Texas Waters Specialist

Through this program, we want to develop a corps ofCreek well-informed volunteer specialists who provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of aquatic resources and aquatic habitats within their communities for the state of Texas. Questions? Please direct them to Melissa Felty, Conservation Education Manager, ConservationEdu@tpwd.texas.gov 

TPWD Aquatic Photo Contest

Submission deadline expired. Winners will be notified via email or phone by the end of June. Winning images will be posted on the Conservation Education at Texas Parks and Wildlife Facebook page.

Certification Requirements

Accumulate a combination of at least 8 hours of Advanced Training (AT) utilizing the Texas Waters curriculum in the following:

  • Attend Texas Waters live webinars (registration links and recorded webinars below)
    • General public: recorded webinars can be viewed individually for AT
    • Master Naturalist: a small discussion group must be formed to view recorded webinars for AT
  • Read Texas Waters: Exploring Water and Watersheds (TW) curriculum
    • General public: Read chapters and complete Chapter quizzes (below)
    • Master Naturalist: Form a study group to read chapters. Use the "Questions to Consider" or Chapter quizzes (below) to guide your study and discussion
  • Attend Texas Waters Day event, watershed-based sessions, and/or field trips at the Texas Master Naturalist Annual meeting
  • Other approved aquatic or watershed learning activities or trainings (Limit- up to 4 hours) 

Approved advanced training topics and agencies examples can be found here.

Texas Waters Specialist and Webinar Flyer 2022

Annual Renewal Requirements

Participate in at least 10 hours of volunteer services in water, aquatic habitats, and watersheds. 

Projects should be pre-approved. Approved volunteer service opportunity topics and agencies examples can be found here.

Getting Started and Reporting Hours

There is no formal application process. Whether you are a Texas Master Naturalist or obtaining certification as General Public, follow the steps below. There currently is no time limit to obtain Advanced Training for initial certification.

General Public

Follow this Texas Waters Specialist - Volunteer Registration and Reporting Guide PDF

Texas Master Naturalists

Hours required to obtain certification and for community service are not on top of existing chapter requirements; instead, can be counted toward your annual chapter requirements

Advanced Training

  • Request from Chapter VMS coordinator the "AT:TX Waters Certification Training" opportunity
  • Enter eligible AT using "AT:TX Waters Certification Training" and describe with some detail the AT

Volunteer Service

  • Can be obtained concurrent to obtaining TWS certification
    • For example: after receiving training from an approved training source (TPWD, CoCoRaHS, AgriLife, Texas Stream Team, etc.), a volunteer can use those skills in volunteer service while obtaining their 8 AT hours.
  • Enter service hours as per Chapter policy.
  • Click on the shown box ONLY for volunteer service hours that are aquatic/watershed related.Texas Water Specialist Service box

 

Curriculum Chapter Quizzes

A score of 100% is required; the quizzes can be taken more than once. Results are saved, therefore, no need to send an email of completion.

Up to 1 hour per TW chapter is eligible for AT. Master Naturalist: per policy, quizzes may not be approved for Chapter AT but will count toward TWS certification using "AT:TX Waters Certification Training" opportunity.

Texas Water curriculum, Download PDF or request a hard copy by sending your name and full address to ConservationEdu@tpwd.texas.gov

 

2022 Texas Waters Webinars

Karst: The Role of Water in Shaping the Texas Hill Country with Tom Jones, Hays County Master Naturalist and retired Geologist and Hydrogeologist

Lake Livingston’s Restoration Project: 8 Years, 13+ Partners with Scott Ball, Heartwood Master Naturalist, & Scooter Langley, Lee College TDCJ Ellis Unit Horticulture Program

TWDB's Water Conservation Programs and Resources with Shae Luther, Water Education Specialist & Kyla Peterson, Natural Resources Specialist/Team Lead - Ag Conservation & Josh Sendejar, Water Conservation Specialist at Texas Water Development Board

Ecosystem Services in the Greater Houston Region: Case study analysis and recommendations for policy initiatives with Deborah January-Bevers, President at Houston Wilderness

Managing Agricultural Nonpoint Source Water Pollution in Texas with Brian Koch, Regional Watershed Coordinator at Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board

Artificial Reef Program: Diving into Science with Allison Baldwin, Artificial Reef Technician at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

    • Tuesday, July 12 @ 6:30-7:30 PM CT - Register

Forestry Best Management Practices and Their Effectiveness with Donna Work, Biologist IV atTexas A&M Forest Service

    • Thursday, August 11 @ 6:30-7:30 PM CT - Register

They Live Here, Too: Wildlife Habitat Restoration as Water Supply Protection with Katie Myers & Michelle Wood-Ramirez, Watershed Coordinators at Tarrant Regional Water District

    • Thursday, September 22 @ 6:30-7:30 PM CT - Registration Coming Soon

How One Community is Tackling Their Water Quality Issues with Teri MacArthur, Environmental Education Specialist at The Woodlands Township-Environmental Services Department

Past Webinars