- Texas Watershed Stewards
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Texas Watershed Stewards is a science-based watershed education program designed to help citizens identify and take action to address local water quality impairments. This program was launched in the Plum Creek Watershed, and the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership received training through presentations and discussions at project meetings. To support the implementation process, additional public training events were conducted in the watershed. The first event was held in December 2007 in Kyle, and an additional training was conducted in Luling in August 2008. These workshops provided additional avenues to engage as many citizens as possible in the implementation process.
- Advertisements for Plum Creek and Texas Watershed Stewards
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- July 2007, Bluebonnet Electrical Coop “Market Square” in Texas Coop Magazine.
- July 2007: “Make a Splash with the Texas Watershed Steward Program” in Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, Comal, Blanco, and Bastrop Counties weekly Extension news columns.
- August 2007: Bluebonnet Electrical Coop “Market Square” in Texas Coop Magazine.
- September 2007: Bluebonnet Electrical Coop “Market Square” in Texas Coop Magazine.
- October 2007: Bluebonnet Electrical Coop “Market Square” in Texas Coop Magazine.
- October 2007: “The Plum Creek Watershed Needs You!” in Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, Comal, Blanco, and Bastrop Counties weekly Extension news columns.
- October 2007: “The Plum Creek Watershed Needs You!” on City of Kyle website and calendar.
- Elementary School Water Quality Project
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An ongoing water quality monitoring program in area schools was developed to promote youth education and involvement in the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership. The program was initiated and is led by the GBRA. In October 2006, meetings were held with curriculum directors and principals from local elementary schools to obtain approval for the program. Current partner schools include Negley Elementary, Tobias Elementary, Hemphill Elementary, Science Hall Elementary, Plum Creek Elementary, Clear Fork Elementary, and Luling Shanklin Elementary. Science teachers at each school are trained in basic water quality monitoring techniques, and classroom instruction is delivered to students covering watersheds, nonpoint source pollution, and the Plum Creek project. Water monitoring test kits, supplies, poster-sized watershed maps, and student workbooks are donated to the schools by the GBRA.
In the first year of implementation, a total of 760 fourth and fifth grade students and 18 teachers completed 3 rounds of water quality testing in their classrooms (November 2006, February and May 2007). Students use the Texas Watch model to test and monitor water from Plum Creek for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, nitrates, and phosphates. In addition, packets of educational information about the watershed and water quality issues were sent home with the students to be shared with their parents.
- Watershed Protection Campaign Brochure
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A brochure titled “Don’t Be Clueless About Water” was developed by the GBRA to educate individuals about the impacts of their activities on water quality and how to reduce those impacts. The brochure, originally created for the entire Guadalupe-Blanco River Basin, was adapted specifically for the Plum Creek Watershed. The brochure was initially distributed to students involved in the Plum Creek water quality project in the 2006-2007 school year. Additional copies continue to be distributed in information packets for participating students and are available at educational meetings, training programs, public events, and in selected mailouts from the Partnership and the GBRA.
- Tributary and Watershed Roadway Signage
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Contingent upon funding, signs will be developed and posted along major roads notifying travelers that they are entering the watershed or when they are crossing Plum Creek or a significant tributary. In addition, ad space will be purchased for existing large billboards at key locations in the watershed encouraging residents and travelers to take positive action to protect water quality in their area.
- Outreach at Local Events
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Local public events such as the Luling Foundation Field Day, Luling Watermelon Thump, Lockhart Chisholm Trail Days, Kyle Stream Cleanup, and Lockhart Rites of Spring will be used as venues for presentations and/or distribution of education and information resources. Plum Creek Watershed posters, map displays, fact sheets, and handouts addressing plan implementation will be disseminated.
- Rainwater Harvesting Education
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Extension personnel will organize and conduct a rainwater harvesting educational program to provide information on the benefits, methods and costs of installation. To supplement an existing demonstration at the Luling Foundation and contingent upon funding, home and/or business rainfall harvesting demonstrations will be established in Kyle and Lockhart.