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Hill Country Conservancy, Hays County, and the City of Austin Partner to Conserve the Dahlstrom Ranch

In a landmark partnership between Hays County, Hill Country Conservancy, the City of Austin and the United States Department of Agriculture, the Dahlstrom family is selling the development rights to their 2,252 acre property, about five miles west of Buda, for a reduced cost of $9.9 million. The family will also lease 370 acres- an area bigger than Zilker Park- to Hays County as a public nature preserve for 10 years or more.
Jack Dahlstrom in a sinkhole at the Dahlstrom Ranch.
Photo by: Jules Jenkins, speleologist/environmental educator, BSEACD

Conservation of open space in the region is particularly important for protecting the waters, flora and fauna of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, the only known habitat for the endangered Barton Springs salamander. Hydrogeologists say keeping the Dahlstrom land, which contains over 1 1/2 miles of Onion Creek and an abundance of upland sinkholes, free of development is important to maintaining water quality and quantity in the Barton Springs portion of the Edwards Aquifer, which provides drinking water to roughly 56,000 people in Hays County.

To read the entire Austin American Statesman article click here

Pick up your copy of the “Here Forever” compilation CD to learn more about Hill Country Conservancy and support conserving land and water in the Texas Hill Country- Forever. The CD features artists such as Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel, Jerry Jeff Walker, and many others performing songs about the beautiful Hill Country.

During the month of November, Amy’s Ice Cream, Anderson’s Coffee, Continental Club, Greenling, RunTex, Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que, Waterloo Records, and Whole Earth Provision Company will be distributing the Here Forever CD through their own Hill Country Promotions. Click here to see how each business is promoting HCC. This is your opportunity to get involved and become a member. Do your part to keep the Central Texas experience protected - the music scene, the lifestyle, the attitude, and the local businesses that have embodied that Central Texas state of mind.

Here Forever CD related events:

Join HCC staff at Uncle Billy’s every Tuesday during the month of November for $8 pitchers of limited edition Hill Country Organic Amber and receive a free copy of the Here Forever CD.

Purchase a 1lb bag of Anderson’s limited edition Hill Country blend coffee and $4 dollars of your purchase directly contributes to land preservation in the Hill Country. You also receive a copy of the Here Forever CD, absolutely free!

To see the full listing of artists and learn how you can receive your own Here Forever CD, click here

Advantages of the membership include:

• HCC conservation updates,
• Up-to-date information regarding land conservation projects,
• Up-to-date information regarding the Walk for a Day trail system,
• Monthly volunteer opportunities,
• Members-only family ranch days

Your membership contribution allows HCC to continue conserving working ranches, scenic vistas, retain rural Hill Country heritage, and conserve precious water resources in the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer. Become a local hero and click here to discover more about membership levels and opportunities.

Join us Friday, November 21 at 7 pm for Hill Country Nights 2008, a conservation celebration, at the Texas Disposal Systems Game Ranch and Pavilion. This FUN event will feature Hayes Carll, Salt Lick BBQ, open bar, silent auction, mechanical bull rides, and other great surprises.
Click here for more information and tickets.

Join the HCC Running Team!

Are you a marathon runner? Have you ever wanted to become one? Please consider joining the HCC running team for the AT&T Full or Half Marathon, scheduled for February 15! Hill Country Conservancy is so excited to have been chosen to participate in this year’s marathon program, 26 Miles for 26 Charities. Runners on the HCC team will receive complimentary training sessions, cool race-day clothing, monthly treats from our team sponsors, and invitations to pre and post race celebrations. For more information, please email Andrea Rado.

“Family Friendly” Volunteer Clean up- Red Bud Trail
Nov 15 (10am-12pm)

Help HCC enhance and cleanup a half mile section of Red Bud Trail in collaboration with Keep Austin Beautiful’s Adopt-A-Street program. Meet at Red Bud Isle Park at 10 AM.

To sign up or for more information, please email Cheyenne Pitts.

Emerging Professionals in Conservation (EPIC)
Lunch and Learn: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Dec 17 (11:30 AM - 1 PM)

Join industry leaders to learn how to reduce your carbon footprint and how emerging professionals across the country are uniting through social networking to reduce carbon across the planet.

Click here to learn more about this great program.