Riparian and stream ecosystem workshop set for June 6 in Fredericksburg

The Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, will host a free Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Education Program on June 6 in Fredericksburg.

Co-hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas Riparian Association and TWRI, the workshop serves residents interested in learning more about land and water stewardship in the Pedernales River watershed.

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension office in Gillespie County, 38 Business Court. The morning session will be held at the office while the afternoon session will be along the Pedernales River.

A lunchtime presentation will include a catered lunch for $15. Participants can bring their own lunches if they choose. An RSVP is required by May 30 either by visiting tx.ag/fredericksburg24 or emailing [email protected].

Workshop targets riparian and stream ecosystems

Alexander Neal, TWRI program specialist, Bryan-College Station, said the program 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,” he 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.”

The watershed is the focus of water quality improvement efforts by stakeholders.

“Stakeholders recognize successful water quality improvement requires implementing a variety of management strategies,” said Brad Roeder, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Gillespie County. “The riparian and stream workshop is an educational event supporting this effort.”

Neal said riparian education workshops motivate informed landowners and residents to adopt and support practices to better manage riparian and stream ecosystems.

“Not only are water quality and quantity directly benefitted 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,” he said.

The presentations will be given by representatives of the Hill Country Alliance, TWRI, the U.S. Department of Agriculture 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 offered without cost thanks to program funding provided through a Clean Water Act Section nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Continuing education credits available

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered for pesticide license holders, including two general and one integrated pest management. Foresters and professional loggers will 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.

The workshop also offers seven credits from Texas Floodplain Management Association, seven hours for Certified Crop Advisors, and six hours for Texas Nutrient Management Planning specialists. The program may be used for continuing education units for professional engineers and architects.

All participants will receive a certificate of completion and appropriate continuing education unit certificates at the conclusion of the training.

The riparian education program is managed by TWRI, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research that brings together expertise from across the Texas A&M University System.

For more information, contact Neal, visit texasriparian.org or see facebook.com/TexasRiparianAssociation.