Carson Manning Continues Testing Water Quality at Woman's Hollering Creek

For about a year now Carson Manning (Guadalupe Co.) has been monitoring water quality at Woman's Hollering Creek located near Sequin. Carson is using the techniques and tests he learned during the Texas Stream Team Certification Course at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. 

For his latest test, Carson reported a conductivity of 840 uS/cm, water temp 27°C, air temperature  32°C, dissolved oxygen 1st titration 7.6 and 2nd titration 7.8, pH 7.0, and 0.09 meters in depth. Carson noted the creek was back to its normal flow after having significant rainfall within the past month. 

Interesting Note: Woman's Hollering Creek got its name from an interesting event that occurred around 1840 between Republic of Texas soldiers and the Comanche Indians. Read more about it at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman_Hollering_Creek. 

Opportunity to Support Your Texas 4-H Center

This year's Texas 4-H Council service project is to raise funds and help restore the 4-H Center in Brownwood … and they need your help! There are three ways you can lend a hand:

1) Donations made through the Texas 4-H Foundation
2) Amazon Wish List
3) Volunteer on Nov. 2 at the Center

Visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TX4HWaterAmbassador/) and watch a video from Council member and 4-H Water Ambassadors Brayden DeBorde (Ellis Co.) to learn more about these opportunities.

Those water ambassadors who participate in Brownwood on Nov. 2 will receive service hour credit.

Logan West Presents at Wilson County 4-H Kick Off

Logan West (Wilson Co.) presented a poster and talked to kids and parents about the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program as well as water conservation at the Wilson County 4-H Kick Off. Way to go Logan!

Water Ambassadors Lends Helping Hand to Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District

Several water ambassadors volunteered to teach 5th grade students at Oakwood Intermediate Water Day in College Station. The event was hosted and organized by our sponsor Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District who serves Robertson and Brazos counties. We helped with three stations, including the pipe game, water hauling activity, and Water Jeopardy.

This was a fantastic learning experience for our water ambassadors Kendal Workman & Annika Stevens (Leon Co.), Bailey Halbert (Brazos Co.), Gabriel Ramthun (Milam Co.), and Trent Morris (Madison Co.). You all did a fantastic job!

Planning Meeting with Sponsor & Partner Clearwater UWCD Shines Light on Service Opportunities

Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District serving Bell County has been a strong supporter and partner of the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program since the very beginning. General Manager, Dirk Aaron, is a retired county extension agent who truly understand the value of 4-H and the impact its members can have in their communities and beyond.

Several water ambassadors met with Mr. Aaron this week in Belton to discuss collaboration on future water education activities in Bell and surrounding counties. Clearwater has a mobile aquifer demonstration trailer as well as several water-related models and exhibits accessible to ambassadors in the region. 

Thanks to Matthew Franklin & Ava Snelson (Williamson Co.), Sarah Wood, Jahongir Karim & Luke Read (Bell Co.), Gabriele Ramthun (Milam Co.), Leigha Adair (Hill Co.), and Seth Jones (McLennan Co.) for participating!

I encourage you all to forge similar collaborations and partnerships with water districts and educators in your communities.

Brentton Jenkins Volunteers with Weevil Ranches in Karnack

This summer, Brentton Jenkins (Harrison Co.) volunteered at Weevil Ranches in Karnack.

These ranches are home to the weevils that currently inhabit Caddo Lake to fight back against Giant Salvinia. The ranch has tanks of Salvinia from local areas around the lake to house the Weevils which grow to maturity and are released into the lake. Brentton helped clean the tanks and set a tank up for a new batch of Weevils. He has plans to volunteering more in the future. 

There are likely many volunteer opportunities in your community. This is a great way to learn and experience new things that you can then teach to others!

Adair and Jones Link Water Use and Pepperoni Pizza

Leigha Adair (Hill Co.) and Seth Jones (McLennan Co.) recently talked to 3rd-5th graders about how much water we use in all the little things that we do throughout the day - including how much water it takes to made a pizza. Way to lead Leigha and Seth!

Natalie Anderson Teaches Hydrologic Cycle at Rio Rande City High

Natalie Anderson (Starr Co.) used water-themed 'fundanas' to teach about components of the hydrologic cycle. She led the activity for environmental science classes at Rio Grande City High School. Natalie also discussed the 4-H water Ambassadors program, what she has learned, and about her role as an advocate for all things water. If you want to know more about water-themed 'fundanas' and how to use them, shoot an email to davidsmith@tamu.edu! There was a blog post on this back on November 7, 2018. 

Well done Natalie!

William Wright Making a Splash in Victoria County

William Wright (Victoria Co.) has hit the ground running in his role as 4-H water ambassador!

In the past couple months, William has participated and presented at the Victoria County Banquet and 4-H Family Fun Night. At the banquet, William decorated one of the many tables with pictures of his 4-H2O Leadership Academy experience and provided information about the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program. 

At 4-H Family Fun Night, William created an education board with information about the Academy, and talked to youth that were thinking about joining 4-H. He also discussed his leadership role, responsibilities, and opportunities as 4-H Water Ambassador.

Love your enthusiasm and creativity William!

Victoria County Banquet

Victoria County Banquet

Victoria County Banquet

4-H Family Fun Night

4-H Family Fun Night

4-H Family Fun Night

Path to Becoming an Effective Ambassador Starts at Home

Your role as a State 4-H Ambassador is one that few of the more than 50,000 4-H members across Texas will attain. It affords you the opportunity to travel and participate in many events across the state and beyond. This role as allows you to meet and collaborate with others outside 4-H and
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

However, this role should not supersede your participation and support of your local 4-H club. In fact, the path to becoming an effective state ambassador begins at home where you have many opportunities to develop your leadership skills while supporting other club activities. While a State 4-H Water Ambassador, you are first and foremost representing your club.

Those new to the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program will notice that your first "required" assignment is to meet with your local county extension agent. The primary objective is to ensure that they are aware of your new role. While some of you already know your agent quite well, do not assume they know you are a 4-H Water Ambassador. For those relatively new to 4-H, this step is very important. It gives them an opportunity to learn more about you, and gives you an opportunity to learn about Extension events throughout the year where you can earn service hours.

Joshua Jones (Smith Co.) meets with his county extension agent.

You have heard that "communication is key". This is extremely important in your role as 4-H Water Ambassador. Communication with your extension agent and club leader is a must, especially in regards to your activities outside your county and those that require a letter of excuse for absence from school. If you know that you will need an excused absence, first work with your extension agent. Make sure they know about this one or two weeks in advance. I understand schools vary in their requirements.

Finally, timely communication and reporting of your education and service efforts is important. The 4-H Water Ambassadors Program is made possible by the generous donations and sponsorship in the water industry. For the program to be sustainable and keep their support, we must demonstrate the impact the program is having throughout the state. Our primary means of communicating your achievements are through social media, and that requires that posts be current in nature and visually appealing - pictures are essential!

I wish you well in the coming year and look forward to all the good things you will accomplish in this leadership role!

David Smith

Bell Co. 4-H Water Ambassadors Present to Clearwater UWCD Board of Directors

Bell Co. 4-H Water Ambassadors Sarah Wood, Jahongir Karim and Luke Read presented to Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District and thanked them for their continued support of the program. They shared details about their summer 4-H2O Leadership Academy experience.

Great job guys!

Former 4-H Water Ambassador Molly McKinney Hired as Student Technician for Program

It's my pleasure to introduce Molly McKinney, former 4-H Water Ambassador, as Student Technician for the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program! Molly was selected to serve as 4-H water ambassador (Bexar Co) in 2017 and served this role until graduating in spring 2019.

Molly is now a student at Texas A&M University in College Station where her major is  Environmental Studies.

Molly is sure to be a tremendous asset to the 4-H Water Ambassadors Program. Though she will contribute in many ways, her primary responsibilities are to handle logging and reporting your activities, as well as promoting these achievements on the blog and through social media. In the future, expect to receive email reminders and inquiries from Molly!

David Smith

Registration Now Open for the 4-H Water Ambassador Retreat - October 25-27

Registration for the 4-H Water Ambassador Retreat October 25-27, 2019 is now open!

Registration closes October 20 so sign up early. The 4-H Center will assess a late fee after October 14. 

Location: Texas 4-H Conference Center, 5600 FM 3021, Brownwood, Texas 76801
Time/Dates: Check-in between 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm October 25. Depart by 11:00 am October 27.
Cost: $140.00 for Water Ambassadors;  $90.00 for adult chaperones. Fee includes 2-nights lodging, meals, and activities.

Goal: Demonstrate and practice with water education activities and projects that water ambassadors can do back in their communities. This year participants will complete the nationally-recognized 'Project WET' training which includes "a collection of innovative, water-related activities that are hands-on, easy to us, and fun!" Our time together will include fun and fellowship as we join District 4-H Council campers in games and other activities!

4-H Water Ambassadors Retreat Participants

HOW TO REGISTER

To register, visit  https://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu/services/youth-camps-and-retreats/ and select 'Register Now >>'. After signing up you will receive a follow-up email and a link to the required Health Statement Form which you will need to complete and bring with you on the day of your arrival. You will also need to bring a copy of your medical insurance form.