Our December Magazine cover features an extraordinary scene…a glimpse into a unique wildlife experience.

Economic growth in the 1800s and early 1900s relied on abundant water supplies provided by naturally pressurized flowing artesian wells. But in a rapidly urbanizing Hill Country, the Blanco River and the vast groundwater system to which it belongs are failing. 

Part 1 - The Coloring Book’s 2nd place Exemplary Project win at state rewarded the work of 61 HCMN volunteers. Let’s look at all the activities we’ve been working on. Part 2 - The Coloring Book welcomed young explorers and their guardians to diverse nature locales.

Our video team’s goal is to give folks pride in our natural resources with a mix of humor, wonder, and education.

HCMNs work to conserve and educate others about the wildlife and plants that grow on the Texas landscape. But have you ever looked below the surface—the surface of the water, that is?

The Hill Country Alliance successfully hosted its 11th annual Leadership Summit, From Vision to Action, bringing together Hill Country leaders and conservationists eager to learn from one another. Three HCMNs were invited presenters.

Members of the HCMN had the opportunity and delight to attend the 2023 Texas Master Naturalist Annual State Meeting. There were simply not enough hours to drink it all in!

Remember hearing that distinctive “Bob-White” whistle? When I hear that beautiful sound, I recall long past days of sitting on the porch and whistling the notes in reply.

Here in Hays County and across the rest of the Hill Country, we are rapidly losing our natural grasslands. So it has become even more incumbent on land stewards to protect and restore the ones we have.

Savanna restoration is not only good for conserving the historical biodiversity of central Texas, but also the best management technique for the optimization of our water quality and quantity of recharge back into the aquifer.

Come meet the photographer behind the lens of many of Westcave’s incredible images.

We had the pleasant surprise of a visit from Scout Troop 4 of the Dripping Springs American Legion. On everyone’s mind are two upcoming rare solar events. Don’t miss the first one—October 14!

The story of the Jack-o’-lantern goes back hundreds of years and has its roots in Irish folklore. Happy Halloweeeeeeen!

YIKES! Click on any photo and scroll through our arachno-gallery for a closer look—if you dare!

Our ability to remain and thrive in this place that we love is dependent on groundwater conservation and protection. But what does that have to do with collecting seeds?

The ongoing drought is having serious impact to the aquifers and the people living in the Texas Hill Country. Action is the best medicine. What can we do?

Hays County Master Naturalists are uniquely positioned to look out over our little piece of heaven and document this brave new world. Trees and plants that were still green on August 6 are stressed now and even dying.

We work almost daily trying to keep our bit of Texas as free of non-native plants as possible and to support high quality habitat for all critters that cherish, as we do, a Hill Country place of their own.

We inspire children of all ages to increase habitat for wildlife, preserve the health of our streams and aquifers, learn about geology, and protect our night skies from light pollution.

“From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere.” So says Dr. Seuss and I agree that the creature known as the irritable back—the North American porcupine—is one of those funny things. Here are some of my trail camera photos and fun facts about our wild friend.