Spring 2026 Heartbeat of the Hickory Newsletter

Heartbeat of the Hickory

Conserving, preserving, and protecting groundwater in Central Texas

The image contains a list of directors and staff members, including their titles and respective positions.

 

PO Box 1214

  111 East Main

 Brady, TX 76825

(325) 597-2785   

hickoryuwcd@yahoo.com 

www.hickoryuwcd.org

 

Two men stand together, one holding an award plaque, in front of a bookshelf filled with binders and documents.
Steve Magill, Pct 4, and General Manager David Huie

 

Precinct 4 Director Retires

Steve Magill of Eden has officially retired from his role as Precinct 4 Director, having served from February 2022 through February 2026. A lifelong driller, Steve brought valuable technical expertise to the District and played a key role in mapping the Ellenberger Aquifer. He will continue to support the District moving forward.

Cole Holubec of Melvin will assume the position. As a lifelong farmer and rancher, Cole brings a deep understanding of the importance of water and the need for responsible conservation.

 

 

Roots of Conservation 

The image features a colorful illustration promoting conservation in Texas, highlighting nature, water, and agriculture.

March 19th brought the hope of Spring as several area conservation agencies and individuals  gathered in the M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library Stribling Room to share what they are doing to help conserve and preserve our precious natural resources.  The event featured a distinguished group of speakers including representatives from the Central Basin Prescribed Burn Association; Brian Wright, recipient of the Mason SWCD 2025 Wildlife Conservationist award, and Mark Moseley, McCulloch SWCD Chairman; Kory Perlichek, Wildlife Biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife; John Davis, recipient of the 2022 Texas Rain Catcher Award; and Rachel Farrington from La Cuna Center in Castell. Along with exhibits from speakers, several tables hosted by Mason/Llano SWCD, Mason County NRCS, Central Texas Master Gardeners, and Hickory UWCD were also available. About 50 people attended throughout the day. Deemed a success, we plan to do this again next year – only BETTER!

A group of people gathers to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Camp Discovery, featuring a yellow ribbon and sign.
Habitat of Humanity's Care-a-vaners renovated the library's Camp Discovery. The ribbon cutting was part of the day's events.
A person stands at a podium with a laptop, wearing a cap and glasses, in front of a stone wall, likely giving a presentation.
Kory Perlicheck, TPWD, fielded many questions after his presentation.
A woman stands in front of a screen displaying a website, with a cozy room in the background featuring wooden furniture.
Rachel Farrington of La Cuna art center fascinated the crowd with her burn video
Two men are speaking in front of an audience in a room, with one man engaged in a discussion and another listening.
Mark Moseley and Brian Wright with the burn association were "on fire."
A group of people sitting in a community room, some are listening and others appear engaged in conversation.
About 50 people attended throughout the day.
A speaker discusses Mason County Habitat for Humanity, highlighting their construction methods and achievements, with an audience present.
J.D. Kidwell, Habitat, shared energy efficient building tips.
A person gestures while speaking, possibly giving a presentation, with a screen displaying an image in the background.
John Davis, winner of the 2022 Rain Catcher Award, shared his secret to success.
A group of people gathers to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Camp Discovery, featuring a yellow ribbon and sign.
A person stands at a podium with a laptop, wearing a cap and glasses, in front of a stone wall, likely giving a presentation.
A woman stands in front of a screen displaying a website, with a cozy room in the background featuring wooden furniture.
Two men are speaking in front of an audience in a room, with one man engaged in a discussion and another listening.
A group of people sitting in a community room, some are listening and others appear engaged in conversation.
A speaker discusses Mason County Habitat for Humanity, highlighting their construction methods and achievements, with an audience present.
A person gestures while speaking, possibly giving a presentation, with a screen displaying an image in the background.

Rules

Following a duly noticed public hearing, the Board convened in regular session on March 26 and officially adopted a revised set of District rules. The updates primarily reflect recent changes to Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code, ensuring the District remains aligned with current state requirements.

The newly adopted rules are available for public review on the District’s website at https://www.hickoryuwcd.org/rules, or in person at the District office. Anyone who prefers a printed copy is encouraged to call or email the office, and one will be provided upon request.

 

 

Guardians of Groundwater

2026 Poster Contest Winners Selected

 At the March 26 Board meeting, district poster contest winners were announced. Nearly 200 entries from 4th and 5th graders on the theme “Be a Groundwater Guardian” competed. The top three winners received Walmart gift cards of $50, $45, and $40.

A girl named Elisabeth James from 4th grade at Brady Elementary holding a poster about saving water, with a 1st place ribbon.
Elisabeth James, 1st place
A student holds a poster on groundwater conservation, winning 2nd place in a contest at Brady Elementary, named Rylan Henderson.
Rylan Henderson, 2nd place
A girl named Andrea Tavera from Richland Springs holds a poster about protecting groundwater, winning 3rd place.
Andrea Tavera, 3rd place
A girl named Elisabeth James from 4th grade at Brady Elementary holding a poster about saving water, with a 1st place ribbon.
A student holds a poster on groundwater conservation, winning 2nd place in a contest at Brady Elementary, named Rylan Henderson.
A girl named Andrea Tavera from Richland Springs holds a poster about protecting groundwater, winning 3rd place.

 

The image shows Texas drought conditions as of late March 2026, indicating 89% of the state affected, with an increase in drought intensity.
"Water is the most critical resource issue of our lifetime and our children's lifetime. The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land." 
Luna Leopold

 

Water Use Reports

 

Water use reports were due March 16. If you haven’t submitted yours yet, please do so as soon as possible. These reports are required to keep your irrigation permit valid and help the District manage groundwater locally. Without accurate records, control could shift to the State—something we all want to avoid.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this and your role in protecting our shared water resources.

 

 

Our lab/field Tech, Ronnie Moore, is currently measuring winter water levels throughout the District. We will have those numbers available on our website when he finishes.
The image illustrates a worker measuring water level in a well, showing ground and water-level surfaces at 15 feet deep.
 

 

 

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