Land & Water in our Valley: Understanding the State of Hill Country Water

The Watershed Association is excited to bring our next educational series, [Land. Water. Connection] to our community as part of the Blanco Cypress Watershed Protection Plan (BCWPP). This collaborative effort with Meadows Center for Water & the Environment, Hays County, the City of Woodcreek, and the City of Wimberley plays a vital role in shaping water resiliency in our region.

**This year-long series will be offered in two modules in the Spring from March to May and in the Fall from September to November. **

First Event: Saturday, March 21st
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Wimberley Village Library"
[Registration Below]

Second Event: Saturday, April 25th
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Meadows Center for Water & the Environment
[Click Here to Register]

Third Event: Saturday, May 31st
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Community Field Project
Blanco, TX
[Click Here to Register]

Saturday, March 21st
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Wimberley Village Library

Land & Water in our Valley: Understanding the Current State of Hill Country Water

Water shapes everything here in the Hill Country: our landscapes, our livelihoods, and our sense of home. This session invites our community into a grounded, big-picture conversation about where our water comes from, how it’s changing, and what those changes mean for the Wimberley Valley right now.

This Land Water Connection offering will ground participants in the current reality of water in the Hill Country, from drought conditions and aquifer health to the fragile thresholds that sustain our springs. We’ll explore the systems and forces shaping our future, including rapid development, governance challenges, and the growing pressure of corporate water interests, specifically the role of Aqua Texas and the ongoing rate case. Together, we’ll unpack what’s at stake, what may surprise you about how our water system works, and where the greatest risks are unfolding. We’ll close with tangible ways to engage, from everyday stewardship to collective policy action, so each of us can play a role in protecting water for the long term.

The community is encouraged to bring questions. We will take a deep dive into understanding our Watershed and leave you with a clear path to stewardship in our Valley.

Event Details:

When: Saturday, March 21st
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Wimberley Village Library

Keynote Speakers

David Baker
Executive Director, The Watershed Association

Zane Porterfield
Public Engagement, Advocacy & Community Outreach Coordinator
The Watershed Association

April 25th
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Meadows Center for Water & the Environment

[Click Here to Register]

Activating Stewardship: Strategies for the Future 

As drought continues to reshape life across Texas, conversations about water conservation, resilience, and shared responsibility are more important than ever. This session invites our community into an engaging exploration of rainwater harvesting, One Water principles, and the evolving strategies that can help households and regions adapt during times of record drought.

Together, we’ll examine insights from a statewide rainwater harvesting study, including how different zip codes influence collection potential and long-term water security. An interactive water calculator will be shared to aid in the discussion of household water use during drought.

We’ll also hear perspectives on watershed planning, community-scale conservation, and the human side of water stewardship, from emerging professionals developing new approaches to stakeholder engagement, to regional leaders advancing collaborative solutions through the Blanco Cypress Watershed Protection Plan and growing One Water initiatives.

The extended session will conclude with the option to join a glass-bottom boat tour or a guided walk through the Spring Lake wetlands, connecting the day’s ideas back to the living systems that sustain our region.

Event Details:

When: Saturday, April 25th
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Where: Meadows Center for Water & the Environment 
**Parking is limited; carpooling is encouraged**

Keynote Speakers

Jenna Walker, M.A. Geo
Director of Watershed Studies, Meadows Center for Water & the Environment 

Desiree Jackson, M.S.
Science & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist 

May 30th
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Community Watershed Field Project, Location TBD (More details coming soon)

Questions? Contact:
Amber Smith: amber@watershedassociation.o