Texas Healthy Creeks Initiative (No-Cost Arundo Treatment)

TPWD-led program that treats invasive Arundo (giant reed) and elephant ear on private creek and river frontage in the Texas Hill Country at no cost to landowners, to restore native streamside plants and healthy streams. It began in 2015, and by the end of 2024 it had more than 380 participating landowners in five watersheds across eight counties.

• Landowners along creeks and rivers in the service area: the Blanco, Guadalupe, Llano, Medina and Pedernales watersheds in Bandera, Blanco, Comal, Gillespie, Hays, Kerr, Kimble and Kendall counties (the packet also lists Sutton County).

• Landowner signs a permission form granting access for treatment and monitoring and can end the agreement at any time.

Targeted, aquatic-approved herbicide application at no cost. The landowner grants access for treatment and monitoring and may terminate at any time.

Published amounts: No-cost targeted herbicide treatment of Arundo (giant reed) and, from 2025, two elephant ear species on cooperating properties. No cash payment.

Download the Healthy Creeks Initiative information packet and return the signed landowner permission form to healthycreeks@tpwd.texas.gov (fax 512-389-4405, or mail to the Healthy Creeks Initiative at TPWD), or contact the local partner for your river. TPWD then schedules a site visit to map the infestation.

Deadline text on the page: No deadline. Treatment is 'currently being provided at no cost to landowners in priority areas'. The information packet was updated May 2026.