2021 Virtual Texas Envirothon

Students will learn the concepts of how water is managed in Texas. Key topics include:

• Understand the ability of Natural Resources Districts to implement local policy and local management to protect water users;
• Understand administrative structures and processes for managing water uses and supplies;
• Understand ground and surface water hydrology and connectivity;
• Understand the economic, social and environmental impacts of projects and policy decisions.

1. Understanding how groundwater and surface water systems function.
   • Objective 1. Knowledge of hydrologic cycle
   • Objective 2. Knowledge of groundwater and surface water interactions
   • Objective 3. How human activities effect groundwater and surface water
2. Understanding the importance of water quality and quantity as a foundation in a healthy ecosystem.
   • Objective 1. Understanding the connection between groundwater and surface water and how they affect each other.
3. Understanding a variety of water quality indicators in different landscapes.
   • Objective 1. Knowledge of water quality impacts such as agriculture practices, urban development, nitrates, toxic algae, etc.
   • Objective 2. Understand the indicators of water health, including physical, chemical and biological properties and its role in the hydrological system.
4. Understanding a variety of water quantity indicators in different landscapes.
   • Objective 1. Knowledge of water quantity impacts such as agriculture practices, urban development, and groundwater levels.
   • Objective 2. Understanding of stream gauges and groundwater maps.
5. Understanding how sustainable and best management practices enhance and protect water quality and quantity for humans and wildlife.
   • Objective 1. Understand the importance of moving toward sustainable practices to protect water quality and quantity.
   • Objective 2. Understand best management practices that improve water quality and quantity such as improved agriculture practices, urban planning and water efficiency.
   • Objective 3. Understand the role of technology: flow meters, observation wells, Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) surveys, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) (drones, GIS, etc.), precision agriculture, etc.
6. Understanding the differences of local, regional, and national systems that manage natural resources and the importance of each in water resources.
   • Objective1. Knowledge of various conservation agencies, and how partners work together for conservation success.
7. Understanding the social, economic, political impacts of natural resources management and decision making.
   • Objective 1. Describe the social, economic and political impacts of regulating water quality and quantity.
   • Objective 2. Understand the delicate balance behind decision making—funding projects, social responsibility, regulatory authority.

• Understanding how sustainable and best management practices enhance and protect water quality and quantity for humans and wildlife.
  • Storm Water Detention: How it Works
  • Interactive Mapping Tools
• Understanding the differences of local, regional, and national systems that manage natural resources and the importance of each in water resources.
  • Local: Clean Rivers Program
  • Regional/State: Texas Water Development Board and
    TCEQ Water Quality: Rivers, Lakes, and Estuaries
  • National: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys
• Galveston Bay Report Card
  • Cover Stories

Recommended Reading

• Can Texas stop its taps from running dry?
• To save the climate, we have to reimagine capitalism (video)