Lifestyle Changes
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater can be collected to be used and recycled instead of running off into our waterways!
resources
RAINWATER HARVESTING STATE SALES TAX EXEMPTION
Those purchasing rainwater harvesting equipment and supplies are eligible for an exemption
from state sales tax. See the link above and download form 01-339 (back).
HAYS COUNTY RAINWATER HARVESTING INCENTIVE PROGRAM (PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION)
Those with existing systems can apply for a property tax exemption through Hays County by completing and submitting a series of forms including the Hays County Application for Rainwater Harvesting Incentive Form, the Hays Central Appraisal District Application for Water Conservation Initiatives Property Tax Exemption form 50-2070, and the Hays CAD Supplemental Rainwater Application. The property tax exemption application is due by April 30.
THE TEXAS MANUAL OF RAINWATER HARVESTING
Practices of rainwater harvesting in the world can be dated back to 2000 B.C. Learn all about what you can do with rainwater harvesting today.
RAINWATER HARVESTING IN THE TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
HEALTH & SAFETY § 341.042. Standards for Harvested Rainwater
5 SAFETY TIPS FOR RAINWATER HARVESTING
Learn safety risks involved with building and monitoring a rainwater harvesting system
URBAN WATERWAYS
Rainwater Harvesting: Guidance for Homeowners
8 EASY TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL RAINWATER HARVESTING
A simple guide to start saving our most sacred resource: water!
9 TIPS FOR RAINWATER COLLECTION
Save 30-50% your water bills using these rainwater harvesting tips.
Rain Gardens
Rain gardens help absorb stormwater and keep rainfall from flooding and carrying pollution into waterways
Read more about Rain Garden BMPs here.
RESOURCES
RAIN GARDENS KEEP WATER ON THE LAND
The city of Austin wants to tell you how and why to keep a rain garden at your home. Also, take the next step and register your voluntary green stormwater infrastructure.
RAIN GARDENS: BENEFITS OF A DEPRESSION
Many people don't know what a rain garden looks like of what it does. Learn how slowing stormwater down from directly flowing into creeks, rives, etc. all at once can help prevent erosions and flooding.
BUILD A RAIN GARDEN IN 6 EASY STEPS
Earth-wise guide rain gardens.
RAIN GARDEN PLANT SELECTION
This is an excellent guide to native earth-wise plant choices for your rain garden.The guide helps you pick plants based on your soil texture, climate and how to maintain your rain garden.
RAINSCAPE PROJECT DESIGN
For homes and schools
RAIN GARDENS KEEP WATER ON THE LAND
The city of Austin wants to tell you how and why to keep a rain garden at your home. Also, take the next step and register your voluntary green stormwater infrastructure.
TEXAS NATIVE PLANTS FOR YOUR RAIN GARDEN
Full sun, part sun, drought tolerant, deer pressure for Austin Native Landscaping. A list of Texas Native Plants for various Xeriscaping landscaping design projects.
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY
This directory has been compiled to make it easier to find businesses that sell native plants or seeds and provide professional landscape or consulting services. Includes nurseries, seed companies, Landscape Professionals, and Environmental Consultants
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL RAIN GARDEN
Follow these maintenance tips will help ensure the rain garden functions well and remain an asset at your home
RAIN GARDEN CARE
A guide for residents and community organization
7 MYTHS ABOUT RAIN GARDENS
Get informed about common myths and misconceptions about rain gardens
RIPARIAN BUFFERS
Riparian buffers play a vital role in increasing water quality in our streams, rivers and lakes. Learn about common myths and mistakes landowners and citizens make with riparian buffers.
RESOURCES
WETLAND PLANTS FOR CENTRAL TEXAS
Central Texas native plants that work well in riparian and other wetland areas.
NELLE’S RIPARIAN NOTES
Steve Nelle is retired from the Natural Resources Conservation Service where his career spanned 28 years as a range conservationist, district conservationist, wildlife biologist and zone biologist. Steve often engages as an advisor, teacher and leader in spreading riparian understanding.
MANAGING RIPARIAN HABITATS FOR WILDLIFE
In addition to their aesthetic and economic value, riparian areas perform key ecological functions.
RIPARIAN FUNCTION FOR WATER QUALITY
Riparian proper functioning condition assessment to improve watershed management for water quality
MANAGING RIPARIAN ROADS
Management objectives change as soil properties, such as climate, elevation, steepness, and aspect, change.
THE THIRSTY TREE
Confronting Invasive Salt Cedar in the American Southwest
MONITORING THE VEGETATION RESOURCES IN RIPARIAN AREAS
Until the mid 1970’s only minimal effort had been directed at monitoring the vegetation resources in riparian areas. Since that time considerable attention and research have been directed toward gaining a better understanding of the vegetation on these areas. This increased attention has been due mainly to recognition of the important sociological and economic values these areas provide to society in general.
CLIMATE CHANGE RIPARIAN RESTORATION
Why climate change makes riparian restoration more important than Ever. Recommendations for practice and research
HYDRAULIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR PIPELINES CROSSING STREAM CHANNELS
High flow events have the potential to damage pipelines that cross stream channels, possibly contaminating runoff. A hydrologic analysis conducted during the design of the pipeline can help determine proper placement.
A SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
This chapter evaluates the ecological effectiveness of the major purposes and expected benefits of 21 riparian management practices as described in the US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), National Conservation Practice Guidelines.
STREAMSIDE MANAGEMENT IN HILL COUNTRY
This workbook is for livestock producers, landowners, land/resource managers and others who want to learn to judge riparian health. Community groups, municipalities, counties and watershed groups will find this workbook helpful in understanding the procedures of riparian health assessment and to interpret the results of watershed level inventories.
RIPARIAN RESTORATION ON FARMS AND RANCHES IN TEXAS
The state of Texas has 191,000 miles of natural waterways with riparian areas— the green vegetation zones along streams, rivers and lakes—that collectively provide great economic, social, cultural and environmental value to the state.
Green Roofs
Green roofs have shown to provide multiple benefits. What can green roofs do for your community?
A green roof is a roof of a building what is covered in vegetation. Green roofs last longer than standard roofs and are used to reduce surface water pollution or stormwater runoff, improve air quality, reduce energy use, create a habitat for wildlife and decrease stress for people.
Native Plants
Native plants provide multiple benefits for people, the environment and wildlife.
NATIVE PLANT DATABASE
Enter your zip code to use Audubon’s native plants database and view a list of the best plants for birds in your area, as well as local resources and links to more information.
WHAT NATIVE PLANTS ARE IN SEASON AT THE LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER?
There is always something blooming, growing, making seeds, or just collecting beautiful drops of dew at the Wildflower Center. Below is a picture of what's happening this week at the Wildflower Center.