November 8, 2017
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Washington County Fairgrounds- Sales Facility
1305 E. Blue Bell Rd
Brenham, TX 77833 (map)
This workshop is being co-hosted by the Mill Creek Watershed Partnership, The AgriLife Extension Office in Washington 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 riparian education programs 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.
Mill Creek, a 14-mile stream in Southeast Texas that flows in the Brazos River, is the focus of watershed planning efforts by stakeholders. Jennifer Cary, Mill Creek Watershed Coordinator, is facilitating implementation of the watershed protection plan that requires implementing a variety of management strategies. The riparian and stream workshop is an educational event supporting this effort.
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, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
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.
RSVP is required by Oct. 26, 2017 and 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 is also being provided free for participants or participants may opt to bring their own lunch.
Dress is casual and comfortable for the weather as we will be outside at the creek during the afternoon.
For more information or questions, please contact Nikki Dictson at 979-575-4424 or n-dictson@tamu.edu.