Replenishing Our Hills

Book excerpt: The Hill Country, “sweet spot of Texas,” is in danger of being loved to death, or so it seems. The good news is that all the growth and development has triggered some serious conservation efforts. Folks are joining forces to protect the lands and waters of this extraordinary region—families have been partnering with land trusts to save their legacies; citizens have been creating parks, greenways, trails, natural areas, wildlife refuges, and nature centers, thoughtful stewardship is helping damaged lands recover; a network of conservationists has been hard at work; and Texas voters have been supporting conservation measures. Featuring photography by John Freud and a compelling narrative by longtime conservationist Brent Evans, this unique book on the Texas Hill Country includes inspiring images of conserved land, provides a history of conservation efforts, and highlights the contributions of regional land trusts, county programs, community projects, a community-based nature center and farm, and private landowners. With a goal of celebrating and inspiring grass-roots conservation, Freud and Evans showcase, through words and imagery, places that have been cared for and preserved by a generation of local landowners, local governments, and local nonprofits. As Evans writes in the preface, “the Hill Country is saving some of itself, and this is our story.” As a record of the many conservation efforts in the Texas Hill Country, Replenishing Our Hills serves as an invaluable and inspiring resource for those new or familiar to land stewardship.