LEWISVILLE – A Texas Watershed Steward workshop addressing water quality issues related to the Lewisville Lake watershed will be held from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Upper Trinity Regional Water District, 900 N. Kealy Avenue in Lewisville.
There is no cost for the workshop and seating is limited, so participants are encouraged to preregister at http://tws.tamu.edu.
The Texas Watershed Steward program is sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board in coordination with the Upper Trinity Regional Water District and the city of Denton.
“The training is open to anyone interested in improving water quality in Lewisville Lake,” said Janet Laminack, AgriLife Extension agent, Denton County. “The training is designed to help watershed residents improve and protect their water resources by becoming involved in local watershed protection and management activities.”
Laminack said the workshop will include an overview of water quality and watershed management in Texas, but will primarily focus on water quality issues relating to Lewisville Lake, including current efforts related to improve it.
The training will include discussion of watershed systems, types and sources of water pollution, and ways to improve and protect water quality. There also will be discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management.
Efforts are aimed at reducing pollutant levels in the watershed through working with local residents and property owners to implement best management practices.
“Along with free training, participants will receive a copy of the Texas Watershed Steward Handbook and a certificate of completion,” said Galen Roberts, program coordinator. “Participating in the Texas Watershed Steward program is a great opportunity to become involved in making a difference in the future of your watershed.”
The workshop is being held in support of the Upper Trinity Regional Water District’s coordinated program for protection of the Lewisville Lake watershed. Jason Pierce, the district’s manager of watershed and contract services, said each community has “a strategic opportunity to help preserve and protect natural features of the watershed, including creeks, flood plains, riparian areas, wetlands and greenbelts.”
“Pursuing a shared vision about watershed protection allows commnities to achieve better results, and to preserve and safeguard the quality of water resources and quality of life,” Pierce said.
More information can be found at http://www.utrwd.com/WatershedProtection.htm or by contacing Pierce at 972-291-1228 or jpierce@utrwd.com.
The Texas Watershed Steward program offers seven continuing education units in soil and water management for certified crop advisers, seven units for professional engineers and certified planners, and seven continuing education credits for certified teachers. It also offers three general continuing education units for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders, three for certified landscape architects and three for certified floodplain managers.
For more information and to pre-register, go to http://tws.tamu.edu or contact Roberts at 979-862-8070, groberts@ag.tamu.edu, or Laminack at 940-349-2887 or jelaminack@ag.tamu.edu .
For more information on watershed protection efforts for Lake Lewisville, contact Hunter at 940-349-7123, David.Hunter@cityofdenton.com .
The Texas Watershed Steward program is funded through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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