|
|
|
|
2019 EVENTS
December 9: Holiday Party
|
CCCA had its first and very fun Holiday Party on Monday, December 9th at the historic Faust Hotel.
Cliff Kaplan, our Director-at-Large and HCA Program Manager, was our terrific emcee giving prizes for the craziest nature sweater about land, water, or wildlife. Attendees shared delicious appetizers and holiday cookies. A good time was had by all. |
Cliff Kaplan—CCCA Director-at-Large, Jane Finneran—CCCA Treasurer, Gloria Meehan, and Frank Dietz—CCCA Board Member
|
November: Heritage Day
CCCA's tent was at Heritage Day. This is a yearly production by the Heritage Society of New Braunfels which features a day long demonstration of life in early New Braunfels and Texas featuring some of the preeminent living historians in the state.
November: "Fall into Spring," Spring Branch, TX
|
|
CCCA also had a table at the "Fall into Spring" Community Conservation Event
Organized by the Canyon Lake Water Service Company and hosted by Spring Creek Gardens, held an important water conservation event! The event focused on promoting outdoor water conservation through smart landscape design choices.
Organized by the Canyon Lake Water Service Company and hosted by Spring Creek Gardens, held an important water conservation event! The event focused on promoting outdoor water conservation through smart landscape design choices.
November: Nature Trails Community Program, Landa Haus
Ylda Capriciosso, New Braunfels Park
Development Manager |
|
CCCA's Community Program was well attended to hear Ylda Capriciosso, Park Development Manager for the City of New Braunfels, give an impressive and informative presentation about the many trails that are available to us to enjoy nature and benefit our emotional and physical health. She also gave us an update on what's on the horizon, including the Dry Comal Creek project.
We are lucky to have so many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Read more by downloading the file below.
We are lucky to have so many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Read more by downloading the file below.
| community_meeting_nov_2019_nb_trails_capriciosso.docx |
November: Fischer Fest
|
We had our tent and table at Fischer Fest to educate and encourage people to get involved in protecting the Edwards Aquifer and the natural beauty of Comal County.
Fischer Fest is one of the smallest and most intimate Music Festivals. |
|
October 24: State Propositions Town Hall
State Representatives Kyle Biedermann (R-D73) and
Erin Zwiener (D-D45) 
|
On October 24, CCCA and GEAA cosponsored a Town Hall where State Representatives Kyle Biedermann (R-District 73) and Erin Zwiener (D-District 45) discussed Props 2, 5, and 8, which are on the November 5th ballot and very important for conservation. Both representatives support the propositions.
Proposition 2: Authorizes the Texas Water Board to issue bonds for water and sewer projects in economically distressed areas. Proposition 5: Ensures the existing sporting goods sales tax will go to the TPWD and Texas Historical Commission for protecting natural areas, water quality, and history. Proposition 8: Creates funding for infrastructure for drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects, including “green infrastructure” projects, which use undeveloped land for flood mitigation. If you'd like more information on Propositions 2, 5, and 8 go to https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_2019_ballot_measures. Information about this and other voting facts can be found on http://www.co.comal.tx.us/Elections.htm. These propositions are very important to Comal County. Please vote on November 5th. |
October: Landa Park Arbor Day
|
CCCA celebrated the enhanced quality of life trees bring to the community by having our tent at the Arbor Day celebration at Landa Park. The Parks and Recreation Department, along with the New Braunfels Council of Garden Clubs was delighted to offer this FREE family friendly event.
|
|
October: "Walk and Talk" Tour of the Headwaters at the Comal
|
CCCA sponsored a "Walk and Talk" Tour of the Headwaters at the Comal. Nancy Pappas, Managing Director of the Headwaters, led the tour which included a walk through a restored native prairie that was reclaimed from an asphalt parking lot, a look into the historic cistern encasing the headwaters springs of the Comal River, a discussion of the archaeological discoveries on the property, and much, much more.
|
|
September 17: Celebration for Conservation
|
On September 17, 2019, CCCA hosted its second annual Celebration for Conservation social and fundraiser at the Gruene Grove Patio Bar. Because of the generous donations of our supporters, individuals, and businesses, we celebrated the beauty of Comal County, with live music, free appetizers, and a very successful silent auction.
Anyone who didn't come missed out on the opportunity to bid on so many terrific items. Everyone had the chance to take home a treasure. There was something for everyone. Don't miss your opportunity September 2020. The Celebration wouldn't have gotten off the ground if it weren't for our tireless volunteers who gave it all and more. Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication to CCCA! |
|
September: Comal County Fair
|
CCCA's booth #11 was at the county fair just inside the North Grant Street Gate. The Master Gardeners were kind enough to share their garden space with us again this year.
|
|
August 15: Health & Nature Table Talk
|
Our first Table Talk was "Heath and Nature — How Nature Cures." Held on August 15 at Landa Haus, over 50 guests came to hear practicing counselors discuss how spending time in nature benefits the mental health and well-being of people of all ages, including children with ADD, military veterans suffering from PTSD, depression and detachment in the elderly, as well as those suffering from grief. Group discussions with the panelists provided guests time to learn more about their specific areas of interest. Thanks to our panelists: Dr. Joey Achacoso, Amy Sugeno, Tammy Brown, Lilia Montes, and Lenny Scott.
|
July 20: Bracken Cave Bat Flight
|
On July 20, several friends joined CCCA on a field trip to Bracken Cave. After a plate of lovely light refreshments, our guide related the story of Bracken Cave and provided very interesting facts about these little creatures. It was the perfect night for viewing the bats emerge from the cave.
Bracken Cave is the summer home to the largest colony of bats in the world. An estimated 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats roost in the cave from March to October making it the largest known concentration of mammals. The bats emerge between 6 and 8 p.m. flying southeast on a collision course with bugs such as cotton bollworth moths and army cut-worm moths being pushed away from crops southwest by winds. The bats consume several tons of insects per night and are truly a cotton farmer's friend. |
|
June: Edwards Aquifer Protection Program Community Program
Grant Ellis, Natural Resources Manager for San Antonio's Parks and Recreation Department
|
CCCA's June 2019 guest speaker was Grant Ellis, Natural Resources Manager for San Antonio's Parks and Rec Department, who spoke about San Antonio's Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (EAPP).
| ||
May: Geary Schindel Community Program
|
CCCA's May 2019 guest speaker was Geary Schindel, Chief Technical Officer for the Edwards Aquifer Authority and President of the National Speleological Society.
|
Geary Schindel, Chief Technical Officer for the Edwards Aquifer Authority and President of the National Speleological Society
| ||
April: iNaturalist Bioblitz
|
A Bioblitz is a defined period of time in which observers make as many good observations of their local flora and fauna as as possible in a defined place. Observations are then published to the international iNaturalist website and contribute to a world-wide database. CCCA designed and led this Bioblitz along the Guadalupe River Trail as part of the 2019 iNaturalist City Nature Challenge Bioblitz.
|
April: Environmental Conservation Community Program
CCCA's April 2019 guest speaker was Kevin Thuesen, Environmental Conservation Program Manager for the City of Austin’s Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) Program.
| Presentation Summary April 2019.pdf |
March: Land Management Community Program
CCCA's March 2019 speaker was Craig Hensley, Wildlife Biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife in Comal and Kendall Counties. Mr. Hensley works directly with landowners who request his guidance on how to best manage their land for wildlife habitat and other functions.
| Presentation Summary March 2019.pdf |
February 15: Landowner Workshop: "Saving Family Lands"
|
Spring Branch, Texas — The Comal County Conservation Alliance (CCCA) and the Hill Country Alliance co-hosted the workshop, "Saving Family Lands: Tools for Landowners in Comal County," on February 15, 2019 at the Anhalt Dance Hall in Spring Branch, Texas.
The one-day workshop, which highlighted financial and conservation tools available to rural landowners in fast-growing Hill Country counties, attracted 90 attendees. The workshop was designed to provide farmers, ranchers, and other landowners with effective tools and resources to help them address issues inherent in passing family land on to future generations. For more information, go to Resource Library/Land/Workshops. |
|
February: NBU Water Supply Community Program
Ian Taylor, CEO of New Braunfels Utilities
|
CCCA's February 2019 guest speaker was Ian Taylor, CEO of New Braunfels Utilities. Mr. Taylor presented an overview of NBU's water supply and how NBU plans to meet demand given the area's growing population.
| ||
January: Headwaters at the Comal Community Program
|
CCCA's January 2019 guest speaker was Nancy Pappas, Managing Director for Headwaters at the Comal. Ms. Pappas shared New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) mission to restore the 16-acre service center site that contains the historically significant
|
Nancy Pappas, Managing Director for Headwaters at the Comal
| ||