What an incredible year thus far! At the Watershed, we’ve navigated a year’s worth of projects just in the first six months of 2021! We are thrilled to share that we have deepened our collaborations and forwarded our programs in the areas of Land Conservation & Restoration, Watershed Protection & Conservation Science, Education & Outreach and Policy & Advocacy. We are expanding impact through One Water Initiatives and are engaged in Parks and Open Space Planning with Hays County to conserve land and water in critical recharge areas.
We are actively restoring land at Coleman’s Canyon through greenfielding and restoration efforts through collaboration with partners. In the early part of this year, we have continued to educate and inform the public through water quality testing and well owner neighborhood site visits. Our education and outreach programs are flourishing as we are launching the Art4Water Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition with a call for artists to participate in a groundbreaking exhibit of art kites honoring the sacred springs of Texas to be flown at the Austin Kite Festival and then hung in an exhibit at the Austin Central Library. Additionally, we are partnering with TESPA to launch the Deep in the Karst of Texas education campaign.
We continue to spearhead conservation efforts across the watershed through our work with Protect Our Blanco to ensure no discharge into the Blanco River through the Blanco Water Reclamation Task Force. Through the Water Funders Initiative, we are publishing a monthly Hydro Report and Surface and Groundwater Water Monitoring Data, conducting water quality monitoring through the Texas Clean Rivers Program and Wimberley Water Advisory Group, and promoting water conservation strategies with utilities. We are making great progress with long-term market-based solutions to conserve groundwater with Texas Water Trade.
These projects weave together art, science, stewardship, and policy through collaboration and education. I couldn’t be more proud of our staff, partners, and our community for all the work we have accomplished thus far with our collective efforts. With active, informed, and mission-centered supporters, neighbors, and public officials, it feels like anything is possible!
Enjoy this info-packed edition of the Watershed News and check out our archived newsletters and news posts. Please, share the info with your networks. The more we know, the better we can plan and innovate to protect what we love. We invite you to contribute financially through donations, volunteering, and/or information sharing. Together we can protect and enjoy clean, clear flowing water!
On behalf of the Board and Staff, Thank You!
For the love of water,
David Baker
WVWA Founder and Executive Director