Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week celebrates native ecosystems

Texas A&M AgriLife agencies and institutes have partnered with organizations statewide to highlight the importance of voluntary land stewardship in Texas during Soil and Water Stewardship Week April 27-May 4.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and its Texas Watershed Steward program, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute and the Texas Water Resources Institute collectively work to support and implement research and management practices that conserve both the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems Texans depend on.

Together, they are partnering with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts to highlight this year’s message, “Home is Where the Habitat Is.”

Healthy ecosystems, healthy Texas

Native habitats are vital for maintaining Texas’ rich biodiversity. They serve as homes for countless species while playing a critical role in storing carbon, filtering pollutants and preventing soil erosion. Preserving these habitats is essential to ensuring that the ecosystems we rely on remain strong and resilient for generations to come.

According to the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Texas’ native habitats and landscapes are not just the foundation of our natural environment — they are also deeply intertwined with our cultural heritage and future prosperity. From prairies and wetlands to forests and rivers, each habitat contributes to the health and vitality of our state.

Healthy habitats contribute to many things, including:

• Clean air and water: Native plants and habitats filter pollutants, ensuring cleaner air and water for all.
• Ecosystem stability: Biodiverse habitats provide a balanced environment, reducing the impact of natural disasters.
• Carbon storage: Habitats act as natural carbon sinks, helping to maintain ecosystem balance.
• Enhanced natural beauty: Native landscapes enrich the aesthetic value of our state, attracting tourism and boosting local economies.
• Resilient environments: Strong ecosystems support sustainable agriculture and forestry, safeguarding Texas’ economy and quality of life.

Since 1939, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and Soil and Water Conservation Districts have championed responsible natural resource management across the state.

This year’s focus on native habitat conservation invites all private landowners, agricultural producers and conservation organizations to play a role in shaping a sustainable and resilient future.

Other partnering organizations in the campaign include the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, Ducks Unlimited, Holistic Management International, Lower Colorado River Authority, Plains Cotton Growers, Texan By Nature, Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council, Texas Association of Dairymen, Texas Conservation Association for Soil and Water, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Forestry Association, Texas Seed Trade Association, Texas Hemp Coalition, Texas Poultry Federation, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association, Texas Wildlife Association, Upper Trinity Conservation Trust, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and Water Grows.