The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) has partnered with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB), Texas Riparian Association (TRA), Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Nueces River Authority (NRA), Texas A&M AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension, and the Texas Tech University Llano River Field Station (TTU-LRFS) to conduct Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Education programs across the state.

Project goals:

• Facilitate the promotion of healthy watersheds and improve water quality through the delivery of riparian and stream ecosystem education programs with a focus on priority watersheds
• Increase citizen awareness, understanding and knowledge about the nature and function of riparian zones, their benefits and best management practices (BMPs) to protect them and minimize nonpoint source pollution
• Connect landowners with local technical and financial resources to improve management and promote healthy watershed and riparian areas on their land

Program tasks:

• Deliver 24 riparian education programs to participants in prioritized watersheds, typically watersheds with watershed planning or total maximum daily load efforts due to impaired water quality
• Coordinate two statewide riparian conferences
• Increase knowledge and understanding of riparian function and implementation of BMPs by individuals participating in the program, as measured by pre-/post-tests and post-follow up evaluation

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