Leon River, Lampasas River water quality training set for Aug. 27 in Hamilton
Workshop will discuss watershed systems, types and sources of water pollution
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, in cooperation with the Texas Water Resources Institute, will host a Texas Watershed Steward workshop on the Leon River and Lampasas River watersheds on Aug. 27 in Hamilton.
The free event will run from 1-5 p.m. and will be held at the Hamilton Public Library, 201 N. Pecan St. It is open to anyone interested in improving the region’s water quality.
Participants must preregister by visiting https://tx.ag/TWSHamilton or calling 979-321-5921. Upon registration, participants will receive additional meeting information.
“This workshop helps people learn about water resources and efforts to protect local water quality,” said Annalee Epps, AgriLife Extension program specialist with the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and coordinator of the Texas Watershed Steward program. “Participants will be introduced to regional watershed protection and management efforts and how they can get involved.”
Helping improve water quality in the Leon River and Lampasas River watersheds
The workshop will include a discussion on watershed systems, along with types and sources of water pollution. Speakers will also address community-driven watershed protection and provide an overview of water quality related to local watershed management.
Though the workshop will emphasize local water resources, the information applies to all waters throughout the region.
Light refreshments will be provided. Attendees will receive a copy of the Texas Watershed Steward Handbook and are eligible to earn a certificate of completion.
Continuing education opportunities
The Texas Watershed Steward program offers continuing education units, CEUs, for multiple professional disciplines.
Available CEUs include four hours in soil and water management for certified crop advisers, professional engineers, certified teachers, professional geoscientists and certified floodplain managers.
American Institute of Certified Planners members are eligible for four certification maintenance hours and one law hour.
Four CEUs are also offered for each of the following Texas Commission on Environmental Quality occupational licensees: wastewater system operators, public water system operators, on-site sewage facility installers and landscape irrigators.
Additionally, three general CEUs are offered for Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicator license holders, and two credits are offered for nutrient management specialists.
Funding for this effort is provided through a federal Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information on the Texas Watershed Steward program, contact Epps at 979-321-5921, [email protected], or Bruce Boyd, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Hamilton County, at 254-386-3919 or [email protected].
For more information on the Leon River watershed, contact Audrey McCrary, Texas Water Resources Institute program specialist, at 979-314-2350 or [email protected].
For more information on the Lampasas River watershed, contact Lisa Prcin, Texas A&M AgriLife Research specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Temple, at 254-774-6008 or [email protected].
