Riparian and stream ecosystem workshop for Matagorda Bay watersheds set for Oct. 30
Area residents are invited to the free program.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, and the Texas Riparian Association will host a free Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Education Program on Oct. 30 in Bay City.
The program, which is for area residents interested in land and water stewardship in the watersheds of Matagorda Bay, will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The morning session will take place at the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, 1025 State Highway 35. The afternoon session will include a walk and presentations along the Colorado River.
All attendees must RSVP by Oct. 23 at tx.ag/BayCity2024 or to Alexander Neal, TWRI program specialist, Bryan-College Station, at [email protected]. A catered lunch is being offered for $15 or attendees may bring their own lunch.
“Riparian education workshops motivate informed landowners and local residents to adopt and support practices to better manage riparian and stream ecosystems,” Neal said. “Not only are water quality and quantity directly benefited by the proper management, protection and restoration of these critical areas, but also enhanced are the soundness of stream banks, fish communities and aquatic habitats, just to name a few.”
Focus on Matagorda Bay watersheds
The Matagorda Bay watersheds are the focus of water quality improvement efforts by stakeholders.
“Stakeholders recognize successful water quality improvement requires implementing a variety of management strategies,” said Matt Stellbauer, TWRI research specialist, Bryan-College Station. “The riparian and stream workshop is an educational event supporting this effort.”
Neal said the workshop will focus on the nature and function of stream and riparian zones as well as the benefits and economic impacts from properly functioning riparian systems.
“Riparian areas – the green vegetated land areas adjacent to the bank of a stream, creek, bayou, river or lake – are unique and important ecosystems that provide many benefits including habitat and forage,” Neal said. “The goal of the workshop is for participants to better understand riparian and watershed processes, the benefits of healthy riparian areas, and what resources are available to prevent degradation while improving water quality.”
About the workshop
Workshop presentations will be given by representatives of TWRI, the Matagorda Bay Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, AgriLife Extension, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Riparian Association.
The workshop is free thanks to program funding provided through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
CEUs offered
The workshop will offer the following continuing education units:
- Three for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders — two general and one integrated pest management.
- Foresters and professional loggers can receive six hours from the Texas Forestry Association, six and a half hours from the Society of American Foresters, and eight hours from the International Society of Arboriculture.
- Seven hours from the Texas Floodplain Management Association.
- Seven hours for certified crop advisers.
- Six hours for Texas Nutrient Management Planning specialists.
- The program may also be used for continuing education units for professional engineers and architects.
The riparian education program is managed by the Texas Water Resources Institute, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research that combines expertise across the agencies of Texas A&M AgriLife.
For more information, contact Neal or visit texasriparian.org or Facebook at facebook.com/TexasRiparianAssociation.
