Investments support ecological restoration, park reconstruction and long-term community stewardship
KERRVILLE, Texas — Today, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced approximately $14 million in strategic investments to restore the Guadalupe River, rebuild key public spaces and support long-term community stewardship following the July 4 floods. Through the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, the Community Foundation is advancing a coordinated, multi-year approach to ecological restoration, public infrastructure recovery and community stewardship across Kerr County.
These investments come at a time when the community continues to process loss while building toward long-term recovery.
“The July 4 flood disrupted an entire system — ecological, economic and social,” said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. “This investment is designed to restore that system with intention by rebuilding the river corridor, reinvesting in public spaces and establishing a long-term culture of stewardship. Healthy river systems and restored public spaces help reduce flood risk and strengthen community safety.”
The investments total $14,070,420 and are organized across three areas: ecological restoration, public spaces and community stewardship. Key initiatives include:
Ecological restoration:
- $3 million to the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s Texas Recovery for Ecological and Environmental Stability (TREES) Initiative to plant 50,000 native trees along the Guadalupe River
- $1.51 million to the Hill Country Alliance to lead a basin-wide restoration strategy
- $180,000 to the Upper Guadalupe River Authority to remove invasive species and improve watershed health
Public spaces and infrastructure:
- $9.2 million to rebuild Louise Hays Park, Guadalupe Park, and the Kerrville River Trail
- Additional investments in the Kerrville River Trail, bridge replacements and planning for the future restoration of Lion’s Park
Community stewardship:
- $150,420 to the Kerr County River Foundation to support volunteer-led river restoration efforts and design a new, resilient Lions Park
- $30,000 for the documentary film “Hope for the Guadalupe,” which will drive community engagement and support long-term river recovery
“This is a coordinated effort to bring the river back,” said Jonathan Letz, chair of the River Working Group and vice chair of the Long-Term Recovery Group. “We are aligning science, infrastructure and community leadership so that what we rebuild today will support this region for generations to come. This is how we move from recovery to resilience.”
The Community Foundation will continue partnering with local governments, nonprofit organizations and residents to advance long-term recovery efforts. Additional funding and initiatives are planned as part of an ongoing commitment to restore the Guadalupe River system and strengthen the communities it supports.
For more information about the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, visit rebuildkerr.org.
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ABOUT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life across the Hill Country region by connecting charitable donors with community needs. Based in Kerrville and serving 10 counties, the foundation manages a diverse portfolio of funds and grants that support local nonprofits, scholarships and community initiatives. Since its founding in 1982, the foundation has worked to strengthen communities, inspire generosity and create lasting positive impact for current and future generations. For more information, visit www.communityfoundation.net.
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