December 1, 2008

The end of 2008 brings to a close my two-year term as President of Hill Country Conservancy. It has been quite a ride.

During these last two years, we have been able to capitalize on the hard work of the many people who have been instrumental in HCC's growth. Among the most significant land transactions that we have closed are the following: (a) purchase of a conservation easement on Storm Ranch Phase II (1,318 acres) (b) purchase of a conservation easement on the Ragsdale Ranch (496 acres) and (c) acceptance of an assignment from the Nature Conservancy of a conservation easement on the Bleakley property (1,400 acres). Additionally, during this month we are scheduled to close on the purchase of a conservation easement on the Ragland Ranch (292 acres).

I am also confident that the cupboard is far from bare. For instance, HCC has secured a $4,000,000 matching federal grant, and we plan to use that money, in combination with $5,900,000 from the City of Austin and Hays County, to purchase a conservation easement on the very beautiful and very sensitive Dahlstrom Ranch (2300 acres).

Without question, the most exciting project that we have worked on during these past two years is Walk-For-A-Day, the proposed 34-mile trail running southerly from Barton Springs Pool to approximately FM 150 in Hays County. It is also easily the most complicated project in which HCC has ever been involved, and we have devoted a large part of our assets---HCC staff time, officer and Board of Director time and our financial resources---to Walk For A Day. We have made tremendous progress.

Two years ago, Walk For A Day was only a dream, held by a few who understood the opportunity for a historic trail yielded by the savvy use of voter-approved bonds by the City of Austin in purchasing open space in the Barton Springs Recharge Zone. HCC believed it could be a catalyst for the creation of such a trail, utilizing its unique real estate expertise, appreciation for open space and financial assets. During the last two years, HCC has conceptualized a trail route, assisted with the closure of gaps in the trail route, worked with municipal and county authorities to plan for the operation and maintenance of such a trail, discussed the trail with myriad neighborhood groups and other interested parties and hired a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm to attempt to get federal funding for the hard construction costs for the trail. HCC is also in the process of hiring a nationally renowned trail expert to assist the very capable local professionals currently working on the project.

With all the progress that has been made, there are still many hurdles that must be crossed to make Walk For A Day a reality. It will take a tremendous effort, but the reward will be a unique trail to be enjoyed by Central Texans for generations to come. It is my firm belief that construction for the first phase of Walk For A Day will commence in 2009, and the entire trail will be completed before 2015.

A project of this magnitude could not happen without unusual support and cooperation. At the risk of failing to mention many who have made big contributions to Walk For A Day, I want to thank the following people for their leadership and support for this historic project: U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett, U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith, U.S. Congressman Michael McCall, State Senator Kirk Watson, Mayor Will Wynn and the City of Austin City Council members, Mayor Jeff Mills and the City of Sunset Valley City Council members, Judge Sam Biscoe and the Travis County Commissioners, Judge Liz Sumter and the Hays County Commissioners, TxDOT Austin District Engineer Bob Daigh and Daryl Slusher and the rest of the City of Austin planning team. Thank you to each of you for what you have done, and thank you for what you will do to make Walk For A Day a reality.

I also extend grateful thanks to our Board of Directors and especially our HCC staff. HCC is very fortunate to have attracted a truly extraordinary group of people to serve on its Board, and those people provide the leadership, fundraising and labor that makes HCC a success. Andrea Rado was a new addition to the HCC staff in 2007 when she was hired as Director of Community Relations. She has done a remarkable job in a short period of time. With her creativity and energy, HCC should benefit from her talents for many years to come. That brings me to George Cofer. George and I have been friends for a long time (and long ago adversaries during the dark ages when those that worked on development projects and those that represented environmental interests did not associate with each other). George puts his heart and soul into all things HCC, and it is hard to think of HCC without thinking of George. As Executive Director, he has experienced the challenges of a Board of Directors that evolves each year and a set of officers that do the same. George remains the steady hand at the helm of HCC, and I hope he will remain in that role for a long time. George, thanks for putting up with me over the last couple of years.

We all have the opportunity to serve many community organizations. All are worthy, and our community benefits from their work. For me, working on HCC matters has been a labor of love. HCC’s mission ties together our history, our culture and our future. Central Texas is about many things---none more important than the preservation of our unique land. I recommend HCC to you, and I hope that you will continue to support it.

Steve Drenner
President