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 Cofran's Texas . . . Hill Country Portal A Powerful Information Database & Gateway Service for the Texas Hill Country NATURAL RESOURCES, CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT
IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY The Hill Country is blessed with an abundance of natural resources. It is our duty to prudently manage these resources for our future generations. This focus topic page is dedicated to this subject and embraces water, soil, land, conservation, management, control and use of these resources. There is substantial overlap in the scope of many of the profiled organizations. While we have attempted to group them by their predominant theme, be sure to review other groupings to find valuable resources. Be sure to check our related comprehensive Portal focus pages on: Parks & Lakes, Caves & Caverns, Bats & Bat Caves, Outdoors, Hunting & Fishing and Wildflowers. And, check out or comprehensive Portal page on State and Federal government agencies at State-Federal We welcome submission of updates, additions, corrections & digital photos, without compensation.
AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE OFFICES: http://agextension.tamu.edu. See Portal profiles for AgriLife that lists all of their extension offices. These offices are funded and operated by the Texas A&M University, and formerly and locally are called the "Extension Office" or "County Extension Office" and often just called the "Ag Office". See http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu. Various AgfiLife specialists provide a wide range of public services and information related to agriculture including: fruit and nut production, lawn care, gardening, grazing management, vegetation manipulation, livestock management, and implementation of the 4H program. Blanco: 830-868-7167, Gillespie: 830-997-3452, Hays: 512-393-2120, Llano: 325-247-5159, Mason: 325-347-6459. FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA): www.fsa.usda.gov. Administers the Farm Bill as passed by Congress. Several programs are currently in operation including EQUIP, CRP, TAP, LAP, NAP, and loan programs. Blanco: 830-868-4656, Gillespie: 830-997-3453, Hays: 512-392-3202, Llano and Mason: 325-347-5740. HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCE (HCA): 512-560-3135; www.hillcountryalliance.org. A non-profit organization whose purpose is to raise public awareness and build community support around the need to preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country. HILL COUNTRY NIGHT SKY COOPERATIVE: www.hillcountrynightskycoop.org. A non-profit organization whose purpose is to raise public awareness on night sky preservation issues, and to encourage sound outdoor lighting management. HILL COUNTRY RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT AREA, INC: 325-347-5005; www.hmitexas.org. Mason, TX HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT-TEXAS: 830-868-2427; POB 373, 804 Danz Well Rd, Johnson City, TX 78636. Amy Normand, Executive Director. Lands-on Learning for Land Stewards. NATURAL AREA PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION: www.napa-texas.org/preservelist.html (THE) NATURE CONSERVANCY: www.nature.org SOCIETY FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION: www.ser.org SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT (SRM): 210-414-1688. www.rangelands.org/srm.shtml. SRM is concerned with studying, conserving, managing, and sustaining rangelands for ranching, wildlife, hydrology, and range and soil conservation. TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (TEQ): 512-239-1000; 12100 Park 35 Cr, Austin, TX 78753. www.tceq.state.tx.us. This agency was called the "Texas Water Commission" in years past. Now it encompasses much more than just water! Scope includes water conservation, air quality, pollution prevention, rainwater collection, waste management and more. (TEXAS) FOREST SERVICE (TFS): 979-458-6650; 301 Tarrow St, John B. Connally Bldg, 3rd Floor, Ste 364, College Station, TX 77840-7896. http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu. Provides technical assistance to landowners in forest related matters including oak wilt, tree health, tree selection, arboricultural consultation, and prevention and control of wildfires.TFS administers the Oak Wilt Suppression Project that can offer cost-shares to qualified landowners in most Central Texas counties. Johnson City: 830-868-7949 TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE: 512-463-5001; 1700 N Congress Ave, Ste 835, Austin, TX 78701. www.glo.texas.gov TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION SYSTEM (TNRIS): www.tnris.org TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT: 800-792-1112; 512-389-4800; 4200 Smith School Rd, Austin, TX 78744. www.tpwd.state.tx.us. Land & Water Resources: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater. Provides technical assistance to landowners in all aspects of native wildlife and habitat management, including game, non-game, and endangered species. Experts are available to assist in preparation of detailed wildlife management plans. Blanco and Hays counties: 512-288-0895, Gillespie and Mason counties: 325-258-4456, Llano county: 325-247-1072. TEXAS STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD (TSSWCB): 254-773-2250; 311 N 5th St, Temple, TX 76501. www.tsswcb.state.tx.us USDA - NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS): www.nrcs.usda.gov. Assists landowners in preparing conservation plans, developing prescribed burning plans, and assisting with brush control, pond construction, terrace installation, and erosion control. NRCS also publishes soil surveys for each county. Blanco: 830-868-7237, Gillespie: 830-997-3349, Hays: 830-379-0930, Llano: 325-247-5154, Mason: 325-347-5749. USDA - LAND CONSERVATION: www.fsa.usda.gov
BLANCO RIVER TRUST: www.gbrtrust.org COW CREEK GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT: 830-816-2504; 201 E San Antonio Ave, Ste 100, and 216 Market Ave, Ste 105, Boerne, TX 78006. Created for the purpose of conserving, preserving, recharging, protecting and preventing waste of groundwater from the aquifers within Kendall County. The District will conduct administrative and technical activities and programs to achieve these purposes. DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS COUNCIL: 512-424-2443; 5805 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/CouncilsCommittees/droughtCouncil/stateDroughtPrepCouncil.htm EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY: 210-222-2204; 1615 N Saint Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78721. http://dwardsaquifer.org; Also see: www.edwardsaquifer.net FEED AND FERTILIZER CONTROL SERVICE (CHEMIST, OFFICE OF THE STATE): 979-845-1121; 445 Agronomy Rd, College Station, TX 77843-2114. http://otscweb.tamu.edu FLOOD INFORMATION: Flood FRIENDS FOR RIVERS: www.ffr.org GILLESPIE COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT (GC SWCD):830-997-3349 Ext 3; 1906 N Llano St, #106, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. www.gillespiecountyswcd.org. Sponsors educational agricultural events with NRCS, TX AgriLIFE Extension, etc. Hosts web page and writes two newsletters a year. Works with NRCS, Gillespie Co. WCID & Gillespie Prescribed Burn Association. Conservation awards, seed sales, equipment rentals, fish sales, contractors lists. See web for schedule of events. GUADALUPE BLANCO RIVER AUTHORITY: 830-379-5822; 933 E Court St, Seguin, TX 78155. www.gbra.org GUADALUPE RIVER: www.guadaluperiver.org HEADWATERS GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT: 830-896-4110; 125 Lehmann Dr, Ste 102, Kerrville, TX 78028. www.hgcd.org HILL COUNTRY WATER: www.hillcountrywater.org HILL COUNTRY UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT: 830-997-4472; 508 S Washington, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. www.hcuwcd.org LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY: 512-473-3200; 3701 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703. www.lcra.org NUECES RIVER AUTHORITY: 830-278-6810; 200 E Nopal St, Ste 206, Uvalde, TX 78802. www.nueces-ra.org TEXAS ALLIANCE OF GROUNDWATER DISTRICTS: www.texasgroundwater.org TEXAS COALITION FOR CONSERVATION: www.texascoa.org (TEXAS) GROUNDWATER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: 512-239-4506; 12100 Park 35 Cr, Austin, TX 78753. www.tgpc.state.tx.us. A state agency. TEXAS GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION: www.tgwa.org TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT (TPWD) - LANDWATER: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater TEXAS STATE OF WATER: www.texasthestateofwater.org TEXAS STATUES: WATER CODE TEXAS WATER ALLIANCE: www.texaswateralliance.org TEXAS WATER CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION: www.twca.org TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD: 512-463-7847; 1700 N Congress Ave, Ste 513, Austin, TX 78701. www.twdb.state.tx.us TEXAS WATER INFORMATION: www.texaswaterinfo.net TEXAS WATER MATTERS: www.texaswatermatters.org TEXAS WATER SMART COALITION: www.watersmart.org. Spearheaded by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, this group is made up of leaders in the public and private sector dedicated to water conservation in our state, a comprehensive campaign to educate the public on simple ways to protect this resource. TEXAS WELL DRILLER'S REPORTS: Reports UPPER GUADALUPE RIVER AUTHORITY: 830-896-5445; 125 Lehmann Dr, Ste 100, Kerrville, TX 78028. www.ugra.org; US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS: http://swf67.swf-wc.usace.army.mil USGS – WATER FLOW RESOURCE: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/current?type=flow#tx12 WATER SHED EXPERIENCE: www.watershedexperience.com WATER ARTICLES/BROCHURES/RESOURCES:
ANNUAL RAINWATER REVIVAL EVENT: Dripping Springs, at Roger Hanks Park, Hwy 290 W. 10a-7p. 512-479-9426. http://rainwaterrevival.comAnnual event, free. The festive day will be filled with informative and entertaining presentations by professionals and users of rainwater, water conservation-related business vendor booths, rainwater system displays, and plenty of experts to provide guidance and services. Food booths, shopping, live music. Early Oct.
SEPTIC SYSTEM ALTERNATIVE: www.enviroalternatives.com/storburn.html SEPTIC MAINTENANCE: Septic Maintenance
NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS (NPSOT): Promotes the conservation, research and utilization of the native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example. Round Rock: 512-238-0695. http://lonestar.texas.net/~jleblanc NATIVE PLANTS OF SOUTH TEXAS: http://uvalde.tamu.edu/herbarium/index.htm PLANTS DATABASE: http://plants.usda.gov TAMU VASCULAR PLANT IMAGE GALLERY: www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/gallery.htm NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS (NACD) PLANT DATABASE: This site lets you search by common name or scientific name. Type in the common name, click "Common Name" below that, then click on GO. There’s also an Image Gallery; you can define search criteria and display search results as thumbnail photos in order by common name. Then clicking on a small photo returns a plant profile with a bigger photo.
GREENBOOK.NET: www.greenbook.net. An extensive database of chemical product information that you can use to help control unwanted plants. You can search by plant name and the database will list what chemicals you could use. If you need to know more about a specific chemical, you can type it in and search for product info. You need to register with the site to get the detailed information. Some chemicals require a pesticide license. APPLICATOR'S LICENSE: To get a private applicator's license requires a class, plus later continuing education for license renewals. Call your local Agri-Life Extension office for more information. See Agri-Life TEXAS INVASIVES: www.texasinvasives.org
OAK WILT INFORMATION: www.stopoakwilt.com TEXAS OAK WILT INFORMATION PARTNERSHIP: www.texasoakwilt.org Note, see above listed Texas Forest Service listing for Oak Wilt information and assistance.
ACADEMY FOR RANCH MANAGEMENT: www.ranchmanagement.org. Department of Rangeland Ecology & Management, Texas A&M University EDWARDS PLATEAU PRESCRIBED BURNING ASSOCIATION: www.ranchmanagement.org/eppba. Past newsletters downloadble in PDF format, useful links
AGGIE HORTICULTURE: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu GRAZING LAND CONSERVATION INITIATIVE (GLCI): With USDA-NRCS, works to ensure that the owners and managers of the 684 million acres of privately owned grazing lands in the United States receive the important attention and increased technical assistance needed to maintain this valuable sustainable resource. GLCI does this by supporting research projects with grants, by providing speakers, organizing field days, and by capturing available knowledge in a statewide database of ecological site descriptions. During FY 2000, land managers received assistance to plan conservation systems on more than 4.6 million acres of private grazing lands. From those plans, landowners applied conservation practices or systems on more than 3.6 million acres. INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE: www.isa-arbor.com TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: 512-463-7476; 1700 N Congress Ave, SF Austin Bldg, Rm 1100A, Austin, TX 78701. www.agr.state.tx.us TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION (TAES): College Station: 979-845-5573. http://taeswww.tamu.edu. Conducts scientific research related to agriculture throughout Texas. In the Edwards Plateau, research is focused on range issues such as forage production, brush control, rangeland ecology, hydrology, prescribed burning, and agricultural economics. TEXAS TREE PLANTING GUIDE: http://TexasTreePlanting.tamu.edu
See Portal focus page: Hill Country Outdoors
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Imagine a place where everything is in its place. A place where the gardens, trails, and architecture celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of the Texas Hill Country. A place where people reconnect with the land and learn to appreciate the natural beauty, economic value, and environmental necessity of native plants. This place is the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, in Austin. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION: 512-463-6599; 920 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701. www.license.state.tx.us
 SANDY ROAD GUEST HAUS:
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