Hill Country Alliance

05/31/2026

LAST CALL for the 2026 Home in the Hill Country Photo Contest! 👏 Today is the last day to submit your four best photographs spotlighting the people, wildlife, and plants that call the Hill Country home.

Landscape-style submissions from photographers of all skill levels and styles are accepted. In addition to internet fame, winners will receive a cash prize AND a spot in the 2027 Hill Country Calendar!

Thank you to all who have already entered and participated in this year's contest — we have seen some STUNNING work. Learn more and submit your photos: contest.hillcountryalliance.org

📸: John Pace - Singing for a Mate

05/29/2026

We’ve been LOVING these slow, gentle rains across the Hill Country these past several weeks. How much rain have y’all received lately? Share your totals in the comments below, Hill Country! You can also check the Texas Water Development Board’s Texas Mesonet for the latest rainfall totals and river flow information across the state: https://www.texmesonet.org/

📸 Michelle Graham, “Dew & Sun-Kissed Grasses After a Rain” (2025)

05/28/2026

Do you own or help steward property along the Guadalupe River or one of its tributary creeks? On June 12-13, the Hill Country Alliance and partners will be hosting a FREE native plant distribution event in Center Point for landowners impacted by the July floods across the Guadalupe River Basin.

More than 7,000 native grasses and sedges were specifically chosen to help stabilize streambanks, improve water quality, and support long-term river recovery. Registration and access moist riparian areas are required to participate and revegetate the river. Participation is open to landowners with access to moist riparian areas suitable for revegetation. Registration is required and space is limited!

Register here: bit.ly/NativePlantsGiveaway

Special thank you to all of our partners: The Community Foundation, Kerr County River Foundation, KERR Together, San Antonio Botanical Garden, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Upper Guadalupe River Authority, and Mosty Brothers Nursery

📸 Jerry Sargent

05/27/2026

🗣️ Time is running out! There are only a few days left to enter our 2026 Photo Contest before submissions close this Sunday, May 31.

From spring wildflowers and scenic landscapes to diverse wildlife and Texas skies, we want to see your favorite Hill Country views through your lens! 📸

And don’t forget — voting is open to everyone, whether you’ve submitted a photo or not! Cast your vote for your favorite Hill Country photo and help one talented photographer win the People’s Choice Award, a cash prize, and a feature in the 2027 Texas Hill Country Calendar.

Don’t miss your chance to submit, vote, and celebrate the beauty of the Texas Hill Country with us! contest.hillcountryalliance.org

05/21/2026

We’re excited to announce a new resource: Native Landscaping Templates for the Hill Country 🌿

Developed in partnership with San Antonio Water System, Native Plant Society of Texas, and Native American Seed, these plug-and-play templates are designed to help homeowners transform traditional lawns into beautiful, water-wise native landscapes.

Join us on Tuesday, June 16 at 12:00pm for a free webinar to learn more about the resource, including:
🌿 Elements of a successful native landscape
🌿 How to read the landscape
🌿 Getting started with the templates
🌿 Additional resources for homeowners and communities

Register here: bit.ly/NativeLandscapingWebinar

05/18/2026

We're halfway through the 2026 Home in the Hill Country Photo Contest! Submit your four best photographs spotlighting the people, wildlife, and plants that call the Hill Country home and you could win a cash prize AND a spot in the 2027 Hill Country Calendar! 📆

Landscape-style submissions from photographers of all skill levels and styles are accepted. Learn more and submit photos: contest.hillcountryalliance.org

📸 Mark Holly

Home in the Hill Country2026 Photo Contest Andy Heatwole – Winter Soul (2021) Home in the Hill Country2026 Photo Contest Carol Holbert – Bluebonnet House (2017) Home in the Hill Country2026 Photo Contest Gary T. Ray – Gruene Nights (2025) Home in the Hill Country2026 Photo Contest David Satter...

05/08/2026

Full house at last week's Rainwater Harvesting Workshop with Rainbees, Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District, and Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD)! We are still in drought, and rainwater harvesting is still a powerful strategy for water conservation and resilience.

Learn more in our guide:https://hillcountryalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Rainwater-Harvesting-Issue-Paper_August-2025_.pdf

05/04/2026

We’re honored to be included in this transformative investment in the Hill Country! The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has awarded $14M in grants to support long-term recovery and resilience along the Guadalupe River — including $1.51M to the Hill Country Alliance — to support long-term recovery following the July 4 floods. Grateful to be part of this collective effort.

🔗 Read the full article

The money, donated in the wake of July's deadly floods, will be used to repair Kerrville parks and pay for other Guadalupe River recovery projects.

05/01/2026

Spread the word — the 2026 Home in the Hill Country Photo Contest has officially begun! 📸

Today through May 31, we’re inviting photographers across the region to share their unique perspective on what makes (and who calls) the Hill Country home.

This year, our contest platform continues to spotlight the talent behind the lens. Participants can opt in to our public contest directory by sharing a short bio and links to their work, making it easier than ever to connect with and celebrate the incredible photographers who bring the Hill Country to life.

Landscape-style submissions are welcome from photographers of all skill levels and styles. Learn more and submit your photos: https://contest.hillcountryalliance.org

Photographer credits from left to right: Jacob Janssen, Mihail Mancas, Kenneth Butler, Rob Greebon, Christopher Keeran, John Freud, Abigail Clayton, Patrick McKimmey, Michael Mallory, Wade Blissard, & Mike Brown