Free Lavon Lake watershed class at the water district's Wylie office needs preregistration for Dec. 10

Residents who want to learn how pollution reaches Lavon Lake can sign up for a free morning workshop on the lake's watershed next month.

The Texas Watershed Steward session runs from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 10, at the water district's office, 505 E. Brown St. in Wylie. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board are hosting it with the district, according to an AgriLife announcement posted Friday, Nov. 6.

Preregistration is required, either online at tx.ag/WatershedWylie or by calling 979-321-5921. Registered participants get the rest of the meeting details after they sign up.

What the class covers

According to AgriLife, the program will explain how watershed systems work and the kinds and sources of water pollution, then turn to a group discussion of community-led protection efforts and an overview of water quality as it relates to local watershed management.

Organizers say the goal is to show people how they can take part in keeping the Lavon Lake watershed clean, including through recommended land and water practices.

"This workshop helps people learn about water resources and efforts to protect local water quality," said Annalee Epps, an AgriLife Extension program specialist who coordinates the Texas Watershed Steward program.

Attendees receive a copy of the Texas Watershed Steward Handbook and can earn a certificate of completion. Light refreshments will be served.

Credit for professionals

The session also offers continuing education. AgriLife lists four hours for certified crop advisers, professional engineers, certified teachers, professional geoscientists and certified floodplain managers, and four certification maintenance hours plus one law hour for certified planners.

It lists four units for several Texas Commission on Environmental Quality licenses, including landscape irrigators, public water system and wastewater operators, and on-site sewage facility installers, and three general units for private pesticide applicators.

The workshop is paid for with a federal Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant administered by the state soil and water board from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Questions about the class go to Epps at 979-321-5921 or Brad Voss, the AgriLife Extension horticulture agent for Collin County, at 972-548-4232. Lauren Plunk, the water district's watershed manager, handles questions about local watershed projects at 469-626-4417.

Sources

agrilifetoday.tamu.edu