Hill Country Conservancy

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Hill Country Conservancy Conserving the water, wildlife, and wonderous lands of our Hill Country home for everyone—forever.

Community health and well-being are essential to our future, and it is vitally important to have access to clean water, fresh air, and nature. Hill Country Conservancy is dedicated to preserving our vital natural resources through conservation, community collaboration and engagement to sustain our region now and forever.

🏃‍♀️ One week away from packet pickup for the Fun Run! 🏃‍♂️Meet us at the Whirlpool Trailhead parking lot on Friday, Sep...
09/18/2026

🏃‍♀️ One week away from packet pickup for the Fun Run! 🏃‍♂️

Meet us at the Whirlpool Trailhead parking lot on Friday, September 25, from 5–7 PM to pick up your Fun Run packet before the race sets off on Saturday morning.

We highly recommend picking up your packet in advance, as it includes your race shirt and bib. If you can’t make it Friday, don’t worry—packets will also be available for pickup Saturday morning before the run.

If you haven't yet signed up, click the link to register now. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-violet-crown-trail-fun-run-tickets-1992170105413?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Come explore a Hill Country hidden gem! Join us on Sunday, September 27 from 9–11 AM for a guided nature hike at Pecan S...
09/17/2026

Come explore a Hill Country hidden gem! Join us on Sunday, September 27 from 9–11 AM for a guided nature hike at Pecan Springs Karst Preserve in northern Williamson County.

With 1,205 acres of protected Hill Country habitat, Pecan Springs Karst Preserve is home to an incredible variety of plants and wildlife—including 19 Species of Greatest Conservation Need. On this relaxed, conversational hike, we’ll slow down and take a closer look at the flora and fauna that call this special place home.

This is a moderate hike over uneven Hill Country terrain. Binoculars and a portable restroom will be provided. Our guide, Cindy Chrisler of the Water Master Naturalists Chapter, will share her expertise on native plants, butterflies, wildlife, and the unique ecology of the preserve. Keep your eyes—and ears—open for what we might discover along the way!

This hike will not include a visit to Elm Bat Cave. Space is limited, so click the link to sign up now and reserve your spot. https://givepul.se/lduvey

Blue Jays have a sneaky little trick…👀Capable of fooling even the most experienced birders, Blue Jays have an expansive ...
09/16/2026

Blue Jays have a sneaky little trick…👀

Capable of fooling even the most experienced birders, Blue Jays have an expansive vocal repertoire that allows them to mimic the calls of many other birds.

One of their favorite impressions? The unmistakable, drawn-out scream of a Red-shouldered Hawk.

A convincing hawk call can send smaller birds scrambling for cover, leaving the Blue Jay free to feast at a feeder or berry patch all by itself.

So the next time you hear a hawk, take a closer look. You might just be listening to a Blue Jay pulling off the ultimate food heist.

📸Rich Kostecke

🎉 A HUGE shout-out to our 2026 Violet Crown Trail Fun Run sponsors! 🎉We’re so grateful to The Shops at Arbor Trails, Tor...
09/15/2026

🎉 A HUGE shout-out to our 2026 Violet Crown Trail Fun Run sponsors! 🎉

We’re so grateful to The Shops at Arbor Trails, Torchy's Tacos, and Patagonia for helping make this year’s Fun Run possible. Your support helps us bring our community together on the Violet Crown Trail and keep this annual tradition going strong! 💚

🏃‍♀️ Haven’t signed up for the 8th annual VCT Fun Run yet? Now’s the time! Register now to lock in the T-shirt size you want! Once those sizes are gone, they’re gone!

Come run, walk, stroll, or roll with us as we celebrate the Violet Crown Trail and the people who make it possible.

👉 Click the link to register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-violet-crown-trail-fun-run-tickets-1992170105413?aff=oddtdtcreator

Help us save the Mile Zero trees! 🌳Last month, the irrigation system at the Violet Crown Trail’s Mile Zero Trailhead was...
09/15/2026

Help us save the Mile Zero trees! 🌳

Last month, the irrigation system at the Violet Crown Trail’s Mile Zero Trailhead was vandalized, disrupting water to the trailhead’s newly planted trees.

While the irrigation system has since been repaired, several trees are now severely stressed from the loss of water and need some extra care to help them recover. A fresh layer of mulch will help retain moisture, protect their roots, and give these trees a better chance to bounce back.

We’re calling on our trail-loving community for a little extra help! Join us this Saturday, September 19 from 8–11 AM for a small but important volunteer project to help care for the Mile Zero trees and restore the beauty of this special trailhead.

We’ll provide the gloves, tools, and training—you bring the helping hands! Click the link to learn more and register now: https://givepul.se/7il5ee

rail

Reset your mind before ACL ✨📸⁠Join us for a morning Lens on Nature Photo Walk at Nalle Bunny Run Wildlife Preserve on Sa...
09/12/2026

Reset your mind before ACL ✨📸
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Join us for a morning Lens on Nature Photo Walk at Nalle Bunny Run Wildlife Preserve on Saturday, October 10. Led by Chi-Wei Chang, founder of Wind Water Wild, this guided walk invites participants to slow down and notice the patterns, textures, light, and hidden details in nature that help clear the mental clutter and reset the nervous system.⁠
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Part photo walk, part visual scavenger hunt, this experience is open to everyone—whether you shoot with a DSLR, film camera, or just the phone in your pocket. Expect creative prompts, peaceful moments, and a fresh way to experience the preserve.⁠
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No photography experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to look a little closer.⁠
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Click the link to learn more and sign up now! ⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lens-on-nature-photo-walk-tickets-1989923105576?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
⁠

📣 Have you heard the news? It’s official! Cypress Acres, a 200+ acre property just outside Wimberley, is now protected f...
09/11/2026

📣 Have you heard the news? It’s official! Cypress Acres, a 200+ acre property just outside Wimberley, is now protected forever.📣

What this means for Hill Country dwellers:
💧 Protecting water resources—including critical recharge zones for the Edwards Aquifer and over 2,000 feet of pristine Cypress Creek frontage.
🐦 Protecting wildlife habitat—Cypress Acres supports remarkable biological diversity, including at least 14 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the Golden-cheeked Warbler.
🌳 Preserving open space—safeguarding native grasslands, mature juniper-oak woodlands, and riparian forests filled with towering, ancient Bald Cypress trees from future development and fragmentation.
🏡 Preserving our history—helping maintain the historic heritage of Wimberley, including the historic Ragsdale House, built above Cypress Creek in 1879. The property’s board-and-batten cabin also proudly bears an official Texas State Historical Commission historical medallion. Did you know you could stay at these historic cabins? The Gumbert family offer rentals.

Why does this matter?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that Texas leads the nation in the loss of rural agricultural land. As our state continues to grow, open space becomes more limited with every passing year.

Protecting places like Cypress Acres means preserving the water, wildlife, scenic landscapes, and cultural heritage that make the Hill Country so special—keeping the Greater Austin area beautiful, resilient, and abundant for generations to come.

Read the full story from The Wimberley View: https://wimberleyview.com/news/article_3fc47694-46bb-4cf1-a9b1-03e1874a7cba.html

📸 Rich Kostecke

Help us save the Mile Zero trees! 🌳Last month, the irrigation system at the Violet Crown Trail’s Mile Zero Trailhead was...
09/10/2026

Help us save the Mile Zero trees! 🌳

Last month, the irrigation system at the Violet Crown Trail’s Mile Zero Trailhead was vandalized, disrupting water to the trailhead’s newly planted trees.

While the irrigation system has since been repaired, several trees are now severely stressed from the loss of water and need some extra care to help them recover. A fresh layer of mulch will help retain moisture, protect their roots, and give these trees a better chance to bounce back.

We’re calling on our trail-loving community for a little extra help! Join us Saturday, September 19 from 8–11 AM for a small but important volunteer project to help care for the Mile Zero trees and restore the beauty of this special trailhead.

We’ll provide the gloves, tools, and training—you bring the helping hands! Click the link to learn more and register now: https://givepul.se/7il5ee

Small bird, big mission 🐦Some Ruby-throated Hummingbirds make the 500-mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico in a single...
09/09/2026

Small bird, big mission 🐦

Some Ruby-throated Hummingbirds make the 500-mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico in a single flight—without stopping (they must hate layovers as much as we do). To accomplish this feat, these birds will consume up to twice their body weight in nectar and small insects every day to support their incredible metabolism.

With its location along the Central Flyway and its diverse mix of habitats, Texas is a vital stopover for many migratory species. Now is the perfect time to spot some magnificent birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, that pass through Texas during fall migration. Keep your binoculars handy!

📸Rich Kostecke

🎟️ Whirlpool Cave Tours are now available for the Violet Crown Trail Fun Run! Join Texas Cave Management Association, fo...
09/08/2026

🎟️ Whirlpool Cave Tours are now available for the Violet Crown Trail Fun Run! Join Texas Cave Management Association, for a peek inside Whirlpool Cave, during our Violet Crown Trail Fun Run on Saturday, September 26! Pick between two cave tour options:

🦇 1-hour Travis County Room Tour: The ultimate cave adventure! Head deep inside Whirlpool Cave, plan to spend most of the time on your hands and knees and expect to get dirty. But it's perfect even for people who have never caved before!
🦇 Entrance Room Tour: Enjoy a shorter tour where you will only need to descend a 10-ft ladder. You may not be able to stand upright, but you will not have to crawl!

This is an exclusive, can't miss opportunity to learn about the cave system up close and personal! Whirlpool Cave tour tickets are now available at check out and are not included with Fun Run admissions.

Click the link to secure your spot today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-violet-crown-trail-fun-run-tickets-1992170105413?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

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Address

PO Box 163125
Austin, TX
78716

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15123282481

Website

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