The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District just published its quarterly newsletter, available online in PDF format. (The newsletter archives are online, too.)

It's filled with cool information and news, including the Drought Status indicators (the drought that began in May 2005 officially ended in March), the future drought outlook, policy news, including an overview of new District rules for groundwater drought management, and an interview with Director of Precinct 5, Mr. Craig Smith.

Also included is news of events for the public, and a slew of blurbs on related topics, like "Water Conservation Interactive Websites for Kids" (Waterbusters, Raising Your Water IQ, H2O Heroes), "New Barton Springs Aquifer Studies Available from USGS," on the Google Earth map of the District (found here), and an essay contest for high schoolers.

Access to environmental information and education can mean the difference between a person's sense of stewardship and business-as-usual. A public sense of stewardship creates a sustainable, worldchanging culture. Fortunately for Austin and the Texas Hill Country, there are many exceptional examples of environmental educators, advocacy groups, agencies, and just-folks spreading knowledge about the place where we live.