Natalie Anderson Teaches 4th Graders at Kids, Kows, & More

Natalie Anderson (Starr Co.) teaches local 4th graders about the effects of runoff at Kids, Kows, and More. Natalie demonstrated a model with two types of land settings (grass covered and bare soil) to demonstrate how grass acts as a natural filter to erosion and sediments getting into our lakes and streams. Great idea Natalie!

Small scale rainfall simulators used to show the impact of vegetative cover on soil erosion.

Natalie sets up education booth at Kids, Kows, & More. Nice poster Natalie!

Water Ambassador Retreat a Time for Fellowship, Fun, & Learning

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 4-H Water Ambassadors Retreat in Brownwood October 26-28! The purpose of the retreat was to connect Tier I and Tier II water ambassadors, and to highlight many different water activities, games, and resources available for use in schools, county fairs, and other venues. Here are some pics of our time together ... Videos are available on our Facebook page.

4-H Water Ambassadors: Brentton Jenkins, Hayden Holder, Gerardo Garcia, Jovana Pena, Brayden DeBorde, Molly McKinney, Maggie Garcia, Sehrsha Glover, Annika Stevens, Marlys Baldwin, Alfonso Islas, Jr., John Philip Jones, Kaleb Herfurth, Bailey Halbert, Tyann Phillips, Natalie Anderson, Noah Huffman, Isaiah Losoya, and Hunter Lawrence. 

Mr. Charles Swanson (Extension Program Specialist) demonstrates how drones can detect water leaks in pipes and canals.

Discussion of how to reserve and teach with the Texas A&M AgriLife Stream Trailer.

Ambassadors learn how to clean dirty water using electricity.

Mr. Swanson discusses outdoor water conservation strategies.

John Philip Jones demonstrates how to teach "How much water is in your pizza?"

Ambassadors playing Texas Washout, a new water trivia game.

Jovana Pena demonstrates how to build and play on-line water trivia using Kahoot!

Yes, I am a very old Mr. Incredible!

Understandably, there were several water ambassadors who could not attend due to previous activities and scheduling conflicts. In the coming weeks, I will add blog posts and send emails highlighting some of the education activities and resources we covered. 

David

Brentton Jenkins Educates Elementary Students about Water

Brentton Jenkins (Harrison Co.) taught elementary students about Texas aquifers using the aquifer-in-a-cup activity. He also taught students about the water cycle and importance of recycling. Great job Brentton!

Brentton talks about using mono-filament tubes to recycle fishing line.

Water activities table.

Brentton helps students make their own aquifer in a cup.

Hands-on activities reinforce water concepts.

Brentton Jenkins Participates in Greater Caddo Lake Association BBQ

Brentton Jenkins (Harrison Co.) recently set up an education station at the Greater Caddo Lake Association Bar-B-Que. Brentton talked about his 4-H Water Ambassador experience and also discussed the use of mono-filament tubes and how they can be used to recycle fishing line.

Greater Caddo Lake Association Bar-b-que.

Brentton Jenkins shares his experience as 4-H Water Ambassador.

Carson Manning Tests Water Quality at Woman Hollering Creek

Carson Manning (Guadalupe Co.) began a long-term study of the water quality in Woman Hollering Creek, a tributary located between Sequin and San Antonio. The tributary runs through the property of Reagan Rawe, a friend of the family. In the future, treated wastewater is planned to be released in the tributary upstream. Carson plans to conduct routine monitoring of the water to detect any change in quality. Great project Carson!

Carson Manning and David Smith measuring air temperature at time of sampling.

Carson Manning testing dissolved oxygen.

Using Texas Stream Team datasheet to record measurements.

4-H Water Ambassadors Represent at Brazos County Fair

Thanks to Bailey Halbert (Brazos Co.) & Annika Stevens (Leon Co.) for volunteering at Brazos Valley Fair October 19-21! Leon County 4-H members Cole Rapolee and Zoie Stevens also assisted. Thanks also to Megan Haas (Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District) for helping out as well with manning the booth and providing the Water Jeopardy game. The City of College Station donated give-a-way items such as rain gauges and stickers.

Bailey Halbert (Brazos Co) plays Water Jeopardy game with fair participants.

Annika Stevens (Leon Co.) demonstrates Enviroscape model and talks about watershed protection.

Brentton Jenkins brings Water Education to Fire Ant Festival

For his One-day 4-H project, Brentton Jenkins (Harrison Co.) set up a water education booth at the local Fire Ant Festival. Brentton's poster and demonstrations focused on the importance of recycling bottles, cans, and mono-filament line. He also shared information about the 4-H Water Ambassador Program and had a demonstration called "All the water in the world" which showed how water was distributed across the planet in the oceans, ice caps, lakes and rivers. This is a simple, yet effective way to demonstrate that while we may have a lot of water in the world, very little is drinkable!

Way to go Brentton!

Brentton demonstrates where water is distributed throughout our planet.

Brentton talks with kids about the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program.

Brentton talks about the value of recycling to improve water quality.

Marlys Baldwin Participates in Kids Day in the Garden

Marlys Baldwin (Comal Co.) recently educated youth at the "Kids Day in the Garden" event in Comal County. Marlys designed a presentation board with lots of information about water. She talked about how we can use rain barrels for the garden, and discussed with kids and adults the water cycle, where we get our water from, and home water conservation. Marlys also provided the kids blank water cycle pages for them to color. Way to have something for all ages - very creative Marlys!

Marlys has water information for all ages.

Marlys demonstrates how to use rain barrels in the garden.

Marlys' poster contains lots of information and talking points.

John Philip Jones Presents to Waller Co. Commissioners Court

John Philip Jones (Waller Co.) recently provided an update of the Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors Program at the meeting of Waller County Commissioners Court. JP provided highlights and developments of the Program as well as our goals moving forward. Thanks JP for being a strong advocate for 4-H and the Water Ambassadors Program.

In Texas, the commissioners court is the governing body in a county and consists of five members: the county judge and four commissioners. Each commissioner represents a different area in the county, or precinct. County commissioners are often charged with overseeing county roads and bridges, as well as other county services such as solid wastes and parks.

I encourage you to attend your County Commissioners Court meeting and learn more about what they do!

JP discusses the progress and goals of 4-H Water Ambassadors Program.

JP meets with Waller County Commissioners.

SOCOP Provides Service Opportunities for 4-H Water Ambassadors

The Southern Ogallala Conservation & Outreach Program (SOCOP) was created in 2007 as an education cooperative serving Gaines, Terry, and Yoakum Counties in west Texas. Their mission is "Educating communities today to save water tomorrow!" SOCOP's Education Coordinator Michelle Cooper provides education to kids and adults throughout their service region with funding provided by South Plains UWCD, Llano Estacado UWCD, and Sandland UWCD.

In addition to being a sponsor of the Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors Program, SOCOP has been very supportive of water ambassadors Macy Downs and Riley Calk, providing several opportunities for these ladies to get involved in water education activities. Recently Macy and Riley worked with Ms. Cooper at the Yoakum County Conservation Jamboree, where they educated local 5th graders using SOCOP's water education trailer.

I encourage you to seek out those in your communities who do water/natural resource education, and offer your assistance. This is a fantastic way to learn more about water and develop your leadership and presentation skills along the way!

Riley Calk and Macy Downs assist SOCOP with water education at Yoakum County Conservation Jamboree.

Riley and Macy have also promoted water conservation in their local schools. They placed "turn off the tap" stickers on all bathroom mirrors at Denver City elementary and primary schools. This is a fantastic idea. Free stickers are available through Texas Commission Environmental Quality's Take Care of Texas web site http://takecareoftexas.org/publications.

Riley and Macy post stickers in school bathroom mirrors.

Texas A&M AgriLife Stream Trailer Great Tool for Water Education

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has about 6 stream trailers available for checkout by Extension Agents across the State. These are great demonstration tools, especially for fourth and fifth graders learning about erosion and deposition. The problem is that these trailers are often in high demand by Extension Agents and availability can be limited. If you have an event where the stream trailer might be appropriate, I would highly recommend checking with your agent to see if one near you is available and if so, reserve it.

John Philip Jones demonstrating the stream trailer at Waller County Ag Day, 2017.

A common question I get is ... "can I or my parent pick it up", since the trailer may be parked some distance from where you are. The answer is ... it must be transported by an Extension employee in a State vehicle. That means that either your agent, or someone employed by Extension must transport it. Since I fit both conditions, I am sometimes available to help transport as well.

Operating the stream trailer is not difficult, but it does take a little bit of training. Those of you participating in this month's retreat in Brownwood will get this training. I will demonstrate how to set it up and operate it. I will also talk about the different lessons you can teach.

Today I posted the Stream Trailer Guide under "Important Links" on the blog. The guide will discuss trailer transportation, setup, operation, and maintenance, and also includes lessons and scripts that you can use. I strongly encourage everyone to download this and read through it if you plan to use the trailer at any time.

Cheers,

David

Bailey Halbert Presents 4-H2O Leadership Academy Experience at Local 4-H Club

Bailey Halbert (Brazos Co.) recently played the Tier I 4-H2O Leadership Academy highlights video and shared her experience for her 4-H club. The video is about 13 minutes long and contains pictures and video clips of our tour stops this summer. This is a great way to engage the audience as you tell about where you went and what you learned along the way. Links to the YouTube video and a downloadable video format are listed under 'Important Links' on this blog.

Bailey has been actively seeking water education and service opportunities in Brazos County. She has met with the education coordinator with Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, has attended a recent urban stream restoration workshop, is collaborating with Brazos County Fair to have a water education booth, and has reached out to other 4-H clubs in the county to do presentations.

Great work Bailey!

Bailey Halbert presenting to the 'Runtin'-n-Gruntin' 4-H club in Bryan.

Bailey Halbert discusses the Tier I 4-H2O Leadership Academy with local 4-Hers.

Tyann Phillips Present on Water Pollution at Floyd County Ag Day

Tyann Phillips (Floyd County) gave a presentation for third graders at the Floyd County Ag Day. Tyann talked about water pollution and led a hands-on activity for students which demonstrated different ways to clean dirty water. Nice work Tyann!

Tyann Phillip demonstrates how to filter polluted water with Floyd County third grader.

Tyann Phillips gives presentation about water pollution.

Carson Manning Talks Water at National Night Out

Carson Manning used the occasion of National Night Out to talk to community members about his Texas 4-H Water Ambassador experience. He set up a poster display and also met with Gilbert Salas, Director of Pubic Works, in Kirby who agreed to allow Carson to test city water wells for his research. Great to see that Carson used this occasion to connect with his local community!

Carson Manning at his National Night Out booth.

Carson Manning talks with Gilbert Salas, Kirby Director of Public Works.

Brentton Jenkins Participates in Panola Co. Education Events

Kuddos to Brentton Jenkins (Harrison Co.) who represented the Texas 4-H Water Ambassador Program at two recent events in his region!

'Well Educated' Training

On September 25 Brentton participated and provided a helping hand at the 'Well Educated" training conducted by the Texas Water Resources Institute's Texas Well Owner Network. The Program was sponsored by the Panola Soil & Water Conservation District and Panola County Groundwater District.

In addition to learning about such topics as Texas groundwater resources, septic system maintenance, well maintenance and construction, and water quality and treatment, Brentton helped staff test water samples that participants brought from their wells. He tested water samples for nitrates, pH, and total dissolved solids.

Brentton Jenkins learns about groundwater, septic systems, and water treatment. 

Brentton Jenkins helps training staff with well water quality testing.

Wildlife Seminar

On September 27, Brentton setup up a booth at the Panola/Harrison Wildlife Seminar in Carthage. He shared information about the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program and talked about mono-filament recycling tubes.

Brentton Jenkins talks about the Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors Program.

Great job Brentton!