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The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) is now accepting applications for its Night Sky Preservation Fund, which provides financial support for community-driven efforts to protect the region’s dark skies. This annual grant program helps fund initiatives aimed at improving outdoor lighting practices, reducing unnecessary energy use, and minimizing light pollution across the Texas Hill Country.
This second year of the fund is made possible thanks to the support of the Coypu Foundation and individual night sky advocates from around the region. It is available to local nonprofit organizations, small businesses, sole proprietors, and governmental entities working to preserve the natural beauty of the night sky. Applicants may request up to $5,000 in reimbursement funding for eligible night sky preservation projects, with a submission deadline of Oct. 31.
Examples of qualifying projects include applying for International Dark Sky Place designation, retrofitting lighting to be night sky-friendly, creating educational and outreach materials, and participating in HCA’s Night Sky Friendly programs for businesses and neighborhoods.
Through this funding opportunity, HCA aims to strengthen the network of International Dark Sky Places in the region, reduce greenhouse gas emissions through more innovative lighting practices, and broaden community education and engagement around light pollution issues. Projects must take place within one or more of the 22 eligible counties, which include: Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Comal, Edwards, Gillespie, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Medina, Real, San Saba, Travis, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Williamson.
“The inaugural launch of the Night Sky Preservation Fund was a tremendous success, allowing HCA to support 11 distinct projects across nine organizations,” said Dawn Davies, Night Sky Program Manager for the Hill Country Alliance. “We’re proud to now offer this as an annual opportunity for Hill Country partners, and we’re excited to support another round of applicants in achieving their night sky preservation goals.”
While funding for land and water conservation is increasingly available, resources dedicated explicitly to responsible lighting and night sky protection remain limited. This grant remains the first of its kind in the region, focused solely on preserving our night skies.
The announcement also coincides with Hill Country Night Sky Month - a celebration each October honoring one of the region’s most awe-inspiring natural features: a night sky filled with stars, planets, and even the occasional comet. This annual observance highlights the beauty, ecological importance, and cultural significance of dark skies across the Texas Hill Country.
To learn more about the application submission process, how to contribute to the fund, or how to register for the information session, visit hillcountryalliance.org/nightskyfund.
