October 2018 Workshop
Riparian and Stream Ecosystems Workshop - Free!
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 4:000 p.m.
Lampasas County Farm Bureau (Map)
1793 US HWY 281, Lampasas, TX 76556
This workshop is being co-hosted by the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership, the Hill Country SWCD #534, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Lampasas County, and the Texas Water Resources Institute. The training will focus on the nature and function of stream and riparian zones and the benefits and direct impacts from healthy riparian zones. The program will cover an introduction to riparian principles, watershed processes, basic hydrology, erosion/deposition principles, and riparian vegetation, as well as potential causes of degradation and possible resulting impairment(s), and available local resources including technical assistance and tools that can be employed to prevent and/or resolve degradation.
The Lampasas River above Stillhouse Hollow Lake was identified for watershed protection plan development due to concerns about elevated levels of bacteria, as reported in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s 2002 Texas Water Quality Inventory. Both Sulphur Creek and North Fork Rocky Creek have also been identified as having a dissolved oxygen concern. The Lampasas River watershed includes parts of Mills, Hamilton, Lampasas, Coryell, Burnet, Bell and Williamson counties. The surrounding land mainly supports rural and agricultural uses, but rapid urbanization is occurring in portions of the watershed, causing increased concerns to protect the river. The Lampasas River Watershed Partnership identified degradation to riparian areas as a concern in the plan, which prompted the need for educational programs such as this riparian workshop.
These one-day trainings in watersheds across the state include both indoor classroom presentations and outdoor stream walks. Instructors are experts from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M Natural Resource Institute,Texas A&M AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension.
The goal is for participants to better understand and relate to riparian and watershed processes, the benefits that healthy riparian areas provide, and the tools that can be employed to prevent and/or resolve degradation and improve water quality. At the conclusion of the training, participants will receive a certificate of completion.
Continuing Education Units Available:
- Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicators License – 3 CEUs
- Texas Water Resources Institute – 1 CEU
- Texas Nutrient Management Planning Specialists – 6 hours
- Texas Floodplain Management Association – 7 CECs
- Certified Crop Advisor- 7 CEUs (Nutrient Mgmt: 1, Soil & Water: 1.5, IPM: 1.5, Crop Mgmt: 2.5, Manure Mgmt: 0.5) (NEW)
- Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying – 7 hours (NEW)
- Texas Board of Architectural Examiners “Acceptable for HSW credit”
- The program may also be used for CEUs for Professional Engineers.
- Check with your Chapter for Master Naturalist and Master Gardener to see if it is approved for your area.
RSVP is required by October 18, 2018. RSVP online through the marketplace at https://secure.touchnet.com/C21490_ustores/web/classic/store_main.jsp?STOREID=533 or by email to clare.entwistle@ag.tamu.edu. This workshop is free because the program is funded through a Clean Water Act grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
A catered lunch sponsored by the Hill Country SWCD #534 is available for participants including Subway sandwich trays, chips, cookies, and ice tea or participants may select to bring their own lunch. Dress is casual and comfortable for the weather as we will be outside along the river during the afternoon.
For more information or questions, please contact Clare Entwistle at 210-277-0292 x205 or clare.entwistle@ag.tamu.edu