The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) has announced the first recipients of its Night Sky Preservation Fund, aimed at improving regional night sky quality through projects across seven counties.
The initiatives focus on enhancing outdoor lighting, educating communities about night sky preservation, and monitoring changes in sky quality over time.
The fund, established in 2024 with support from the Coypu Foundation, invited applications during October’s Hill Country Night Sky Month.
It offers financial support to regional nonprofits, local governments, and small businesses committed to protecting the Hill Country’s starry skies.
These efforts help reduce light pollution, conserve energy, protect wildlife habitats, enhance road safety, and sustain stargazing and astrotourism opportunities.
“We are honored to play a supporting role in these projects and grateful to everyone who applied to the fund this year,” said Katherine Romans, HCA executive director. “Our region is known for its awe-inspiring celestial vistas, and unless we work to protect them, we risk losing those starry views as growth and light pollution increase. The Night Sky Preservation Fund is key to safeguarding this iconic aspect of the Hill Country.”
2025 Night Sky Preservation Fund Awardees: Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky: Expanding sky quality monitoring and Night Sky Friendly Business Recognition programs; aiding Johnson City’s bid to become an International Dark Sky Community.
Comal County Friends of the Night Sky: Supporting sky quality monitoring and helping Spring Branch and Bulverde achieve International Dark Sky Community designations.
Gillespie County: Upgrading courthouse lighting to night-sky-compliant fixtures approved by Dark Sky International as part of its Dark Sky Initiative.
Jonestown Night Sky Advocacy: Automating sky quality monitoring to support its International Dark Sky Community status.
Keep It Real Beautiful: Growing the Real County Friends of the Night Sky group, promoting public education, and recognizing Night Sky Friendly Businesses.
Northwest Hills Homeowners Association: Upgrading communal security lighting to night-sky-compliant fixtures for environmental and resident benefit.
Real County Public Library: Enhancing dark sky education and summer reading programs with literature promoting night sky preservation.
Travis County Parks Foundation: Establishing educational programs and installing sky quality monitoring stations across the county park system.
Vision Lampasas and Lampasas County Friends of the Night Sky: Hosting outreach, education, and networking opportunities at the annual Stars at Night Event.
While funding for land and water conservation initiatives is more prevalent in Texas, financial support for night sky preservation projects remains limited.
HCA’s fund is the first dedicated to this cause in the region.
Contributions to the fund can help ensure future support for night sky preservation.
Donations are encouraged at https://bit.ly/ HCAfundthenight.
The Hill Country Alliance is a nonprofit organization that unites diverse partners to preserve the open spaces, starry night skies, clean water, and unique character of the Texas Hill Country.
For more information, visit hillcountryalliance. org.
