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COVID PROTOCOLS
CCCA currently is not offering in-person programs or events. We will be participating in community outdoor events that are using CDC Covid protocols, and may hold small group and committee meetings where social distancing is possible.
We will be using these protocols until further notice.
CCCA currently is not offering in-person programs or events. We will be participating in community outdoor events that are using CDC Covid protocols, and may hold small group and committee meetings where social distancing is possible.
We will be using these protocols until further notice.
IT'S OUR TURN
People have been coming to Comal County for ages, and many who came before us were good stewards of the land. They cared for and protected the land, waterways, and unique natural features. Over time, individual families found ways to ensure that some of these special places could belong to the people. This video recognizes their contributions and highlights the many benefits these special areas have provided us and our families. It’s our turn now, to ensure these and other natural areas are protected for the benefit of future generations.
People have been coming to Comal County for ages, and many who came before us were good stewards of the land. They cared for and protected the land, waterways, and unique natural features. Over time, individual families found ways to ensure that some of these special places could belong to the people. This video recognizes their contributions and highlights the many benefits these special areas have provided us and our families. It’s our turn now, to ensure these and other natural areas are protected for the benefit of future generations.
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WHAT: Virtual Community Program — "One Water in Comal County"
WHEN: Tuesday, March 8, 6:00 PM WHO: Jennifer Walker, Deputy Director, Texas Coast and Water Program, at the National Wildlife Federation. Jennifer has 17 years of experience focusing on water conservation, use, and reuse. WHERE: Virtual program will be presented on Zoom and all are welcome. |
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COMAL LAND CONSERVATION FUND
To support its mission of preserving land, water, and wildlife in Comal County, CCCA created the Comal Land Conservation Fund (CLCF). Read about this important fund and how your donations to the CLCF can help preserve the beautiful land and precious natural resources of Comal County. |
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HELP CCCA WHILE YOU SHOP AT AMAZON.SMILE
When you shop on AmazonSmile you can also support our Comal Land Conservation Fund. Learn how you can do that on the Shop AmazonSmile page. |
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CONSERVATION INSIDER
Did you miss our latest newsletter? Don't panic. Click here to read your copy. Become a "Friend of CCCA" to get the latest Conservation Insider, news of upcoming events, and other important information about preserving land, water, and wildlife in Comal County. |
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"THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL GIFT"
"There have been some very dear responses to last month’s anticipation of the season of giving and the pondering of alternative gifting. Appropriately, I was asked, “did you want to say something about those who do set aside land/acres for future generations?” Of course! The conversation may begin around a family table amidst the fellowship, laughter, tearfulness about all the adventures and misadventures on a Texas Hill Country ranch. That’s likely one of the legacy or heritage homesteads that may reach a century or more of generational care and tending. For some others with the good fortune of land acquisition, the acreage may be a parcel more recently acquired. In either case, the question about “preserving, protecting, making available for future generations” leads to a commitment to explore conservation. A “conservation easement” is one way to preserve and protect property. Another gift option would be for parkland with the local, county or state authorities... ." If you missed Frank's January column, be sure to read it. It's a reminder of how important land preservation is to Comal County and our beautiful Texas Hill Country. It's also a reminder that CCCA's Comal Land Conservation Fund (CLCF) is an excellent opportunity to help defray the cost of putting land into a conservation easement, an endeavor than can be pricey but well worth the cost. |
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OUR TEXAS CLIMATE
Call it what you like, but changes in climate patterns are expected to have a wide-spread and significant impact on Texas. Extremely hot days are expected to be more frequent due to the increasing average temperature. With higher temperatures comes decreasing relative humidity and increasing evapotranspiration (The process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants.). Therefore, the degree of aridity will rise, causing even longer and more severe droughts. There will be less available water and water scarcity will be exacerbated by the rapidly growing water demand due to fast urbanization in Texas. Additionally, sea level rise along the Texas coastline is likely to be greater than the projected global sea level rise of 1-4 feet at the end of this century, making the coastal region more susceptible to storm surges. Extreme weather events like hurricanes will be more intense which can make losses greater and threaten the local residents. There is also an increasing trend of both frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation with light or normal rains less likely to happen in the future, which will lead to higher soil moisture stress in Texas. |
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Conservation Strategy Fund Video Added to Spotlight
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VOLUNTARY ECOSYSTEM SERVICES MARKETS: A FRESH APPROACH TO FREE-MARKET CLIMATE-SMART POLICY
The number of Fortune 500 companies committing to bold climate goals increased by 75% since 2019. It marked a major strategy shift for major corporations around the country, whose investments pivoted toward climate-focused programs... . |
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NBU, AREA OFFICIALS CONSIDER ONE WATER CONSERVATION METHODS AMID CONTINUED RAPID GROWTH IN CENTRAL TEXAS
As the city of New Braunfels and the surrounding area continue to experience explosive population growth and related development, representatives from several local entities have begun plans to implement sweeping water conservation efforts... . |
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FALL CREEK RANCH: PROTECTING A FAMILY LEGACY
... As land values have increased, the Langdons have seen subdivisions spring up where there were once pastures, and more of their neighbors selling their property to developers, especially as land changes hands from one generation to the next. Over the last few years, Karen and Joe have been contemplating how they could protect the land in the years to come. “We absolutely love this land, and we never want to see it developed,” said Karen. “We began exploring the idea of a conservation easement... .” |
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WHAT: LONE STAR HEALTHY STREAMS (2 IPM CEUs available)
WHEN: February 2, 2022, 1 PM - 5 PM WHERE: Guadalupe County AgriLife Extension Office (210 E. Live Oak St., Seguin, TX 78155) Bacteria originating from livestock operations and wildlife pose serious risks to human health. This free workshop will focus on Geronimo and Alligator Creeks watershed, basic watershed function, water quality, and specific best management practices to help minimize bacterial contamination originating from beef cattle, horses, and feral hogs. For more information and to register, please visit: http://geronimocreek.org/Meetings.aspx Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Watershed Partnership Geronimo.Alligator@ag.tamu.edu | http://geronimocreek.org (979) 845-2862 |
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WHAT: LIGHTS OUT TEXAS FALL '21 RECAP AND '22 KICK-OFF MEETING
Agenda: Fall 2021 Lights Out Texas Results 2022 Lights Out Texas Dates & Resources Audubon Texas Strategic Vision Q&A WHEN: Feb 18, 2022 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada) WHERE: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89765597106?pwd=U05uTEh2ejJRWmFwS3NvOU44S29OZz09 Meeting ID: 897 6559 7106 Passcode: birds One tap mobile +16699006833,,89765597106#,,,,*275007# US (San Jose) +12532158782,,89765597106#,,,,*275007# US (Tacoma) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Meeting ID: 897 6559 7106 Passcode: 275007 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdjVyvo3Ns |
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STATE SUIT AGAIN TRIES TO RESCIND SONGBIRD PROTECTION
The Texas General Land Office on Wednesday renewed its lawsuit to remove a songbird that nests in Central Texas from the endangered species list, arguing the federal government defied a court order that required officials to reconsider the bird’s status. The long-running court battle, which has shaped the trajectory of suburban growth along the San Antonio-Austin corridor, pits the interests of developers who are seeking to build on Hill Country land against conservationists who argue that doing so would threaten the habitat of the golden-cheeked warbler... . |
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CLIMATE CHANGE BIGGEST THREAT TO BIRDS AROUND THE WORLD
Learn how you can help by counting climate-threatened species in Audubon’s bird and climate change community science program--Climate Watch. WHEN: January 15 — February 15, 2022 Bexar Audubon Society is leading this project and seeking volunteer birders to participate in surveying for Lesser Goldfinch in specific 10 km x 10 km squares across our region. Requirements: 2-4 hours at least once between January 15 and February 15 to survey specific squares for the Lesser Goldfinch. You can enter your data into eBird via phone app then submit it to National Audubon through a designated portal. FREE Training Session will be offered via ZOOM—optional, but very helpful. You are welcome to attend. Click here to access the training materials presented in the Zoom session. Click here for Zoom link: Jan 5 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Email local Climate Watch Coordinator Patsy Inglet to volunteer or for more information: engagement@bexaraudubon.org |
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NEW CANYON LAKE BOAT RAMP ALLIANCE OUTLINES NEW STEPS AT COMMISSIONERS COURT
Six members of the Canyon Lake Boat Ramps Community Alliance (CLBRCA) submitted a proposal for addressing multiple issues at county-operated boat ramps to Comal County Judge Sherman Krause today. Public comments and meetings will begin January 2022... . |
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HUMMINGBIRDS ARE COOLER THAN ME
Read this delightful article where the author compares herself with the hummingbird. It will put a smile on your face... . |
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HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BIRDS?
Are you a bird expert, or are you just flapping your wings? It's time to put your talents to the test, and see just how much you really know about our feathered friends. Have some fun. |
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YOUR HELP NEEDED IN REPORTING WINTER MONARCH SIGHTINGS
Last winter, volunteers from across the Southeast and Gulf states provided more than 5,800 observations of monarch butterflies. This winter, the partnership of universities, agencies and other organizations called Monarchs Overwintering in Southeastern States is requesting the public’s continued involvement in reporting sightings. The public is encouraged to report monarch sightings from Dec. 1-March 1 in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Observations are entered in Journey North’s online data portal, where they are transformed into real-time mapping visualizations of monarch migration and breeding. Journey North is an organization designed to engage people across North America in tracking wildlife migration and seasonal change... . |
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MOUNTAIN CEDAR — DOES IT DESERVE SUCH DISDAIN?
For years I’ve heard many people say, “David Bamberger cleared the cedar off his land, and his springs started flowing.” Keep in mind, I don’t mean David Bamberger said that; it’s what other people keep saying. If all he did was clear the mountain cedar (Ashe juniper), the Bamberger Ranch in Blanco County would not be that award-winning showcase for ecology-friendly land management famous around the world... . |
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MOUNTAIN CEDAR — WATER GUZZLER OR NOT?
There are a couple of myths about “mountain cedar” or Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) that seem to be part of the conventional wisdom. One is that mountain cedar doesn’t really belong here because it only recently invaded the Hill Country. The other is that merely clearing away mountain cedar will bring spring flow. For several reasons, both of these persistent ideas might seem plausible, but are there any data to verify they are true? As I used to try to convince my students, plausible assumption is not scientific fact... . |
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TRAVIS COUNTY CELEBRATES PURCHASE OF MORE THAN 3,000 ACRES FOR CONSERVATION IN THE HAMILTON POOL AREA
“Travis County is growing at a rapid pace, and there’s an urgent need to protect natural areas like the Hamilton Pool Road corridor,” Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea said in the press release. “These conservation easements allow us to maintain the county’s irreplaceable environmental features. Reimers Ranch Park, and Hamilton Pool visitors and residents nearby will be able to enjoy the land and scenery for many years to come." Funding for the project came from a 2017 Travis County bond approved by voters aimed at protecting watersheds, native wildlife and scene vistas... . |
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CITY OF AUSTIN BEGINS DESIGN OF URBAN TRAIL ON ABANDONED RAIL CORRIDOR
The city of Austin's Urban Trails Program has begun design on an urban trail that would run through the Bergstrom Spur Corridor, according to a Dec. 1 press release. The trail stretches about 6.5 miles from Vinson Drive in South Austin to East Riverside Drive and US 183 in southeast Austin, near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The project had been identified as an important link along the city's pedestrian, bicycle and transit networks in 2017 by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and in the 2019 Austin Strategic Mobility Plan... . |
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SAVE THE BATS TO PROTECT ECOSYSTEM
Of course, we all know the importance of wildlife garden ideas – they are a key part of our ecosystem and a vital part of protecting the planet. And while you might already have been feeding birds or – in the UK – have set up hedgehog houses – it is also important to spare a thought for bats. These winged mammals have so much to offer. A single bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes each hour – which makes a significant impact on mosquito population control – and surprisingly, bats are important pollinators for many plants, even some that are not pollinated by any other species... . |
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HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITIES CAN PURSUE DARK SKY DESIGNATION FOLLOWING NEW STATE LAW
Across the more remote pockets of Hill Country, several communities are looking to attract tourism dollars and increase the quality of life for residents by utilizing a precious, shrinking natural resource—darkness—or rather, the absence of artificial light. With the authorization of a recent state bill, Senate Bill 1090, cities across Texas can again apply for a designation of a Dark Sky Community from the International Dark-Sky Association... . |
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN CONSERVATION IN THE HILL COUNTRY: WHY IT MATTERS & WHERE TO START
This panel explores why diversity, equity, and inclusion are important for the conservation movement broadly, and how organizations can start or continue their journeys to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Also, download an extensive list of resources relating to conservation equity... . |
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SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
Hats off to our great supporters. We appreciate these businesses and organizations that have supported CCCA conservation efforts and fundraisers. Our success is because of you. We can't thank you enough. |
