clean Up](https://watershedassociation.org/event/great-texas-river-clean-up/) - The 2019 Great Texas River Clean Up is Saturday, March 2nd! Registration will begin at 8:30 am at your clean up location's headquarters and the clean up will begin at 9 am. Lunch and a free T-shirt will be provided. A map of the clean up locations can be found here: https://goo.gl/bFnq5S T-shirts are avaiable on a first - [Wimberley Market Days](https://watershedassociation.org/event/wimberley-market-days/) - Wimberley hosts the oldest outdoor market in the Texas Hill Country and the second-largest in the state. The Lion's Club Market Days feature over 475 booths of everything you can't live without. Come stroll our tree-shaded paths, listen to live music and shop to your heart's content. Market Days are open the 1st Saturday of the ## Library - [Into the Depths: Uncovering Wimberley’s Hidden Waterways Through Dye Tracing](https://watershedassociation.org/library/wimberley-bat-cave-dye-trace-study/) - In spring 2018, a group of scientists and agencies worked together to conduct a dye-trace study near Jacob’s Well Spring (JWS) to better understand how water moves through the underground karst system in the Cypress Creek watershed. The goal was to find out if water from Raccoon Cave—a limestone cave in the Lower Glen Rose - [Hidden Habitats: Exploring Karst Invertebrates and Caves in Hays County](https://watershedassociation.org/library/hidden-habitats-exploring-karst-invertebrates-and-caves-in-hays-county/) - This study explores different ways to divide up areas in Hays County, Texas, for managing and protecting rare cave-dwelling species. Researchers looked at the locations of 45 rare karst species by sampling caves and reviewing past records. They used three methods to analyze where species are most unique or concentrated and found that the area - [One Water Implementation: A Case Study of Blue Hole Primary School, Wimberley ISD, Hays County, Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/library/one-water-implementation-a-case-study-of-blue-hole-primary-school-wimberley-isd-hays-county-texas/) - Using innovative One Water concepts to minimize water use and optimize onsite reuse, Wimberley Independent School District’s newest campus—Blue Hole Primary—was designed and constructed with strong support from the Watershed Association, Texas State’s Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, and the community. One Water is an intentionally integrated approach to water that promotes the - [Little Blanco River Occurrence of Flowing Water, Central Texas Hill Country, USA](https://watershedassociation.org/library/little-blanco-river-occurrence-of-flowing-water-central-texas-hill-country-usa/) - The Little Blanco River in Blanco County, Texas is a picture-perfect example of a classic Texas Hill Country stream in certain sections where clear waters flow over limestone riverbeds along towering Cypress tree-lined, shady banks. Some sections of the river, however, more often resemble a dry creekbed. The Texas Hill Country is chock-full of contrasts - [Water and Equity in the Texas Hill Country](https://watershedassociation.org/library/water-and-equity-in-the-texas-hill-country/) - The Texas Hill Country Conservation Network (THCCN) was created to coordinate a conservation partnership organization to scale up the impact of conservation-focused organizations in the region. The partnership understands that in order to achieve their respective missions, they need to create a culture of inclusion and equity by actively seeking input and participation from all - [Ecohydrological connectivity: A unifying framework for understanding how woody plant encroachment alters the water cycle in drylands](https://watershedassociation.org/library/ecohydrological-connectivity-a-unifying-framework-for-understanding-how-woody-plant-encroachment-alters-the-water-cycle-in-drylands/) - Grasslands and savannas in drylands have been and continue to be converted to woodlands through a phenomenon often described as woody plant encroachment. This conversion has profound implications for the ecosystem services that these landscapes provide, including water. In this paper, using examples from six case studies across drylands in the Great Plains and Chihuahuan - [What if... the United States of America were based on watersheds?](https://watershedassociation.org/library/what-if-the-united-states-of-america-were-based-on-watersheds/) - Watersheds know no political boundaries. Except for the borders of a few countries and a few of the United States, this adage is true. Most watersheds include many state, provincial, and local governments and this ‘‘balkanization’’ is what makes the policy of watershed management so complex. Employing an historical exercise in counterfactualism, ‘‘what if’’ the - [Groundwater in Texas: Case Studies of Effective Management--Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District](https://watershedassociation.org/library/groundwater-in-texas-case-studies-of-effective-management-hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district/) - The Hays Trinity GCD has relied on sound science and stakeholder input to develop policy and management tools to protect the unique groundwater resources within its jurisdiction. This benefits all landowners and groundwater users within the district. The Hays Trinity GCD Board has recognized, however, that moving forward, to proactively manage the limited groundwater resources - [Phosphorus Concentration Ranges and Periphyton Responses](https://watershedassociation.org/library/phosphorus-concentration-ranges-and-periphyton-responses/) - Biological monitoring represents an effective tool toward determining ecosystem health. Recently it has also been useful for establishing nutrient concentration criteria due to nonlinear responses of biota to nutrient enrichment. Stream benthic diatoms are commonly used to evaluate trophic conditions, and, due to narrow autecological preferences and tolerances, shifts in community composition can be used - [It's Not Easy to Save a River](https://watershedassociation.org/library/its-not-easy-to-save-a-river/) - From off-road vehicle abuse in streambeds to nonnative in­vasive species in riparian areas, from the threat of wastewater discharge in pristine headwater creeks to proposals for burying low-level radioactive waste and landfilling of fracking byproducts on floodplains, from water marketing plans seeking to export large quantities of groundwater to bulldozing river channels, gravel mining, and - [Evaluation of Trinity Aquifer Groundwater Availability in Kendall County](https://watershedassociation.org/library/evaluation-of-trinity-aquifer-groundwater-availability-in-kendall-county/) - Like most areas in the Texas Hill Country, the population and water demand continue to increase in Kendall County. In many areas, the water demand continues to be satisfied by groundwater development. The Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District (CCGCD) is interested in continuing to implement an appropriate balance between the growing demands for groundwater and - [Hill Country Urbanism—A case study of Jacob Well](https://watershedassociation.org/library/hill-country-urbanism-a-case-study-of-jacob-well/) - In the fall of 2017, the Jacob’s Well Studio seeks to continue the mission of the Hill Country Studio in imagining a sustainable future for the Hill Country, one that preserves the region’s natural resources, especially water, as well as the rich blend of cultures that make the region distinctively Texan. In partnership with the - [Finding a Reasonable Aquifer Yield: Decision Support Methods for Groundwater Policy Development in Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/library/finding-a-reasonable-aquifer-yield-decision-support-methods-for-groundwater-policy-development-in-texas/) - Managing groundwater can be difficult because there is no common perspective among stakeholders about what they wish for their desired future conditions (DFCs) for Texas’ aquifers. Conflicts over how to manage aquifers, whether to mine or sustain groundwater levels are complicated by diverse state and local approaches. This dissertation proposes a decision support method to - [What Do Groundwater Users Want (GMA 9)](https://watershedassociation.org/library/what-do-groundwater-users-want-gma-9/) - This report examines the changing methodology of groundwater management in Texas by studying the manner in which one Groundwater Management Area (GMA 9 in the Texas Hill Country) complied with new legislative mandates passed in 2005. Texas House Bill (HB) 1763 introduced several changes to groundwater management in Texas. There are 16 groundwater management areas - [Blue Hole Regional Park "Alternative" Water Supply for Non-Potable Water Uses](https://watershedassociation.org/library/blue-hole-regional-park-alternative-water-supply-for-non-potable-water-uses/) - The Friends of Blue Hole commissioned an engineering study by David Venhuizen, P.E. of alternative water supplies to provide irrigation and toilet flush water demands on the park. The study was presented to the Wimberley Parks Board on Feb. 22, 2022. The report is archived here. Phase 1: Background and Feasibility It is desired to - [July 2021 Potentiometric Surfaces of the Lower and Middle Trinity Aquifers in Southwestern Hays County, Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/library/july-2021-potentiometric-surfaces-of-the-lower-and-middle-trinity-aquifers-in-southwestern-hays-county-texas/) - In the western portion of Hays County and northeastern Comal County, residents depend on the Lower and Middle Trinity Aquifers as their water sources. Water from these two aquifers is used for domestic and agricultural purposes for a rapidly expanding population. According to the United States Census Bureau, Hays County ranked second for all counties - [Preferred Wastewater Systems for the Texas Hill Country and Over the Edwards Aquifer: Economic and Environmental Considerations](https://watershedassociation.org/library/preferred-wastewater-systems-for-the-texas-hill-country-and-over-the-edwards-aquifer-economic-and-environmental-considerations/) - The Texas Hill Country is blessed with incredible charm and aesthetic appeal; Its natural environment including creeks, rivers, and springs are a central draw. Many Hill Country residents rely on wells for their drinking water and livelihoods. Creeks and springs serve as important recreational hubs, and help sustain wildlife and livestock. Water in the Hill - [Five Gallons in a Ten Gallon Hat: Groundwater Sustainability in Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/library/five-gallons-in-a-ten-gallon-hat-groundwater-sustainability-in-texas/) - Despite the hopes and desires of scientists, engineers, and planners, the projected future of groundwater production in Texas is unsustainable. About 95 percent of locally-expressed desired future conditions are based on water-level declines, groundwater is currently being produced at 1.8 times the maximum sustainable amount, and groundwater is expected to be produced 2.4 times the - [Hays County Parks, Open Space, and Natural Areas Master Plan](https://watershedassociation.org/library/hays-county-parks-open-space-and-natural-areas-master-plan/) - The Hays County Parks, Open Space and Natural Areas Master Plan will be used by Hays County, Texas to make decisions regarding parks and open space programs and facilities. It lays the groundwork for the County’s involvement in providing park, open space and natural areas for the enjoyment of current and future generations. The Hays - [Natural Area Expansion Project: Land Preservation at the Headwaters of Cypress Creek](https://watershedassociation.org/library/natural-area-expansion-project-land-preservation-at-the-headwaters-of-cypress-creek/) - The landowners interested in discussing the opportunity for participating in a conservation program include Colman’s Canyon owned by the Coleman Family, the property owned by Stephen Flocke and the Rocky Romano tract. The Coleman Family have one large parcel at just under 156 acres, Stephen Flocke owns just under 45 acres, and the Romano tract - [Jacob's Well Natural Area Master Plan](https://watershedassociation.org/library/jacobs-well-natural-area-master-plan/) - Vision Jacob’s Well has long been an attraction to residents and visitors of the Texas Hill County. An artesian well and part of an extensive underground cave system, Jacob’s Well contributes to the recharging of the Edwards Aquifer. Because of it’s natural beauty and ecological benefits, this project is a prime opportunity to highlight the - [Cypress Creek Nature Preserve Masterplan](https://watershedassociation.org/library/cypress-creek-nature-preserve-masterplan/) - This document intends to establish a long term management and development plan for the Cypress Creek Nature Preserve, located in the heart of the City of Wimberley, Texas. The plan will balance the delicate riparian ecology of the preserve, the thoughtful integration with the surrounding parks and property owners, and the significant educational and recreation - [One Water in the Texas Hill Country: Connecting the Community with Projects and Professionals](https://watershedassociation.org/library/one-water-in-the-texas-hill-country-connecting-the-community-with-projects-and-professionals/) - This guidebook is intended to connect Hill Country communities facing growth and increased demands for water with water professionals experienced with One Water strategies, planning, implementation, design and construction. We interviewed engineers, architects, planners and landscape designers to gain insight into the realities of One Water projects, and within these pages feature 14 selected professionals - [Assessment of Costs for Two Wastewater Disposal Strategies for the City of Blanco - Revised](https://watershedassociation.org/library/assessment-of-costs-for-two-wastewater-disposal-strategies-for-the-city-of-blanco-revised/) - This memo is in response to the priorities identified by the Blanco Water Reclamation Task Force, a collaboration between the City of Blanco, Protect Our Blanco, and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Introduction: The City of Blanco (City) is currently treating a daily average of about 0.145 MGD of wastewater. For planning - [Land-­Applied Wastewater Effluent Impacts on the Edwards Aquifer](https://watershedassociation.org/library/tlap_geaa_sosa2011/) - This report examines existing evidence that wastewater effluent discharged in the Barton Springs and San Antonio Edwards Aquifer contributing zones under Texas Land Application Permits (TLAPs), issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, have failed to protect springs, creeks, rivers, and groundwater. Significant findings of the study include: The total TLAP-permitted daily flow in - [Genetic characterization of Eurycea salamanders from Jacob’s Well, Hays County, Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/library/genetic-characterization-of-eurycea-salamanders-from-jacobs-well-hays-county-texas/) - The geology of central Texas is dominated by its karst topography. As the limestone has dissolved, the subterranean habitats, and springs that provide the habitats for these salamanders, have become available. The region is characterized by historically abundant surface springs, large cave systems, and dramatic rainfall events. With increased urbanization, surface water impoundment, and ground-water - [Assessment and Value of Ecosystem Services: Preserving flows at Jacob’s Well spring](https://watershedassociation.org/library/assessment-and-value-of-ecosystem-services-preserving-flows-at-jacobs-well-spring/) - This report was prepared for the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association with financial support from the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation Water Program. Jacob’s Well is the largest perennial spring in the Trinity Aquifer and one the longest underwater caves in Texas. The cave and spring are inhabited by uniquely adapted spring and aquifer fauna. The - [Blanco TPDES Refinement Study](https://watershedassociation.org/library/blanco-tpdes-refinement-study/) - The Blanco Water Reclamation Task Force commissioned the Blanco TPDES Refinement Study report by Aqua Strategies, KIT, and Blue Creek Consulting as a way to investigate alternatives to direct discharge of wastewater into the Blanco River. Their report was published through the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Executive Summary: A simple water balance - [Species delimitation in endangered groundwater salamanders: Implications for aquifer management and biodiversity conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/library/species-delimitation-in-endangered-groundwater-salamanders-implications-for-aquifer-management-and-biodiversity-conservation/) - Groundwater-dependent species are among the least-known components of global biodiversity, as well as some of the most vulnerable because of rapid groundwater depletion at regional and global scales. The karstic Edwards–Trinity aquifer system of west-central Texas is one of the most species-rich groundwater systems in the world, represented by dozens of endemic groundwater-obligate species with - [Rainwater Harvesting as a Development-wide Water Supply Strategy](https://watershedassociation.org/library/rainwater-harvesting-as-a-development-wide-water-supply-strategy/) - This final report was submitted to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) in Oct. 2013. The study investigated residential-scale rainwater harvesting systems as a water supply strategy for whole developments. It envisions collecting rainwater from building roofs and routing it to a free-standing cistern on the same lot. Each building or building cluster would incorporate - [Stygobromus bakeri, a new species of groundwater amphipod (Amphipoda, Crangonyctidae) associated with the Trinity and Edwards aquifers of central Texas, USA](https://watershedassociation.org/library/stygobromus-bakeri-a-new-species-of-groundwater-amphipod-amphipoda-crangonyctidae-associated-with-the-trinity-and-edwards-aquifers-of-central-texas-usa/) - A new stygobitic groundwater amphipod species, Stygobromus bakeri sp. nov., is described from 4 central Texas limestone karst springs; John Knox Spring (Comal County), Jacob’s Well (Hays County), Mormon Spring (Travis County) and Salado Springs (Bell County). This species belongs to the predominately western Nearctic hubbsi species group of Stygobromus and differs from other species - [Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan](https://watershedassociation.org/library/cypress-creek-watershed-protection-plan/) - The Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan is the result of a six-year collaboration between numerous groups and individuals. Each have played an important role in the Cypress Creek Project and its planning, activities, and garnering support from the community. While proper recognition of every person and organization that contributed to this Plan is not feasible, - [Historical timeline for the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association and the formation of Jacob’s Well Natural Area](https://watershedassociation.org/library/historical-timeline-for-the-wimberley-valley-watershed-association-and-the-formation-of-jacobs-well-natural-area/) - Jacob’s Well is a unique artesian spring that provides millions of gallons of fresh water to Cypress Creek that runs through the center of the historic square in Wimberley Texas, the City of Woodcreek, and the famous Blue Hole swimming area. The Well is the second longest underwater cave in Texas and a one of - [Integrative Water Management and Conservation Development: Alternatives for the Central Texas Hill Country](https://watershedassociation.org/library/integrative-water-management-and-conservation-development-alternatives-for-the-central-texas-hill-country/) - In the Central Texas Hill Country, citizens and local governmental entities are at a crossroads—new development proposals are prompting public action on long-term issues concerning regional water supplies, water reclamation and reuse, and storm runoff pollution control. Each land use/water supply decision that is made in the region has the potential to result in significant - [Hydrogeologic Atlas of Southwest Travis County Central Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/library/hydrogeologic-atlas-of-southwest-travis-county-central-texas/) - This study presents a compilation of existing and new hydrogeologic data in the form of a hydrogeologic atlas with accompanying digital datasets intended to improve the collective understanding of groundwater resources in Southwest Travis County (SWTC). The study was a collaboration between the Barton Springs/ Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and Travis County. The data and - [Texas Groundwater Markets and the Edwards Aquifer](https://watershedassociation.org/library/texas-groundwater-markets-and-the-edwards-aquifer/) - Introduction Texans have a long-standing dependence on groundwater. Its usage has steadily increased throughout the state’s history. In the earliest years, farmers required groundwater for their livelihoods. In the 1930s, groundwater was an essential tool in stopping the seemingly endless Dust Bowl in the Texas Panhandle and returning the area from a wasteland to a - [Unprecedented 21st century drought risk in the American Southwest and Central Plains](https://watershedassociation.org/library/unprecedented-21st-century-drought-risk-in-the-american-southwest-and-central-plains/) - In the Southwest and Central Plains of Western North America, climate change is expected to increase drought severity in the coming decades. These regions nevertheless experienced extended Medieval-era droughts that were more persistent than any historical event, providing crucial targets in the paleoclimate record for benchmarking the severity of future drought risks. We use an - [Hydrology and Biology of Cypress Creek (Hays County)](https://watershedassociation.org/library/hydrology-and-biology-of-cypress-creek-hays-county/) - This study describes the fish and benthic macroinvertebrate communities of the spring-fed Cypress Creek (Hays County). Jacob's Well is a karstic spring which discharges into Cypress Creek approximately 5 km northwest of Wimberley in westcentral Hays County (at 30°02' N, 8°08' W), and is the primary spring source of water to the creek. The well - [A Systems Approach to Modelling and Impact Assessment in an Urbanizing Watershed](https://watershedassociation.org/library/a-systems-approach-to-modelling-and-impact-assessment-in-an-urbanizing-watershed/) - Conflicts over water resources reflect multiple viewpoints regarding the value of preserving quality of life, protecting environmental integrity, and the need for continued urban expansion and economic growth. This has led to an increased understanding of the need for systemic and participatory approaches that address resource management from a holistic perspective. Analysis of alternative futures - [Blanco Comparison of Centralized vs. Decentralized Wastewater System Costs](https://watershedassociation.org/library/blanco-comparison-of-centralized-vs-decentralized-wastewater-system-costs/) - A report, dated January 2, 2020, titled “City of Blanco, Preliminary Investigations and Report, Wastewater Collection System Improvements for Proposed Service Area” was submitted by Smith Turrieta Engineering. Protect Our Blanco (POB) requested a review of that report and an analysis of the facilities that would be needed to provide wastewater service to the area - [Ensuring One Water Delivers for Healthy Waterways: A Framework for Incorporating Healthy Waterways into One Water Plans and Projects](https://watershedassociation.org/library/ensuring-one-water-delivers-for-healthy-waterways-a-framework-for-incorporating-healthy-waterways-into-one-water-plans-and-projects/) - The One Water approach offers tremendous opportunities for improving how water is managed within communities. Using water efficiently and taking advantage of diverse, locally available water supplies are important goals. It is also important that the approach support communities in assessing how their water use affects the health of waterways, both upstream, where water is - [City of Blanco: Wastewater Collection System Improvements for Proposed Service Area](https://watershedassociation.org/library/city-of-blanco-wastewater-collection-system-improvements-for-proposed-service-area/) - This Preliminary Investigations and Report (technical memorandum) has been prepared to identify future wastewater flows and infrastructure needs within the proposed service area outlined in Exhibit A. This memorandum focuses on the development south of Blanco River and does not include land use assumptions or flow projections north of the river or within the City - [Bioassessment of four Hill Country streams threatened by proposed municipal wastewater discharges](https://watershedassociation.org/library/bioassessment-of-four-hill-country-streams-threatened-by-proposed-municipal-wastewater-discharges/) - The investigators were charged with completing a comprehensive biological assessment of four (4) Hill Country streams that were subject to permit applications for wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent discharges. The four streams included Onion Creek, Blanco River, Honey Creek, and Barton Creek. Sampling occurred during late spring (high base flows) and late summer (low flows) - [Pristine to Polluted: Sewage Problems & Solutions in the Texas Hill Country](https://watershedassociation.org/library/pristine-to-polluted-sewage-problems-solutions-in-the-texas-hill-country/) - The Hill Country has always been one of the most treasured parts of our state, both by the residents who live there and by the Texans who visit it for recreation. The region’s allure lies not just in its unique terrain, but in its waterways. From the Colorado River to the San Antonio River, from - [Cypress Creek Project Watershed Characterization Report](https://watershedassociation.org/library/cypress-creek-project-watershed-characterization-report/) - The Cypress Creek Project is a coalition of voluntary efforts of community stakeholders, coordinated with technical and research assistance provided by River Systems Institute. The main goal for this project is to ensure that the long-term integrity and sustainability of the Cypress Creek watershed is preserved and that water quality standards are maintained for present - [Toward a Regional Plan for the Texas Hill Country](https://watershedassociation.org/library/toward-a-regional-plan-for-the-texas-hill-country/) - The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) presented The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture (UTSOA) with their collaborative strategy and draft vision for the Texas Hill Country. The Alliance asked UTSOA to use fresh eyes and planning expertise to provide new ideas and strategies for HCA to consider as they work toward a better - [Evaluation for the Development of a Jacob’s Well Groundwater Management Zone in Hays County, Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/library/evaluation-for-the-development-of-a-jacobs-well-groundwater-management-zone-in-hays-county-texas/) - The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (District) is charged with managing the groundwater resources within its jurisdictional boundaries. In recognition of the importance of maintaining springflow from Jacob’s Well, the District’s Board of Directors formed a technical committee of groundwater scientists tasked with evaluating hydrogeologic data and identifying alternatives related to the delineation of a - [Assessment of the economic contribution of Cypress Creek to the economy of Wimberley](https://watershedassociation.org/library/understanding-hill-country-water-resources/) - The Understanding Hill Country Water Resources research effort began in 2011 to improve our understanding of groundwater issues and, thus, support a sound basis for civic and stakeholder actions through: 1) an economic study of land valuations around a unique Hill Country creek; 2) a synthesis of groundwater data and related information into a website ## Series - [First Fridays: Volunteer for Your Watershed](https://watershedassociation.org/series/first-fridays-volunteer-for-your-watershed/) - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/wimberley-city-council-meeting-5/) - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/wimberley-city-council-meeting-4/) - [San Marcos City Council Meeting.](https://watershedassociation.org/series/san-marcos-city-council-meeting-3/) - [San Marcos City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/san-marcos-city-council-meeting-2/) - [Water in the Desert: A Conference About Water in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/series/water-in-the-desert-a-conference-about-water-in-the-chihuahuan-desert-of-west-texas/) - [Wimberley Parks & Recreation Board Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/wimberley-parks-recreation-board-meeting/) - [San Marcos City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/san-marcos-city-council-meeting/) - [Life of H2O: East Austin Studio Tour Event at TreeGarden](https://watershedassociation.org/series/life-of-h2o-east-austin-studio-tour-event-at-treegarden/) - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/wimberley-city-council-meeting-3/) - [Wimberley Arts Fest](https://watershedassociation.org/series/wimberley-arts-fest/) - [Water Wonks Hour](https://watershedassociation.org/series/water-wonks-hour/) - [Blanco City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/blanco-city-council-meeting/) - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/wimberley-city-council-meeting-2/) - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/series/hays-county-commissioners-court-2/) - [Hays County Commissioners Court](https://watershedassociation.org/series/hays-county-commissioners-court/) - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Regular Board Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district-regular-board-meeting/) - [Natural Bridge Caverns Discovery Days](https://watershedassociation.org/series/natural-bridge-caverns-discovery-days/) - [Protecting Air & Water Through Pipeline Leak Detection](https://watershedassociation.org/series/protecting-air-water-through-pipeline-leak-detection/) - [Climate and Weather Trends in the Hill Country (HTGCD Speaker Series)](https://watershedassociation.org/series/climate-and-weather-trends-in-the-hill-country-htgcd-speaker-series/) - [Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/hays-trinity-groundwater-conservation-district-meeting/) - [Tuesday Night Arts (Wimberley Parks and Rec)](https://watershedassociation.org/series/tuesday-night-arts-wimberley-parks-and-rec/) - [Wimberley City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/wimberley-city-council-meeting/) - [Woodcreek City Council Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/series/woodcreek-city-council-meeting/) ## Categories - [Posts](https://watershedassociation.org/posts/) - [Resources](https://watershedassociation.org/resources/) - [Land Conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/land-conservation/) - [Watershed Protection](https://watershedassociation.org/watershed-protection/) - [Science](https://watershedassociation.org/science/) - [Policy](https://watershedassociation.org/policy/) - [Legislature](https://watershedassociation.org/legislature/) - [drought](https://watershedassociation.org/drought/) - [Water Conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/water-conservation/) - [Press Release](https://watershedassociation.org/press-release/) - [Podcast](https://watershedassociation.org/podcast/) ## Tags - [animals](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/animals/) - [Master Naturalists](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/master-naturalists/) - [Hays County](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/hays-county/) - [Volunteers](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/volunteers/) - [Drought](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/drought/) - [Climate Change](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/climate-change/) - [Rule of Capture](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/rule-of-capture/) - [Land Use](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/land-use/) - [Urbanization](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/urbanization/) - [Agriculture](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/agriculture/) - [permian basin](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/permian-basin/) - [pipeline](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/pipeline/) - [wvwa](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/wvwa/) - [conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/conservation/) - [watershed](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/watershed/) - [Cypress Creek](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/cypress-creek/) - [cleanup](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/cleanup/) - [groundwater](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/groundwater/) - [protection](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/protection/) - [Trinity Aquifer](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/trinity-aquifer/) - [cave](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/cave/) - [CAMPO](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/campo/) - [CAMPO 2045 DRAFT PLAN](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/campo-2045-draft-plan/) - [TRANSPORTATION PLAN](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/transportation-plan/) - [Hydro Report](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/hydro-report/) - [Blanco](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/blanco/) - [water quality](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/water-quality/) - [wastewater](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/wastewater/) - [Transportation](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/transportation/) - [Hays](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/hays/) - [Public Input](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/public-input/) - [Parks](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/parks/) - [Land](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/land/) - [Water](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/water/) - [Prop A](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/prop-a/) - [bond](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/bond/) - [Texas](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/texas/) - [Economics](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/economics/) - [public comment](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/public-comment/) - [Boil water notice](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/boil-water-notice/) - [drinking water](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/drinking-water/) - [freeze](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/freeze/) - [well](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/well/) - [aquifer](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/aquifer/) - [water supply](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/water-supply/) - [online event](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/online-event/) - [economy](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/economy/) - [Wimberley](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/wimberley/) - [water conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/water-conservation/) - [alternate supply](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/alternate-supply/) - [tracks](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/tracks/) - [wildlands](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/wildlands/) - [wildlife](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/wildlife/) - [general manager](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/general-manager/) - [Travis County](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/travis-county/) - [job](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/job/) - [Kinder Morgan](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/kinder-morgan/) - [Save the Hill Country](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/save-the-hill-country/) - [TESPA](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/tespa/) - [Electro Purification](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/electro-purification/) - [contested permits](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/contested-permits/) - [BSEACD](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/bseacd/) - [trails](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/trails/) - [connectivity](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/connectivity/) - [Trinity](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/trinity/) - [Legislature](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/legislature/) - [Texas water](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/texas-water/) - [bacteria](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/bacteria/) - [Jacob's Well](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/jacobs-well/) - [Blanco River](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/blanco-river/) - [habitat protection](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/habitat-protection/) - [riparian](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/riparian/) - [pristine waters](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/pristine-waters/) - [HB 4146](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/hb-4146/) - [water quality protection](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/water-quality-protection/) - [Texas legislature](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/texas-legislature/) - [One Water](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/one-water/) - [STEM](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/stem/) - [Needmore](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/needmore/) - [management](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/management/) - [well owners](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/well-owners/) - [Nature-based solutions](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/nature-based-solutions/) - [financing](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/financing/) - [Stewardship](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/stewardship/) - [land conservation](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/land-conservation/) - [Pristine Streams](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/pristine-streams/) - [monitoring](https://watershedassociation.org/tag/monitoring/) ## Event Categories - [Family Fun](https://watershedassociation.org/events/category/family-fun/) - [Meeting](https://watershedassociation.org/events/category/meeting/) - [Nightlife](https://watershedassociation.org/events/category/nightlife/) - [Party](https://watershedassociation.org/events/category/party/)