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Conservation Insider
Hello {{Constituent First Name}},
Go ahead and call April my favorite month! Words can't express my sincere gratitude for all of you who wrote, came in person, and spoke during this month's first session of commissioner's court. If you haven't heard the good news yet, your County Commissioners approved the Parks, Open Space, and Natural Areas Master Plan! This is a huge first step for our County and represents a turning point for conservation in our communities.
Also for those of you who may have forgotten I want to remind everyone that we do have a community program this month! We had to postpone our March Community Program but Robin Gary has graciously agreed to speak to our group on Tuesday, April 16th 2024 (6:00pm-7:30pm). Her talk will focus on NBU's new One Water Program and the utility's efforts to conserve water across the city. I have no doubt that it will be incredible.
Our work to preserve land, water, and wildlife is catching steam and we need your support now more than ever. You can make a difference by volunteering, donating to the cause, speaking up in support conservation efforts and exploring the incredibly beautiful natural areas that make living in Comal County so wonderful.
The Hill Country needs you. If you feel like I do, that we need to protect these incredible resources now then please consider joining our Comal Conservation Champions group by making a recurring donation in support of CCCA on our website.
Ryan K Spencer Executive Director Comal County Conservation Alliance
CCCA NEWS
Nominations Open:
Jensie Madden Comal Conservation Award
Celebrating Environmental Stewardship in Comal County
2023 Award Recipients:
Sisters Joyce Moore & Cindy Martinez
The Jensie Madden Comal Conservation Award was created to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the preservation of land, water, and wildlife in our community.
About the Award: Established in honor of Jensie Simms Madden, a beloved advocate for environmental conservation in Comal County, this award celebrates her legacy and the contributions of those who share her passion for protecting our natural resources. The award seeks to acknowledge outstanding vision, leadership, and commitment to environmental stewardship.
Nomination Process: Do you know someone who has made significant contributions to conservation efforts in Comal County? Nominate them for the Jensie Madden Comal Conservation Award! Click the link below to access the nomination form and recognize individuals or groups who are making a positive impact on our environment.
Visit our website for more information on the nomination and selection process.
Board Spotlight - Carol Wheeler, Chair, Community Programs Committee
This month we spoke with Carol Wheeler, Director at Large and Public Program Committee Chair. Carol is a local business owner, keynote speaker, and leadership coach.
How long have you lived in Comal County and what brought you here?
I moved to Comal County in 2010 after getting married. We both worked in San Antonio but wanted to live a little further out. Slowly but surely New Braunfels and Comal County stole my heart, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else!
Looking for a way to help protect Comal's rivers and springs?
Preserving Comal County's natural beauty and rural character is a job for the whole community. Won't you join the effort? CCCA is looking for volunteers to help advance the conservation work in Comal County by helping CCCA in one of the following areas:
Event Planning
Website Maintenance
Grant Writing
Interested candidates should submit their contact information and interests here: Become a Volunteer
OR
Support CCCA's effort to preserve land, water, and wildlife in Comal County by donating today!
April Community Program "One Water in Comal County"
WHAT: Robin Gary, NBU One Water Coordinator will join CCCA to talk about "One Water in Comal County"
One Water principles consider all water valuable—stormwater, commercial, industrial, wastewater, and drinking water; finding new uses for existing water, including water reuse, all designed to maximize water resources. As the One Water Coordinator, Robin Gary will discuss the what, why, and how of One Water nationally and locally. One Water New Braunfels is a collaborative program between New Braunfels Utilities, the City of New Braunfels, and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority to provide integrated water management that is resilient, sustainable, and beneficial to communities in the greater New Braunfels area.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 16th, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
WHERE: McKenna Events Center, 801 W. San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130.
WHAT: Make plans to attend the LAND and SKY CELEBRATION benefitting Comal County Conservation Alliance & Comal County Friends of the Night Sky, Wimberley Dark Skies. Enjoy live music, curated crafts, food trucks, stargazing, and more.
WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 2024 Gates Open at 5 PM
Earth Day 2024 @ The Headwaters at the Comal
WHAT: Join CCCA as we celebrate Earth Day at the Headwaters at the Comal! This event is great for kids with lots of activities and vendor booths. Swing by the CCCA booth so you can learn about work and the natural systems that make Comal County so unique!
WHEN: Saturday, April 20th, 2024 10am - 2pm
CCCA H-Z MARCH COLUMN
"THERE’S A NEW OAK IN LANDA PARK!"
by Frank Dietz, for the H-Z April, 2024
“Lizzie-the-live-oak” has taken her chosen space just over from the kiddie wading pool in Landa Park. “Lizzie” is placed by current and former board members of Comal Conservation in appreciation for the extraordinary efforts building and shaping a viable voice for conservation by former President Elizabeth Bowerman. Selecting a promising oak is a forceful statement about future intentions in conservation building upon the shoulders of founding citizens. Trees, trails, parks, acreage set aside in perpetuity will owe part of their existence to the voice for land, water and wildlife promoted by Comal Conservation. What a splendid manner of thanks with a long future of spirited message! Check out comalconservation.org for photos and information.
The OAK TREE has such a prominent place across our American landscape as well as beyond. Our Texas Hill Country live oaks, along with others in the oak family, express a vitality and persevering spirit that share multitudinous gifts. So many of our grand heritage oaks in the hills provide hospitality, sheltering cover, resting place and
New Braunfels Parks and Recreation offer City Nature Challenge Events
New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department will be participating in the San Antonio Metro Area’s City Nature Challenge this year by hosting several events:
Online (Zoom) training open to the public on Thursday, April 11th, 12-1:30 pm. Zoom registration link here!
In-person iNaturalist -nature walks – also open to the public:
Wednesday 4/17, 10:30 am – 12 noon at Landa Park (meet at the Gazebo)
Friday 4/26, 9-11am at Fischer Park (meet at the Nature Education Center)
Saturday 4/27, 12-3 pm at Landa Park as part of our City-wide Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration – held at Playground Drive
Registration is preferred for the 4/17 and 4/26 Nature Walks, but drop-ins are welcome! Register here.
Wildfire Mitigation Strategies presented by Texas A&M Forest Service
Texas A&M Forest Service will be presenting critical information regarding wildfire risk assessment and establishing wildfire mitigation strategies at the Tye Preston Memorial Library, Canyon Lake, TX. Two sessions will be offered on Thursday, April 25 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Presentations will be geared towards residents living in the wildland-urban interface, or where humans and their structures intermix with vegetation, with the goal of encouraging homeowners to take action to protect their property from the threat of wildfire.
Texas is globally important for birds. Approximately 1 of every 3 birds migrating through the U.S. in spring, and 1 of every 4 birds migrating through the U.S. in the fall, or nearly two billion birds, passes through Texas in one of the planet’s great wildlife spectacles.
Majority of North American birds migrating travel at night! Unfortunately, light emanating from our cities can disorient birds, leaving them confused and vulnerable...
Maverick Ranch-Fromme Farm stands as a living testament to the interconnectedness of history and ecology during this period of rapid growth in the Texas Hill Country. Nestled in northwestern Bexar County, this 329-acre sanctuary echoes with tales of resilience and the vibrant spirit of the Lone Star State. As San Antonio continues to extend its reach outward, development now touches the borders of the ranch, underscoring the pressing need for its preservation. TLC is grateful to the Fenstermaker sisters Mary, Anne (Bebe), and Martha for committing to the protection of their family's ranching heritage and its preservation through...
Preserve Our Hill Country Environment Needs Support
Written By Ryan Spencer
Preserve our Hill Country Environment a partner of Comal County Conservation Alliance is working to secure a public meeting with TCEQ to review the Water Pollution Abatement Plan (WPAP) submitted by Vulcan Materials. PHCE needs signatures in order for TCEQ to host a meeting. Public comments for Vulcan Comal Quarry WPAP may be received by mail and email. The public comment period ends April 21, 2024.
The Comal County Conservation Alliance Board of Directors is seeking suggestions for naming our organization's inaugural giving society. This group of committed philanthropists pledges $100 monthly for three years, providing vital support to our environmental efforts. We've brainstormed extensively to find a name that reflects their generosity and foundational role in our growth. If you have a fitting suggestion, please email Ryan Spencer at ryan@comalconservation.org. All submissions will be reviewed at our next board meeting on May 16th 2024.
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Comal County Conservation Alliance PO Box 2804 Canyon Lake, TX 78133
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