Bailey Halbert Wades Deep into Stream Restoration

Bailey Halbert (Brazos Co.) recently had the opportunity to take the "Urban Riparian and Stream Restoration Training" in Bryan. This one-day course was hosted by the Texas Water Resources Institute and featured in-depth instruction on how to classify streams, stream processes, water quality protection, as well as surveying and substrate analysis. Bailey had this to say about her experience ...

"This workshop was very informative and interesting. Topics addressed during this event included stream classification, restoration, and field analysis. One of the most critical conditions of Texas streams and rivers is erosion. Over time, erosion drastically changes the way streams and rivers flow. Erosion causes the rivers and streams to widen and become exposed to more sediments, ultimately deteriorating their banks. An easy way to prevent erosion is to transplant grown trees and other plants with deep roots along the banks.

Nearly all of the information from this workshop was new to me. One of my favorite learning experiences was surveying land to measure the condition of a stream. We used a number of different instruments to calculate the stream condition. I also enjoyed learning about the different types of rivers. Some forms of rivers are a result of eroded versions of a different types of rivers. There are several subjects I can take away from this experience and explain to others. I could teach others about different problems facing Texas streams and rivers, including erosion, pollution, and heavy trafficking."

Measuring stream width and collecting substrate samples.

Bailey measuring and recording rock size distribution.

Surveying stream to create depth profile.

Bailey presented with Urban Riparian and Stream Restoration Program Certificate.

Read and Dague Present at Bell County Water Symposium

Each year, our sponsor Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District host a full-day Bell County Water Symposium in Killeen. This year, the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program was invited to talk about the status of the Program and future plans. Kolby Dague and Luke Read (Bell Co.) did a fantastic job presenting highlights of the Tier I and Tier II 4-H2O Leadership Academies! We also had an exhibit booth where they passed out information about the Program.

Luke Read gives highlights of Tier I 4-H2O Leadership Academy.

Kolby Dague discusses the Tier II 4-H2O Leadership Academy experience.

Luke, Kolby, and David pictured with Whitney Grantham (Bell Co. Extension Agent)

Stevens and Ramthun Participate in Franklin ISD STEAM Night

Each fall, Franklin ISD hosts a STEAM Night to encourage student interests in STEAM fields. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. This year, Annika Stevens (Leon Co.) and Gabriel Ramthun (Milam Co.) help demonstrate the water cycle and stream table to approximately 500 youth and adults! We also showed how to clean up polluted water using electricity and polymers.

Annika Stevens ready for the crowd!

Jones and Islas Participate at The Future of Rural Texas Expo

The Future of Rural Texas Expo, held on the Texas A&M University - College Station campus, featured panel discussions on the most pressing issues facing rural communities across Texas. Lawmakers, advocates, and local officials explored the future of rural education, health care, natural resource preservation and infrastructure investment, and we explored the political climate in rural Texas and the state's economic future. Much of the focus was on water!

The Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors Program had an exhibit at the Expo. Thanks to John Philip Jones (Waller Co.) and Alfonso Islas (Nolan Co.) who participated in the event!

John Phillip shares information about the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program.

Stevens Presents at Leon County Ag Fair

Annika Steven (Leon Co.) recently assisted Mr. David Bailey (Mid East Texas Groundwater Conservation District) by presenting to local fourth graders about water conservation and aquifers. Kuddos Annika for partnering with your local water professionals! This is a terrific way to learn what they do for the water industry, and a good way to get ideas for how to teach others.

Annika Stevens assists Mr. David Bailey (Mid East Texas GCD) teach local 4th graders about water.

Groundwater districts are eager to teach others about the importance of this limited resource.

Glover & Childers Exhibit at Dublin Farmers Market

Sehrsha Glover and Myla Childers (Erath Co.) set up an water education booth at Dublin Farmers Market. The talked about water conservation, the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program, as well as shared information about our sponsor Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.

Farmer's markets are a great opportunity to share information about water! I encourage all of you to seek out those in your area and get involved. Great job ladies!

Sehrsha Glover and Myla Childers exhibit at Dublin Farmers Market.

Thanks to our sponsor Middle Trinity GCD for all of their support!

Losoya & Huffman Update Hickory UWCD No. 1 on 4-H Water Ambassador Experience

Isaiah Losoya & Noah Huffman (McCullough Co.) presented to board members of sponsor Hickory Underground Water Conservation District No. 1. They spoke about the summer 4-H2O Leadership Academy and what they have learned thus far. They also discussed their educational booth at the World Championship Goat Cook-off in Brady and the importance of teaching children about water conservation. Great job men!

Isaiah and Noah pictured with Hickory UWCD No. 1 Board.

Isaiah and Noah discuss their experiences with the 4-H Water Ambassador Program.

Isaiah Losoya & Noah Huffman represent McCullough Co.

Brayden DeBorde Leads Water Education in Ellis & Johnson County

Brayden DeBorde (Ellis Co.) has been very active in the last couple months, educating 4-Hers in Ellis and Johnson Counties about water. He has led water games and shared information about the Water Ambassadors Program. Great job Brayden!

Brayden DeBorde presents to Ellis Co. 4-Hers and parents.

Brayden DeBorde presents to Ellis Co. 4-Hers and parents.

Brayden DeBorde plays water conservation game with Johnson Co. 4-Hers.

Brayden DeBorde presents his water ambassador project to Ellis Co. 4-Hers.

New - Optional Assignment Worth Up to 3 Hours Service Credit

The Fall 2018 issue of tx:H2O released by the Texas Water Resources Institute is an in-depth look at the Ogallala Aquifer. Included is a brief history of the rise of irrigated agriculture and a look towards the future with declining aquifer levels in many parts of the Ogallala region.

Texas Water Resources Institute publication.

Link to downloadable publication:
http://twri.tamu.edu/media/701274/txh2o_fall2018-weboptm.pdf

Optional Assignment:

Read articles and complete the following quizzes.

Ogallala Aquifer Study (Part 1 of 2) - worth 1.5 hours credit
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5QZR5RH

Ogallala Aquifer Study (Part 2 of 2) - worth 1.5 hours credit
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5WCL7MG

Water Cycle "Fundana" Great Tool for Educating 3rd - 5th Grade Students

During the recent retreat in Brownwood, participants were given a plastic container containing (5) water cycle fundanas (large bandanas), (10) dice, and an instruction/answer sheet. The bandana (pictured here) includes a graphical representation of the water cycle and its components. 

The way you use these is to first divide the group of students into smaller groups of 3 or 4. (Each box will have (5) bandanas.) One bandana and two die is given to each group. To start, the group will decide who goes first. Each person will toss one dice until questions 1-6 are answered. After questions 1-6 are answered, then each person will toss two die for questions 7-12. Feel free to add rules or conditions as you wish to make the game more interesting. The purpose of this is activity is to have students, through repetition, understand the processes and components of the water cycle. This is a fun and effective activity for 3rd - 5th graders.

If you did not participate in the retreat and are interested in having this as part of your water ambassador toolbox, just send me an email and I can send this too you as well as the answer sheet.

David

Elyssa Rodriguez Presents to Agriculture Class

Elyssa Rodriguez (Hidalgo Co.) recently gave a presentation to her Agriculture class on the difference between surface water and groundwater rights, desalination methods, rainfall harvesting, and the numerous career opportunities in the water industry. Great topics Elyssa!

Elyssa discusses career opportunities in the water industry.