Category: 2015
-
Does drought recovery equal quail recovery?
By Leslie Lee Megabrood: that’s a term most Texas quail enthusiasts haven’t used in about a decade. But this year, it made a comeback. Rains that soothed and flooded landscapes across the state in May and June 2015 resulted in near-optimum conditions for quail in many regions. Good rainfall, habitat conditions and survival rates resulted…
-
TWRI offers watershed monitoring, planning to stakeholders
With more than 440 water bodies impaired in Texas, understanding the potential causes and sources of those impairments is critical. After these issues are understood comes the work of restoring the water bodies. The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) has the staff and expertise to help with both. It includes a seven-member water team and…
-
Learning to protect, conserve natural resources
By Eva Vigh The more Texans know about their water and other natural resources, the more likely they are to participate in conserving and protecting these resources. Additionally, professionals must understand emerging management tools to address critical natural resource issues. The Natural Resources Training Program of the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) and Texas A&M Natural Resources…
-
Tracy named institute director
Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University System, recently named Dr. John C. Tracy as the new director of the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI). He will assume his position in December 2015. “We are excited to have someone like Dr. Tracy join our team to lead our water programs…
-
250,000 words later
Known for its in-depth science reporting, txH2O has continually sought to help Texans understand complicated Texas water issues. The magazine’s content has tackled the state’s evolving water quality standards, important computer models in Texas water management, hydraulic fracturing water use and groundwater administration. “We take pride in taking on complex Texas water research and translating it into stories that the public can understand…
-
North Texas Municipal Water District, Water My Yard program win Blue Legacy Award
The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) has won the Water Conservation Advisory Council Blue Legacy Municipal Award for the Water My Yard program. According to the advisory council’s announcement, the “award program recognizes outstanding water conservation efforts and successes of Texans.” The Water My Yard program was created by Dr. Guy Fipps, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service irrigation engineer, David Flahive, AgriLife…
-
Texas Water Journal Forum reunites key players in Edwards Aquifer dispute
Nearly 60 years ago, a tug-of-war began between competing interests battling over use of the Edwards Aquifer. The recent Texas Water Journal Forum reexamined this dispute by reuniting those who worked to resolve it. The third Texas Water Journal Forum, “History of the Edwards Aquifer Dispute: A view from the trenches,” was held Jan. 20 and centered on the conflict…
-
TWRI-led Lower Rio Grande Valley initiative receives $2.3 million grant
A Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI)-led initiative has received a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to address water quantity and water quality concerns in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Improvement Initiative is being funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a new program…
-
Meet a scientist: Lucas Gregory
On any given day one might find Lucas Gregory monitoring water quality in the field, analyzing data or writing grants and publications. “There’s really never a dull moment, and that’s one of the things that I like about working here,” said Gregory, Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) project specialist and quality assurance officer. Gregory began working at…
-
Institutes’ year in review: 2014
In 2014 the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR) and the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) wrapped-up a third full year of working together. As the institutes continue this partnership, Dr. Roel Lopez, IRNR director and TWRI interim director, said that he and the institutes’ staff are looking forward to the research and education work ahead in 2015,…
