Topics:
Connecting for Water Conservation | Three-month dry spell ends with icy precipitation
Art4Water Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition Art Submissions
Groundwater and Surface Water 3D Animation | Trinity Aquifers Scientific Report Available
Feral Hog Management to Include Bounty Program in Hays
Upcoming News and Recent Articles
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Connecting for Water Conservation
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COVID has changed the way we connect. It seems that in-person meetings are few and far between, but when they happen, it's even more potent than the past. We're thankful to have temporarily abandoned our Zoom boxes and joined Texas Water Trade's Market Makers retreat hosted at the Texas Nature Conservancy Dolan Falls Preserve. There is no greater backdrop for water conservation conversations than the pristine Devils River.
The Watershed Association was one of three organizations selected for a two-year technical assistant grant from Texas Water Trade. Over past two years, the Market Makers ( Galveston Bay Foundation, Audubon Texas and Wimberley Valley Water Association) met with Texas Water Trade staff to develop science-based market plans for water transactions to benefit their priority basins. Comparing notes, all attendees recognized that despite differences in scale, scope, and area, each of the organizations benefited from similar processes. Oftentimes, the heavy lift is making practices commonplace or established within a community of practice. For example, now that the benefits of One Water concepts have been demonstrated at places like Wimberley ISD's One Water School, professionals have a visible touchstone to reference for to use for lessons learned, successes, and next steps. Scaling up and applying conservation concepts in new places and applications benefits the wider community.
An English proverb suggests that we are defined by the company we keep. Looking around at our friends, colleagues, network partners, and supporters, we couldn't be more proud and grateful to learn from and collaborate with our incredible partners and the conservation community.
On behalf of the Watershed Association Board and Staff,
Be safe, Be well and Enjoy the Journey,
Robin Gary
Managing Director
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The Wimberley Valley and Texas Hill Country benefit from conservation successes made possible because of passionate individuals like Joe Day. Last week, we lost this water protector, land steward, and champion for groundwater conservation to complications caused by cancer.
From the mid-1990s, Joe focused his insight and expertise to further sustainable economic development and environmental protections in the Wimberley Valley.
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From discussions that lead to the incorporation of the City of Wimberley to formation of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, from the first time Jacob’s Well stopped flowing to the passage of the Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan, and from the formation of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District to the establishment of the Jacob’s Well Groundwater Management Zone, he worked tirelessly to protect what he loved–the land, water, and community here in this little bit of heaven.
Joe dedicated the last 30 years of his life to conservation, much of that through the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association. His contributions to save Jacob’s Well Natural Area, and the Cypress Creek and Blanco River watersheds, is a legacy for future generations and an expression of his brilliant, enduring spirit.
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Artesiana 3: Joe Day, Brother for Water
In this podcast, we bring you Joe Day, a man who turned early retirement from an intense career dealing with disasters across the region into a pro bono passion for environmental education, watershed protection, and marketing sustainable economic...
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wimberleywatershed.org
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Three-month Dry Spell Ends with Icy Precipitation
February 2022 Hydro Report: The last significant rainfall was nearly three months ago. During the dry winter months, spring flow at Middle Trinity springs-Jacob's Well, Pleasant Valley, and Park Springs-have been on the decline. Despite frigid...
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wimberleywatershed.org
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Art4Water - Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition
We are so impressed with the incredible response works of art submitted for the Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition! We had over 170 submissions! Thank you to all of the artists that are contributing as vital storytellers of the sacred springs of Texas.
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wimberleywatershed.org
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Groundwater and Surface Water 3D Animation
In the Hill Country, groundwater and surface water are connected. Clear springs feed our iconic creeks and rivers. Water recharges aquifers (our groundwater supply) through caves and fractures in creek and riverbeds. Groundwater and surface water ...
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wimberleywatershed.org
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Lower & Middle Trinity Aquifers Scientific Report Available
The scientific report documenting the summer 2021 well visits is now available. The Lower Trinity and Middle Trinity Aquifer potentiometric surface maps presented in this report are indices for aquifer health and characterize Trinity Aquifer flow ...
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wimberleywatershed.org
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Feral Hog Management to Include Bounty Program in Hays
In a press release earlier this month, the Feral Hog Task Force announced the continuation of a County-wide feral hog management effort. Hays County will be continuing countywide feral hog management efforts in 2022 after receiving a $7,500 grant ...
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wimberleywatershed.org
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Upcoming Events and Recent Reports
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Over 600 acres of Honey Creek now shielded from development
When Joyce Moore was growing up on Honey Creek Spring Ranch in the 1970s, before developers began eyeing parts of the Texas Hill Country near her family's land in western Comal County, the property's highest point was her favorite place to go.
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www.expressnews.com
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NRI releases Texas landowner survey to examine status of ...
The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute's Texas Land Trends program released the 2022 Landowner Survey for landowners who own or operate private working lands in Texas. This voluntary questionnaire serves to gather information on the needs,...
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medium.com
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Wimberley Valley Trails Initiative Virtual Meeting (Feb 16)
Old Kyle Road in downtown Wimberley is one of the busiest and most congested roads in the Valley. Parking, pedestrian access, traffic, bike routes, and stormwater runoff make it a particularly tricky improvement project. This is an opportunity to ...
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wimberleywatershed.org
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Texas Land Conservation Conference (Mar 2-4)
The Texas Land Trust Council's 26th annual Texas Land Conservation Conference will be held in person on March 2-4, 2022 at the Hilton Austin Airport.The conference is the preeminent statewide meeting for anyone working in the field of land and...
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wimberleywatershed.org
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HELM Network News - First Issue - Beautiful Hays County
This newsletter is designed to complement the new Hays County Master Naturalist program, Habitat Enhancing Land Management Program (HELM). This program aims to help you manage your property to create and sustain a healthy, functioning ecosystem.
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beautifulhayscounty.org
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Wimberley City Council approves new Hotel Occupancy Tax
A 7 percent Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) was approved unanimously by City Council on December 2, which will be effective April 1, 2022. At that time, the City will begin collecting the tax from lodging owners within the city limits and ...
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smcorridornews.com
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The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization. In order to carry out our mission, we rely upon generous donations by people like you who care about protecting and preserving the natural beauty of the Hill Country. Your contributions are tax-deductible.
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