NewsDrop-May-June-2026

EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY

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‘26 MAY JUNE

Table of Contents

W A T C H EAA BOARD MEETING ON FACEBOOK LIVE:

16 From Interns to Colleagues

06 Decades of Dedication: MANAGEMENT [CPM] Authority (EAA) implements a Critical Period Management (CPM) m helps slow the rate of decline in aquifer levels and spring discharges undwater EAA permit holders may withdraw. 04 General Manager’s Message: Happy 30th, EAA!

Aquifer Update

Aquifer Science Highlighting current employees who originally started with us as interns.

Three decades into this mission, the focus of our work hasn’t necessarily changed. But our approach and the perceptions of what we do certainly have.

2026 CALENDAR 18 Bringing Conservation into Focus Outreach EAA Outreach’s “Rooted in Saving Water” photo contest returns.

Celebrating Milestones at the EAA Hear from some of our team as they share their sentiments celebrating many years of service at our agency!

Photo by: Matthew Bauer, San Antonio

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20 Deep Roots, Clear Waters EAA E ducation O utreach C enter Celebrating 30 years of education.

08 Protecting Springflows During Drought

Aquifer Management Services | Featured Story A fundamental component of our mission is to implement groundwater management tools designed to ensure that flows at Comal and San Marcos springs are sustained during periods of drought.

An aquifer conditions update is reported every month at the EAA board meeting to inform board members and the public about the status of the J-17 Index Well, J-27 Index Well, the Comal Springs and the San Marcos Springs springflows.

22 No Legacy is Acheived Alone Edwards Aquifer Conservancy

12 The Drought Persists,

but the Springs are Still Flowing Regulatory Affairs Despite these challenges, San Marcos and Comal Springs continue to flow.

These index wells and springs are indicators of the health of the aquifer and critical to drought management.

The Edwards Aquifer Conservancy is here to support the mission to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer system.

Please note: Residents and businesses who receive their water from a public water system are encouraged to check with their water provider to determine how stage reduction could impact them. 14 2026 EAHCP Overview

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The EAA board meeting takes place every second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. You can watch the meetings on Facebook Live or click the link below:

Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) As the EAHCP enters the final years of its current permit, partners are evaluating lessons learned to inform the next phase of management.

https://edwardsaquifer.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

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GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE

Happy 30th, EAA!

By: Roland Ruiz General Manager

I often recall the words my late father-in-law said to me when I asked him about the Edwards Aquifer Authority. To paraphrase him:

“They have a hard job to do, but there’s a lot of good people that work there.”

He was a long-established water well drilling contractor with an expansive footprint in the Edwards region. So I knew he would have an opinion. His words were enough to convince me. I hired on with the EAA. The year was 2006 and my motivation was simple: I needed a job. In retrospect, I now realize that I stayed for something more -- a purpose. I think my experience parallels that of the EAA itself. Thirty years ago, this agency began operations with a job to do. The EAA was the State of Texas’ solution to a federal lawsuit over how to regulate withdrawals from the aquifer so that farmers, cities, and industries across a vast area of South Central Texas could continue to pump from the resource in compliance with federal law, namely the Endangered Species Act.

To echo my father-in-law’s words – an agency made up of a lot of good people had a really hard job to do. And, thankfully, they did it. It’s why we’re still here today.

Three decades into this mission, the focus of our work hasn’t necessarily changed. But our approach and the perceptions of what we do certainly have. I believe that now more than ever our work is acknowledged as necessary and it’s appreciated for how it has helped to secure our region’s water future. It’s this impact that lies at the crux of our vision of the next generation -- one where the aquifer is sustained, accessible and reliable for all of us. That’s more than just a job; it’s a purpose we can all embrace.

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Decades of Dedication:

Celebrating Milestones at the EAA

By: Ann-Margaret Gonzalez Senior Public Affairs Administrator

By: Felix Marquez Executive Director of Administration & Financial Services

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Nichelle Cunningham Margaret Ross Tamauj Thomas Brent Doty Isabel Martinez Anastacio Moncada

Senior Records Coordinator Human Resources Supervisor Water Resources Supervisor Associate Director, Research Senior Permit & Conservation Coordinator Environmental Science Technician III Deputy General Manager Senior Director, Water Resources Senior Permit & Conservation Coordinator Executive Director, Adm & Financial Srv General Manager Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs Field Inspection Technician IV

Roel Loera Ben Urbanczyk

Senior Aquifer Environmental Scientist Principal Regulatory Inspector Senior STEAM Outreach Educator Environmental Science Technician IV Executive Director, Aquifer Management Srv Special Projects Liaison Senior Geoscientist Principal Well Analyst Senior Aquifer Environmental Scientist Assistant to Board Secretary V Senior Director, Human Resources Services Automated Meter Systems Technician IV

Sarah Valdez David Gregory Mark Hamilton Javier Hernandez Gizelle Luevano Jeff Robinson Emily Thompson Jennifer Wong-Esparza Raquel Garza Jes Sterzenback Rob Esquilin Sandy Haglund

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Hear from some of our team as they share their sentiments celebrating many years of service at our agency! We have a team of dedicated staff that once upon a time embarked on a new beginning at the EAA and are now celebrating a decade or more at our agency! Oh, the places they’ve been, from going out in the field to trips across our jurisdiction and beyond, this team has carried out our mission for many years and we want to say – Thank you!

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Marc Friberg Omar Garcia Paul Aton Felix Marquez Roland Ruiz Roger Andrade Joe Gonzales

Senior Geoscientist Executive Assistant

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“Over the past 22 years, I’ve grown through the guidance and wisdom of those who came before me. Their passion for environmental stewardship has shaped how I approach my work, and I’m proud to carry that legacy forward.” - Sarah Valdez, Senior STEAM Outreach Coordinator, 22 years “While my role at the EAA is often out of the public eye, I’ve spent the last 15 years proud to be part of the bigger picture. Protecting the records that tell our story ensures the EAA’s legacy is preserved for generations to come.” - Nichelle Cunningham, Senior Records Coordinator, 15 years

“I believe that any success I have had in my 20 years at the EAA is largely due to all the support and dedication from EAA Management and Staff. Highly fortunate to have worked and collaborated with such a procession of incredibly professional individuals.” - Roger Andrade, Senior Director for Regulatory Affairs, 21 years “Twenty-six years in, I’m reminded that the most meaningful work, like water, quietly sustains everything around it. I’m proud to be part of a mission that manages, enhances, and protects; one that flows forward for generations.” - Jennifer Wong Esparza, Assistant to Board Secretary V, 26 years

“For all of us who have worked at the EAA for 15+ years – it’s not just a milestone, it’s a testament of unwavering dedication.” - Sandy Haglund, Executive Assistant V, 28 years

It’s been a great two decades working for a great agency and wonderful people, ................oh look a bird!!! - Roel Loera, Senior Aquifer Environmental Scientist, 21 years

Back Row: Roel Loera, Mark Hamilton, Brent Doty, Jeff Robinson, Tamauj Thomas, Ben Urbanczyk, Marc Friberg Middle Row: Nichelle Cunningham, David Gregory, Felix Marquez, Roland Ruiz, Rob Esquilin, Isabel Martinez, Jes Sterzenback Front Row: Javier Hernandez, Margaret Ross, Sarah Valdez, Jennifer Wong-Esparza, Sandy Haglund, Anastacio Mocada

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AQUIFER MANAGEMENT SERVICES | FEATURED STORY

Protecting Springflows During Drought: a Success Story

Fast forward to 1996, the EAA was created through the EAA Act to protect springflows at Comal and San Marcos springs and the endangered species that depend on them. The legislation that created the EAA capped the total volume of permitted withdrawals from the Aquifer at 572,000 acre-feet per year (ac-ft/yr) 1 . Regulatory management of withdrawals is accomplished through a permitting process in which users of the resource must have a groundwater permit. Permitted withdrawals (water withdrawn from the aquifer associated with a permit) are subject to reductions based on aquifer levels and springflow conditions. These reductions are just one of several management tools designed to help ensure sustained flows at the springs during periods of drought Management tools for the Aquifer The EAA Act provided a legislative framework to regulate withdrawals from the aquifer such that all users of the aquifer could continue to benefit from the resource while springflows and endangered species were protected. Over time, the need for this regulatory framework has grown as our region has experienced significant population growth, increased demand, and a greater frequency of The drought of record had significant impacts on the Edwards Aquifer system and ultimately established a precedent for regulating the Aquifer to ensure its sustainable use. Most notably, Comal Springs stopped flowing from June 1956 until early November 1956. The loss of springflow during this severe drought was further exacerbated by unregulated withdrawals from the Aquifer.

Rebecca R. Nunu Principal Geoscientist Aquifer Science

By: J. Mark Hamilton Executive Director Aquifer Management Services

By: Paul Bertetti Senior Director Aquifer Science Research & Modeling

A fundamental component of the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s (EAA) mission is to implement groundwater management tools designed to ensure that flows at Comal and San Marcos springs are sustained during periods of drought. To achieve this, withdrawals from the aquifer are managed through measures such as pumping reductions and water leasing incentives. These tools are intended to maintain springflow during drought conditions as severe as the historic drought of record that occurred in the 1950s.

drought periods. Threatened and endangered species are further protected by the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP), which brings together the communities that rely on the Aquifer and its springs to help ensure that efforts to protect the springs also support our region’s economic, recreational, and drinking water needs. The features of the EAA Act and the EAHCP enable the EAA to effectively manage the Aquifer by employing regulatory, voluntary, and conservation-based methods. The water level and springflow triggers as well as the volumes targeted by other methods are based on rigorous technical analyses. Aquifer data, including water levels, springflows, and recharge, have been collected for decades. These data, along with aquifer characteristics and species’ needs learned from years of research, were combined to create detailed computer-based models of the Aquifer system. The models were then used to evaluate the effects of reductions in pumping, forbearance of pumping, conservation quantities, and use of aquifer storage and recovery on springflows. The overall goal of the analysis was to develop management strategies that would maintain springflows during a drought that was equivalent to the historical drought of record.

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AQUIFER MANAGEMENT SERVICES | FEATURED STORY

Figure 1: Modeling projections of future groundwater levels at the J-17 index well with and without the mitigation strategies employed by EAA (Sharma, et al., 2024) 2 . Critical Stage (CS) thresholds of CPM are denoted.

Figure 2: A plot of duration and intensity (average depth below CS1) of Edwards Aquifer droughts since the 1930’s. Those lasting more than one year (including our current drought) are labeled.

One of the most effective regulatory tools we employ is the EAA Critical Period Management Plan (CPM). CPM requires graduated reductions to permitted withdrawals based on aquifer levels or springflows during drought. Recent modeling results, shown in Figure 1, compare a future climate scenario using models with (blue) and without (green) CPM applied. The results indicate that median and minimum water levels would be significantly lower without these regulatory strategies in place.

• Regional Conservation – another measure in which more than 10,000 ac-ft of water is conserved by multiple partner organizations, including the EAA. This is achieved by leak detection programs, upgraded irrigation systems, public awareness/education, water conserving plumbing fixtures, and similar efforts. Together, these management tools help to ensure that minimum springflows are maintained for the protection of endangered species, while also maximizing the availability of water for users across the region. The current drought The Edwards Aquifer region has been mired in drought for the last several years. Perhaps there is no better example of the effectiveness of EAA’s management strategies than how the aquifer has fared during these challenging conditions. The current drought is the result of a combination of persistently limited rainfall and high temperatures. As seen in Figure 2, the current drought is the second longest on record and the most intense; water levels today are lower than they have been during previous droughts. In other words, the 1950s drought of record was nearly twice as long as the current drought, but water levels over the past 4 years have been consistently lower.

Despite these unrelenting drought conditions across the Edwards Aquifer region, Comal and San Marcos springs have continued to flow. This resilience can largely be attributed to CPM, VISPO, and regional conservation strategies that have been sequentially initiated as the current drought has progressed. CPM reductions began in the Uvalde pool in June 2022 and in the San Antonio pool in March 2022. Forbearance of irrigation by participants in the VISPO program has been in effect since 2024. Recharge to the Edwards Aquifer has steadily declined, with the updated 10-year average falling below the 500,000 ac-ft trigger needed to initiate ASR forbearance and ASR use in 2027. With each additional measure in place, the EAA has demonstrated that management strategies help us maintain springflows and water availability even during these unprecedented conditions. Conservation measures and strategies are necessary to sustainably manage the Edwards Aquifer. Our permitting system, combined with management strategies informed by extensive data collection and modeling efforts, enables permit holders

to maximize use while aquifer levels are also maintained to sustain springflows at Comal and San Marcos springs. Without an effective management system in place, aquifer levels would be far lower during extended periods of drought like we are experiencing now. Aquifer management, the central role of the EAA, has proven to be a success. End Notes 1. One acre-foot is equal to approximately 325,851 gallons of water. 2. Sharma, C., H. Başağaoğlu, I. Yoosefdoost, A. Wooten, D. Chakraborty-Reddy, F.P. Bertetti, A. Mirchi, and D. Chakraborty. 2024. Efficacy of mitigation strategies for aquifer sustainability under climate change, Nature Sustainability, vol. 8, pp. 44–53. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01477-6

Other management tools are employed alongside CPM. These voluntary measures include:

• Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option (VISPO) – this program compensates enrolled holders of irrigation permits. Compensation is either for enrollment (standby payment) or forbearance of water during drought. • San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) – the ASR provides for long-term storage of Edwards Aquifer water in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. This stored water can be used in times of critical drought to reduce demand on the Edwards Aquifer by retrieving stored water and introducing it back into the distribution system when needed most.

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CRITICAL PERIOD MANAGEMENT [CPM] In times of declining groundwater levels, the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) implements a Critical Period Management (CPM) Plan to help sustain aquifer and springflow levels. This program helps slow the rate of decline in aquifer levels and spring discharges during periods of little or no rain by reducing the amount of groundwater EAA permit holders may withdraw.

REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Please note: Residents and businesses who receive their water from a public water system are encouraged to check with their water provider to determine how stage reduction could impact them.

Please note: *Stage 5 Comal Springs springflow - to enter this stage based on the springflow, the reading must be less than 45 cfs on a ten-day rolling average, or less than 40 cfs based on a three-day rolling average. To leave this stage, the ten-day rolling average must be 45 cfs or greater.

ft. amsl = feet above mean sea level | (cfs) = cubic feet per second

THE DROUGHT PERSISTS but the Springs are Still Flowing

In practical terms, this may mean: • Lower pumping limits during drought, which can require increased conservation, use of alternative water supplies, or operational adjustments. • Monthly reporting requirements for municipal, industrial, and irrigation users so the EAA can track withdrawals and ensure fairness and compliance across all permit holders. • Greater predictability and equity, since reductions apply region-wide and are enforced consistently. While CPM reductions can be challenging in the short term, they help protect springflows, preserve aquifer levels, and ensure a reliable water supply over the long term — benefiting both current users and future generations across South - Central Texas. | edwardsaquifer.org 4/29/2026 12:03:34 PM

As mentioned in the previous article, central to this effort is the EAA Critical Period Management (CPM) Plan . During drought, the plan temporarily reduces authorized groundwater withdrawals to slow declines in aquifer levels and spring discharges until recharge conditions improve. How does this affect water users? CPM reductions apply to all permit holders authorized to pump more than three acre-feet annually, including municipal, industrial, and irrigation users. To ensure compliance, these entities submit monthly pumping reports, which are reconciled annually by the EAA. During drought, the CPM Plan requires certain water users to temporarily reduce how much water they pump from the Edwards Aquifer. If you are authorized to withdraw more than three acre-feet per year—such as municipal utilities, industries, or irrigators —your allowable pumping is reduced based on the current CPM stage. 900 E Quincy, San Antonio, TX 78215 Questions? Please email us at info@edwardsaquifer.org

210.222.2204

By: Larry Jackson Executive Director External & Regulatory Affairs

EAA Fact Sheet_APRIL_2026 - Copy.indd 2

Last summer, we shared an update in News Drop on how the EAA manages Edwards Aquifer withdrawals during drought—an especially timely discussion amid ongoing dry conditions. So, what’s changed since then? Very little. The drought persists and, in some respects, conditions are worse than this time last year. Aquifer levels remain low, and rainfall has been insufficient—particularly in recharge and contributing zones—to make a meaningful difference.

Despite these challenges, San Marcos and Comal Springs continue to flow. While both remain at precariously low levels, their continued springflow supports critical threatened and endangered species. This outcome reflects the strength of regional partnerships and sustained efforts to protect springflow while ensuring a reliable water supply for South-Central Texas.

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EDWARDS AQUIFER HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN (EAHCP)

Habitat Conservation Measures are implemented primarily by the City of New Braunfels, the City of San Marcos, and Texas State University within the Comal and San Marcos springs systems. These efforts include aquatic and riparian restoration, management of recreational access (such as fencing and exclusion barriers), and public outreach. Work is guided by annual EAHCP work plans and interlocal agreements between the Permittees, with most measures completed or actively progressing. Supporting Measures provide the scientific and administrative foundation for the program. These include biological and water quality monitoring, annual assessments of incidental take and habitat disturbance, operation of a refugia program, and applied research. Comprehensive ecological and groundwater modeling, required by the EAHCP, were completed in 2017 and 2020. Implementation and administration are guided by multiple groups, including an Implementing Committee (Permittees and Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority), a Stakeholder Committee representing 27 regional entities, and a Science Committee composed of 11 independent experts, along with program staff, contractors, and coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). After more than 13 years of implementation, the EAHCP has demonstrated measurable success despite challenging environmental conditions. Habitat restoration has been implemented across all accessible target areas, and springflow protection measures have helped maintain flows above critical thresholds even during prolonged drought. Since 2016, the endangered Texas wild-rice plant has consistently exceeded its minimum target coverage of 8,000 square meters. In 2025, San Marcos salamander populations met density targets in two of three monitored reaches, and bryophytes—the preferred habitat of the endangered fountain darter—have expanded into new areas within the San Marcos system. Although the Comal Springs system remains vulnerable to extreme conditions, recent rainfall has improved springflow, allowing previously stressed aquatic vegetation to recover.

2026 EAHCP OVERVIEW By: Kristina Tolman Senior HCP Coordinator

Photo: San Marcos salamander

Springflow Protection focuses on maintaining adequate flows during drought. As mentioned in the previous article, key efforts include the EAA’s CPM program, VISPO, Regional Water Conservation (RWC), and use of the SAWS ASR program. Under CPM, permitted users must reduce groundwater withdrawals based on aquifer levels in the San Antonio pool and the Uvalde pool. A Stage 5 level—added in 2013 for the EAHCP—requires reductions of up to 44% when the 10-day average falls below 625 feet above mean sea level (amsl) at J-17 or 840 feet amsl at J-27. Stage 5 reductions have triggered multiple times in the Uvalde Pool in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2024, and throughout 2025, and briefly, for the first time in the history of the CPM program, in the San Antonio pool in late May 2025.

The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) is a regional program that manages the impacts of human activities—such as groundwater use and aquatic recreation—on federally listed species in the Comal and San Marcos spring systems. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved the EAHCP and issued a 15-year Incidental Take Permit (ITP), effective from 2013 through 2028, to five permittees: the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), San Antonio Water System (SAWS), the City of New Braunfels, the City of San Marcos, and Texas State University. The ITP authorizes these entities, referred to as the Permittees, to continue specified activities, provided they implement conservation measures to minimize impacts and monitor effects on covered species. Since implementation began in 2013, the permit area has experienced both extreme drought (2013–2014 and 2022–present) and major flooding events (2015, 2016, and 2025). EAHCP implementation is organized into three categories: Springflow Protection, Habitat Conservation, and Supporting Measures.

VISPO provides financial incentives for irrigators to suspend water use during severe drought, with a combined targeted reduction of 41,795 acre-feet (ac-ft). The program was implemented in 2015 and again from 2023 through 2026. Regional Water Conservation efforts met their goal of conserving 20,000 ac-ft by 2020 through leak detection, infrastructure repair, and distribution of water efficient fixtures to participating municipalities. The SAWS ASR program provides an additional safeguard by storing water during wet periods for use during drought-of-record conditions defined by a 10-year rolling recharge estimate and conditions measured at J-17.

Photo: Texas wild-rice

As the EAHCP enters the final years of its current permit, partners are evaluating lessons learned to inform the next phase of management. The ongoing renewal process will shape conservation strategies for the next 30 years. Through continued regional collaboration, the Edwards Aquifer and its unique ecosystems are positioned to remain protected for future generations.

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AQUIFER SCIENCE

From Interns to Colleagues Highlighting current employees who originally started with us as interns.

By: Gizelle Luevano Principal Geoscientist Aquifer Science

Karen Mendiondo | Geoscientist II

Erica Martinez | Groundwater Use Coordinator I

Shortly after completing their internships, Erica and Karen were both hired as full time employees of the EAA. Erica now serves as Groundwater Use Coordinator I, where she oversees the Limited Production Well (LPW) Program. “One of my most significant accomplishments has been coordinating and supporting the LPW Program and unauthorized withdrawal cases” Erica said. Through her field investigations and data management, she has already resolved two unauthorized withdrawal violations; her efforts directly contribute to tracking groundwater usage accurately. Karen transitioned from education to research and now serves as a Geoscientist II. She recently managed a project that reached a major technical milestone for the team. “One highlight has been a project to convert a windmill water well that was no longer operational to a solar-powered monitoring well on a conservation easement”, Karen shared. This first-of-its-kind initiative at the EAA provides insight into how the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers may interact.

Now that they’ve successfully transitioned from students to staff, Erica and Karen are dedicated to supporting the next generation of interns. Their advice for success is straightforward, practical, and rooted in their own experiences. “Take advantage of every opportunity to learn,” Erica says. “Get involved in as many different projects as you can—field, lab, or office—because each experience adds to your understanding.” Karen emphasizes persistence and the importance of just getting started. “Start with one manageable step at a time to reach your goals; each little achievement is a stepping stone,” she suggests. “Take hands-on classes and labs... and don’t disqualify yourself! Keep applying, learning, and trying.” While the primary purpose of the EAA Internship Program is to serve the community and provide valuable career experience for students, some find it to be the starting point for a meaningful career.

Erica began her journey with the Aquifer Management Services (AMS) Team. During her internship, she conducted well inspections, measured water levels, and helped to develop and implement an atmospheric deposition monitoring effort from concept to completion at EAA’s Field Research Park. “During my internship, I had the opportunity to work with staff across multiple departments,” Erica says. “It helped me become more comfortable asking questions, a confidence that carried over into my current role.” Karen took a different route, joining the Communications & Engagement Team as an intern for the Education Outreach Center. In her role, she translated complex groundwater water science into clear, engaging information that visitors could easily understand. This experience gave her a unique perspective when she eventually transitioned into her current technical role with AMS. “From my first day as an EAA intern, I felt valued,” Karen notes. “Input from interns was routinely requested on team projects.”

The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) offers a vibrant internship program that has long been supported by its Board of Directors and provides meaningful benefits to both the EAA and university students across the region. Our internship program provides interns with valuable hands-on experience that can serve as a pathway to future employment with the EAA. Two examples include recent hires Erica Martinez and Karen Mendiondo . Both Erica and Karen began at the EAA as interns, gaining practical experience in water resource management that led to full-time roles, where they continue to support our mission to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer.

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OUTREACH

Bringing Conservation into Focus By: Nikki Young Senior Community Engagement Administrator

In just its second year, the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s Rooted in Saving Water: Conserve and Share photo contest invites the community to capture drought-smart solutions and the many ways water is being saved. In an area shaped by cycles of dry conditions and continued growth, managing, enhancing, and protecting the aquifer depends on a balance of science, regulation, and education, along with meaningful community engagement.

Conservation across homes, businesses, and schools is where individuals and organizations play a direct role in how water is used and sustained. The Rooted in Saving Water Photo Contest brings all of that into focus—highlighting real, practical solutions and creating an opportunity to learn from with how water is being conserved in everyday spaces, from native landscaping to rainwater collection.

Pictured: Winners from 2025 Rooted in Saving Water Photo Contest proudly showcase the 2026 calendar featuring their winning photos.

EAA’S “ROOTED IN SAVING WATER” Photo Contest Returns

“It was such an honor to have my photo included in the calendar,” Arceneaux added. “But being recognized at an EAA Board meeting alongside executive leadership and board members made it even more meaningful. It really showed that these everyday efforts—things we’re doing at home—are seen and valued.” “When people can see conservation in action — when it’s something they recognize in their own neighborhoods and in the places they live, work, and learn — it becomes real,” said Michael De La Garza, Executive Director of Communications & Engagement. “Recognizing those efforts is important, but what matters most is how those everyday choices take shape in practice. When those choices are visible, they encourage others to consider how they manage water usage in their own lives.” This year’s contest invites residents, students, businesses, and community groups to participate. Submissions are open from April through the end of August. Participants do not need professional equipment or formal training — just a willingness to capture drought-smart practices across the EAA’s 8-county region and bring conservation into focus. That visibility is exactly the point.

Last year’s inaugural contest offered a glimpse of that perspective. The grand prize-winning cover photo by Matthew Bauer of San Antonio highlighted native plants used to attract pollinators — an example of conservation that is both practical and intentional. “We planted Gregg’s Mistflower to bring in butterflies,” Bauer shared. “But it also became a way for our family to be more intentional about using native plants in our landscape.” For Bauer, capturing that moment—watching pollinators move through a space his family helped create—was a reward in itself. While the $500 cash prize and being selected for the cover were certainly appreciated and a bonus, the overall experience reflected what the contest is designed to highlight: conservation not just as a practice, but as something lived, observed, and shared. Another selected image captured a different side of conservation — a rainwater collection system that is both functional, creative, and integrated into everyday life. “Homeowners don’t have to settle for a plain cistern,” said Lisa Arceneaux of San Marcos. “They can add their own creative touch, turning a simple system into a beautiful part of their landscape.”

ROOTED IN SAVING WATER PHOTO CONTEST DETAILS To Participate: Visit edwardsaquifer.org , find the photo contest, complete the application, and upload your photos. Or enter today by simply scanning this QR code:

2026 CALENDAR

Selected images will be featured in the Edwards Aquifer Authority calendar, with winners receiving a Visa gift card, an EAA swag bag, and recognition at an EAA Board meeting.

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EAA EDUCATION OUTREACH CENTER

Deep Roots, Clear Waters Celebrating 30 Years of Education

Over time, the depth and scope of the program expanded as well. Today, Aquifer Educators cover all aspects of the aquifer system—from the unique geology that makes it so productive, to the threatened and endangered species that depend on its waters, to everyday conservation practices. Visitors also learn practical ways to make a difference at home, including the benefits of using native plants to conserve water and support healthy ecosystems.

The program has now entered an exciting new chapter. Stakeholders from across the region visit the EOC for hands-on learning experiences that highlight the importance of conservation. Engaging presenters and “edutainers” make learning both fun and meaningful, while teacher workshops provide valuable opportunities for educators to learn directly from Authority staff and bring that knowledge back to their classrooms.

By: EOC Staff

The EAA Education Program has grown and evolved through the dedication of many passionate individuals over the years. What began as a simple outreach effort has transformed into a state-of-the-art Education Outreach Center (EOC), continually adapting to better serve the community. As we reflect on this journey, it feels fitting to reconnect with one of the Aquifer Educators who helped shape the program along the way.

Aquifer Educators are a vital part of the Authority’s Communications and Engagement team, but the program’s success reaches far beyond one group. Staff from across the organization have contributed their time and expertise, alongside dedicated volunteers, interns, and work-study students. This collaborative spirit has expanded both the reach and impact of the program, bringing a wide range of perspectives and talents into the educational experience. In its early days, the program consisted of a modest information table at public events, where staff shared basic knowledge about the Edwards Aquifer with curious visitors. As interest grew, so did the program—expanding into school visits and Career Day presentations that brought aquifer education directly into classrooms and inspired students to learn about this vital natural resource.

One former educator, Cinde Thomas-Jimenez, who worked with the program from 1991 through 1997 under the Edwards Aquifer Underground Water District and the EAA, recalls just how simple those early resources were. “When I first started, the only educational piece we had was a map of the aquifer region, with a cross section of the aquifer underneath,” she said. “By the time I left, an updated version of that map/poster was in hundreds, if not thousands, of classrooms throughout the Edwards region.” That same map was even featured in an outdoor kiosk at Comal Springs in New Braunfels. Thomas-Jimenez also remembers how much the tools and technology evolved during her time with the program. “I actually used a slide projector and a carousel of 35 mm slides,” she said. “Many of those slides were later converted to electronic images and are still used today.” Reflecting on her experience, she added, “I also spent a good deal of time collaborating with the Communications and Education team—the best I’ve ever worked with during my 35+ year career in Environmental Education.”

Photo: The EAA’s dynamic educator duo, Elizabeth Gutierrez, STEAM Outreach Educator II , and Sarah Valdez, Senior STEAM Outreach Educator.

From a simple booth to an immersive educational experience, the EAA Education Program continues to grow—connecting people to the aquifer and inspiring new generations to protect this incredible resource.

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EDWARDS AQUIFER CONSERVANCY

Today , the EAC continues its work to support the EAA by facilitating partnerships for financial and in-kind support, which enhances aquifer research and education, protects key landscapes within the aquifer’s watershed, and accelerates existing and new conservation practices. This work is setting the stage for the next era of the EAC as it continues to build its own legacy supporting the EAA. Have you considered what legacy you want to leave for the next generation?

No legacy is achieved alone.

By: Sara Beesley EAA Chief Development Officer

For the Edwards Aquifer Authority, the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy is here to support the mission to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer system.

The Edwards Aquifer Conservancy (EAC) is the nonprofit support organization for the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), classified as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity as defined by the IRS. It is a Type 1 Support organization, which

means it exists exclusively to support the EAA and only engages in activities that benefit the EAA.

Photo: 2026 EAC Board members: left to right; Deborah Carington, Rachel Sanborn, Carol Patterson, Ben Youngblood, Abe Salinas, and Byron Miller.

Photo: On January 27, 2016 executives from Cemex awarded the EAC with the first of three annual $45,000 donations to fund a series of hands-on educator workshops.

Is the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy already in your estate plans? Interested in exploring additional or unique giving options?

Consider a bequest to the EAC to help continue its legacy. A simple and common form of legacy giving, a bequest involves leaving a portion of your estate — whether cash, property, or investments — to charity in your will, in this case, the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy. Naming us as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement account (like an IRA or 401(k)) is another way to leave a meaningful legacy. In addition to cash or property, you can also leave your legacy through donating your groundwater rights. As the EAC plans into future, your support is critical to the sustainability of the Edwards Aquifer system.

In 2013 , the EAA staff began exploring opportunities for revenue generation beyond that of aquifer management fees to enhance its financial and programming capacity and flexibility to sustain and enhance its mission. Staff explored potential corporate sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, but it became clear in order for potential partners to make a monetary gift, it would need to be to a tax exempt nonprofit organization. In 2014 , the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy was created and in 2015 , achieved its tax-exempt status from the IRS.

For the past 10 years , the EAC has been operating to facilitate additional income to execute key EAA programs, including the Groundwater Conservation Grant program, Education Outreach Center bus transportation grant program, and supporting the research at the Field Research Park, which the EAC owns. Because of its nonprofit status, the EAC was able to accept the donated property now known at the Field Research Park from the City of San Antonio, to conserve this key landscape on the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer.

Contact us at: EAC@edwardsaquifer.org or visit our website at: eaconservancy.org for more information.

Or if you simply want to be a part of the contributing zone and donate today.

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Charge up your knowledge on all things Edwards Aquifer from the EAA. TUNE IN

The Recharge Zone Podcast is the official podcast for the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), a groundwater district, which protects the portion of the Balcones Fault Zone Edwards Aquifer – a jurisdictional area that provides water to over 2.5 million South-Central Texans and covers more than 8,000 square miles across 8 counties!

You can listen to this podcast everywhere podcasts are available. Catch the Aquifer In-Sight Series on our YouTube channel.

Visit our website to listen to the newest podcast episode: www.edwardsaquifer.org/news

ABOUT US The mission of the EAA is to Manage, Enhance, and Protect the Edwards Aquifer. The Edwards Aquifer Authority is a regional water management agency that regulates with integrity, transparency, respect, and commitment to sustainability of the aquifer. NewsDrop is a production of the EAA Communications & Engagement Department with helpful assistance from EAA Staff.

Edwards Aquifer Authority 900 E. Quincy San Antonio, Texas 78244 www.edwardsaquifer.org