Water quality training to focus on Angelina River

A Texas Watershed Steward Workshop on water quality issues related to the Angelina River will be held.
 
The no-cost training is open to anyone interested in improving water quality in the Nacogdoches region, said program coordinators. Participants are encouraged to preregister at the Texas Watershed Steward website at http://tws.tamu.edu. 
 
The workshop is presented by AgriLife Extension and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board in coordination with the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Community Based Organization.
 
A light lunch will be provided by the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers CBO.
 
“The workshop is designed to help watershed residents improve and protect their water resources by becoming involved in local watershed protection and management activities,” said Galen Roberts, AgriLife Extension program specialist and coordinator for the Texas Watershed Steward Program.
 
Roberts 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 the Angelina River, including current efforts to help improve and protect water in the area.
 
The training will include a discussion of watershed systems, types and sources of water pollution, and ways to improve and protect water quality. There also will be a group discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management.

“The Angelina River is an important resource for the area” said Jamie Sugg, AgriLife Extension Agent for Nacogdoches County. “The river is a part of the urban and rural character of this region. It is a source of water for municipal supply, agriculture, fishing, recreational activities and wildlife habitat.”  

Sugg said he wants to encourage stakeholders to attend the workshop and to become more engaged in water quality improvement efforts.
 
Along with the free training, participants receive a free copy of the Texas Watershed Steward Handbook and a certificate of completion. The program also offers four continuing education units in soil and water management for certified crop advisors, four units for professional engineers and certified planners, and four continuing education credits for certified teachers. It also offers three general continuing education units for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders, four for certified landscape architects and three for certified floodplain managers.
 
“Participating in the Texas Watershed Steward program is a great opportunity to get involved and make a difference in your watershed,” Roberts said.

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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