​Blanco county remains at 6 cases and as many local businesses are re-opening, we ask that you review the minimum standard health protocols that were shared by the Texas Governor. 

https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Checklist-Individuals.pdf

HOA Community Updates:

• As of May 15th, the interior of the Clubhouse is open. Members are welcome to use the outdoor amenities, pool area and bathrooms. 
• Hand sanitizer and cleaning products are available and we ask for your assistance in wiping down any hard surfaces touched after use (door handles, counters, buttons, etc) 
• The HOA office is closed. Business continues, so please reach out by phone or email and use the online resources pwshoa.com to the extent possible.
• Fedex/UPS Deliveries are continuing to be left on the Clubhouse porch. A note posted to the door includes my phone number for signature. 
• Sales & Marketing materials are available in the information kiosk on the Clubhouse porch. While sales traffic has reduced, self-tours are still taking place after a visitor has reached out by phone or email and been qualified to do so.
• Please reschedule clubhouse use to allow for regular cleaning services of the pool on Tuesdays and Clubhouse on Thursdays. 
• The pool is open for use. There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Use social distancing from other members using the HOA facilities, trails or amenities.
• Bring your own sports balls and equipment to the tennis courts, putting green or basketball court. 

The Ranch Hands are considered essential employees and will continue to maintain the infrastructure on the ranch and care for the livestock onsite. At this time, the HOA is not providing any in-home services. We will continue to provide services like lawn care and maintenance outdoors. To schedule services, please email your requests to jasmin@walnut-springs.com.

For more on re-opening Texas: 
https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Report.pdf 

10 am – Noon
Saturday, November 9th
​
With Fall upon us, we are celebrating cooler weather with a meet and greet down at the Equestrian Center. Join us Saturday, November 9th anytime from 10 am – Noon for a casual meet and greet of PWS Wranglers and Ranch Horses.
Meet the new members of the PWSHOA team, Alison Ritz and James Leshikar who will be guiding trail rides this Fall and expanding the menu of horse services to also include lessons. All of the ranch horses will be at the barn and you can get to know each one by name and hear more about their personalities. Arena riding will also be available to all visitors. So if you have not ridden before and would prefer a nice introduction to our riding program or a picture with the ranch horses, this is a great opportunity to do so.
Look for an expanded menu of trail rides, lesson opportunities and how to schedule a ride this Fall.

Welcome our new Weekend Wrangler
Join us in welcoming our new PWS Weekend Wrangler. Check the available Trail Rides on the HOA Calendar and email pwstrailrides@gmail.com to enjoy the Ranch on Horseback and meet Allison.
A little about Allison Ritz:
"My name is Alison Ritz. I am 22 years old and currently living in Buchanan Dam, Texas.I was born in Houston and although I was born in the city, I am definitely a country girl at heart. When I was 12 years old, we moved to the beautiful hill country town of Leakey, Texas; population 439. This is when I discovered my love for horses. I began working at a trail riding stable that owned 33 horses, where I was immersed in the horse world and began soaking up all the information I could. By the end of my 5 years there, I was the lead wrangler and running the place at only 18 years old. Since then, I have acquired much more experience working with numerous horse owners, doing various riding clinics and now own a horse of my own; but trail riding is something I have truly missed. That being said, I am very excited about being a part of the team here at Walnut Springs and getting to know each and every one of you!" 

​2019 -2020 White Tail Deer Harvest
The Preserve at Walnut Springs Homeowners Association is preparing for our 2019-2020 Whitetail Deer Harvest in accordance with our Wildlife Management Plan.
If you or your family would like to participate in the harvest this year:
We are offering “day hunts” that can be scheduled through the HOA Office.

• All deer hunts will be guided by a member of the PWS team, Steven or a member of the hunting lease,
• The fee associated with does and cull bucks is $250 per animal, which accounts for the staff members time, Only does and cull bucks will be harvested. The number of animal units selected for harvest is based on the census counts.
• There is a $1000.00 fee to hunt a select mature buck if an animal is harvested without approval.
• Please make your request at least 10 days prior to your preferred date.
• Texas law requires all hunters to have a hunting license. 

Safety is our highest priority.
If your family is not participating in the harvest this year, but will be visiting the ranch trails during hunting season, please follow the mandatory Trail Closures for your safety. Trails that cross nearby a hunting blind have a been marked with a chain across the trail and sign noting the trails closure.  Trails are closed in the morning and evenings to allow the hunters the opportunity to hunt from the blinds, and are otherwise open from 10-3 daily. If you see an unmanned vehicle, Hunters will often park their vehicle at the entry point of the trail.
Trail Closures:
General Season begins on November 2nd and runs until January 1st 2019 and Trails will be OPEN from 10am to 3pm daily.
There will be three exceptions during this time frame when the trails will be open without closure:
Thanksgiving Day  
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
January 2nd to January 15th, 2019 is late season and Trails will be OPEN from 10am to 3pm daily.

Jasmin has been working on mapping the Preserve, available pastures for grazing and rotation purposes, topography and soil analysis across the Preserve. The goal is to use the map for land planning including recreational purposes, grazing and improvements. Follow the link to see what soil is on your property along with, fence lines, and recent improvements on the Ranch. 
Ranch Interactive Map ​

Join Blanco County Master Gardeners and Hill Country Alliance in exploring the grasses of the Texas Hill Country. A Free Grass Field Trip co-sponsored by the AgriLife Extension and LBJ National Historical Park with Master Gardeners will take place Tuesday, October 9th.
 
The Field Trip will begin at the LBJ Park Event Center with check-in beginning at 12:30 PM. The National Park is in the process of restoring acreage into the mid-grass prairie of our heritage. The Field Trip will conclude at 4:00 PM north of town by the Pedernales River.
 
Bill Carr, a botanist, an expert on Hill Country flora and co-author of  Rare Plants of Texas,  A Field Guide will guide the field trip along with Daniel Oppenheimer of Hill Country Alliance and Alex Shane, Resource Manager at the National Park.  Chris Wiemers, Extension Agent, will join two Master Gardeners, Susan Evans and Susan Hamm, in guaranteeing that every participant will have a guide nearby.
 
*The Grass Field Trip is limited to 40 participants to assure everyone has a great, personal experience.* 
 
To register for the Free Grass Field Trip contact the Blanco County AgriLife Extension Office. Sonya Fenton, office secretary, will see that you are registered and provide you with the Grass Field Trip Itinerary. 830-868-7167    sonya.fenton@ag.tamu.edu  Sonya Fenton   101E. Cypress Ste. 109, Johnson City

Our land stewardship philosophy is the preservation and enhancement of nearly 1,500 acres of open space in a manner that balances conservation with member enjoyment. Current uses of the open space include a small-scale cattle operation, habitat for horses, recreational use of our twenty-two mile trail system, hunting, agricultural production, vital birding habitat, native springs and habitat for numerous native and some exotic species.

The HOA frequently participates in wildlife and habitat improvements in support of its commitment to thoughtful land stewardship of the open space.

Last year the Preserve at Walnut Springs HOA participated in the Land Incentive Program through Texas Parks and Wildlife Division who matches our funding.  The goals of this
project are:

1. to protect two spring sites (Cuellar Spring and Walnut Springs) from degradation,
2. to improve the diversity of the mixed oak-juniper plant communities in the adjacent canyons and riparian zones, and

1. to promote the establishment of native herbaceous vegetation. The ultimate goal is to manage for habitats that are appealing to a diversity of native wildlife species including the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, while also enhancing water infiltration and groundwater recharge.

 
These goals will be accomplished by implementing the following management practices:
1.     constructing fences to exclude feral hogs and livestock from the two spring sites and their associated riparian areas,
2.     reducing the cover of baccharis within the lower riparian zone of Cuellar Spring where the baccharis has become dense and is competing with native grasses, desirable shrubs, and herbaceous plants, and
3.     reducing the cover of small 'second growth' Ashe juniper growing in the woodland canopy in the head canyons associated with both springs. 

The Preserve at Walnut Springs Homeowners Association is preparing for our 2016-2017 Whitetail Deer Harvest in accordance with our Wildlife Management Plan. If your family would like to participate in the harvest this year, please let General Manager Dale Richey know as soon as possible so that we can coordinate a time and date for you. Safety is our highest priority.

If your family is not participating in the harvest this year, but will be visiting the ranch trails during hunting season, please let us know and follow the mandatory Trail Closures for your safety. General Season begins on November 5th and runs until January 1st 2017 and Trails will be CLOSED prior to 10am and after 3pm.


There will be two exceptions during this time frame when the trails will be open without closure:

• Thanksgiving Day: November 24th 
• Christmas Day: December 25th 

January 2nd to January 15th, 2017 is late season and Trails will be CLOSED prior to 10am and after 3pm.

Voluntary land stewardship, the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care, is the keystone for preserving the natural resources of Texas. With land in Texas being approximately 95% privately owned, voluntary land stewardship is vital to keeping these resources healthy. It all starts with a Conservation Plan. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural producers have been working with their local soil and water conservation districts for over 75 years receiving technical assistance to develop and implement conservation plans for their operations.

A conservation plan focuses on the specific needs and objectives of the individual producer. Whether that objective is grazing management for livestock, wildlife habitat enhancements, timber management, cropland irrigation efficiency improvements, cover crops for better soil, brush management, or native grass restoration, the Texas agricultural producer faces many challenges head on in an effort to be a good steward. The implementation of some of these conservation practices can be expensive, but the landowner, and ultimately all of Texas, will reap the benefits through sustainable food and fiber along with water quality enhancements.