Texas Waters Specialist Advanced Training and Volunteer Service Opportunities
Proper advanced training and volunteer service projects are the cornerstone of the Texas Waters program. There are a variety of trainings and projects in which one may participate. The advanced training and volunteer service MUST be related to water, aquatic habitats, or watersheds.
Below is a sample list of pre-approved advanced training and volunteer service opportunities in four major categories: Conservation, Ecology, Education, and Stewardship. In addition, there are listed opportunities not approved.
TPWD and other agencies provide high quality advanced training and service opportunities. Pre-approved agencies are listed at the end of the webpage.
If an opportunity or agency is missing that should be included below or for questions regarding eligible Texas Waters Specialist hours or projects, contact TPWD’s Conservation Education Manager at ConservationEdu@tpwd.texas.gov.
Advanced Training and Volunteer Service Opportunities
| Conservation | Ecology | Education | Stewardship |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Infrastructure (smart growth, LEED, Xeriscaping, bioswales, cisterns) |
Bioindicator species monitoring (currently macroinvertebrates only) |
Field trips (educational not recreational) |
Invasive removal (must be an aquatic habitat) |
|
Rain gardens |
Aquatic ecosystem and habitats |
Texas Aquatic Science workshops |
Aquatic issues (harmful algae blooms, zebra mussels) |
|
Storm drain marking |
Fluvial geomorphology |
Training to provide programs (excludes Angler Education & Project WILD) |
Clean ups - microplastics, nurdles, trash, etc. (Litter pickup can be done anywhere, does not need to be an aquatic habitat) |
|
Water/hydrologic cycle |
Groundwater and surface water |
Point/nonpoint pollution, runoff |
|
|
Well and septic management |
Karst and caves |
Pond management (ornamental not included) |
|
|
Water Law |
Restoration (must be an aquatic habitat) |
||
|
Sustainable land/agricultural management (must directly relate to watershed improvement) |
|||
|
Water monitoring (Texas Stream Team, CoCoRaHS) |
Not Approved TWS Advanced Training
- TPWD Angler Education and Aquatic WILD
- Weather related (CoCoRaHS training or topics directly related to water quality are approved)
- Wildlife related (unless species talk is a bioindicator or directly connected to water quality)
- Oil and gas related (unless talk is fully related to water issues)
- Recreational activities (no or little educational message connected to activity)
Not Approved TWS Service Activities
- Trail building and maintenance NOT associated with water quality
- Invasive species removal and control NOT associated with an aquatic habitat
- Planting vegetation/restoration NOT associated with riparian or aquatic habitats
- Monitor and record wildlife species (exception for macroinvertebrates)
- Planning and presenting events, programs, and projects NOT associated with aquatic habitats or water conservation
- Recreational activities (no or little water quality improvement connected to activity)
Approved Agencies
|
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
Other Agencies (Limit:4 hours) |
|
Texas Waters live webinars Texas Waters group discussion (webinars or curriculum) Texas Waters quizzes Texas Aquatic Science workshops Texas Waters Day at TxMN Annual Meeting |
Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) City departments of water, wastewater, watershed Colorado River Watch Network Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Field Trips to partner agencies (educational not recreational) Friends of Lake Livingston Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) Joint Ventures (nature-based) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Ogallala Commons River Authorities Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) Symposiums: River or Water (educational) TAMU AgriLife Extension: Texas Waters Resources Institute Texas A&M Forest Service Texas Comptroller of Public Accountants (CPA): Natural Resources Program Texas General Land Office Texas Litter Database (STOP) Texas Living Waters Project Texas Master Naturalists Texas Stream Team Texas Water Development Board & Groundwater Conservation Districts The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. (Grass Roots Environmental Education Network) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Water Efficiency Networks |