JUNCTION –The Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Education Program will present a workshop relating to the Upper Llano River watershed from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. Oct. 16 in Junction, said Nikki Dictson, Texas Water Resources Institute program specialist and coordinator.
A riparian and stream ecosystem management workshop will be held Oct. 16 at the Texas Tech University Llano River Field Station, located at 254 Red Raider Lane in Junction. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Tom Arsuffi)
The free educational program on how streams function and the role of vegetation in properly functioning stream systems will be at Texas Tech University’s Llano River Field Station, 254 Red Raider Lane.
Dictson said the workshop will include indoor classroom presentations in the morning, while the afternoon will include a field visit to stream sites.
The workshop will include presentations by representatives from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas A&M Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and Texas Tech University.
“Riparian education programs like this lead to informed landowners and members of the public more inclined to use practices that improve the management of riparian and stream ecosystems,” Dictson said.
A riparian zone is the land area adjacent to the bank of a stream, creek, river or lake, she explained.
“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, communities and more.”
“Surface water in the Llano River is a critical source of water in the area,” said Dr. Tom Arsuffi, director of the Llano River Field Station. “The Upper Llano River Watershed Protection Plan aims to address potential threats before they become a problem, thus making sure the watershed remains healthy.”
“The workshop is an educational event to support the watershed protection effort,” said Sam Silvers, AgriLife Extension agent for Kimble County.
A catered lunch is available for $10 cash at the door, but an RSVP is required to have an accurate count. Participants must RSVP by Oct. 11 by contacting Dictson at 979-458-5915 or n-dictson@tamu.edu, or go online to http://naturalresourcestraining.tamu.edu/schedule.
The workshop offers seven types of continuing education units including three units— two general and one integrated pest management — for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders. It offers one unit from the Texas Water Resources Institute, six hours for Texas Nutrient Management Planning specialists, six hours from the Texas Forestry Association, and 4.5 hours from the Society of American Foresters. The program is acceptable for health, safety and welfare credit from the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and may also be used for continuing education units for professional engineers.
The 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. 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.
For more information, contact Dictson or visit texasriparian.org.
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