NewsDrop-July-August-2026

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That success reflects decades of partnership among the many guardians of the Edwards Aquifer—local leaders, businesses, schools, community organizations, residents, and the EAA working toward a common goal. Lasting conservation depends on people working together to sustain the water resources that support our communities today and for generations to come. One of the first opportunities to put those partnerships into action comes on Saturday, October 17th when the EAA brings its annual Rooted in Texas: Free Native Plant Giveaway to New Braunfels. The event will provide thousands of free native plants, giving residents a simple, practical way to conserve water while supporting pollinators and wildlife, improving soil health, and creating landscapes naturally adapted to South Central Texas. (

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OUTREACH

By: Nikki Young Sr. Community Engagement Administrator

Growing CONSERVATION through Collaboration How partnerships with local leaders are helping turn conservation into community action.

“ One of the greatest strengths of the Edwards Aquifer Authority is the partnerships we’ve built throughout the region,” said Andrés Campos , EAA District 8 Director.

building relationships, sharing resources, and creating opportunities for conservation to take root.

The EAA is also inviting residents to share their own conservation stories through the Rooted in Saving Water: Conserve and Share Photo Contest. Together, the contest and the plant giveaway offer two different ways for the community to participate—one by capturing conservation in action, the other by putting it into practice. Whether it’s a chamber leader sharing information with local businesses, a city official connecting residents with conservation resources, a teacher inspiring students, or a homeowner planting a native species, every action helps strengthen the future of the Edwards Aquifer.

“Bringing the Rooted in Texas Native Plant Giveaway to New Braunfels reflects that commitment to working alongside our communities and making conservation accessible through simple, practical actions everyone can take” . Like the information session, the plant giveaway is about more than distributing native plants. It reflects the EAA’s commitment to meeting communities where they are—

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Every conversation, every photograph, every native plant, and every partnership helps strengthen the community of guardians working to sustain the Edwards Aquifer for generations to come.

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upcoming events

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he Edwards Aquifer has many guardians. From scientists and permit regulators to educators, business leaders, elected officials, community partners, and residents, caring for this shared resource is a responsibility we all share. To strengthen those partnerships, the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) recently welcomed Chamber of Commerce and economic development organization leaders from across its 8-county region to the EAA headquarters for an information session designed to provide a deeper understanding of its mission, responsibilities, and programs.

Roland Ruiz, General Manager for the EAA, provided an inside look at how the agency manages, enhances, and protects the Edwards Aquifer while highlighting the many ways it partners with communities to support responsible growth, water conservation, public outreach, and stewardship. The session also created an opportunity to strengthen relationships, answer questions, exchange ideas, and encourage continued dialogue with organizations that help shape the future of the region.

To kick off Texas Native Plant Week Saturday, October 17th at 9AM Columbus Club Hall, 111 Landa Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130. The EAA will provide thousands of free native plants while supplies last.

Deadline to Submit: Monday, August 31, 2026

”Today, we’re using about the same amount of water from the Edwards Aquifer as we did in the mid-1950s, even though the population has tripled—if not quadrupled,” said Benjamin Youngblood III, Vice-Chair of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors and a member of the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy (EAC) Board of Directors. “That’s the value of people recognizing that conservation works.”

Winner Recognition: November 2026 Board Meeting

Calendar Release: January 2027

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Visit the Edwards Aquifer Authority newsroom for event info. & updates! edwardsaquifer.org/news

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