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Home , Climate change in Texas

Winter 2008

In this issue: Ch a n g i n g Cl i m a t e s In n o v a t i v e Pa r t n e r i n g His tor ic Tr e a s u r e s and much more… Dr. C. Allan Jones Message from the Director

Working Together for Water

tx H2O

eading this issue of txH2O, you will notice that two state Published by Ragencies of The Texas A&M University System have changed Texas Institute names. Texas AgriLife Research is the new name for the Texas Kathy Wythe Agricultural Experiment Station and Texas AgriLife Extension Editor Service is the new name for Texas Cooperative Extension. Texas Water Resources Institute

These name changes are part of a major re-branding effort Tammisha Farmer to better reflect the agencies’ missions and communicate their Art Director life-changing impacts on Texans and the world (see page 27 for Agricultural Communications the complete story). As a statewide institute administered by AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension, Texas Water Resources Danielle Supercinski Institute looks forward to continue supporting and communicating Assistant Editor the work of these two agencies and other research and education Texas Water Resources Institute efforts around the state relating to water resources. Visit our web site at This issue’s lead story is “Changing Climates: Researchers http://twri.tamu.edu investigating effects, mitigation.” Although not exhaustive, for more information the story briefly reports on research by scientists and to subscribe to tx H2O at different Texas universities. Before climate change and global warming became hot topics in the media, researchers were inves- On the cover: tigating the science behind climate change. As more is understood The Blue Marble was generated about climate change and its effects globally, these researchers are by researchers in the Laboratory learning more about how climate change will affect Texas’ water for Atmospheres at resources, as well as how new technologies and policies can reduce NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, or mitigate the effects of the changes. Greenbelt, MD, using data from three different Earth-observing With the predictions of hotter temperatures and more extreme satellite instruments. The presence weather patterns along with an increasing population, Texas of the Moon in this image will indeed face increased challenges and demands on its water is an artistic addition. resources. Through continued research and education, however, these challenges and demands can be better understood and mitigation of impacts planned.

C. Allan Jones Inside volume 4 number 1, Winter 2008

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Published by Texas Water Resources Institute Kathy Wythe Editor 2 I Changing Climates Texas Water Resources Institute Researchers investigating effects, mitigation Texas is vulnerable to climate change Tammisha Farmer Climate Change Primer Art Director Agricultural Communications Climate, Weather and Water on the Web Effects of climate change on Texas water resources Danielle Supercinski conference set Assistant Editor Texas Water Resources Institute 14 I Educating the community Visit our web site at AmeriCorps members contribute to water conservation http://twri.tamu.edu 18 I Innovative Partnering for more information Texas A&M, McKinney develop water conservation venture and to subscribe to tx H O 2 20 I Marketing water Cities, groups promote landscape management, On the cover: water conservation programs The Blue Marble was generated Water education curriculum targets children by researchers in the Laboratory for Atmospheres at Earth-Kind promotes environmental stewardship NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, in urban landscapes Greenbelt, MD, using data from three different Earth-observing 24 I Proactive Planning satellite instruments. The presence Water quality works to improve reservoir of the Moon in this image 26 historic treasures is an artistic addition. I Watershed provides real-world information 29 I agricultural agencies change names 30 I TWRI Briefs

tx H 2O is published three times a year by the Texas Water Resources Institute, which is a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife. TWRI is funded in part by the U.S. Geological Survey and authorized by the Water Resources Research Act. To subscribe to tx H2O or New Waves, TWRI’s monthly e-mail newsletter, visit http://twri.tamu.edu. Story by Kathy Wythe

Ch a n g i n g Cl i m a t e s Researchers investigating effects, mitigation

tx H2O | | pg. pg. 2 2 Editor’s note: This story highlights climate change research from only a few scientists in Texas. A more detailed story of their research is available on Texas Water Resources Institute’s web site at http://twri.tamu.edu/climatechange. Other researchers are listed at http://twri.tamu.edu/climatechangeresearchers. Additional scientists may be added by clicking on the comment section.

ong before climate change andL global warming became such a popular topic, scientists were researching the different aspects of the world’s changing climate. Ch a n g i n g Cl i m a t e s In Texas alone, dozens of scientists from different universities and a wide range of academic areas are investigating the different compo- nents. More recently, they are taking information gleaned from the global climate models and applying them to research questions pertaining to Texas. Dr. Bruce McCarl, Regents Professor of agricultural economics at Texas A&M University, has researched the economics of climate

change for the last 20 McCarl years. McCarl, as a lead ]

txtx H H2O2O | | pg. 3 Changing Climates

author in a 2007 Intergovernmental Panel tributor to and expert reviewer on Climate Change (IPCC) report, shares of the latest IPCC report, in the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with the other Hayhoe also shared in the scientists on the panel as well as Al Gore. Nobel Peace Prize. She is His research has focused on economic effects currently collaborating with of climate change on agriculture and forestry researchers from the Univer- and their possible roles in mitigating climate sity of Chicago, University change. of , and Harvard Uni- In his mitigation research, McCarl has versity on a National Science Hayhoe proposed that agriculture can help reduce Foundation grant to develop greenhouse gases. The first option, he said, new statistical methods to relate global is for agriculture to reduce and control direct climate projections to what will happen emissions by reducing pumping, at the local scale. which uses energy; reducing fertilizer use, She said people need specific examples which produces the , nitrous about the effects of climate change, like an oxide; and improving manure management increase in the number of days a city might of livestock herds. The second way is by modi- experience over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or fying agricultural management to enhance a change in the frequency of condi- the stored carbon, thus increasing carbon tions. “People need this type of information sequestration. McCarl said agriculture could to make decisions,” she said, and individual also generate products that offset fossil fuel- cities need the information to make decisions intensive products. when planning for the future. Another Texas A&M “As individuals, we need to see how climate researcher, Dr. Gerald North, changes will affect where we live because we is an expert on simplified are being asked to make lifestyle changes to climate models, Earth prevent potentially dangerous impacts observing satellites, ancient of climate changes,” she said. “If we don’t climates, and the detection know what those impacts are likely to be and attribution of climate for us personally, it’s hard to be motivated change. The Distinguished to make those changes.” Professor of atmospheric North Professor of atmospheric sciences at sciences recently has been Texas A&M and the state’s studying climate models to better understand climatologist, Dr. John Nielsen- how , evaporation, and runoff Gammon, researches climate over the Greater Texas region will change variability and change in the over the next century. past. He has also investigated North and his colleagues in Texas A&M’s regional drought causes and Department of Atmospheric Sciences issued mechanisms, including specific a statement supporting the IPCC reports meteorological factors that and findings. The statement is available at lead to lack of rainfall in the http://www.met.tamu.edu/climatechange.php. Nielsen-Gammon summer, hurricane frequency, Katharine Hayhoe, associate professor and climate data quality. of geosciences at Texas Tech University, uses In one project, he is working with the Insti- global and regional climate model simulations tute for Science Technology and Public Policy to determine what climate change means to of The Bush School of Government and Public the places where we live. As a current con- Service, providing climate data for a project

tx H2O | | pg. pg. 4 4 studying drought and drought variability Both projects are examining how decision over the past century in Texas and New makers and other stakeholders use science Mexico and policy makers’ perceptions of information about global climate change in drought. His research is specifically “looking their decision making process. Vedlitz said at spatial patterns of in the past the researchers have done regional studies and frequency and whether precipitation and on the Gulf Coast, national studies of decision drought has changed significantly over the makers, national public opinion polls and past 100 years,” he said. He has found that interviewed a national sample of climate total precipitation has increased in Texas by scientists to determine how different stake- 10 to 20 percent over the past 100 years. holder groups use climate change information. This project is one of two that are focused The second part of their research is answer- on climate change at the Bush School institute, ing the question, “How can we make this according to Dr. Arnold Vedlitz, director. information more usable to decision makers?” ]

The Texas warming and rainfall manipulation experiment (WARM) is investigating the effects of climate change on oak savanna in Texas. Rainfall exclusion shelters and infrared lamps are used to control rainfall and simulate future climate warming. (Photo courtesy of MG Tjoelker.)

txtx H H2O2O | | pg. 5 Changing Climates

Vedlitz said. The researchers are developing to 100,000 years. Her main interests are in fun- decision tools and models to help decision damental mechanisms of the carbon cycle and makers make better use of the information. how humans are altering these mechanisms Part of the research of Dr. Steven Quiring, through combustion of fossil fuel, Texas A&M assistant professor change, and erosion. Masiello and her group, of geography, is focused on Rice Isotope Biogeochemistry, are currently the influence of global climate studying how changes in climate and land use change on the hydrologic cycle are controlling river carbon cycling. and drought. Using records At The University of Texas at Austin (UT), from the past, Quiring said researchers at the Environmental Science he can study drought and its Institute (ESI)—a multi-disciplinary institute natural variability to put it for basic scientific research in environmental into proper perspective Quiring studies—are examining different aspects of to help detect future changes climate change. Dr. Jay Banner, director, said from climate change. its work includes climate change history, “We need to use the observational record impacts, remediation and education, climate to make sure we understand how the system modeling, records, and abrupt climate change. works,” Quiring said. “Once we understand Dr. Zong-Liang Yang, associate professor how the system works then that is the in the Jackson School of Geosciences, and jumping off point for climate change.” his Land Environmental In research funded by the U.S. Department and Atmospheric Dynamics of Energy through the Southeastern Region (LEAD) group are studying of the National Institute for Climatic Change the impacts of climate change Research, Texas A&M researchers Drs. Mark on a finer scale. Tjoelker and David Briske of the Department They are using various of Science and Management and computer models to study the Astrid Volder of the Department of Horticul- interaction of land use and the tural Science are conducting a large, multi- atmosphere. Yang year experiment near the Texas A&M campus. For a National Aeronautics and Space They are examining the effects of climate Administration grant, Yang, along with other warming and drought predicted within the ESI-affiliated researchers, are using a series next several decades on the post oak savannas of nested computer models that integrate cli- and woodlands of . matic, hydrologic, ecological, and atmospheric Through three years of controlling the processes to study how climate change on temperature and rainfall to mimic predictions, the global scale will affect people locally. The Tjoelker said their research suggests that team is using the computer model to study the juniper will increase in dominance and inva- Nueces and Guadalupe watersheds. siveness in savanna grasslands Other UT researchers involved in the with both climate warming project are Drs. Guo-Yue Niu, Jackson School; and increased summer David Maidment, Department of Civil, Archi- drought. tectural and Environmental Engineering; Dr. Carrie A. Masiello, James McClelland, Marine Science Institute; assistant professor of earth and Hongjie Xie, Department of Earth and science at Rice University, Environmental Science, University of Texas at studies the Earth’s carbon . Dr. Paul Montagna of the Harte cycle on timescales from five Masiello

tx H2O | pg. 6 Research Institute at Texas A&M at Corpus of Earth and environmental sciences at The Christi is also a member. University of Texas at Arlington, is examining Dr. Charles Jackson, research scientist at the rates and processes by which the Missouri the Jackson School’s Institute for Geophysics, River changes its pattern and erosion trends is an expert in global climate change of the due to climate change. Although the area past—particularly episodes of abrupt climate being studied is the Missouri Drainage, he change within the past 100,000 years. Jackson said researchers will gain insight into how also works on quantifying climate prediction the High Plains, including parts of Texas, uncertainties in order to understand how responded in general to climate change over records of past change may be used to build the past 5,000 years. confidence in model predictions of the future. Dr. Arne Winguth, assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences at UT Through a National Science Foundation ] research grant, Dr. John Holbrook, professor at Arlington, has started analyzing recent

Texas is vulnerable to climate change Texas is expected to see hotter temperatures, more concentrated rain, higher soil evaporation rates, greater frequency of droughts, higher sea levels with increased hurricane intensities along with lower precipitation and diminished water supplies, according to two Texas A&M University research- ers. “Texas is very vulnerable to climate change,” said Dr. Bruce McCarl, Regents Professor in Texas A&M University’s Department of Agricultural Economics. “It Texas is also quite vulnerable if actions are has a warm, often dry, climate greatly affect- taken to mitigate climate change by reducing ing water and energy needs, agricultural and . forestry production, pest populations, “Nationally over 80 percent of the emissions disease prevalence, and ecological conditions. come from and electricity genera- “Agricultural production is highly influ- tion,” he said. “Texas emits almost twice the enced by such conditions and thus is total volume of greenhouse gasses compared vulnerable to climate change,” he said, with any other U.S. state. This comes from estimating that Texas will have as much Texas’ large and inventory ] as a 40 percent reduction in acreage in crop of -fired power plants.” production.

tx H2O | pg. 7 Changing Climates

climate records of Texas, particularly the annual climate variability on temperature northern part of the state. Winguth plans and precipitation in Texas, vulnerability of to process the recent climatic trends in Texas to tornadoes, and reassessment of and compare these data with predictions and probabilities for south-central from the IPCC. Texas. His doctoral students are investigat- Professor of geography at Texas State ing regional climate change in the University, Dr. David Butler, does climate National Park area, and spatial and temporal change research mainly in the Rocky Moun- trends in precipitation and evaporation in tains with U.S. Geological Survey funding. Texas. He has also done research on how climate The researchers said that, although Texas change is affecting in Central Texas scientists are conducting much research, more and on the relationships of climate change needs to done, especially at the local level. with range expansions of fire ants and their “It’s been my contention for 20 years that interaction with native animals. we haven’t been doing enough research on “Climate change in Central Texas will this question (climate change) in Texas,” said probably make flood forecasting more unpre- Dr. Gerald North of A&M’s atmospheric dictable than ever, as climatic extremes seem Sciences department. to become more common,” Butler said. To read more about the research Dr. Richard Dixon, associate professor or to comment on this story, please visit of geography at Texas State, researches http://twri.tamu.edu/climatechange. For a vulnerability analysis of tropical systems a list of Texas climate change researchers for Texas coastal counties, the impact of inter- or to add names, visit http://twri.tamu.edu/ climatechangeresearchers.

McCarl stressed that Texas could be “Other things, such as increased population, “squeezed” economically by attempts to the decline in the Ogallala , and lower emissions, which would increase energy increased will combine with prices and industry costs. climate change to make it worse.” “Furthermore, Texas is expecting a large Since research shows that the state’s average population growth that will increase its water temperature has increased by 2 degrees and energy needs,” McCarl said. Fahrenheit in the last three decades and will “My whole focus,” he explained, “has been continue to rise, North, who speaks on climate to estimate what damages arise if the ‘bull- change all over the state and country, said dozer’ of climate change hits us, and what precipitation would have to increase by 50 opportunities we have for agriculture to help percent to maintain current water volumes in mitigate them.” the state’s rivers and lakes. Dr. Gerald North, Distinguished Professor “The high temperatures experienced during in Texas A&M’s Department of Atmospheric the terrible drought in the 1950s will become Sciences, agreed with McCarl about Texas’ the average temperature,” he said. vulnerability, saying that, outside of Alaska, North co-edited a 1995 book, Impact of Global Texas may be the state most vulnerable to the Warming in Texas, and is currently working effects of climate change. on a revision due in 2008. McCarl is one “Texas will face a number of challenges, of the chapter authors. and its main problem is water,” North said.

tx H2O | | pg. pg. 8 8 Climate change primer Intergovernmental Panel on Climate • Continued greenhouse-gas emissions Change–The World Meteorological Organi- at or above current rates would zation and United Nations Environmental induce climate changes that would Program established the Intergovernmental be “very likely” (meaning a 90 percent Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. likelihood) to exceed those observed Its goal is to assess scientific, technical, and during the twentieth century. socio-economic information relevant to the • Fossil fuels will dominate the world’s understanding of climate change, its potential energy portfolio until at least 2030, impacts, and options for adaptation and miti- and emissions are expected to rise gation. It has issued four Assessment Reports by 25-90 percent during that time. (1990, 1995, 2001, and 2007) along with other • Given our current understanding, reports. A summary for policymakers of the it is too difficult to estimate the extent “Synthesis Report of the Fourth Assessment of future sea-level rise. Report,” which was released in November (taken from Nature News at www.nature.com/news) 2007 is available at http://www.ipcc.ch/. Global warming–Scientists say that The following are some findings of the the earth’s temperature has warmed by synthesis report: 0.6 ˚C to 0.9 ˚C in the last 100 years. They expect it to warm by as much as 10 ˚F over • Warming of the world’s climate is the next 100 years. “unequivocal”: 11 of the past 12 years (1995-2006) rank among the 12 warmest Greenhouse Gases (GHG)–Greenhouse years since 1850. gasses, which include , • It is “likely” (meaning a 66 percent methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat, thus likelihood) that there has been increasing temperatures. The IPCC maintains significant man-made warming on that, since the industrial revolution began every continent except Antarctica around 1750, carbon dioxide levels have over the past half-century. increased 35 percent; and methane levels have increased by 148 percent.

tx H2O | pg. 9 Changing Climates

Climate, Weather and Water on the Web Compiled by Ric Jensen Climate Weather • The Texas Weather Connection • The National Weather Service h t t p : // t w c . t a m u . e d u http://www.weather.gov Information about climate factors Current and historical weather (temperatures, dewpoint, , information, including weather wind, and precipitation) from many conditions, weather forecasts, regions throughout Texas. and weather watches and warnings. • The Climate Atlas of the Users can sign up for automatic weather alerts about specific locations. http://gis.ncdc.noaa.gov Water Resources National maps that can display • The National Weather Service’s trends associated with temperature, Advanced Hydrologic Prediction precipitation, wind and other variables. Service • The National Drought Mitigation http://water.weather.gov Center Water-related information, including http://drought.unl.edu/monitor/ current conditions and forecasted monitor.htm flows for rivers, precipitation, and Current drought conditions, runoff. the number of dry and rainy days • The U.S. Geological Survey’s and the impact of drought on water National Water Information System supplies and vegetation. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis Climate Change Information such as trends associated • EPA’s Climate Change Site with river flows, water levels in http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ reservoirs and conditions, water quality parameters, water Comprehensive information on the temperature, dissolved oxygen, issue of climate change, including salinity, and pH. science, U.S. climate policy, greenhouse emissions, health and environmental Surface Water Reservoirs effects, and what you can do. • Texas Water Development Board’s • United Nations Gateway to the UN Texas Water Conditions System’s Work on Climate Change http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/ http://www.un.org/climatechange/ publications/reports/waterconditions/ watercon.asp Climate change information from various UN agencies, featuring Information, current and historical, scientific reports from the UN, about the volumes of water stored developments on efforts to reach a in major surface water reservoirs new international climate change and information about trends related agreement, climate change events, to the amount of water stored in Texas news, webcasts, projects in the field, lakes. and climate change information for youth.

tx H2O | pg. 10 Groundwater Irrigation Scheduling • Texas Water Development Board’s Web-based information networks that Water Information Integration and present real-time data on potential evapo- Dissemination System Web site transpiration and other climate parameters http://wiid.twdb.state.tx.us to help urban and rural water users schedule irrigation. Detailed information about individual water wells. This system uses a • Texas Network geographic information system-based http://texaset.tamu.edu/ tool to show locations of water wells • North Plains Weather Network and download data on water levels and water quality. Reports that were http://amarillo2.tamu.edu/nppet/ developed about on-site conditions petnet1.htm before a well was drilled and installed • Texas High Plains Evapotranspiration can be downloaded. Network • U. S. Geological Survey’s http://txhighplainset.tamu.edu/ Groundwater Data for the Nation • Uvalde Research and Extension program Center’s Potential Evapotranspiration http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/gw Network A variety of groundwater data, http://uvalde.tamu.edu/ including information about current or • The Crop Weather Program, real-time groundwater levels as well Texas AgriLife Research and as daily, monthly, and annual data and Extension Center at Corpus Christi statistics. h t t p : // c w p . t a m u . e d u /

Climate change conference set Research; Connie Woodhouse of the University of Arizona’s Department of The River Systems Institute is hosting Geography and Regional Development, “Forecast: Climate Change – Impacts on Gerald North of Texas A&M University’s Texas Water,” April 28-30, 2008, at the Texas Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Bruce State Capitol Extension in Austin. McCarl of Texas A&M’s Department of The conference will take a comprehensive Agricultural Economics, and Ruby Leung look at what is known about climate change of the Pacific Northwest National Laborato- and what needs to be known to prepare for ries. the local impact on Texas water resources The conference is being co-hosted by and on the communities, both natural and Texas Water Resources Institute, an entity human, that depend on them. of Texas A&M AgriLife, and Environmental The conference will feature national Sciences Institute of The University of Texas climate change scientists who have con- at Austin. Co-sponsors include Guadalupe ducted cutting-edge work in the prediction – Blanco River Authority, Lower Colorado of global warming and the impending River Authority, Magnolia Charitable Trust, changes on the Earth’s climate and state The University of Texas’s Jackson School of scientists who are working to understand Geosciences, and U.S. Geological Survey. the impact on Texas and its water resources. For more information, visit Speakers include Drs. Warren Washing- http://www.rivers.txstate.edu/CCTW/ ton of the National Center for Atmospheric CCTW08index.htm.

tx H2O | pg. 11 Story by Danielle Supercinski

AEducatingmeriCorps members contributethe community to water conservation

Educating communities about water programs. The community team is involved in conservation has been a hot topic during horticulture, landscapes, sports fields, parks, Erecent times of drought and low water levels. pesticide-use safety, and in-home demonstra- One group of volunteers in El Paso, Texas, is tions and education. Youth team programs making sure they play a part in educating increase knowledge and skills in water, residents on conserving water for the future. change behaviors associated with water con- The Upper Rio Grande Water Conservation servation and quality, and support 4-H-based Corps project provides water conservation water curricula delivery in schools. and water quality education to homeowners, Corral and other AmeriCorps members farmers, and youth. It is funded by Ameri- have been working at the Texas AgriLife Corps, a network of local, state, and national Extension Service xeriscape demonstration service programs. In 2006-2007 the project had garden at the Texas AgriLife Research and 17 members, eight of whom are returning for a Extension Center at El Paso, potting seedlings second year. that are later donated to Habitat for Humanity Dina Corral is one AmeriCorps member homes. They also installed the irrigation and who started in the program in October 2006 put in plants at three of these homes. and is currently working on her second year Last year, as part of “Make a Difference as a full-time member. “I joined because I Day,” AmeriCorps members cleaned a historic have always enjoyed working with my com- cemetery in Clint, Texas, that was overgrown munity and outreach programs,” she said. and barely visible because of the weeds. Some “And I love gardening, so I was lucky to be residents from the area were not aware the placed on the horticulture team.” cemetery was even there, Corral said. The project has three water education pro- “This year’s ‘Make a Difference Day’ gramming focus areas: agriculture, commu- project was also very fulfilling,” she said. nity, and youth. The agriculture team works “We did the landscaping for a 12-year-old girl with farmers and local agricultural-related who has leukemia and has always wanted a

Photos left to right: AmeriCorps members worked with the El Paso Habitat for Humanity. (L to R) Vanessa Melendez, Yesenia Perez, Dina Corral, Laura Herrera, Stephanie Madrid and Jessica Molina. AmeriCorps members leveling land at leukemia patient Georgina Gomez’s home on Make a Difference Day 2007. (L to R) Liz Tabarani, Jessica Molina, Korina Navarro and Antonio Sanchez. Korina Navarro teaching a girl how to make a butterfly bookmarker. (Photos courtesy of Dina Corral.)

tx H2O | pg. 12 garden. We created a prayer garden, all made mation. But, once you give them the informa- possible through donations from community tion, they do take it and use it wisely. So the partners. AmeriCorps members planted low main thing to learn is that the word needs to water use plants and mostly native trees.” get out on water conservation.” Members also educated students from In the first year, the El Paso AmeriCorps elementary through high schools on recycling members contributed 22,277 hours to the and water conservation. As part of the Martin program. Thus far, more than 11,500 youth Luther King Can Drive, members collected and homeowners have been contacted more than 20 tons of food for area shelters through water education, recycling, summer around El Paso. camp and in-school programs, and other Daphne Richards, AmeriCorps project special educational events. Agricultural manager and El Paso County Extension agent– producers have benefited from various Horticulture, said, “The project has not only AmeriCorps workshops and demonstrations, made a difference in the lives of our commu- with more than 1,022 farmers being contacted nity residents, but also on the members them- between December 2006 and August 2007. selves, who are learning valuable job skills.” “We are looking forward to making a differ- In addition, the members learn about leader- ence in even more people’s lives in the second ship, conflict resolution, problem solving, and year,” Richards said. other important life skills to become future Corral said she could write a book about leaders of their communities. her experiences and everything the Upper Rio “I have learned many things from Ameri- Grande Water Conservation Corps members Corps,” Corral said, “but the most important have done. is that people are willing to change their “My time with AmeriCorps has been a habits and become earth-friendly and aware phenomenal experience, and two years is not that our natural resources need to be taken enough time to do all the projects I have in care of. The only problem is the lack of infor- mind.”

Photos left to right: As part of the community-based team, members test soil moisture on local sports fields. The 2006 community-based horticulture team at the Desert Poppies Festival Water Conservation Educational Booth: (top) Liz Tabarani, Jessica Molina, Claudia Vargas and Laura Herrera, (bottom) Dina Corral and Korina Navarro. Members participated in the 2007 Make a Difference Day program with exhib- its and volunteer work. (Left photos courtesy of Dina Corral.)

tx H2O | pg. 13 Story by Emilie Lowe

Innovative partnering Texas A&M, McKinney develop water conservation venture

he city of McKinney, Texas and Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Urban Solutions Center at areT partnering on a six-year plan to educate and bring research-based innovations to McKinney residents. The goal is to help them manage water resources efficiently. This partnership developed after the summer of 2006 when McKinney, one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, was faced with a severe drought that placed the city in a stage three drought contingency plan. City officials had to limit water usage and worried that, if the drought continued into 2007, McKinney would go into stage four. “Stage three was a major wake-up call for the area and required us to implement limita- tions on water use,” said Brian Loughmiller, a McKinney city council member. “We looked for creative measures that we could imple- ment in water conservation that would last beyond the end of the drought and hopefully result in a greater appreciation for water con- servation even during times where it appears that we have a water surplus.” McKinney Mayor Bill Whitfield agreed. “McKinney has no choice,” he said. “It is the second fastest growing city in the country (among cities of 100,000 or more). Its popula- tion reached 100,000 in 2005 and is expected to eventually top 350,000.” According to both city officials, partnering with the Dallas center provided the city with a way to develop long-term water conservation strategies. The University of Texas at Arlington’s Program in Landscape Architect assisted in the design of a one-acre water conservation garden for McKinney. The garden will demonstrate drought-tolerant tx H2O | | pg. pg. 14 14 plants and turfgrasses, new irrigation technolo- gies and other water conservation techniques. Clint Wolfe, the center’s grant and program “In addition to the technical and scientific coordinator, said the first goal of the partner- expertise they lend to the city, the Urban Solu- ship is to educate city officials, developers, tions Center also provides us a mechanism for landscapers, homeowners, adults, and chil- identifying funding sources through the state dren about water conservation and quality. and possibly federal government agencies that The center developed a water conservation may be necessary to help implement water seminar series and a three-part television conservation procedures,” Loughmiller said. series on water conservation that airs on the Wolfe agreed, explaining that the center is city’s local cable access channel. committed to soliciting third party funding “The first television piece focused on the to help answer these questions. To date, the city’s water supply,” Wolfe said. “The remain- center has received $530,834 in grants for ing news pieces focus on areas in which educational programs, demonstrations, and homeowners overuse water resources, do not research plots. plan for landscape water use, are unaware of These research projects include a turfgrass water-conserving plant material choices, and drought-tolerance study conducted by Drs. do not know where to go for irrigation plan- Jim Heitholt and Ambika Chandra, and a ning and efficiency or information on new management of salinity in landscape orna- technologies such as evapotranspiration (ET) mentals study by Dr. Raul Cabrera. controllers.” In another project, Dr. John Sloan and The center’s last goal is to change McKinney Cabrera are measuring the quality of urban residents’ perception of what a water-con- stormwater runoff and are devising ways in serving landscape looks like by developing a which to clean up or treat water with plant one-acre water conservation garden consisting material before it enters local streams or of drought-tolerant plants. reaches water supply reservoirs. The center will demonstrate for residents The center is seeking other funding for and other water users how well-researched, research on water efficiency, ET irrigation con- drought-resistant plants can conserve water in trollers, using green roofs to mitigate urban the rapidly growing city. stormwater runoff, and breeding salt-tolerant “We could pass ordinances that would grasses and ornamentals. require developers to use these water con- “San Antonio has gone a long way in the last serving plants,” Whitfield said in a Dallas 20 years in reducing its per capita consump- Morning News article last year. “We’re trying tion,” Wolfe said. “That’s what McKinney said to be conscious of our water and the plants we it planned to do, and it is the first city in the use. We’ve got to make this a better place to metroplex to spend significant money to make live and work.” it happen. Wolfe said, “The overall goal is to show “The center can deliver complete solutions homeowners and developers how they can using the experience of other cities in Texas use the plants in their landscapes while con- that already have had success with these kind serving water.” of research-based solutions,” Wolfe said. “We The garden, scheduled for completion by will provide these solutions, new technologies, May 2008, will also demonstrate new irriga- and information for McKinney residents to tion technologies, such as drip irrigation use.” for turf, the use of ET controllers, and other To comment on this article, visit its similar technologies. The site will be a key electronic version at http://twri.tamu.edu/ educational component for changing the opin- news/2008. ions of residents on what a water conscious landscape can look like, he said.

tx H2O | pg. 15 Story by Kathy Wythe

Marketing water savings Cities, groups promote landscape management, water conservation programs

ith rapid population growth and the txsmartscape.com/) and seminars to teach W memory of the worst drought in 50 years, citizens how to design and care for a garden cities and groups are promoting programs planted with plants, shrubs, and trees that that educate their constituents about water thrive in the area and need less water. In 2005, quality, water conservation, and landscape SmartScape® expanded to . management. In Central Texas, Austin, known for its Many cities are partnering with federal and progressive approach to conserving the envi- state agencies and universities to develop new ronment, is promoting programs addressing programs or market existing ones. water quality and quantity. In North Central Texas, the city of McKin- “Grow Green” (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/ ney and Texas AgriLife Research and Exten- growgreen/) is a comprehensive landscaping sion Urban Solutions Center at Dallas recently program designed for Central Texas. The began partnering to develop water conserva- program, a partnership between Austin and tion programs for McKinney (see story on Texas AgriLife Extension Service, gives “earth page 14). Fort Worth is working on an educa- friendly” gardening solutions to reduce water tional plan with Dallas Water Utilities and the pollution. Tarrant Regional Water District. Austin is also tailoring a water conserva- In addition, Dallas tion program, developed for the Texas Water has its Save Dallas Water Development Board, to the city’s needs. The (http://www.savedallaswater. campaign, “Water IQ: Know your water,” edu- com/) campaign that strives to cates people about their water source. It offers raise awareness about water simple tips to help save water and change conservation by educating the way Texans use water in their homes local citizens to encourage conservation at all and businesses. The Lower Colorado River levels of the community. The main goals of its Authority and Austin have collaborated in water conservation program are to extend the this campaign and are using ads, billboards, a life of existing water supplies, reduce water web site (http://austin.wateriq.org/), and other waste, and reduce per capita consumption. outlets to inform their citizens about how to “Texas SmartScape®,” a program developed curb water use. by multiple partners in North Central Texas, The city of Lubbock with the High Plains educates citizens about the ecological, eco- Underground Water Conservation District No. nomic, and aesthetic benefits of using land- 1, and the Municipal Water Dis- scaping plants, shrubs, grasses, and trees that trict, are also adapting the Water IQ program are native or adapted to the regional climate to their areas. and local conditions. The program uses an The El Paso Water Utilities’ water conserva- interactive “how to” web site (http://www. tion department, created in 1991, has ongoing

tx H2O | pg. 16 Many cities are promoting landscape management and water conservation practices with their citizens. This garden demonstrates the EARTH- KIND principles of environmentally tolerant, low water use ornamentals.

public information programs and materials web site include the Galveston Bay Estuary that increase awareness about regional water Program of the Texas Commission on Envi- issues. The company recently opened the ronmental Quality, Texas Coastal Watershed TecH2O, a water resource learning center with Program, AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M Sea 16 interactive exhibits on water management. Grant College Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife The center will provide meeting places and Service, and U.S. Environmental Protection resources to promote the understanding and Agency. study of water and water issues to educators, AgriLife Extension, Texas Nursery and students, policy makers, and the public. Landscape Association, and Texas Water For the Upper Texas Gulf Coast, a group Development Board recently developed of partners has developed “WaterSmart,” a a Texas Urban Landscape Guide. The water education program with an interactive publication and its web site (http://urban- web site (http://www.watersmart.cc/). Its goal landscapeguide.tamu.edu/) are resources is to educate citizens on producing beautiful of science-based information on designing, landscapes while using less water, fertilizers, installing, and maintaining WaterWise land- and pesticides. The WaterSmart program scapes in Texas. (A WaterWise landscape is a provides information about runoff pollu- landscape designed and maintained according tion and water conservation to homeowners, to basic good horticultural principles that garden clubs, environmental groups, and city allow for a beautiful healthy landscape planners. Organizations that developed the with minimal supplemental irrigation ]

tx H2O | pg. 17 Stories by Kathy Wythe

and no adverse runoff from the landscape track containing resources and links to differ- property.) ent web sites with specific information for the Dr. Don Wilkerson, AgriLife Extension target audiences. horticulturist and one of the urban guide The TCEQ debuted its “Take Care of Texas” developers, said the guide targets three (http://www.takecareoftexas.org/) program audiences—homeowners, horticulture profes- in April 2007. In addition to water quality sionals, and municipal government and water and quantity and air quality, it addresses utility personnel. It provides different tracks and waste reduction. of information for each audience, with each

tx H2O | pg. 18 EARTH-KIND promotes Water education curriculum environmental stewardship targets children EARTH-KIND, Texas AgriLife Exten- sion Service’s Department of Horticulture The National Junior Master Gardener landscape management program, promotes (JMG) program recently developed a water research-proven techniques to provide education program specifically targeted maximum gardening and landscape enjoy- to children. “Operation ment while preserving and protecting the W.A.T.E.R.: Dr. Thistle Goes environment. The program is used throughout Underground” is a horti- Texas by AgriLife Extension, Master Garden- culture and environmental ers, and others. science curriculum for sixth to eighth grade students. A recent addition to its web site is the “EARTH-KIND Challenge,” an online quiz The curriculum consists that tests people’s knowledge of EARTH- of group and individual activ- KIND principles. This 25-question quiz asks ities that teach important con- for input about topics such as landscape cepts about soil and water, said design, plant selection, efficient irrigation, Lisa Whittlesey, Texas AgriLife Extension and insect and disease management. The quiz Service program specialist and National then generates a personalized score to show JMG coordinator. The program can be used the person taking the challenge how well his for a school class, JMG club, 4-H program, or her garden is sustaining a healthy environ- kids gardening group, or individual study. ment. Topics in “Operation W.A.T.E.R.” include Dr. Don Wilkerson, AgriLife Extension hor- soil texture, , watersheds, , ticulturist, said if the person is using anything soil nutrients, the water cycle, soil improve- other than the optimal ment, soil structure, and water and soil EARTH-KIND practices, conservation. An integrated web site (www. the challenge will then jmgkids.us/) for students is a part of the suggest changes in land- curriculum. scape practices. It will “Students will learn about important also provide additional concepts of soils and water as they work information, including together on a mission to foil the newest links to AgriLife Exten- plans of the villainous character Dr. Thistle,” sion publications on related topics. The quiz Whittlesey said. “It’s a novel and engaging is available at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu. way to connect with these students. edu/EarthKind/EKChallenge.html. “It should be very popular for teachers in Its web site also contains the “EARTH- that it addresses important issues for Texas, KIND On-Line Master Gardener Training is correlated to the Texas Essential Knowl- Program” that enables Master Gardeners to edge and Skills, and is a great fit for both receive special certification in its environmen- school and after school programs.” tal stewardship program. The program is seeking groups to EARTH-KIND recently partnered with the sponsor training workshops to educate Texas Water Resource Institute to increase the teachers and youth leaders about using this public’s and specific stakeholders’ knowledge curriculum. To order a copy of “Operation of environmental stewardship of urban land- W.A.T.E.R,” call toll free at 877-900-2577 or scapes and water resources. go online to www.jmgkids.us.

tx H2O | pg. 19 Proactive planning

andowners and agricultural producers in began modeling the upland, in-stream, and in- the Cedar Creek watershed are working reservoir processes that led to the chlorophyll- with agency representatives and gov- a increases. The computer models indicate that Lernment leaders on a proactive plan to help excessive deposits of the nutrients phosphorus reduce pollution flowing into Cedar Creek and nitrogen are transported via direct runoff Reservoir. and sediment transport from a combination The 34,000-acre reservoir, southeast of of urban and rural sources. Researchers point Dallas, is the first of five reservoirs managed to agricultural practices, wastewater treat- by the Tarrant Regional Water District ment plant discharges, and urban stormwater (TRWD) that is being studied through the runoff as contributing factors. North Central Texas Water Quality project. If chlorophyll-a levels escalate at the current Stakeholders in the reservoir’s four-county rate, TRWD officials said the reservoir may watershed have an opportunity to voice appear on the U.S. Environmental Protection their opinions and help draft the watershed Agency’s (EPA) listing of impaired water protection plan for the reservoir. The plan, bodies as outlined in section 303(d) of the which will outline ways to reduce pollution Clean Water Act. Such a designation could and improve water quality, is an outgrowth likely result in regulatory measures by the of years of water quality monitoring and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. research by TRWD, The Texas A&M Univer- TRWD officials hope to avoid mandatory sity System, and other collaborators. regulation by engaging in stakeholder-based Fifteen years of monitoring Cedar Creek watershed protection planning focused on by TRWD confirmed increasing levels of holistic solutions to water pollution by exam- chlorophyll-a. An indicator of algae growth, ining the impacts of upstream activities. chlorophyll-a is accelerated by excessive Watershed-based planning is a relatively nutrients flowing into the reservoir from the new approach to pollution reduction in all surrounding watershed. sizes of water bodies. The process evaluates Because of those findings, in 2004 Texas the relationship of water quality to land use, A&M University’s Spatial Sciences Laboratory soils, hydrology, and climate within a single geographic area.

tx H2O | pg. 20 Photo courtesy of Tarrant Regional Water District

“Watershed protection planning is based on will offer stakeholders a unique opportunity the management of activities that take place to prevent regulatory involvement. within the landscape that drains into a spe- “This is a proactive approach,” Andrews cific body of water,” said Clint Wolfe, grant said. “Let’s get everybody involved before it and project coordinator with Texas AgriLife (pollutant loads) gets to the level that draws Research and Extension Urban Solutions somebody in who is going to make us do it.” Center at Dallas and manager of the project. “By incorporating water quality testing and Stakeholders are discussing a series of computer modeling, we are able to assess the best management practices such as grassed condition of Cedar Creek Reservoir and its waterways, filter strips, rainwater harvesting, tributary streams to develop a specific plan of stream bank stabilization, and educational action to address the excessive pollutants.” programs to prevent urban and agricultural nonpoint source pollution. Stakeholder involvement began in July 2007 with a series of public meetings targeting Project leaders plan to have the Cedar Creek urban and agricultural interests in which the Watershed Protection Plan finalized by the issues facing Cedar Creek Reservoir were summer of 2008. presented. A steering committee comprised “We are striving to create a program that of people attending these meetings will work will be duplicated in other watersheds,” Wolfe with project staff on the viability of proposed said. strategies for pollution reduction. Also under way is preliminary modeling of Darrel Andrews, TRWD’s environmental Eagle Mountain Reservoir, located northwest services assistant director, said this format of Fort Worth and managed by TRWD. Similar ]

Water quality works to improve reservoir

tx H2O | pg. 21 Proactive Planning

stakeholder-based watershed protection Extension Service is conducting an extensive planning efforts will begin in early 2008. nonpoint source pollution educational cam- Project members plan to complete water- paign. Leading the project is Dr. Bruce Lesikar, shed planning for Richland-Chambers AgriLife Extension specialist and agricultural Reservoir within the next two years. engineer. In addition to water quality The goal of educational outreach is to modeling and stakeholder increase citizens’ water literacy while working activities, Texas AgriLife to improve the quality of water in the Cedar Creek watershed. AgriLife Extension has held workshops on watershed management, stream restoration practices, agricultural best man- agement practices, rainwater harvesting, non- point source pollution control, on-site septic system maintenance, and other water quality issues facing urban and rural stakeholders. AgriLife Extension with help from local county Extension agents in Rock- wall, Kaufman, Van Zandt and Hen- derson counties has conducted more than 30 programs and reached more than 6,000 individuals. The project is a collaborative effort of TRWD, Texas Water Resources Institute, AgriLife center at Dallas, AgriLife Extension, Espey Consultants Inc., and Alan Plummer and Associates Inc. It is funded by EPA, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and TRWD. Congressional funding for this project was obtained through the leadership of Rep. Kay Granger of Fort Worth. To comment on this article, visit its electronic version at h t t p : // t w r i . t a m u . edu/news/2008.

A map of the Cedar Creek watersheds.

tx H2O | pg. 22 Darrel Andrews, Tarrant Regional Water District environmental Dr. Bruce Lesikar, AgriLife Extension specialist, demonstrates services assistant director, talks with stakeholders during an the instillation of a rainwater harvesting system as a means to agricultural workgroup meeting for the Cedar Creek watershed decrease stormwater run-off from home landscapes. protection plan.

Bob Pritchett, Tarrant Regional Water District environmental Dr. Dotty Woodson, AgriLife Extension specialist at the Urban technician, takes a stream survey at Cedar Creek Reservoir. Solutions Center in Dallas, demonstrates the instillation of drip (Photo courtesy of Tarrant Regional Water District) irrigation during an educational program in the Cedar Creek watershed.

‘The goal of educational outreach is to increase citizens’ water literacy while working to improve the quality of water in the Cedar Creek watershed.’

tx H2O | pg. 23 Story by Kathy Wythe

Historic treasures Watershed provides real-world information

historic experimental watershed in the Blackland Prairie of Central Texas is providing a treasure trove of information that the water resource community throughout the United States is using. For more than 70 years, scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have collected hydrologic data such as rainfall, evaporation, runoff, and soil erosion at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS)’s Grass- land Soil and Water Research Laboratory’s watershed near Riesel, Texas, making it one of the longest continuous, intensively monitored hydrological research sites in the country. The Riesel experimental watershed, part of the larger Brushy Creek watershed, has approximately 800 acres divided into smaller watersheds. The research staff operates 17 runoff stations, 15 rain gauges, one weather station, and seven shallow groundwater wells. Dr. Daren Harmel, an ARS agricultural engineer and manager of the watershed, recently co-authored a paper on the history of the Riesel watershed. He said in the mid-1930s, the USDA realized the importance of under- standing hydrologic processes on agricultural fields and watersheds. Formerly known as the Blacklands Experimental Watershed, Riesel was one of three experimental watersheds established at that time to analyze the impact of land use practices on soil erosion, flood

tx H2O | pg. 24 events, water resources, and the agricultural field-, farm-, and basin-scale water quality, economy. Of the three, Riesel and the North Harmel said. Appalachian Experimental Watershed near Dr. Peter Allen, professor in the Depart- Coshocton, Ohio, are still operating. ment of Geology at Baylor University, said At first, USDA researchers asked farmers the department’s researchers use the Riesel on the land to keep account of their farming watersheds for “senior and graduate classes in practices, and researchers evaluated the effect hydrology as an excellent example of a world- of such practices on soil erosion and runoff, class hydrological field lab with examples Harmel said. They also divided the federally of instrumentation from weather stations to managed land into smaller watersheds and set weirs.” up different management practices, such as They also use it as a field test site to fertilizer application, contour terraces, grassed examine processes such as infiltration, runoff, waterways, and conservation tillage. The and recharge to shallow aquifer systems and researchers then compared the differences. their incorporation into models. In addition, Through the years, techniques for collecting they use it to investigate shrink and swell soil the information have become more sophisti- behavior of Vertisols, the clay soil found in cated. In the early days, laboratory staff often the Blackland prairie, under changing mois- collected data manually from the 40 small ture conditions. watersheds and 57 rain gauges. They were Realizing the importance of the data, a team on call 24/7 to collect runoff water quality produced a CD containing measured data and data during . Now the staff handles supporting GIS information, maps, and pho- collection electronically with state-of-the-art tographs. Members included Harmel, Allen, instrumentation. ARS scientists Drs. Kevin King, Clarence Rich- Harmel explained that the advantage Riesel ardson and Jeff Arnold, and Texas AgriLife has over other research sites is its field-scale, Research scientist Dr. Jimmy Williams. Much real-world setup. Some of the fields are of this data is also available on the Internet at planted in corn, wheat, or oats; others are http://www.ars.usda.gov/spa/hydro-data. pastures grazed with cattle. One is a native Harmel has put this data to good use in his grassland prairie that has never been culti- own research projects. vated. Each small watershed has a defined point for runoff of water that is collected and In one project, he and other researchers analyzed. Researchers use the information tackled the challenge of determining the best obtained from each field to make comparisons method for collecting stormwater quality and draw conclusions about the different samples. “Before we started, there was management practices. not much research on how best to do that,” Harmel said, adding that agencies and univer- Over the years, scientists have used Riesel sities spend a lot of money on water quality data to make significant contributions to monitoring. water resources and agricultural research. The developers of watershed computer models, “Many people don’t know how difficult including EPIC (Erosion Productivity Impact it is to operate a successful storm sampling Calculator), APEX (Agricultural Policy/ project,” he said. Through research, they Environmental eXtender), and SWAT (Soil sought answers to questions such as: “Do I and Water Assessment Tool), used the Riesel sample every single storm? Do I take small watershed data to develop their models. These separate samples or composite samples?” models are now used worldwide to manage The team also researched the uncertainty inherent in sampling data. “We made the ] (Top photo) USDA employee manually checks runoff measurements at a newly installed station at the Blacklands Experimental Watershed (circa 1937). (Second photo) In the early days, water quality sampling was done manually by USDA employees on-call 24/7 to collect runoff data during storms. Today, most of the samples are collected with automated equipment. (Third photo) USDA began construction at the Blacklands Experi- mental Watershed in 1937. This is a photo of the Riesel headquarters building on Sept. 1, 1938. (Bottom photo) Streamflow measurements are taken at a Brushy Creek sampling station. This station was located on private land downstream of the federally owned smaller watersheds.

tx H2O | pg. 25 Historic Treasures

first attempt to quantify the uncertainty of Harmel and other researchers, including measured stormwater data,” he said. “That Dr. Monty Dozier with Texas AgriLife Exten- research seems to be attracting a lot of atten- sion Service, are using the Riesel watersheds tion nationally and internationally.” to research the long-term impact of using Based on their research, the scientists poultry litter as a fertilizer and a soil amend- have prepared a series of papers that outline ment. This research is funded largely by “how to” guidance for water quality sampling. the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation These publications are available at Board. http://www.ars.usda.gov/spa/hydro-collection. Harmel said the project has demonstrated Because of this research, Harmel has the optimal annual litter application rates received numerous requests for training from that can minimize environmental problems government agencies, consulting firms, and and maximize on-farm profit, which is what universities. farmers want to know. “Our overriding goal was to determine how “With what we know from this research, I to balance efficient spending of monitoring think we have the opportunity, as the poultry resources and collection of high quality storm- industry grows in Central Texas, to act proac- water data,” he said. tively to prevent water quality problems like we have seen in other areas, instead of waiting Kevin Wagner, a Texas Water Resources to fix it,” Harmel said. Institute project manager, said he used the methods suggested in Harmel’s research when Because water supply shortage, flood he began setting up sampling stations for his occurrence, and water quality degradation doctoral research. will increasingly affect the environment and future generations, Harmel said, watershed- “Daren’s work was invaluable in helping me based studies will continue to be needed get my sites established,” Wagner said. “He to solve these problems. had already worked out a lot of the kinks through his work at Riesel, which made my “With the Riesel watersheds, we sit here site setup much smoother and also saved me ready and willing to attack these new chal- a lot of time. I’d still be trying to figure out lenging questions.” what to do instead of monitoring.” (Left photo) Dr. Daren Harmel, agricul- tural engineer for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, looks out over the Riesel watersheds. Currently, 17 water- shed sampling sites are located on the 800-acre federal facility. (Center photo) Dr. Monty Dozier, Texas AgriLife Exten- sion Service, inside the Y2 station which is used to measure farm-scale water quality impacts of poultry litter fertilizer. (Right photo) Harmel checks the data logger and radio telemetry system at one of the 15 precipitation gauges located on the facility.

tx H2O | pg. 26 Agriculture agencies change names

Two agencies of The Texas A&M University The name changes are part of a re-branding System recently changed their names and initiative launched this year after two years of logos to better reflect their missions and to study and planning. These efforts were led by reposition themselves in the marketplace. former vice chancellor Dr. Elsa Murano, who As of January 2008, the Texas Agricultural was named president of Texas A&M Univer- Experiment Station is now Texas AgriLife sity on Jan. 3. Research and Texas Cooperative Extension is “The re-branding efforts are centered on one Texas AgriLife Extension Service. foundational message: ‘Agriculture is Life!’” In a news release announcing the changes, Hussey said. “The central idea is that life itself Dr. Mark Hussey, director of AgriLife is the core value that our agencies seek to Research, said, “We are making these sustain and enhance. changes to better communicate the life- “People usually don’t realize how much we sustaining and life-changing impacts all depend on agriculture and the life sciences. that both AgriLife Research and AgriLife Discoveries and innovations in these fields Extension deliver to the people of Texas and directly impact the quality of the food we eat, beyond.” Hussey is also interim vice chancel- the clothes we wear, the air we breathe, the lor of agriculture for the A&M System and water we drink, the homes we live in, and, interim dean of the College of Agriculture more and more, even the fuels we pump into and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University. our vehicles.” “But we also want to tell our story to a Dr. Ed Smith, director of AgriLife Extension, larger audience and a changing state popula- said, “These new brands will impact not only tion, attract new resources and build new our marketing materials and signage, but also partnerships, while strengthening our the way we position and prioritize our pro- existing ones,” Hussey said. grams and work with our federal, state, and Texas A&M’s new Director of Commu- county partners to serve the state of Texas. It nications and Marketing Jason Cook, who is vitally important to tell our story and that previously was director of communications people connect our agencies to the tremen- and marketing for Texas AgriLife, said the dous impacts they have on the state.” changes were also made to better align the One of the drivers of the re-branding initia- names with the teaching, research, and exten- tive was a market study that showed that the sion missions of the agencies and the College work of the research and extension agencies of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas was not widely known across the state of A&M University. By changing the names, Texas. the agencies, and college are more closely “We hope to help people better understand tied together, he said. the vital role that agriculture and life sciences “It is a natural step to bring these three still play in improving the prosperity of their separate entities together under a family lives,” said Smith. “We believe that if they brand,” Cook said. come to know us better, they will see that connection more clearly, even within a state population that is now 85 percent urbanized.”

tx H2O | pg. 27 TWRI Briefs

SSPEED research at Rice University

A new multi-university research center that focuses on predicting and planning for disas- ters caused by hurricanes and tropical storms is developing a prototype smart-sensor system that can offer real-time analysis of flood risks and water quality hazards in -area waterways. The Watershed Information Sensing and Evaluation (WISE) system is a project of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disaster (SSPEED) Center. Based at Rice University, the center was established in May 2007 following legisla- tion signed by Gov. Rick Perry. Co-principal investigators of the Houston Endowment Inc.-funded project are SSPEED Director Philip Bedient, the Herman Brown professor of engineering at Rice; and SSPEED Co-director Hanadi Rifai, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the The University of Texas at Brownsville. It also University of Houston. involves the Houston–Galveston Area Council, The researchers will install in-stream water- a council of local governments. quality sensors in test areas in urban drainage watersheds, including Brays and Buffalo New Faculty bayous. They will collect and analyze water- quality sensor data, state-of-the-art radar Dr. Paul DeLaune rainfall, and land-use data from GIS informa- tion using advanced geographic databases. Texas AgriLife Research Researchers will use their findings to and Extension Center refine a computer model that can predict at Vernon flood and water-quality risks related to Dr. Paul DeLaune land use and topography. The results will be joined the Texas AgriLife published on the Internet so city and emer- Research and Extension gency officials can quickly respond to specific Center at Vernon as an storm threats as they occur. assistant professor and In addition to researchers from Rice environmental soil and the University of Houston, the SSPEED scientist. He will develop center includes researchers at Louisiana State a soil science program at the center. University, The University of Texas at Austin, DeLaune earned his bachelors degree from Texas A&M University, Texas A&M at State University; and masters and Galveston, Texas Southern University, and doctorate degrees from the University

tx H2O | | pg. pg. 28 28 of Arkansas, where he studied soil sciences Dr. Fouad Jaber and agronomy. Texas AgriLfie Research He plans to help producers mesh manage- and Extension Urban ment practices, such as sub-surface drip Solutions Center irrigation, nutrient management, and con- servation tillage, in a way that will conserve Dr. Fouad Jaber water and improve water quality through joined the Texas AgriLife reduced nitrate leaching. By working with Research and Extension different scenarios, he will identify best man- Urban Solutions Center agement practices and quantify how well they at Dallas in October 2007 work. His work will be primarily with cotton as an assistant and wheat crops. In addition, he will use sub- professor and integrated water resources man- surface drip irrigation, which may be agement specialist. applied to future biofuel crops such as canola. Jaber received his doctorate in agricultural and biological engineering with an emphasis Dr. Ambika Chanda in natural and environmental resources engi- neering from Purdue University in December Texas AgriLfie Research 2001. and Extension Urban Solutions Center As a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Florida, he worked in extension Dr. Ambika Chandra and research in stormwater management and joined the Texas AgriLife modeling, surface and groundwater quality, Research and Extension hydrologic instrumentation, lysimetry, crop Urban Solutions Center water requirements, and groundwater at Dallas in September recharge. 2007 as an assistant His focus at the Dallas center will be professor for turfgrass conducting research and Extension programs breeding and molecular genetics. She received related to stormwater management, nonpoint her doctorate from Pennsylvania State Univer- source pollution management from the urban sity in agronomy in 2007 and her masters of environment, and water quality studies. science from Punjab Agricultural University of India in plant breeding and genetics in 2003. TWRI Welcomes Chandra’s research interests include breed- ing and development of improved cultivars New Face of turfgrass species and identification of molecular markers closely associated Amy Rangel joined with agronomically important traits to be the Texas Water used in marker-assisted breeding and map- Resources Institute based cloning of important genes. She also in September 2007 as studies the use of genomic and cellular tools an Arroyo Colorado to genetically manipulate or engineer turf- Partnership project grant grass species for tolerance for environmental writer and water quality stress, resistance to insects and pathogens, data analyst. Rangel is competitiveness against invasive weeds, a program assistant at and enhanced nutrient uptake efficiency. the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Texas at Austin.

txtx H H2O2O | | pg. 29 NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID College Station, TX 77843 Permit No. 215

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