Carson Manning Gets Hands-on Experience with City of Kirby

Carson Manning (Guadalupe Co.) recently visited with Gilbert Salas, Director of Public Works for the City of Kirby to to get a behind-the-scenes look at city water wells and other water system infrastructure. Last October, Carson met Mr. Salas as he was exhibiting the Texas 4-H Water Ambassador Program at National Night Out. Carson also had the opportunity to take water samples and analyze them for chlorine to ensure that the water is properly disinfected.

Carson Manning visits with Mr. Gilbert Salas, City of Kirby.

Here's what Carson had to say about his experience ...

"The three most interesting things that I learned about were: 1) when the wells get contaminated, a contractor runs chlorine for 12-24 hours until it meets standards; 2) there is a generator that powers the water well in case of a power outage; and, 3) SAWS (San Antonio Water System) is one of the best water systems in the world.

As a Texas 4-H Water Ambassador, I learned that  the public works director has  a vast amount of responsibilities with his job. They have to keep the citizens safe with the chlorine level in the water and also meet the required guidelines set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. I found it very educational about the history of the city that not only I live in but my great grandparents, my grandparents and my parents grew up regarding the water wells and other various things the Director of Public Works Director shared with me. I highly encourage you to also reach out to your public works department where you live, and ask if they will give you the information that mine did."

Carson and Mr. Salas test and record chlorine levels in city water system.

Mr. Salas explains how water is pumped, stored and pressurized for municipal use.

4-H Water Ambassador Program Exhibits at Texas Ground Water Association Annual Convention

Several water ambassadors, including Marlys Baldwin (Comal Co.), Kaleb Herfurth (Guadalupe Co.), Rowdy Kunz (Colorado Co.), Isaiah Losoya and Noah Huffman (McCullough Co.), Tyann Phillips (Floyd Co.), Hayden Holder (Burnet Co.), and Molly McKinney (Bexar Co.), participated in the Texas Ground Water Association's Annual Meeting in San Marcos. We set up an exhibit and shared information about the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program.

The TGWA was founded in 1947 to promote, encourage, and support the interests and welfare of the water well industry.

Rowdy Kunz, Marlys Baldwin & Kaleb Herfurth

Kaleb Herfurth

Rowdy Kunz & Tyann Phillips

Noah Huffman, Isaiah Losoya, Molly McKinney & Hayden Holder

Isaiah Losoya & Hayden Holder

Isaiah Losoya, Molly McKinney, Tyann Phillips & Hayden Holder

Hayden Holder, Isaiah Losoya, Molly McKinney & Noah Huffman

Logan West Presents to Stockdale ISD After School Program Students

Logan West (Wilson Co.) talked about water conservation and what they could do to save Texas water with Stockdale ISD ACE students. ACE is an after school program. Logan used a post as a prop and prepared educational booklets to hand out to all students.

Way to go Logan!

Logan West shows location of Texas aquifers.

Logan West passes out water education booklets to after school program students.

Logan West Guest Speaker at Wilson County AgriLife Volunteer Luncheon

Logan West (Wilson Co.) was invited to present about his experience as 4-H Water Ambassadors at the Wilson County AgriLife Volunteer Luncheon. Logan talked about his leadership role to educate others about the value of water and how to conserve and protect it. I am sure Logan's presentation was motivational for attendees who so graciously give their time to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

Thanks Logan for stepping up to the plate!

Wilson County AgriLife Volunteer Luncheon.

Logan West shares his experience as 4-H Water Ambassador.

Brentton Jenkins Collaborating with Friends Lake of the Pines to Enhance Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

Making a difference in your community means getting involved. Brentton has a lot of interest in recycling old fishing line (mono-filament) in area lakes and rivers, so he made a poster and presentation to discuss the importance of this effort.

Recently Brentton Jenkins (Harrison County) learned of an opportunity through Facebook to participate to attend the 'Friends of Lake of the Pines Organization Project Meeting' and to share his interest with others. Here's what Brentton had to say about the event ...

"I met Mrs. Kristi Thomas and Mrs. Becky Rockwell, the initiators of the group. In the meeting they discussed the formation of a “Friends” group with the goal of revitalizing and enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities around Lake of the Pines. The well-attended meeting took place at the Corps of Engineers Project Office by the dam so they have the full support of the Rangers. They allowed me to set up my poster about mono-filament recycling and gave me time to speak about the project. I shared about my involvement in 4-H and in the Texas Brigades and how I became interested in this project. Both the attendees and the Rangers were interested in the project and had many questions I was able to answer. I learned that currently they do not have any tubes on the lake. The Rangers have my information and will contact me to discuss best locations to set up tubes."

As a 4-H Water Ambassador, be on the lookout for opportunities to partner with existing organizations that share your interest in conserving and protecting our water resources. This is a great way to make an impact in your community!

Brentton Jenkins participates in Friends of Lake of the Pines progress meeting.

Brentton Jenkins demonstrates educational poster for recycling mono-filament.

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENT - DUE BY MARCH 1, 2019

Each year the population in Texas increases by more than 1,000 people. This puts a major strain on our current water sources and makes the job of future water planning extremely difficult. One of the most challenging aspects of water planning is estimating just how much water is available from surface water and groundwater. Complex computer models attempt to simulate hydrologic processes to give us a picture of how much water is available under different scenarios. However, because surface water and groundwater are regulated and managed differently these computer models do not adequately account for the physical interaction between these two sources.

A recent Texas Water Journal article titled "Surface water-groundwater interaction issues in Texas" discusses why we should continue to improve the science in order to better manage this resource.

ASSIGNMENT

Your assignment is to read through the article and answer the quiz (parts 1 and 2). Complete this assignment to receive (4) hours toward your education/service requirement. Deadline for completing the assignment is March 1, 2019.

Click on the links below for more information. The Assignment Instructions will list all of the questions for the quiz. I suggest answering the questions in Microsoft Word or other text program, then copy and paste answer into the quiz boxes.

Assignment Instructions (Word doc)

Article (pdf)

Part 1 Quiz

Part 2 Quiz

Bailey Halbert Reaches Out to Area 4-H Clubs

In the past couple months Bailey Halbert (Brazos Co.) has been reaching out to area 4-H clubs to share her experience as 4-H Water Ambassador. In December, Bailey presented to the Brazos County Equestrian 4-H Club, and this month she talked to the Burleson County Cooks Point 4-H Club. Bailey discussed what it means to be a water ambassador, the summer leadership academy, and how others can apply to the program.

Bailey Halbert presents to Brazos County Equestrian 4-H Club.

On March 15, I will begin accepting on-line applications for the third class of 4-H Water Ambassadors. I encourage all of you to reach out to local 4-H clubs and offer to present about the Program.

Childers and Glover Present to Middle Trinity GCD

Myla Childers and Sehrsha Glover (Erath Co.) recently presented about the summer 4-H2O Leadership Academy to board members of Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District in Stephenville. Middle Trinity is a sponsor of the Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors Program.

Myla and Sehrsha also did an interview about their water ambassador experience to the Dublin Citizen newspaper. Great job ladies!

Myla and Sehrsha give slide presentation on their 4-H2O Leadership Academy experience.

Myla and Sehrsha present to sponsor Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. 

Exhibit Service Opportunity at Texas Ground Water Association Annual Convention

The 4-H Water Ambassadors Program has been invited to exhibit at the Texas Ground Water Association’s Annual Convention January 24 & 25 in San Marcos. See more here.

I have set up a Doodle Poll where you can sign up to serve. Participation is limited to (10) persons per time slot, so first come first serve. You may sign up for more than one time slot. Click here to enter Doodle poll.

This is a great opportunity to network with the water well drilling industry, learn about water career opportunities, and check out the emerging technologies in groundwater extraction and aquifer management. The TGWA also awards college scholarships so you might want to get more information on that as well. Travel is on your own, but for those who live in the region it is a great way to earn some service hours.