RANCHING Business
education credit, Kuitu says. Workshops can run a full day or
half a day, and address both general water resource issues and those spe- cifi c to the local watershed. The course begins by covering watershed basics and then discusses point and nonpoint sources of pollution, water quality testing and management strategies, among other topics. Members of the community who are involved in local watershed protection and manage- ment speak about watershed protec- tion efforts. The success of TWS is apparent.
The program conducts pre- and post- assessments during the workshop, which have shown a 30 to 33 percent increase in knowledge related to wa- tershed issues. Follow-up evaluations conducted 6
For more information, visit
texasriparian.org and click on “Riparian Program” in the black navigation bar.
Texas Watershed Steward A vital part of watershed protection and manage-
ment includes the participation and education of the watershed’s stakeholders. The Texas Watershed Steward (TWS) program aims to do that by hosting events and workshops that provide communities with the knowl- edge necessary for active engagement in the protection and restoration of their watershed. The program was developed through a partnership
between AgriLife Extension and TSSWCB, and TWS has conducted 71 workshops throughout the state since its fi rst workshop in December 2007. The critical need for proper education on watershed issues was the primary reason for TWS’s genesis, says Michael Kuitu, program coordinator for TWS. Members of the community are sometimes unaware of what is needed to protect their watershed, or even why that watershed is impaired. TWS targets areas that have either ongoing or up-
coming watershed projects, according to Kuitu. Work- shops coincide with efforts such as TMDLs or WPPs. The events are open to anyone interested, from agricul- tural producers to homeowners, and offers continuing
84 The Cattleman September 2015
months after the workshop indicate that participants begin to implement some of the practices they learn, in- cluding soil testing. Kuitu says that this illustrates the practical signifi -
cance of TWS and the impact it has had on those watersheds where the program has been delivered. “Often times just a simple change in behavior can have a positive impact on water quality, so education is a crucial component of any water quality improvement or management strategy,” Kuitu says. For more information on Texas Water Steward, visit
tws.tamu.edu.
Center for Private Land Stewardship The Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Re-
sources, in partnership with the East Foundation and the Samuel Roberts Nobles Foundation, established a Center for Private Land Stewardship in February 2015. The center is designed as the hub of education for pri- vate landowners and the public. It delivers experiential fi eld learning, extension and outreach programs on the critical role of private lands and land stewardship. For information on the center, visit landstewardship-
center.org.
For more information on other education opportuni-
ties, visit the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service website at
http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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