A Texas Watershed Steward workshop on the Davidson Creek watershed will be on Nov. 7 in Caldwell.
The free event will be at the AgriLife Extension office for Burleson County, 1516 Farm-to-Market Road 166, from 8 a.m. to noon. It is open to anyone interested in improving the region’s water quality. A free lunch will be available at the end of the workshop for attendees who preregister by Nov. 4.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board present the event in cooperation with the Texas Water Resources Institute.
Participants must preregister by visiting https://tx.ag/WatershedCaldwell or by calling 979-321-5935. Once registered, additional meeting information will be provided.
“This workshop is designed to help watershed residents learn about their water resources and how they may become involved in local watershed protection and management activities,” said Michael Kuitu, AgriLife Extension program specialist and coordinator for the Texas Watershed Steward program in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station.
Helping to improve water quality in the Davidson Creek watershed
The workshop will include a discussion on watershed systems, along with types and sources of water pollution. There will be a group discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management. Additionally, there will be an overview of water quality as it relates to watershed management at the local level.
The public is encouraged to attend to learn about water quality management and how to get involved in improving and maintaining the water quality of Davidson Creek through best management practices. Though the workshop will emphasize local water resources, Kuitu said the information remains applicable to all waters throughout the region.
Light refreshments will be provided in addition to the lunch. 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. However, the quantity of continuing education offered may vary for select disciplines.
CEUs will include four hours in the following professional disciplines:
- soil and water management for certified crop advisers
- professional engineers
- certified teachers
- professional geoscientists
- certified floodplain managers
American Institute of Certified Planners are eligible for four certification maintenance and one law hours. Four CEUs are also available for each Texas Commission on Environmental Quality occupational licensee:
- wastewater system operators
- public water system operators
- on-site sewage facility installers
- landscape irrigators
In addition, three general CEUs are offered for Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicator license holders. Also, two credits are offered for nutrient management specialists. For questions regarding professional continuing education afforded to attendees, contact Kuitu.
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
- Kuitu at 979-321-5935 or michael.kuitu@ag.tamu.edu
- John Grange at 979-567-2308 or john.grange@ag.tamu.edu.
For more information on Davidson Creek, contact Amanda Tague at 979-314-8049 or amanda.tague@ag.tamu.edu.
