Riparian and stream ecosystem workshop set for Nov. 15 in Brady – AgriLife Today

The Texas Water Resources Institute to Host Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Education Program

The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) will be hosting a Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Education Program on November 15th in Brady. This program is designed for residents who are interested in land and water stewardship in the Brady Creek watershed.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Riparian Association, and TWRI are co-hosting this free workshop. A catered lunch will be provided for $15, or attendees may bring their own lunch.

Event Details

• Date: November 15th
• Time: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Heart of Texas Event Center, 804 San Angelo Highway

The morning session will take place at the event center, while the afternoon session will include a walk and presentations along Brady Creek. RSVP is required by November 6th and can be done online at tx.ag/brady2023 or by email to Alexander Neal, TWRI program specialist, Bryan-College Station, at Alexander.Neal@ag.tamu.edu.

Brady Creek Watershed Efforts

The Brady Creek watershed is the focus of water quality improvement efforts by stakeholders. These stakeholders recognize that successful water quality improvement requires implementing a variety of management strategies. The riparian and stream workshop is an educational event that supports this effort, according to Sarita Short, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in McCulloch County.

Alexander Neal, TWRI program specialist, stated that riparian education workshops aim to motivate informed landowners and local residents to adopt and support practices that better manage riparian and stream ecosystems. Proper management, protection, and restoration of these critical areas not only benefit water quality and quantity, but also enhance the soundness of stream banks, fish communities, and aquatic habitats.

Workshop Focus

The workshop will focus on the nature and function of stream and riparian zones, as well as the benefits and economic impacts of properly functioning riparian systems. Participants will gain a better understanding of riparian and watershed processes, the benefits of healthy riparian areas, and available resources for preventing degradation while improving water quality.

Presentations will be given by representatives from TWRI, the Upper Colorado River Authority, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, AgriLife Extension, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas A&M Forest Service, and the Texas Riparian Association.

The workshop is offered free of cost thanks to program funding provided through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Continuing Education Units

Participants will receive a certificate of completion and appropriate continuing education unit certificates at the conclusion of the training. The workshop offers various types of continuing education units, including

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed:

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
2. SDG 15: Life on Land

Targets Identified:

• Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
• Target 15.1: Ensure conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.

Indicators:

• Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.
• Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

The article discusses the Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Education Program, which focuses on land and water stewardship in the Brady Creek watershed. This directly relates to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) as it aims to improve water quality in the watershed. The program also highlights the importance of riparian areas, which are adjacent to streams and provide habitat and forage. This connects to SDG 15 (Life on Land) as it emphasizes the conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.

Based on the content of the article, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 6.3 (Improve water quality by reducing pollution) and Target 15.1 (Ensure conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems). The article mentions stakeholders recognizing the need for water quality improvement strategies and the benefits of managing riparian areas properly.

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators, but there are indicators that can be inferred based on the targets. For Target 6.3, the indicator that can be used to measure progress is Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality. This indicator would assess the improvement in water quality in the Brady Creek watershed. For Target 15.1, the indicator that can be used is Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area. This indicator would measure the conservation and restoration of riparian areas and other terrestrial ecosystems.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: agrilifetoday.tamu.edu

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.