Medina River Watershed Protection

08/27/2026

Back by popular demand!

Join us after work from 6:00-7:00pm for rainwater collection 101 in Hondo Thursday September 24, 2024!

Limited to the first 25 people.

*This workshop is full but please call if you would like to be placed on a waiting list*

Interested in rainwater collection? Here is an opportunity to learn how to design a basic rainwater collection system with a rain barrel build demonstration! This program is free to those looking for just information but for $15 you get your own kit which includes your barrel and the fittings. We are only able to take the first 25 people that register due to limited space so please call 830-741-6180 to RSVP.

08/24/2026

We know it's hot....but there is still work to do to keep the river clean and plants happy!

Join us for a volunteer day on the Medina River:
Date: Friday, September 11th
Time: 8:00-11:00 AM (drop-in style)
Location: Castroville Regional Park
816 Alsace Ave, Castroville, TX 78009
Includes: snacks, water, and brunch!
RSVP: Email [email protected]

Friends of Castroville Regional Park, Castroville Parks and Recreation

07/20/2026

Many hands make light work, even in July!

Volunteers and representatives from Bexar Branches Alliance, Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas, Balcones Invaders (Salsa Squad), Alamo Area Texas Master Naturalists, Castroville Parks and Recreation, Friends of the Castroville Regional Park, City of Castroville, Texas Water Resources Institute, and Medina Valley ISD National Honor Society showed up to clean up the riparian restoration and native plant demonstration garden in the park on Friday July 17th.

Post-flood debris was removed, erosion control wattles were staked back into place, the stairs were altered to move water to the berms we built on either side, and the demonstration garden was re-mulched to lock in the soil moisture.

Thank you all!

07/14/2026

Please be careful with all the rains this week and remember- turn around, don’t drown!

Impressive estimates overnight in Medina County! There have already been three calls for high water rescues this morning. Please use extreme caution and do not attempt to cross any water covered roadways! 

07/08/2026

Post-flood clean-up volunteer day on the Medina River!

On June 20th, 2026, the Medina River in Castroville rose 10 feet within 2 hours in a flash flood (see pictures), causing water to move up the bank, across the road, and into the soccer field (which is the original floodplain). Thankfully, most everything we established in February remains, but we have some cleaning up to do.

Join us:
Date: Friday, July 17th
Time: 7:00-11:00 AM (drop-in style)
Location: Castroville Regional Park
816 Alsace Ave, Castroville, TX 78009
Includes: snacks, water, and lunch!
RSVP: Email [email protected]

We are so pleased to see how well our project held up against the flash flood!

06/29/2026

Land Smart: A Guide to Small Acreage Stewardship back by popular demand...but we improved it!

With the Medina Valley Soil & Water Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas Grazing Land Coalition, Heritage Land Stewards , Sky Senderos, LLC., and Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas
a group of 40 small-acreage and/or new landowners received a free crash course on land stewardship, including soil science, plant identification, the use of drones and free computer software, such as AlphaLand.ai and Soil Web Survey, water conservation, technical and financial resources available, and the pros and cons of agriculture tax valuations.

Here is what participants had to say:

Missed it? Do not worry, we will have it again!

06/25/2026

Part 2/2 of data centers the in Medina River Watershed conversation

Featuring: Rachel Hanes of Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA), Roland Ruiz of Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), Medina County Judge Lutz, Medina County Commissioner Sittre, Roland DeLeon of Yancey Water Supply Corporation, Ronnie Lemmons of East Medina County Special Utility District, Keith Calle of Medina Electric Cooperative, and Adrian Shelley, of Public Citizen.

06/25/2026

Part 1/2 of data centers in the Medina River Watershed conversation

Featuring: Rachel Hanes of Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA), Roland Ruiz of Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), Medina County Judge Lutz, Medina County Commissioner Sittre, Roland DeLeon of Yancey Water Supply Corporation, Ronnie Lemmons of East Medina County Special Utility District, Keith Calle of Medina Electric Cooperative, and Adrian Shelley, of Public Citizen.

06/25/2026

On Sunday June 20, 2026 the Medina River in Castroville experienced an intense flash flood due to recent rains and rose 10 feet within 2 hours. Our entire riparian restoration and demonstration garden project was submerged under rushing water.

Thankfully, most of the project, including plants, erosion waddles, ropes, stakes and fences were still there when the water receded.

We will be working with Castroville Parks and Recreation to clean up post-flood and you are invited to help! More pictures to follow.

06/23/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our Water Wise Workshops on June 11th in Floresville with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-Wilson County and June 12th in Leming with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Atascosa County.

Participants brought in their private well water samples and heard from Extension Specialist Joel Pigg on how to interpret the results.

The day also included:
- An interactive Q&A with General Manager Aarin Teague of Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District (EUWCD)
- Rainwater harvesting tips from Extension Specialist John Smith
- Water conservation on personal lawns with Program Specialist Dean Minchillo

Finally, Watershed Coordinator Mary Michael Zahed worked with participants to build 55-gallon rain barrels to jump-start their rainwater harvesting journey.

Thank you to EUWCD for sponsoring these workshops and Pure and Gentle Soap for the donated 55-gal drums!

Keep an eye out for similar workshops in the near future!