Riparian and stream ecosystem workshop set for May 22 in Castroville
Residents in and near Medina River watershed invited to learn about riparian management
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 May 22 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Castroville.
The program is designed for residents interested in land and water stewardship in the Medina River watershed below Diversion Lake.
Registration is required by May 15 at https://tx.ag/Castroville, or by emailing [email protected]. A catered lunch is available for $15, or attendees may bring their own lunch.
The morning session will take place at the Braden Keller Community Center, 1410 Amelia St. The afternoon session will include a walk and presentations along a nearby stream.
“Riparian education workshops motivate informed landowners and local residents to adopt and support practices to better manage riparian and stream ecosystems,” said Alexander Neal, TWRI program specialist, College Station. “Not only do water quality and quantity directly benefit from the proper management, protection and restoration of these critical areas, but the soundness of stream banks, fish communities and aquatic habitats is also enhanced.”
Focus on Medina River watershed
The Medina River watershed is the focus of water quality improvement efforts by stakeholders.
“Successful water quality improvement requires implementation of a variety of management strategies,” said Tina Hendon, TWRI program 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 streams and riparian zones, as well as the benefits and economic impacts of 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 San Antonio River Authority, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, AgriLife Extension, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Riparian Association.
The workshop is free thanks to funding 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:
- Two general and one integrated pest management units for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders.
- 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 from Certified Crop Advisers.
- Seven hours from the Society for Range Management.
- 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 TWRI, 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.
