As a statewide organization, Texas Stream Team partners and coordinators have extensive scientific and volunteer water quality monitoring knowledge. While we may be separated by geography and organizational mission, one central theme ties us together – improving water resources and quality of life through improved decisions, education and environmental data collection. 

 

 

Agenda

 

9:00am             Sign-in, meet and greet

 

9:30                 Welcome and participant introductions                                     

 

    Program update:

Watershed education
Water quality monitoring
New data viewer (complete in 2010)
Two-year planning horizon (2010 volunteer recognition and 2011 MOM)
TMDL and WPP Projects

 

                        Program sharing: We want to hear from you! Partners provide an overview of activities, constituents, challenges, successes, innovative technologies, program needs, organizational needs.

 

12:00 pm          Lunch - Dianne Wassenich, San Marcos River Foundation

 

                        Program Sharing continued:

Care and feeding of volunteers – roundtable discussion; how to keep kits accessible; partner FAQ;

Volunteer attrition (led by Colorado River Watch Network)

New monitoring parameters (transparency tube demonstration outside)

Curriculum development (bacteria, sediment)

Reducing pollution loads through citizen monitoring

 

3:00                 Glass bottom boat rides on your own (tours last ½ hour)

 

Will host Land, Water, People 2009 on November 16-18, 2009 at the San Marcos Conference Center.

In a program of over 75 expert presenters and workshop facilitators, we will explore the potential to more effectively manage and protect water resources, on both a local and regional scale, through applications to these important interfaces within watershed and community dynamics:

• Natural Systems Interface

• Natural and Human Systems Interface

• People to People Interface

As part of recognizing these interfaces,  we will examine the dynamics within four ecological interface zones;

land to water - riparian zone - coastal - groundwater/surface water

and define the role of their ecosystem functions within watershed dynamics and the benefits of those functions to social and economic systems.    As we identify the importance of these interfaces,  we will identify the tools and approaches that promote and support collaboration between institutions and communities in order to more effectively manage  water and other natural resources within our watersheds.

Don’t miss this opportunity to network and collaborate on these important watershed topics!

As part of program activities, an education and outreach forum will be offered on the 18th. This workshop will highlight various outreach and eduction programs available through state and local agencies and non-profits to outreach program personel, teachers, and citizens. These programs cover a diversity of ecosystems from freshwater streams, to springs, to coastals systems and provide a variety of activities to engage both youth and citizens in watershed stewardship.