Chapter Meeting

Summary:  During this presentation, Alenka Cardenas, Wetland Outreach Coordinator at Bayou City Waterkeeper, will provide an in-depth overview of the 5 Critical Wetland Areas, highlighting their significance and current conservation efforts. Attendees will also be introduced to the Wetland Watch Hub, an innovative platform designed to engage the community in wetland conservation.  Alenka Cardenas is the Wetland Outreach Coordinator at Bayou City Waterkeeper, joining the organization in September 2023. With a Master of Arts in Public Policy from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, she brings extensive expertise in wetland conservation and environmental justice.

Key features of the Wetland Watch Hub include:

• -Wetland Mapper: A tool that enables community members to visually locate wetlands and waterways in their vicinity, fostering greater awareness and understanding of local wetland ecosystems.
• -Wetland Watch Survey: A participatory survey that allows community members to actively monitor and report on the condition of wetlands in their area, contributing to ongoing conservation efforts.

The presentation aims to equip Master Naturalists with the knowledge and tools necessary to support wetland conservation and engage in proactive environmental stewardship within their communities.