May

Did you know groundwater is the largest source of water in Texas, comprising almost 60 percent of water use in the state? Did you also know that storing water supplies underground is becoming an important tool for helping Texans meet future water demands?

While not widely used in Texas, experts with The Texas A&M University System are promoting aquifer storage and recovery through a new initiative to increase expertise in this subject area as well as conduct more research on potential aquifers and increase the public’s knowledge.

The Texas Well Owner Network educates private well owners throughout the state and is now publishing an email newsletter, Well-Read, with timely information on protecting groundwater and water wells and details about upcoming TWON trainings and screenings.

Dr. Ralph Wurbs, Arthur McFarland Professor in the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University, was recently named an Honorary Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers, a part of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved a new regulation requiring that all boats operating on public fresh water anywhere in Texas be drained before leaving or approaching a lake or river to help combat the further spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species.

Published by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, The Cattleman magazine’s annual water issue recently featured the statewide education and water well screening work of the Texas Well Owner Network.

Virginia H. Winston of Lufkin, owner of the 3,418-acre Winston 8 Ranch five miles south of Nacogdoches, has been named the 2014 recipient of the Leopold Conservation Award. Winston received the award, the state’s highest honor for private land conservation, for her family’s ecological transformation of their East Texas land in Nacogdoches County, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.