Major Projects

Sustainable Water Planning

Sustainable Water Planning For Texas (2013 – present): Our goal is to develop recommendations for improving the state water plan process to ensure that it produces a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally-sound plan for the future.  After the initial work that resulted in our 2014 report, “Learning from Drought: Next Generation Water Planning for Texas”, our focus has been on the opportunities that could arise for restoring more natural environmental flow regimes with water that will no longer be needed for cooling as some old coal and natural gas fired power plants are closed or their electric power generation reduced.

Statewide Environmental Issues

Renewable Energy Roundup and Green Living Fair (2012-2014): the largest “green show” in the South. It occurs at the end of September, every year, in historic Fredericksburg, Texas. You can: see the latest in eco-friendly technologies; learn how to save and create your own energy; attend informative talks by the experts; visit with vendors to see contemporary green living and sustainability practices; test drive the next generation in personal transportation. It’s fun, environmentally friendly, and a great place to learn how you can make a difference!

Sunset Review (2010-2011): An effort to transform goals, policies, permitting, enforcement and governance at Texas' environmental state agencies.

Texas Environmental Tax & Fee Reform Project (2001-2006): Research and promotion of ways that fee and tax reforms may be incorporated into statewide policies to encourage environmental protection.

Texas Environmental Almanac (1995, 2000): The first publication to provide a comprehensive look at the state of the state’s environment in an accessible and reader-friendly format.

The Texas/Mexico
Border Region

U.S.-Mexico Border Sustainable Scrap Tire Management Project (2004): A project to promote a more sustainable use of millions of tires located in dumps, storage centers and landfills along the U.S-Mexico border.

Border Trade & Environment Project (2000 to 2003): A series of reports, produced in conjunction with partner organizations in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, which examined how various issues - from hazardous waste to water management to forestry - are linked to NAFTA and U.S./Mexico economic integration.

Border Water Project (2002): Through partnerships with Mexican organizations, TCPS examined water management in the Rio Conchos basin, as well as the potential for restoring instream flows in segments of the Rio Grande in Texas.

Regional Growth and Development

Laguna Madre Binational Initiative (1998-2002): A binational effort with Pronatura and Noreste of Mexico, landowners and residents to protect the economic value of this unique coastal wetland system.

Hill Country Roundtable (1996-2002): a collaborative approach with landowners and local officials to protecting the quality of life and natural heritage of the Texas Hill Country.