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A free Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Education Program will be held on Oct. 28 in Wimberley, hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI), Hays County and the Texas Riparian Association.
The program, designed for area residents interested in land and water stewardship in the Cypress Creek and Blanco River watersheds, will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The morning session will take place at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Road 12. The afternoon session will include a walk and presentations along Cypress Creek.
“Riparian education workshops motivate informed landowners and residents to adopt and support practices to manage riparian and stream ecosystems better,” said Alexander Neal, TWRI program specialist, College Station. “Not only are water quality and quantity directly benefited by the proper management, protection and restoration of these critical areas, but also enhanced are the soundness of stream banks, fish communities and aquatic habitats, just to name a few.”
Water quality improvement efforts by stakeholders in the Cypress Creek and Blanco River watersheds are the focus.
“Stakeholders recognizing successful water quality improvement requires implementing a variety of management strategies,” said Jonas Rosenthal, Hays County watershed coordinator, San Marcos. “The riparian and stream workshop is an educational event supporting this effort.”
Neal said the workshop will outline the nature and function of stream and riparian zones as well as the benefits and economic impacts of properly functioning riparian systems.
“Riparian areas – the green vegetated land areas 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,” Neal said. “The goal of the workshop is for participants to understand better 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 TWRI, the 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.
The workshop is free thanks to program funding provided through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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