TEMPLE — On Jan. 22 and 23, the Texas Water Resources Institute will hold two events designed for water professionals at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 720 E. Blackland Road in Temple.
The institute is part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.
According to Nikki Dictson, AgriLife Extension program specialist for the institute, the programs have been developed for watershed coordinators and other water resource professionals.
The Jan. 22 event is a no-cost Texas Watershed Coordinator Roundtable meeting taking place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“These roundtables, held biannually, provide a forum for watershed coordinators where they can develop interactive solutions to common watershed issues faced throughout the state,” Dictson said.
Roundtable presenters include speakers from the institute, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Additionally, Amy Hays, Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, will present on the role of social media in conservation science, followed by a viewing of the film, “Watershed: Exploring a New Water Ethic for the New West.”
A catered lunch is available for $10 and vegetarian options will be available. RSVP is required, and participants may register at http://watershedplanning.tamu.edu/training/
The Jan. 23 event, “An Introduction to Modeling Training,” will be held at the center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $75.
“This training will provide an introduction on the variety of watershed models that can be used in watershed planning efforts, considerations when selecting models and procedures for implementing modeling in your watershed,” said Dr. Kevin Wagner, associate director of the institute.
Dr. R. Srinivasan, director of the Texas A&M University Spatial Sciences Laboratory, will talk on the purpose, limitations and different requirements of watershed models currently available.
Other sessions include speakers from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research.
“The course will conclude with a presentation on stakeholder communications and modeling,” Dictson said. “Bringing stakeholders to the table to understand the model, facilitating consensus, and approval of inputs and presenting modeling results to engage stakeholders in implementation is very important.”
Registration includes course materials, a catered lunch and a certificate of completion. One Texas Water Resources Institute continuing education unit will be provided upon course completion.
Participants may register for this training at http://watershedplanning.tamu.edu/training/as well, and more information on both programs is available at the website.
-30-