The Hill Country Dark Sky Conference returned in 2025 after a six-year pause, bringing together more than 60 city and county leaders, business professionals, utility managers, state parks officials, and night sky advocates in Blanco to focus on preserving the region’s night skies.

Hosted by the City of Blanco in partnership with the Blanco Chamber of Commerce, Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky, and Hill Country Alliance, the event marked the revival of an annual tradition aimed at combating light pollution and protecting Central Texas’s star-filled skies.

Mayor Candy Cargill of Blanco welcomed attendees, emphasizing the importance of night skies as part of the community’s heritage and inspiration.

The conference featured expert presentations from regional and national leaders, including Amber Harrison from DarkSky International, Dawn Davies of Hill Country Alliance, and city officials from Kerrville and Dripping Springs who shared experiences implementing dark sky ordinances and community programs. Representatives from Joint Base San Antonio and Crossroads LED also discussed efforts to reduce skyglow.

A highlight included a visit from the Wizard of the Night Sky, who underscored the role of public engagement in preserving night skies.

Katherine Romans, Executive Director of the Hill Country Alliance, closed the event by noting the dedication of Central Texas advocates working to protect the area’s natural night environment amid increasing development.

The conference signals renewed regional commitment to safeguarding one of the Hill Country’s most cherished and vulnerable natural resources: the star-filled night sky.