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2023 EVENTS
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Tiffany Osburn, Regional Archeologist, with the Texas Historical Commission made the connection between historic preservation and land conservation. She noted that the land around a historic building or archeological site brings context to the history. It is important to maintain that land..
Cindy Coers, Chair of the Comal County Historical Commission, spoke about the important work of the Commission to identify and mark historic sites, buildiings, and cemeteries in Comal County. The Commission is appointed by Commissioners Court and are all volunteers. Find out more here. |
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Monarch Festival at Fischer Park - October 21, 2023 Outreach |
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Deep in the Heart - October 24, 2023Over 80 people came out to the Tye Preston Memorial Library and enjoyed this beautiful celebration of Texas' diverse landscapes and remarkable wildlife found nowhere else. Narrated by Matthew McConaughey, the film aims to conserve our remaining wild places, to show the connectivity of water and wildlife, and to recognize Texas' conservation importance on a continental scale. |
October Program: "Town Hall Meeting: November Ballot Propositions"
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A statement from Senator Campbell endorsing these two propositions was read at the beginning of the meeting.
Colin McDonald, Senior Policy Analyst with the Texas Water Foundation, spoke about the ways that (Propositions 6) creating a New Water Supply Fund would help all Texans. Kevin Good, President of Texans for State Parks ,urged the audience to vote for Proposition 14 which would create a fund to acquire land for new state parks or increase the size of existing parks. |
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September Program: "The Long Game: Creating Lasting Conservation in a High Growth Area"
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The Hill Country is growing like never before! Katherine Romans of the Hill Country Alliance discussed how this intense growth is continuing to strain our environmental systems. She highlighted the different growth patterns across the 25 Hill Country counties and how unbalanced growth could threaten the unique characteristics that make the Texas Hill Country such a special place to live.
Katherine Romans is the Executive Director of the Hill Country Alliance. She leads a diverse coalition of partners who work to preserve open spaces, starry night skies, clean and abundant waters, and the unique character of the Texas Hill Country. Katherine received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Government from the University of Virginia and received her master’s in environmental management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. VIEW RECORDING OF MEETING HERE VIEW ROMANS' SLIDE PRESENTATION |
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July 22: Vintage Oaks Xeriscape Fair
We were thrilled to participate in Xeriscape Fair at Vintage Oaks this summer! Photos courtesy of Neighborhood Co.
July Program: "Preserving Open Space in Comal County: Challenges & Opportunities"
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The steady increase in population over the past decade has put Comal County at the forefront of development. What does this growth and development mean for its water availability future?
Since the Edwards Aquifer is our primary water resource, this steady increase in residential population has resulted in water management challenges for Comal County and its municipalities. They must meet increasing water demands while facing reduced water resources, and also deal with wastewater discharge issues that challenge water quality. Learn what other counties and municipalities have done to protect their water source and manage growth. Hear about how private lands are part of the solution. Explore the challenges and opportunities that face Comal County and its municipalities now and in the future. Annalisa is the Executive Director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA), a position she has held for almost 20 years. She leads the effort to protect the Edwards and Trinity aquifers and their contributing watersheds, and is the “go-to” person for aquifer-related issues in South/Central Texas. |
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May Anniversary Celebration
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Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
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Executive Director Ryan Spencer presented
Jensie Madden Comal Conservation Award |
CCCA presents 2023 Jensie Madden Comal Conservation Award
By Hannah Thompson — The Herald-Zeitung
June 1, 2023
June 1, 2023
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On May 23, the Comal County Conservation Alliance (CCCA) hosted a celebration to present the Jensie Madden Comal Conservation Award to sisters Joyce Moore and Cindy Martinez.
Leading up to the award presentation, Ryan Spencer, executive director of the CCCA, shared a few words about the meaning of the Jensie Madden Comal Conservation Award. According to Spencer, those given the award have shown to be determined leaders, visionaries and have focused on preserving water, wildlife, and land. “Our recipients today have dedicated themselves to protecting an incredible natural resource in our county and state, and … I want to say thank you,” Spencer said. “Your efforts have helped to ensure that countless generations of future Texans will be able to explore, connect and leave inspired by one of the pristine and ecologically significant waterways in our state and you have protected one of the greatest representations of Karst Geomorphology in the State of Texas.” Spencer then revealed that the award consisted of two parts: a proclamation from the board declaring the two recipients as award winners and two handcrafted bowls carved from a fallen mesquite tree that originally was next to the Comal River. The award was presented by Dr. Andrew Sansom, Research Professor of Geography and Executive Director of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State. |
Left to right: Andrew Sansom, Joshua Moore, Joyce Moore, Ryan Spencer, Cynthia Martinez, Joseph Martinez, Shantal Tollett.
“These two women have demonstrated to us that landowners are willing to commit to protect their lands beyond their generation,” Sansom said. “Because of what Joyce and Cindy have done, The Nature Conservancy’s work at Honey Creek and then Honey Creek Ranch, there’s going to be almost 6,000 acres of protected lands around that watershed.”
According to Moore, it didn’t take long for them to decide they’d now protect Honey Creek Springs and the longest cave in Texas. After all, Moore looked into conservation easements for around 30 years; initially, the two knew they wanted to do it but weren’t sure they could financially. “It’s an important piece of property to us; it’s our legacy,” Moore said. “To everyone else, it’s just a piece of private land that’s been saved, but it’s our home. This is where our roots are … we had to do this.” |
An excellent turnout for an important event! Happy Birthday, CCCA!
May Program: "The Relationship Between Land and Water"
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Click on picture above to view presentation.
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The water resources of Texas start at the land. The land is where the rain falls, our streams flow, and our aquifers replenish. With over 95 percent of land privately owned in Texas, landowners are the greatest caretakers of the quantity and quality of water across the state. As land changes, so does the water. Increased growth, land development, and climate variability create challenges for local and regional water supplies requiring creative solutions to better protect both land and water for the future.
Dr. Mace discussed what’s happening, what’s expected to happen, and what we can do for the future.
Robert Mace is the Executive Director and Chief Water Policy Officer of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University. Robert has over 30 years of experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, stakeholder processes, and water policy, mostly in Texas.
Dr. Mace discussed what’s happening, what’s expected to happen, and what we can do for the future.
Robert Mace is the Executive Director and Chief Water Policy Officer of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University. Robert has over 30 years of experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, stakeholder processes, and water policy, mostly in Texas.
April Outreach: "Folkfest"
Executive Director Ryan Spencer
The free family-friendly event was on Saturday, April 15, and Sunday, April 16, at Heritage Village, 1370 Church Hill Dr. in New Braunfels.
Justin Ball, executive director of the Heritage Society of New Braunfels, said the weekend of living history is an opportunity for newcomers and longtime residents to experience what life was like when the town was founded.
Ball is a historian who formerly worked with UNESCO in San Antonio.
“In the face of all of this growth that we’re experiencing, I think that events like Folkfest are important so that we can keep our culture and heritage alive,” he said.
Folkfest proceeds support the Heritage Village and the society’s reconstruction project of the 1846 German Protestant Church.
Justin Ball, executive director of the Heritage Society of New Braunfels, said the weekend of living history is an opportunity for newcomers and longtime residents to experience what life was like when the town was founded.
Ball is a historian who formerly worked with UNESCO in San Antonio.
“In the face of all of this growth that we’re experiencing, I think that events like Folkfest are important so that we can keep our culture and heritage alive,” he said.
Folkfest proceeds support the Heritage Village and the society’s reconstruction project of the 1846 German Protestant Church.
April Outreach: "Agrilife Open House"
March Outreach: "Dino Day"
March Program: "A Dive into Honey Creek Cave"
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February Outreach: "Fun Fish"
January Outreach: New Braunfels Women Giving Opportunity Event
(NB Women GO)
On January 19, 2023 the NB Women GO group held a Non-profit Meet and Greet event at the McKenna Event Center. The event was a great opportunity for non-profits to share information about their missions and do a little networking with each other. The spirit of giving and doing is alive and well in New Braunfels.
NB Women GO (Giving Organization) is a group of women in the greater New Braunfels area who are making a difference in the lives of others by giving back to their community. Members of NB Women GO support their community by paying an annual membership. Members pool their donations and give back to nonprofits on an annual basis.
NB Women GO (Giving Organization) is a group of women in the greater New Braunfels area who are making a difference in the lives of others by giving back to their community. Members of NB Women GO support their community by paying an annual membership. Members pool their donations and give back to nonprofits on an annual basis.
January Program: "The Four Fountain Springs of Texas"
