Hill Country Conservancy is pleased to announce another win/win land conservation project near Manchaca, just south of Austin near Brodie Lane and 1626. A rural community since the 1800s, Manchaca and its citizens have been experiencing rapid growth and dramatic changes in their local landscape as suburban sprawl spreads outward from central Austin.

Thanks to a substantial contribution of development rights from Rocky and Kelly Romano and Robert McDonald, Autumn Woods will now retain its natural character. This beautiful 132-acre property on Little Bear Creek provides high quality recharge to the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Adjacent to other undeveloped land, including the City of Austin's Water Quality Protection Lands, Autumn Woods is an extraordinary place with abundant and diverse native vegetation and wildlife that characterizes the history and heritage of Manchaca.

Autumn Woods was permitted for a dense, small-lot subdivision development years ago. However, a conservation partnership between Hill Country Conservancy and the owners will ensure the preservation of the natural and scenic beauty and water-quality benefits of the property, forever. By donating a conservation easement to Hill Country Conservancy in December 2006, Mr. and Mrs. Romano and Mr. McDonald have agreed to limit development on the property to three home sites, which is good news for the neighbors in this still somewhat rural neighborhood.

As a result of this voluntary agreement, Autumn Woods will continue to provide clean drinking water, wildlife habitat and scenic views to Austin and Manchaca residents. In addition, this successful project brings Hill Country Conservancy and its partners one step closer to their goal of conserving 50,000 acres of natural areas, scenic vistas, working ranches, rivers and streams in the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer region.