Texas Water Symposium Streaming Available: Watershed Protection Programs In Texas

“Who will maintain the clean waterways that have traditionally provided our towns and neighborhoods with recreational and drinking supplies, and what do they need to do that work?”

Experts in watershed protection planning convened on Thursday, February 24^th at Texas State University in San Marcos to discuss the growing involvement of local stakeholders in watershed protection to improve and sustain the health of Texas springs, creeks, and rivers.

“As more and more people move into our cities, pressure is mounting on the water resources that we used to take for granted.” noted Meadows Center for Water and the Environment Director Dr. Andy Sansom in opening remarks. “Who will maintain the clean waterways that have traditionally provided our towns and neighborhoods with recreational and drinking supplies, and what do they need to do that work?”

The challenge of protecting a limited resource in the face of booming population was put plainly by Mike Bira, environmental scientist for the EPA. “God just gave us so much water. We can’t make it, it’s just there. But we’re making more people.”

More than 150 were in attendance to learn about watershed protection planning and ask questions of the panelists during a follow-up question and answer session. In addition to reflecting on the challenges of planning for clean, sustainable surface waters in the face of growing threats, panelists provided advice to students and local advocates in the audience.

The next Texas Water Symposium is being planned for later in the spring at the Hill Country University Center in Fredericksburg, Texas. 

The audio recording of the most recent Texas Water Symposium is now available on Texas Public Radio’s website, www.tpr.org.

For other Texas Water Symposium radio archives visit http://tpr.org/people/texas-water-symposium#stream 

This article was originally published by Hill Country Alliance.

The Hill Country Alliance is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise public awareness and build community support around the need to preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country. Visit us at www.hillcountryalliance.org.