February

The Water Management and Hydrological Science (WMHS) program at Texas A&M University is hosting Water Daze, a public event featuring keynote speaker Dr. Michael Campana, faculty research presentations and a student poster competition, March 29-30 on the Texas A&M campus.

Dr. Kevin Wagner has been named the deputy director of engagement of the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI). Formerly TWRI associate director, Wagner’s new role will include engaging with the water resources community in Texas and the nation and coordinating TWRI’s outreach activities with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and The Texas A&M University System.

Over the last decade, Texas A&M University has become a leader in water conservation and sustainability through its campus-wide rainwater harvesting strategies. Rainwater harvesting, or the practice of capturing and collecting rainfall for reuse on-site instead of allowing it to runoff, is an effective strategy for reducing water use.

Based on her extensive avian research record, one might assume Dr. Ashley Long, Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR) research scientist,  has been fascinated with birds her whole life. However, Long’s interest in ecology and wildlife didn’t begin until she was in college.

Water utilities and municipalities have access to an array of technologies to help consumers save both water and money. The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) recently published two free guides to assist utilities managers as they navigate the possible technologies and look to improve water conservation strategies and implementation.

World Water Day will be recognized on March 22 all around the globe. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly first designated March 22 as World Water Day in 1993, creating an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water-related issues and take action.

The Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR) will conduct an Introduction to ArcGIS 10 training course March 30-31 in San Antonio. The course will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m. both days at IRNR’s San Antonio office, 1919 Oakwell Farms Parkway, Suite 100.

Applications are open for the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program (MLEIP) at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The paid, full-time summer internship program offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to work in one of 16 Texas cities and complete an internship at TCEQ, at other state agencies or in the private sector.

The third annual Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference is scheduled for April 14-15 at the Inn of the Hills Resort and Conference Center in Kerrville. The conference is funded by the Ruth and Eskel Bennett Endowment and hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, said Dr. Larry Redmon, co-chair and Bennett Trust AgriLife Extension specialist.

Texas is the recipient of three of the 84 conservation projects that are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2016 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a partner-driven, locally led approach to conservation.

The U.S. Forest Service has released a new report, Effects of Drought on Forests and Rangelands in the United States: A Comprehensive Science Synthesis, which provides a national assessment of peer-reviewed scientific research on the impacts of drought on U.S. forests and rangelands.