NewsDrop-May-June-2026

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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