Background:

Hill Country Alliance (HCA), a TxN Conservation Partner, is a nonprofit dedicated to raising public awareness about the importance of preserving the natural resources of the Texas Hill Country. Their goal is to educate the public about water supply issues, scenic and night sky protection, land  conservation and more responsible growth in the Hill Country. To accomplish this, HCA hosts community meetings about current issues, participates in regional planning activities and writes and publishes position papers on their website. In addition, they serve as a source for Hill County issues for elected officials, and collaborate regularly with land trusts, universities, groundwater districts, government agencies, environmental groups and landowners.

Project:

Water is a scarce resource in the Texas Hill Country. Groundwater is a limited source of water in the region, and is already under stress from droughts and a growing population. Reliable alternatives to groundwater are needed to conserve resources and protect the environment. HCA recognizes that harvesting rainwater is an effective solution. Rainwater is clean and safe and can be used for potable and non-potable uses. Harvesting rainwater is so efficient that even just a light rain shower can contribute a significant amount to water supply. It also does not use a lot of energy compared to pumping groundwater. HCA spreads information about the benefits of rainwater harvesting at their annual Hill Country Living Festival and Rainwater Revival. The festival consists of presentations from professionals and rainwater users, business booths related to water conservation, rainwater system displays and more.

Community Impact:

The Hill Country Living Festival and Rainwater Revival is a free and educational event that highlights rainwater harvesting, and living lightly. 1500-2000 people attend the event each year. The festival features 75+ vendors and exhibitors, a native drought tolerant plant sale, hands-on workshops, dark sky exhibits,  food, shopping, music, and more.