ATX-LTW: Impact 10/13/2025

From fresh produce and meats to artisan goods, there are several local farmers markets to check out in the Lake Travis-Westlake area.

Bee Cave Farmers Market
The market in the Hill Country Galleria sells fresh fruits, local meats, eggs, cheeses and milks from local farmers. Fresh-baked goods are also available, alongside condiments, sauces and hot food vendors. 

• Held every Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., rain or shine

• Held the first and third Thursday of each month, 4-7 p.m.

• Held on Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m., 3-7 p.m. in winter

• Held on Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., rain or shine

Concordia University Texas added its bachelor's of science in wildlife conservation for students in the fall 2025 semester. The new major will focus on management of wildlife populations, protecting endangered species and maintaining healthy ecosystems, according to a university news release. 

The details: Students in the new program will prepare for careers in conservation, habitat management, ecology and wildlife biology through classes and fieldwork. Those pursuing the wildlife conservation major will utilize Concordia's on-campus nature preserve for their education.  

The background: Concordia University, located in northwest Austin, is home to part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. The 250-acre federally protected land makes up more than half of the 440-acre campus, and hosts endangered and threatened species like the golden-cheeked warbler and Jollyville Plateau salamander.

Off campus, Concordia manages the Friesenhahn Cave in San Antonio, a paleontological site. 

• 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin

Check out the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from Oct. 6-10.

1. Hwy. 290 extension could improve travel between Travis and Bastrop counties

2. Bridge placed over Lake Creek to connect Round Rock West with downtown area

3. Austin ISD unveils plans to close 13 schools in 2026-27 school year

4. Cedar Park’s Firefly launches $855 million bid for defense tech company

5. Bastrop Automotive to be built on FM 969

6. Samsung employees to move into office building on Taylor campus this November

Battery-powered home energy service Base Power has acquired funds to expand its operations with a Texas factory in the heart of Austin.

What to know: The company has raised $1 billion alongside 20 investors which will help build its first Texas factory in the space previously occupied by the Austin-American Statesman printing press in downtown Austin.

"Base Power is an Austin-born company, and we're excited about deepening our investment in the city with the goal of bringing affordable, reliable power to Texans," Co-founder and CEO Zach Dell said.

The energy storage and power electronics factory will help meet the company’s current and future demands with its plans to expand services nationwide.

“We’re building domestic manufacturing capacity for fixing the grid,” COO and co-founder Justin Lopas said. “The only way to add capacity to the grid is physically deploying hardware, and we need to make that here in the U.S., ourselves.

• 305 S. Congress Ave., Austin