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CCCA
In response to the latest CDC guidance, CCCA is suspending all public events and programs until further notice. Please take precautions and stay well! (Updated 7/21/20)
Remember Earth Day on Election Day |
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
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Do you remember Earth Day 2020? Probably not. There were only virtual celebrations of the 50th anniversary on April 22nd, because we were all in lockdown due to Covid-19.
We at Comal County Conservation Alliance felt the loss of our usual Earth Day recognition. We especially missed celebrating our beautiful Earth’s treasures with our friends and neighbors in Comal County. We missed watching children’s faces light up when discovering monarch butterflies up close. We missed hearing the exclamations of amazement as young people poured water on a watershed model and saw how water flows from our hills down into the aquifer, or into the rivers and on to the Gulf of Mexico. Every Earth Day brings the feeling that all of us are a part of something greater and all share a role in protecting the wildlife and the habitats that we are celebrating. Let’s take that Earth Day feeling of protecting and preserving natural areas with us when we vote this November. Let’s look for candidates who understand conservation issues, especially in the races that will impact us most directly at the local level. What are candidates saying about protecting our water resources, about preserving natural areas to provide flood protection, and protecting wildlife habitats for future generations? |
You can learn what candidates are saying through resourcesprovided by our partner, the non-partisan League of Women Voters of Comal Area. View recorded Candidate Forums for Comal County Commissioners Court, Precinct 1, and for Comal County Commissioners Court, Precinct 3 at www.lwvcomal.org.
You can also find a personalized ballot, showing the races and candidates you will be voting on, with candidate responses to questions, at www.Vote411.org. Inform yourself before you vote. Remember Earth Day on Election Day. Election Day = Earth Day 2020 |
Gracias, and Do Look Up! |
Saturday, October 3, 2020
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The CCCA wishes to express thanks to 61+ generous folks who reached toward open space protection with BIG GIVE gifts to enhance the Land Conservation Fund! For those wishing they had or who failed to reach out on that day, you can go to the CCCA website and hit DONATE! Thanks for helping!
When last have you looked skyward at night? There's much in the NIGHT SKIES you'll want to see and some you'll wish you could see! Let's chat a bit about this gift that for too many of us is diminishing. Let's thank those seeking to make a difference as well. Click here to read more. |
Frank Dietz, CCCA monthly columnist
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Monthly Spotlight |
Friday, October 2, 2020
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"If people looked at the stars each night, they'd live a lot differently. When you look into infinity, you realize that there are more important things than what people do all day."
— Bill Watterson. Ever try to see the stars? City lights make stargazing almost impossible. You may be lucky to see just a couple, but there's no Milky Way. Those who live away from the city get to enjoy the wondrous view of the infinite night skies and the peaceful nature that they provide. City lights also make it difficult for birds migrating at night. Read what Laura Bush says about helping birds travel safely. Watch our videos and download apps so you, too can enjoy the beauty of the night sky. Learn about things you can do, how you can see the stars in the sky, and what's taking place in October. And, don't forget to fill out our questionnaire. Thanks. Click here to get started. |
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New Video |
Saturday, October 17, 2020
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Hays County produced a new video presentation on conservation development guidelines. Hays County not only supports conservation bonds, but their Commissioners Court also established a working group to put together Guidelines for Conservation Subdivisions in Hays County. The presentation explains important information about the benefits of protecting natural resources through creative conservation development. The presentation also walks through landscape features worth conserving, lot sizing, suggested site features to design around, and examples from around the country where this type of design and development has succeeded.
The heart of the presentation is by Randall Arendt, noted landscape planner, author, lecturer, and advocate for “conservation planning.” He shares many examples of conservation subdivisions and their benefits. The program also includes commentary by two Hays County Commissioners—Lon Shell and Walt Smith. They both support conservation subdivisions and discuss possible incentives. Go here to watch the video. |
Randall Arendt
Example of Arnedt design of a conservation subdivision
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Comal Land Conservation Fund (CLCF)
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To support its mission of preserving land, water, and wildlife in Comal County, CCCA has created the Comal Land Conservation Fund (CLCF). Its purpose is to provide funds to support projects that will
Among the types of projects eligible for CLCF funding are
Click here to learn more. |
It's Our Turn! |
Support Our Supporters |
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It's a difficult time for businesses in Comal County. If you can, while using COVID-19 protocols, help these businesses who have been there for us. Some may be closed, but remember them when we open back up.
Click here to read more. |
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GET INVOLVED IN OCTOBER NIGHT SKIES!
Hill Country Night Sky Month |
Friday, September 25, 2020
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The first annual Hill Country Night Sky Month, October 2020, is a celebration of our region’s night skies and the hard work that Hill Country communities do to preserve it. The Hill Country Alliance is pleased to host a Hill Country-wide calendar, planning resources, and much more!
Learn more and get involved here: http://www.hillcountryalliance.org/NightSkyMonth |
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Lights Out, Texas |
Thursday, September 23, 2020
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Join us for Lights Out Texas through October 29 to keep migrating wildlife safe and conserve energy. We strongly encourage
our friends, local community, and businesses across Texas to join this important initiative by turning off their non-essential lights by 11 p.m. and keeping them off until 6 a.m. Taking action now is vital because every spring and fall, nearly two billion birds, between a quarter and a third of all birds migrating at night through the United States, travel through Texas.
Learn more at https://birdcast.info.
our friends, local community, and businesses across Texas to join this important initiative by turning off their non-essential lights by 11 p.m. and keeping them off until 6 a.m. Taking action now is vital because every spring and fall, nearly two billion birds, between a quarter and a third of all birds migrating at night through the United States, travel through Texas.
Learn more at https://birdcast.info.
October Hill Country Night Sky Month |
Saturday, October 3, 2020
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Comal County recognizes October 2020 as Hill Country Night Sky Month in Comal County, and urges citizens to participate in the Comal County and Hill Country regional events and programs celebrating the Night Sky and promoting the ways in which communities are working to preserve it.
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OTHER NEWS |
TREAD TALK: History of Water in Texas,
October 29, 6:00 PM
The interface between land and water has a long history of grounding our economy,
patterns of growth, and our quality of life here in Central Texas.
Join the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance
and the Texas Real Estate Advocacy and Defense Coalition
for a visit with two authors whose books describe
the interdependence of land and water and the need to conserve these resources.
patterns of growth, and our quality of life here in Central Texas.
Join the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance
and the Texas Real Estate Advocacy and Defense Coalition
for a visit with two authors whose books describe
the interdependence of land and water and the need to conserve these resources.
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Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Fest Webinars |
Sunday, October 4, 2020
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Texas Butterly Ranch is hosting several webinars from October 8 - 29 about monarch butterflies and pollinators.
Monarch butterflies move through Texas each fall on their way to the Mexican mountains to arrive in time for Day of the Dead. In this year of COVID-19 and a raised awareness of social injustice, we celebrate the spiritual aspect of the migration. For centuries, perhaps millennia, the return of the butterflies to Mexico each fall has been associated with the souls of lost loved ones, as they typically arrive in the Mexican mountains in time for Day of the Dead. As a gesture of hope and healing, all 600 butterflies tagged this year as part of our Festival will be done so in the names of those lost to COVID-19, social injustice and other causes. If you have a friend, family member or loved one that you’d like to honor with a tagged butterfly, please provide details here. For more information: https://texasbutterflyranch.com/upcoming-events/festival/ |
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Hill Country Living Festival +
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Friday, September 25, 2020
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On Saturday, October 24, the Hill Country Alliance is excited to present an event where everyone gets a front row seat! This year's FESTIVAL will be all virtual, all online, and all safe. HCA is creating an interactive online experience complete with live streaming, engaging demonstrations, and will be hosting a virtual marketplace and educational resource hub!
Stay tuned for updates: http://www.hillcountryalliance.org/rainwaterrevival/ |
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When it rains, Texans forget drought & worsening water scarcity
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Wednesday, October 7, 2020
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After the pandemic, soaring population growth, development will again challenge planning and water supply.
WIMBERLEY, Texas – Among the famed springs that distinguish the Texas Hill Country as a region of crystal-clear water and iconic swimming holes, Jacob’s Well stands out. The spring’s water source is rain that falls on the thin soils of Hays County and filters through porous limestone before filling a network of deep, ancient caves. Read more. |
Brian Lehmann/Circle of Blue
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