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WHAT'S UP
House Natural Resources Committee to Consider HB 3165
This Monday the House Natural Resources Committee will consider one of our favorite bills of the session. HB 3165, the will allocate $2 billion from Texas' rainy day fund to create the Texas Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The fund could be used for the creation of new parks, projects that would restore wildlife habitats, and efforts to improve water quality or enhance river flow. For us in Central Texas, this is “now or never” legislation as open space is all too rapidly being gobbled up for residential development. Since counties don’t have the authority to require dedicated parkland for new development, we must set aside funds for new parks and open space to recharge our aquifers.
If the bill passes, a constitutional amendment creating the fund would be on the November ballot so every registered voter will have a chance to weigh in.
Please ask members of the House Natural Resources Committee to vote YES on HB 3165 and HJR 138. Here are some talking points if you want to elaborate your support.
While you’re at it, please feel free to tell the members of the House Natural Resources Committee, which meets next Tuesday, that you also support HB 3522, HB 3523, and HB 2460.
And, more good news for parks! This week, the Senate Finance committee approved a rider adding $500 million for the Centennial State Park Conservation Fund. Dedication of this funding is contingent on passage of Sen. Parker's SB 1684 or similar legislation. The Centennial State Park Conservation Fund could be used to acquire land for state parks, improve and develop state parks, give grants to cities for local parks, and support department land, soil, and water conservation efforts.
The full House will vote on the budget next week and we need to make sure a parks funding rider is added there. We then need to make sure SB 1684 (and its house companion HB 3801) become law. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 100 years of Texas Parks!
The fund could be used for the creation of new parks, projects that would restore wildlife habitats, and efforts to improve water quality or enhance river flow. For us in Central Texas, this is “now or never” legislation as open space is all too rapidly being gobbled up for residential development. Since counties don’t have the authority to require dedicated parkland for new development, we must set aside funds for new parks and open space to recharge our aquifers.
If the bill passes, a constitutional amendment creating the fund would be on the November ballot so every registered voter will have a chance to weigh in.
Please ask members of the House Natural Resources Committee to vote YES on HB 3165 and HJR 138. Here are some talking points if you want to elaborate your support.
While you’re at it, please feel free to tell the members of the House Natural Resources Committee, which meets next Tuesday, that you also support HB 3522, HB 3523, and HB 2460.
And, more good news for parks! This week, the Senate Finance committee approved a rider adding $500 million for the Centennial State Park Conservation Fund. Dedication of this funding is contingent on passage of Sen. Parker's SB 1684 or similar legislation. The Centennial State Park Conservation Fund could be used to acquire land for state parks, improve and develop state parks, give grants to cities for local parks, and support department land, soil, and water conservation efforts.
The full House will vote on the budget next week and we need to make sure a parks funding rider is added there. We then need to make sure SB 1684 (and its house companion HB 3801) become law. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 100 years of Texas Parks!
Water Program Updates - March 2023
In March, water infrastructure has continued to be a major topic of conversation at the Capitol - where legislators are discussing dozens of water bills, including a new bill that would create a water fund and dedicate billions of dollars to water development projects in Texas. Through public testimony, we’ve heard about countless communities with urgent and growing water and water infrastructure needs - in the Hill Country and beyond.
HCA's Water Program will continue to follow the happenings at the legislature and encourages folks to get in touch with their legislators to support funding for water infrastructure. As Jennifer Walker and Suzanne Scott of the Texas Living Waters Project said in January, it’s time for a water session at the legislature.
HCA's Water Program will continue to follow the happenings at the legislature and encourages folks to get in touch with their legislators to support funding for water infrastructure. As Jennifer Walker and Suzanne Scott of the Texas Living Waters Project said in January, it’s time for a water session at the legislature.
The Texas Living Waters project released its 2022 impact report. You can check it out here.
Upcoming HCA Events
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Spring Water Revival 2023
Dates vary based on event. As we draw closer to April - a month that normally brings us beautiful wildflowers and welcome rain – we’re looking forward to the second annual Spring Water Revival! Join us for this month-long, springtime celebration of water in the Hill Country by attending a water-focused event in April. Our calendar of events can be found here and will continue to be updated throughout the month. Additional calendar submissions welcome! |
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Screening of Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet
WHEN: Thursday, April 13 | 6:00PM-8:00PM WHERE: 201 San Marcos Spring Drive, San Marcos, TX Click here to view or add events Join the Indigenous Cultures Institute and Hill Country Alliance for a family-friendly screening of Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet, a play that shares ancient traditions and presents an alternative Native-origin story about the first bluebonnets and sacred springs in Texas. The event is pay-what-you-can, and all donations will go towards supporting an Indigenous Cultures Center at the headwaters of the San Marcos River. |
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Block Party & Mural Reveal: Junction Runs on Water
WHEN: Saturday, April 15 | 12:00PM-2:00PM WHERE: 656 Main St, Junction, TX Seating is limited - learn more and register here Join the Llano River Watershed Alliance, Hill Country Alliance, Big Seed, and Texas Water Foundation for a free block party to celebrate the first Texas Runs on Water® mural in the Hill Country! This fun, afternoon event will celebrate the Llano River, local art, and all the ways water touches our lives. Join us as we celebrate the unveiling with music, drinks, snacks, door prizes and more! Learn more and RSVP to the Facebook event here |
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Headwaters Happenings
We're excited to announce the Saturday SEAM Series schedule for Spring 2023!
These interactive programs are aimed at K-3rd grade aged students and take a hands-on approach to teaching SEAM (science, engineering, art, and math) concepts.
Classes include:
Saturday, April 15: Rocket Science
Saturday, May 20: Exciting Engineering
These interactive programs are aimed at K-3rd grade aged students and take a hands-on approach to teaching SEAM (science, engineering, art, and math) concepts.
Classes include:
Saturday, April 15: Rocket Science
Saturday, May 20: Exciting Engineering
Upcoming Headwaters Events
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Don't miss the 5th Annual Earth Day Celebration!
Join this FREE fun event for the whole family celebrating the beauty of New Braunfels local natural resources. Explore the restored native prairie, stroll along the spring run and see where the Comal River begins, participate in hands-on activities and scavenger hunts, and enjoy treasured time getting connected with nature. WHEN: April 22, 2023, 10:00 AM — 2:00 PM WHERE: Headwaters at the Comal, 333 E. Klingemann, New Braunfels, TX 78130 SIGNUP |
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DIY Rain Barrel
Rain barrels are a great way to minimize stormwater run-off, reduce water bills, and provide naturally nitrogen rich water for your plants! It's a win-win-win! Learn how to make and install your own rain barrel in this informative class, led by a member of the NBU Conservation and Customer Solutions department! All necessary supplies and materials, including the barrel, will be provided. WHEN: April 15, 1:00 PM WHERE: Headwaters at the Comal |
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Art4Water’s Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition
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Gallery Opening Night on .
WHEN: May 5, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM WHERE: San Marcos Public Library, 625 E Hopkins St., San Marcos, Texas Free to attend with RSVP Celebrating the Great Springs of TexasArt4Water’s inaugural program, The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition, a collaboration between The Watershed Association and Terry Zee Lee, features the work of 35+ national and local artists to raise awareness of threatened Texas springs and the vital connection of water to life. Hanging like an oasis in the sky, these 50+ water-inspired art kites bring together diverse communities around the respect for Texas’ great springs–their history, their value, and the threats to their existence. Meet the Exhibition Artists and Kitemakers. “Sacred Springs” recalls the reverence of indigenous people and an enduring mystical connection with the source of life. Water falls as rain from the sky, filters into the ground, and emerges later through cracks and openings to form the great river basins. |
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The Bexar Audubon Society urges: “Lights Out, Texas!”
Spring Migration: March 1 - June 15
Peak Migration: April 22 - May 12
Everyone is encouraged to turn off non-essential lights at night from 11 PM – 6 AM during the full spring and fall migration periods, and where conflicts apply, prioritize lights-out during the critical peak migration periods. Visit BirdCast tools by Cornell Lab of Ornithology to learn when increased migration traffic will happen in our area. Stay informed and subscribe to alerts today!
Peak Migration: April 22 - May 12
Everyone is encouraged to turn off non-essential lights at night from 11 PM – 6 AM during the full spring and fall migration periods, and where conflicts apply, prioritize lights-out during the critical peak migration periods. Visit BirdCast tools by Cornell Lab of Ornithology to learn when increased migration traffic will happen in our area. Stay informed and subscribe to alerts today!
