A Texas Watershed Steward workshop on water quality related to the La Nana Bayou, Angelina and Middle Neches rivers will be held from 8 a.m.-noon, May 22 in Lufkin.
The free workshop will be at the Silo, 206 E Groesbeck Ave. in Lufkin. It is presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board in cooperation with the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI).
“This workshop is designed to help watershed residents improve and protect their water resources by becoming involved in local watershed protection and management activities,” said Michael Kuitu, AgriLife Extension program specialist and coordinator for the Texas Watershed Steward program, College Station. “The workshop is open to anyone interested in improving water quality in the region.”
He said participants are encouraged to preregister on the Texas Watershed Steward website.
The workshop will include a discussion on watershed systems, types and sources of water pollution, and ways to improve and protect water quality. There also will be a group discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management.
“The workshop will provide an overview of water quality and watershed management in Texas with an emphasis on area water quality,” said Cary Sims, AgriLife Extension agent for Angelina County. “It will address issues related to local water resources but will be applicable to all waters in the region.”
Anna Gitter, TWRI research assistant, College Station, said various segments and tributaries of the La Nana Bayou, Angelina and Middle Neches rivers are on the state list of impaired waters.
“Therefore, we are inviting the public to learn not only about water quality management but also how they may become involved, including implementing science-based best management practices in their homes and at their jobs,” Gitter said.
For more information on the Texas Watershed Steward program, visit its website or contact Kuitu, 979-862-4457, or Sims, 936-634-6414 ext. 2.
For information on watershed protection efforts for both the Angelina and Middle Neches rivers watersheds, contact Gitter at anna.gitter@ag.tamu.edu.
For information on watershed protection efforts in the La Nana Bayou watershed, contact Edward Rhodes at edward.rhodes@ag.tamu.edu.
Funding for this effort is provided through a federal Clean Water Act §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, read the AgriLife Today article.
