by November 2, 2021
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Landa Haus
360 Aquatic Cir.
New Braunfels, TX 78130 (map)
This workshop is being co-hosted by the City of New Braunfels, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Comal County, Texas Riparian Association, and Texas Water Resources Institute. The training will focus on the nature and function of stream and riparian zones and the benefits and direct impacts from healthy riparian zones. The riparian education programs will cover an introduction to riparian principles, watershed processes, basic hydrology, erosion/deposition principles, and riparian vegetation, as well as potential causes of degradation and possible resulting impairment(s), and available local resources including technical assistance and tools that can be employed to prevent and/or resolve degradation.
The City of New Braunfels and its project partners are currently moving forward with the implementation of a Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) to address bacteria concerns in the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River watersheds. The current implementation phase began in September 2018 and is working on implementing a variety of strategies to improve water quality in the watershed. The riparian and stream workshop is an educational event supporting this effort.
These one-day trainings in watersheds across the state include both indoor classroom presentations and outdoor stream walks. Instructors are experts from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M Natural Resource Institute, TRA, and the Texas Water Resources Institute.
The goal is for participants to better understand and relate to riparian and watershed processes, the benefits that healthy riparian areas provide, and the tools that can be employed to prevent and/or resolve degradation and improve water quality. At the conclusion of the training, participants will receive a certificate of completion and appropriate professional development hours/ continuing education hours.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available:
- Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicators License – 3 CEUs
- Texas Water Resources Institute – 1 CEU
- Texas Nutrient Management Planning Specialists – 6 hours
- Texas Floodplain Management Association – 7 CECs
- Texas Forestry Association – 6 hours
- Society of American Foresters – 4 hours
- Certified Crop Advisor- 7 CEUs (Nutrient Mgmt: 1, Soil & Water: 1.5, IPM: 1.5, Crop Mgmt: 2.5, Manure Mgmt: 0.5)
- Texas Board of Architectural Examiners “Acceptable for HSW credit”
- The program may also be used for CEUs for Professional Engineers.
- Check with your Chapter for Master Naturalist and Master Gardener to see if it is approved for your area.
RSVP is required by October 26, 2021. The workshop is free because it is funded through a Clean Water Act grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. RSVP online through the marketplace or by email to clare.entwistle@ag.tamu.edu. A catered lunch is available for $15 or participants may select to bring their own lunch. Attendees can pay for lunch by credit card using the online link or by cash at the door.
Dress is casual and comfortable for the weather as we will be outside at the stream during the afternoon.
For more information or questions, please contact Clare Entwistle at 210-277-0292 x205 or clare.entwistle@ag.tamu.edu.
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The riparian education program is managed by the Texas Water Resources Institute, part of AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the College at Texas A&M University.
