BANDERA – The Texas Water Resources Institute will be presenting a Texas Watershed Planning Short Course May 10-14 in Bandera.
The course will be held at the Mayan Dude Ranch, 350 Mayan Ranch Rd., about 47 miles northwest of San Antonio.
The institute is part of Texas AgriLife Research, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences of the Texas A&M System.
“This is one of the few courses that builds upon the nine essential elements for watershed planning as identified by the Environmental Protection Agency,” said Kevin Wagner, an associate director at the institute and course leader. “People attending this course will come out better prepared to develop plans according to EPA guidelines.”
Well-considered, holistic watershed protection plans involving as many stakeholders as possible are becoming a widely accepted approach to protecting Texas surface waters available for drinking, Wagner added.
“The goal of the Texas Watershed Planning Short Course is to equip watershed coordinators and water professionals with the tools they need for effective watershed protection efforts,” he said.
The course will address watershed protection planning, building partnerships, watershed assessment, and how to identify solutions and create and implement a plan.
Wagner added that the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, state agencies responsible for Texas’ water quality, are financing the creation of more than a dozen watershed-protection plans statewide.
“The course will benefit those involved or interested in watershed restoration and protection projects to improve the water quality of the state’s rivers, streams and estuaries,” said Aaron Wendt, the soil and water board’s state watershed coordinator.
Upon completion, participants will receive continuing education units from the National Registry of Environmental Professionals.
Course registration is $350 if postmarked by April 12 and $375 thereafter. Registration does not include lodging and meals.
A block of rooms at the Mayan Dude Ranch has been reserved at a special rate of $121 per night, which includes all meals as well as lodging. Reservations must be made by April 30 to receive this special rate, and participants should identify themselves as program attendees when making reservations.
The upcoming short course is the fourth such program to be held in Bandera.
For more information, visit http://watershedplanning.tamu.edu/ or contact Courtney Swyden at 979-862-2299.
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