Hays County Historical Commission

Hays County Health Department

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Hays County announced today that its Social Service Grant application for fiscal year 2027 is now open. Applications are due by 3 p.m. CST on June 1, 2026. According to Hays County Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe, the grant program provides funds to established social service agencies that address specific needs among priority populations in the county. “The Hays County Commissioners Court administers Social Service Grants to promote community well‑being and to address gaps in services among populations in need,” said Ingalsbe. “These investments help strengthen the local network of organizations that residents rely on every day. By supporting agencies that are already making a measurable difference, we’re able to expand access to vital resources and ensure that more families, individuals, and neighborhoods receive timely support.” Previous awardees have used funds to support library services, senior services, career advancement initiatives, youth programming, mental health and substance use treatment, animal services, food assistance and more. To qualify, applicants must: • Be a nonprofit entity • Be located within Hays County, Texas • Provide services to Hays County residents • Complete the proposed project within the one‑year grant period • Clearly define a Hays County population in need and outline activities that will address that need The grant period is from Oct. 1, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2027. To better align with the County’s Strategic Initiatives, the application process has been updated to encourage systematic program approaches. Awardees will now be required to submit quarterly programmatic reports throughout the grant period. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend either the virtual webinar or in‑person meeting from 2–3 p.m. on April 1, 2026. The in‑person session will be held at the Hays County Elections Center, 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, Texas 78666. The virtual meeting link is available at www.hayscountytx.gov/county-administrator . The meeting will provide an overview of the reporting requirements and introduce the FY2027 point of contact. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions about the application process. “By investing in organizations already doing critical work in our communities, Hays County is helping strengthen long‑term solutions for residents who rely on these services every day,” said Precinct 2 Commissioner Dr. Michelle Cohen. “We look forward to partnering with agencies committed to creating meaningful, measurable impact.” The application, scoring rubric and application worksheet are now available on the County Administrator’s webpage: www.hayscountytx.gov/county-administrator . For more information, contact Hays County Grants Coordinator Genevieve Kitts at genevieve.kitts@hayscountytx.gov . ###

WIMBERLEY, Texas — Hays County will celebrate the official opening of Karst Canyon Preserve with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on March 27. Participants will park at Parking Lot A at Jacob’s Well Natural Area, located at 1699 Mt. Sharp Road, Wimberley, Texas 78676. From there, attendees may choose to take a short 0.8-mile round-trip hike to the ceremony site or ride with park staff by golf cart. A Project Years in the Making The opening of Karst Canyon Preserve marks the culmination of a multi-year, multi‑organizational effort rooted in conservation and community vision. Once known as Coleman’s Canyon, the 175-acre property sits close to Jacob’s Well Natural Area and was previously slated for a high‑density development of more than 1,000 residential lots. In 2019, the Watershed Association purchased the property, halting the development plans. Momentum continued in 2020 when Hays County voters approved the Parks and Open Spaces Bond, with the advisory committee — POSAC — identifying the acquisition of this land as a high priority. In 2025, Hays County finalized the purchase using bond funding, and The Nature Conservancy secured a conservation easement to ensure permanent protection. Following the acquisition, Hays County Parks Staff, in partnership with the Watershed Association and with support from Hays County Master Naturalist volunteers, began preparing the land for public access. Efforts included trail cutting and clearing, installation of maps, signage, and wayfinding markers, construction of benches, and completion of biological and karst surveys. Phase 1 of the Preserve now offers approximately 2 miles of trail, connecting directly to the North 40 Trail at Jacob’s Well Natural Area via a short easement across land owned by the Watershed Association. Phase 2 of the Preserve, which will add more than 2 additional miles of trail, is forthcoming. A completion date has not yet been set. A Landscape of Remarkable Features Karst Canyon Preserve showcases some of the region’s most important natural assets. The property contains numerous karst features, a stretch of Dry Cypress Creek, and the well‑known Wimberley Bat Cave. It also provides high‑quality habitat for the endangered golden‑cheeked warbler. A Vital Addition to the Hays County Parks System The Preserve is named for the distinctive karst landscape it protects—a landscape shaped by soluble limestone that forms sinkholes, caves, and springs. In Central Texas, these features are crucial for recharging the Trinity Aquifer, which supports iconic springs like Jacob’s Well. By protecting both the quality and quantity of water entering these recharge areas, Karst Canyon Preserve plays a key role in regional water sustainability. The land also prevents further fragmentation of sensitive habitat. It expands opportunities for Hays County residents to explore, recreate, and learn outdoors. “We are thrilled to welcome the community to explore this new trail system, made possible through funding from the 2020 Parks Bond,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Morgan Hammer. “Preserving this remarkable landscape — rich with features essential to recharging Jacob’s Well and the aquifer — is an honor and a responsibility we’re proud to uphold.” Follow Hays County on Instagram and Facebook for updates on Karst Canyon Preserve, Jacob’s Well Natural Area, and other county projects. ###