About Us

Our program

• The Texas Hill Country is an exceptionally unique region in Central Texas defined by rolling hills, deep limestone canyons, oak and juniper savannahs and forests, and abundant wildlife. The porous limestone of the Hill Country captures rainfall in the vast Edwards Aquifer and is the source of water for many of the state’s rivers and the drinking water for many Texans. The Hill Country has a long history of ranching, and livestock production remains a prominent land use, especially in the region’s western reaches. An increasing number of landowners and visitors are drawn by the scenic landscape and diverse wildlife, making nature-based experiences and outdoor recreation a primary land use, especially in the eastern portions of the Hill Country. Landowners in the Hill Country, irrespective of the primary land use on their property, have an interest in wildlife and habitat management. Thoughtful land stewardship is especially critical in the Hill Country because the ecosystem is fragile as a result of thin, rocky soils, a variable climate, historical land use, and a rugged topography susceptible to erosion. This delicate landscape faces many challenges including development and fragmentation, aquifer depletion, increased wildfire threats, and disruption by invasive plants and animals.  CKWRI is excited to focus our research efforts on understanding the ecology of the Hill Country and to use that understanding to conserve the Hill Country’s natural resources, including water, soils, vegetation, and wildlife. Our goal is to produce management guidance and best practices that will promote conservation in the Hill Country.