The Right Roots: Planting Natives to Restore Our Land and Water Workshop

Join us on Monday, October 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM for a workshop about the important role of native plants and trees in keeping our land and water healthy. Participants will learn how invasive species damage ecosystems and water resources, and discover how planting natives can restore balance and resilience for generations to come.

This workshop will cover:

• Why invasive species harm local and regional ecosystems, water supplies, and their economic impacts
• Ecosystem Services of Texas Forests and long-term benefits of planting native trees and plants
• Which native tree species thrive in Central Texas and how to select the right ones
• Step-by-step guidance for planting and caring for native trees

The event will take place at the Lee County AgriLife Extension Office, 310 South Grimes Street in Giddings, Texas. The workshop is free but pace is limited, so be sure to register by October 17 by calling 512-360-5088 to reserve your spot. 

This free community event is hosted by the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District and the Lee County AgriLife Extension Office.

Scholarship for High School Seniors in Bastrop and Lee Counties

The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (LPGCD) is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity for high school seniors in Bastrop and Lee Counties. Students are invited to submit essays on one of the following topics:

1. Your Water Story: Share what water means to you personally. This could be a memory, tradition, or experience that shaped how you view water in your daily life and in your community.
2. Imagining the Future: Write a creative short story that shows why conserving water today is essential for the generations of tomorrow. You can set it in the near future, far future, or even create a fictional world where water plays a central role. Imagine the consequences if we don’t conserve our water, or the possibilities if we do.
3. Water and Community Resilience: Explore how your community depends on water and how it can adapt to challenges like population growth, climate change, or drought. What role can young people play in building a water-smart future?

The essay contest is open to all high school seniors who live or attend school in Bastrop and Lee Counties. Essays must be between 500 and 1,000 words in length and submitted in PDF format by November 22, 2025, to Claire Marks at cmarks@lostpineswater.org. Essays should be typed, double-spaced, and formatted in Times New Roman, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins on all sides. Each submission must include a cover page with the essay title, student’s name, school, contact email, and phone number. 

For all details go to https://www.lostpineswater.org/220/High-School-Senior-Essay-Scholarship-Con

The top three essays will be awarded scholarships, with the first-place winner receiving a $500 scholarship, second place a $300 scholarship, and third place a $200 scholarship. Winners will be announced on December 10, 2025, and recognized at the LPGCD Public Board Meeting on December 17, 2025.

Upcoming Public Hearing on District Rules

The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (LPGCD) will hold a public hearing on proposed Rules at its upcoming Board Meeting on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 3:30 PM at the District Office, 317 E Hempstead St., Giddings, TX.

This hearing is an opportunity for the public to learn about and comment on proposed changes to District Rules. Members of the public may share input in two ways:

• Written comments: Submit to LPGCD prior to the hearing to lpgcd@lostpineswater.org.
• Oral comments: Provided during the hearing.

Copies of the proposed Rules are available for review at the District Office during regular business hours beginning 20 days before the hearing, and online at https://www.lostpineswater.org/191/District-Rules.

The Board will consider all timely comments before taking action. If adopted, any changes to the rules will be accompanied by a written order signed by the Board President and become effective immediately on the date of signature.

For more information, or to request a copy of the proposed Rules, please contact the District at (512) 360-5088 or visit us during business hours.