The free workshop is co-hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Nacogdoches County and the Attoyac Bayou Watershed Partnership.

The morning session will be at the Courthouse Annex, 203 W. Main St. The afternoon session will include a walk and presentations along the bayou.

Attendees must RSVP by Nov. 27 to Nikki Dictson at 979-458-5915 or n-dictson@tamu.edu, or online at http://texasriparian.org/trainings/upcoming-training-locations/.

The program will include a lunchtime presentation and a catered barbecue lunch is available from C.C.’s Smokehouse for $10 with RSVP prior to Nov. 27. After Nov. 27, lunch is $15 payable at the door the day of event. Attendees may bring their own lunch if they prefer.

Dictson, Texas Water Resources Institute Extension program specialist and coordinator of the program in College Station, said the workshop will focus on the nature and function of stream and riparian zones, as well as the benefits and economic impacts from proper functioning riparian systems.

A riparian zone is the land area adjacent to the bank of a stream, creek, bayou or river.

Dictson said workshop topics will include riparian and watershed management principles, water quality, riparian vegetation, hindrances to healthy riparian areas, stream processes, management practices and discussion of local resources.

Workshop presentations will be given by representatives of the Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, AgriLife Extension, and Texas A&M Forest Service. 

Lucas Gregory, a project manager for the water institute in College Station, said the goal of the watershed partnership is to promote the long-term conservation and stewardship of the Attoyac Bayou watershed that

improves and sustains water quality, protects the natural resources it contains and maintains its economic viability. 

Gregory said the Attoyac Bayou Watershed Partnership developed a watershed protection plan in 2014 to help mitigate the water quality concerns.

Ricky Thompson, AgriLife Extension agent for Nacogdoches County, said participants will receive a certificate of completion and appropriate continuing education unit certificates at the conclusion of the training.

The workshop offers over five types of continuing education units including three units – two general and one integrated pest management – for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders. It offers one unit from the Texas Water Resources Institute and six hours for Texas Nutrient Management Planning specialists. Foresters and professional loggers can receive 6 hours Texas Forestry Association and 5.5 hours from Society of American Foresters. The program may also be used for continuing education units for professional engineers and architects.

The riparian education program is managed by the Texas Water Resources Institute, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University. It is funded through a Clean Water Act grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, contact Dictson or visit http://texasriparian.org