by 
March 8, 2022
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
1865 US Hwy 90 East
Seguin, Texas 78155
The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) will host a free Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Education Program from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. March 8 in Seguin for area residents interested in land and water stewardship in the Geronimo and Alligator creeks watershed.
The morning session will be at the Seguin Outdoor Learning Center, 1865 US Hwy 90 East in Seguin. The afternoon session will include a walk and presentations along Geronimo Creek.
“Riparian education programs like this encourage informed landowners and members of the public to be more inclined to use practices that improve the management of riparian and stream ecosystems,” Gregory said. “Proper management, protection and restoration of these vital areas directly influences water quality and quantity, plus stabilizes stream banks and improves fish and aquatic habitats and communities and more.”
The workshop is co-hosted by the Texas A&M Soil & Crop Sciences, the AgriLife Extension Service in Guadalupe County, Texas Riparian Association and TWRI.
The Geronimo and Alligator creeks watershed is the focus of watershed planning efforts by stakeholders. “Stakeholders recognize successful implementation of a watershed protection plan requires implementing a variety of management strategies, said Evgenia Spears, Geronimo and Alligator creeks watershed coordinator. “The riparian and stream workshop is an educational event supporting this effort.”
Lucas Gregory, TWRI associate director, College Station, said the workshop will focus on the nature and function of stream and riparian zones as well as the benefits and economic impacts from properly functioning riparian systems.
“Riparian areas – the green vegetated land area adjacent to the bank of a stream, creek, bayou, river or lake – are unique and important ecosystems that provide many benefits including habitat and forage,” Gregory said. “The goal of the workshop is for participants to better understand riparian and watershed processes, the benefits of healthy riparian areas and what resources are available to prevent degradation while improving water quality.”
Workshop presentations will be given by representatives of the Texas A&M Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas Water Resources Institute, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, AgriLife Extension, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Riparian Association.
All attendees must RSVP by March 1, 2022. RSVP online or by email to LFGregory@ag.tamu.edu. The program will include a lunchtime presentation, so a catered lunch is being offered for $15 or you may select to bring your own lunch. This fee also helps cover the coffee, tea, crackers and cookie snack breaks.
Gregory said they are able to offer the workshop without cost thanks to program funding provided through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Travis Franke, AgriLife Extension agent for Guadalupe County, said participants will receive a certificate of completion and appropriate continuing education unit certificates at the conclusion of the training.
The workshop offers many types of continuing education units, including three units — two general and one integrated pest management — for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders. Foresters and professional loggers can receive six hours from the Texas Forestry Association and six hours from the Society of American Foresters. It offers seven credits from Texas Floodplain Management Association, seven hours for Certified Crop Advisors, seven hours from the Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying and six hours for Texas Nutrient Management Planning specialists. The program may also be used for continuing education units for professional engineers.
The riparian education program is managed by the Texas Water Resources Institute, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.
For more information, contact Gregory or visit http://texasriparian.org or go to Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TexasRiparianAssociation.
