Final report for SPDP21-06
Project Information
A major component driving the success of agricultural lands is water and more specifically private water resources, such as livestock tanks. These resources are threatened daily by environmental conditions and human actions. Currently there is no curricula developed addressing sustainable aquatic habitat management on working lands. This project addresses this lack of information by providing training to Texas A&M AgriLife County Extension Agents, Natural Resource Conservation Service staff, mentor farmers, NGO personnel, and other agency personnel. The proposed program is designed to train participants to confidently 1) evaluate aquatic habitat for producers, 2) identify sustainable management solutions to improve aquatic habitats, and 3) teach producers solutions for further integrating aquatic habitat within existing agricultural lands. Once completed, participants should be readily prepared to offer tailored advice to producers and host similar workshops or programs to producers within their jurisdictions; which will assist in meeting our long term goal of producers adopting sustainable practices Objectives will be met through a hybrid approach in training consisting of 1) One hour weekly trainings through a self-paced online delivery, 2) Live panel discussion once monthly, and 3) two non-concurrent field days for each participant. Participants will be evaluated through 1) in-training surveys and 2) training assessments and plan of work. Additionally, a subgroup of past-trainees who use this program as a model to conduct workshops to their clientele, will help direct future efforts of the program.
This proposed program has an overall objective of providing AgriLife County Extension Agents, Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel, NGO personnel, mentor producers, and other interested qualified individuals (including PVAM personnel), a ‘toolkit’ when interacting with clientele regarding aquatic habitat management on agricultural lands. The project committee is confident that this opportunity will lead to improved water quality and quantity, restored native aquatic habitats, increased economic performance, and reduced environmental impacts for Texans. This overall objective will be achieved through providing skills and knowledge necessary for participants to:
- Evaluate Aquatic Habitats for Producers.
Participants will receive training on how to evaluate aquatic habitats on agricultural lands related to potential water quality. Typically when these professionals are called to provide aquatic management advice to clientele, an initial evaluation has not been done, which should be the first step in management. After training, participants should be able to identify water quality and security issues through the assessment of soil, slope, water quality parameters, aquatic vegetation presence, and land use patterns. From these evaluations participants will also be able to identify potential economic losses and feasibility
- Identify Sustainable Management Solutions to Improve Aquatic Habitats
Based on detailed evaluation, law limitations, and overall management goals of the producer, participants should be able to direct their clientele to best management practices for an aquatic habitat. This includes suggesting water quality amendments, integrated pest management solutions, and bank stabilization/restoration.
- Promote Integration of aquatic habitats within existing agricultural lands.
Participants will learn how a sustainable aquatic habitat can coexist with operating agricultural lands. With this information, participants can promote methods and modifications to meet multiple goals including terrestrial goals including livestock watering and crop irrigation, and still meet aquatic goals such as managing for fisheries and waterfowl.
Meeting these objectives will ensure behavior-based outcomes in participants and they will be readily prepared in: 1) offering tailored advice to producers and 2) hosting their own workshops or programs to producers within their jurisdictions, to distribute knowledge learned. Through this dissemination of knowledge from those trained, we hope our long term goal of producers adopting sustainable practices related to aquatic habitat management on working lands is met.
Cooperators
- - Producer
- - Producer
- (Educator)
- - Producer (Educator)
- - Producer
Education
All topics in the program revolve around: 1) evaluation of aquatic habitat for producers, 2) identifying sustainable management solutions to improve aquatic habitats, and 3) teaching producers solutions for further integrating aquatic habitat within existing agricultural lands.
Objectives were met through a hybrid approach in training consisting of 1) Weekly trainings through a self-paced online delivery, 2) Live panel discussion once monthly, and 3) two non-concurrent field days. Since participants are coming from multiple regions and disciplines with varying experience, online pre-recorded portions serve as a primer for background knowledge. Participants were encouraged to come to the virtual live panel discussions with more in depth, specific questions for each speaker. Field days revolved around hands on training and evaluation.
Three out of four total training sessions have been conducted. During each session there have been one hour recorded trainings delivered weekly to interested participants, along with a one hour panel at the end of each session with previous speakers from that session. So far, they are as follows:
Session 1
- Introduction: Wildlife and Safety Around Water conducted by Dr. Aaron Sumrall with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- 75 views; 3,606 training minutes
- Ponds- Planning, Design, & Construction conducted by AJ Logan with the Natural Resource Conservation Service
- 98 views; 2,620 training minutes
- Evapotranspiration Losses by Brittany Chesser with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- 39 views; 633 training minutes
- Water Quality & Livestock Health by Dr. Thomas Hairgrove with Texas A&M University
- 54 views; 3,238 training minutes
- Visual Cues and Management of Cyanobacteria by Brittany Chesser with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- 38 views; 880 training minutes
- Session 1 Live Panel with Presenters
- 29 people present live, 6 recording views; 1,925 training minutes
Session 2
- Aquatic Plant Management in Texas by Monica McGarrity and John Findeisen with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- 58 views; 4,347 training minutes
- TPDES Pesticides General Permit TXG870000 by Kayla Robichaux with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- 37 views; 1,052 training minutes
- Texas Water Law in a Droplet by Dr. Ronald Kaiser with Texas A&M University
- 85 views; 7,157 training minutes
- Session 2 Live Panel with Presenters
- 25 people present live, 14 recording views; 1,720 training minutes
1st Field Day- September 17 , 2021 in Normangee TX
- Introduction from Producers (Amie and Troy Doughman) on history of agriculture and pond use on property, management challenges, and recent management.
- Dr. Aaron Sumrall- wild pig damage to aquatic habitat and surrounding agriculture; trap set up demonstration.
- Brittany Chesser- aquatic plant identification scavenger hunt and evaluation on plant coverage
- Leanne Wiley- Preventing bacterial contamination, soil erosion, exclusion fences in livestock ponds, and alternative water sources
- Brittany Chesser- Pond calculations for management and water use restrictions depending on agricultural operation
- Brittany Chesser- Hands on water quality analysis
Session 3
- Aquatic Pest Management by T.J. Muir with Texas Wildlife Services
- 45 views; 2,911 training minutes *required viewing before field days held in May*
- Propagating and Establishing Native Aquatic Plants with Haley Kokel with Fish On Aquatic Plants
- 27 views; 1,600 training minutes *required viewing before field days held in May*
- Session 3 Live Panel with Presenters
- 12 people present live, 6 recording views; 415 training minutes *required viewing before field days held in May*
These recorded sessions are archived for professional development to serve as an online training module for professionals wanting to increase their knowledge on aquatic habitat management on agricultural lands. Collaborating agencies have access to these trainings to refer to as needed, and views continue to increase.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Participants will learn fundamental knowledge related to potential water quality and security issues on working lands, including increased evaporation rates, evapotranspiration rates, identifying harmful algal blooms, poor water quality, and leaking ponds. Trainers will cover these topics in relation to: 1) potential economic losses if these issues are not addressed, 2) ponds used specifically for agricultural purposes, and 3) multi-use ponds.
Five pre-recorded presentations were sent to participants, resulting in a total of 304 views totaling 183 training hours. A total of 29 participants attended one virtual panel with presenters, resulting in 320 training hours.
33 participants filled out the pre-test prior to viewing any recorded session. A summary of results are as follows:
- 36% of participants estimated that ≥50% of clientele seek help related to aquatic habitat management on agricultural lands
- 45% of participants were still within their first 5 years in their current position
- 40% of participants were <50% comfortable on evaluating and recommending management regarding aquatic habitats
24 participants filled out the post evaluation after viewing all recorded sessions and attending the live panel session. A summary of results are as follows:
- 92% of participants were able to access the pre-recorded links sent through weekly emails
- 96% of participants increased their background knowledge of evaluating the feasibility of management related to aquatic habitats
- 83% of participants found that the information was sufficient within the pre-recorded presentations
- 83% of participants found the panel session useful
During this session, participants will get background knowledge for challenges producers may come across when trying to manage aquatic habitats. This includes coverage of water law, dealing with invasive species, laws regarding pest management.
Three pre-recorded presentations were sent to participants, resulting in a total of 180 views totaling 209 training hours. A total of 25 participants attended one virtual panel with presenters, resulting in 29 training hours.
12 participants filled out the post evaluation after viewing all recorded sessions and attending the live panel session. A summary of results are as follows:
- 100% of participants were able to access the pre-recorded links sent through weekly emails
- 100% of participants increased their background knowledge of evaluating the feasibility of management related to aquatic habitats
- 92% of participants found that the information was sufficient within the pre-recorded presentations
- 75% of participants found the panel session useful
Participants will evaluate aquatic habitats on producing lands based on information given by mentor producers hosting field days and using knowledge from previous sessions. Following demonstration from trainers, participants will assess soil, slope, water quality parameters, aquatic vegetation presence, and land use patterns.
- Introduction from Producers (Amie and Troy Doughman) on history of agriculture and pond use on property, management challenges, and recent management.
- Dr. Aaron Sumrall- wild pig damage to aquatic habitat and surrounding agriculture; trap set up demonstration.
- Brittany Chesser- aquatic plant identification scavenger hunt and evaluation on plant coverage
- Leanne Wiley- Preventing bacterial contamination, soil erosion, exclusion fences in livestock ponds, and alternative water sources
- Brittany Chesser- Pond calculations for management and water use restrictions depending on agricultural operation
- Brittany Chesser- Hands on water quality analysis
9 participants filled out the post field day evaluation. A summary of results are as follows:
- 100% of participants were mostly or completely satisfied with the field day overall
- 89% of participants indicated that they learned a lot.
- 66% of participants learned a lot or a great deal of information specifically related to the topic of wildlife concerns with aquatic habitats
- 89% of participants learned a lot or a great deal of information specifically related to the topic of pig trapping
- 89% of participants learned a lot or a great deal of information specifically related to the topic of aquatic vegetation management
- 89% of participants learned a lot or a great deal of information specifically related to the topic of surface water protection
- 78% of participants learned a lot or a great deal of information specifically related to the topic of water quality analysis
- 66% plan to implement similar field day activities in their own region/county
- 33% were unsure
Participants will learn how a sustainable aquatic habitat can coexist with operating agricultural lands. With this information, participants can promote methods and modifications to meet multiple goals including terrestrial goals including livestock watering and crop irrigation, and still meet aquatic goals such as managing for fisheries and waterfowl. (Polk Co.)
- Introduction from Producers (Tina Critchfield) on history of agriculture and pond use on property, management challenges, and recent management.
- Texas Wildlife Services- aquatic wildlife trapping
- Blake Kellum/Brittany Chesser- Copper and clearing treatment demonstrations and discussion in livestock pastures
- Matthew March- Incorporating waterfowl
- Haley Kokel- Plant propagation & planting
28 participants filled out the post field day evaluation. A summary of results are as follows:
- 100% of participants increased their knowledge on the management of aquatic habitats overall
- 100% of participants increased their knowledge of application techniques (pond cleaning, cooper treatments, aquatic wildlife trapping, benefical plant restoration, etc.)
- 100% of participants increased their understanding in the difference in managing ponds for fish and ponds for migrating waterfowl
- 79% plan to implement similar field day activities in their own region/county
Participants will learn how a sustainable aquatic habitat can coexist with operating agricultural lands. With this information, participants can promote methods and modifications to meet multiple goals including terrestrial goals including livestock watering and crop irrigation, and still meet aquatic goals such as managing for fisheries and waterfowl. (Matagorda Co.)
Introduction from Rob Sawyer
- History of property
- Aquatic Habitat uses
- Management challenges
- Recent management
Haley Kokel
- Propagating aquatic vegetation
Rob Sawyer
- Water control structures and water movement on property
TJ Muir
- Aquatic wildlife damage assessment and management
Haley Kokel/Brittany Chesser
- Buttonbush planting
Coastal Prairie Conservancy
- Presentation on Conservation Easements
Kelly Duffie
- Presentation on aquatic herbicides, equipment, and application demos
14 participants filled out the post field day evaluation. A summary of results are as follows:
- 100% of participants increased their knowledge on the management of aquatic habitats overall
- 100% of participants increased their knowledge on application techniques (aquatic herbicide treatments, aquatic wildlife trapping, beneficial plant restoration, conservation easements, etc.)
- 100% of participants increased their knowledge on current issues landowners face when managing aquatic habitats on ag lands
- 100% indicated that by attending they believe the knowledge they learned will allow them to better manage or provide guidance for sustainable aquatic habitat management
- 202,819 water surface acres are managed or provided guidance by these participants
Participants will learn how a sustainable aquatic habitat can coexist with operating agricultural lands. With this information, participants can promote methods and modifications to meet multiple goals including terrestrial goals including livestock watering and crop irrigation, and still meet aquatic goals such as managing for fisheries and waterfowl. (Williamson Co.)
Dr. Todd Sink/Brittany Chesser
- Site visit evaluation (introduce new factsheet)
Ryan Collette
- History of property
- Aquatic Habitat uses
- Management challenges
- Recent management
Brittany Chesser
- Algae treatment demonstration
- Arundo spray result
Mikayla Killam
- Beaver damage assessment and management
Cole Stillman
- Discuss grasslands/native range near aquatic habitats to prevent run off nutrients
TPWD
- Private land leasing program for doves and other small game (TPWD)
- Attracting wildlife to water features
Todd Sink
- Incorporating fisheries into livestock/row crop operations
Brittany Chesser
- Cattail spray result
12 participants filled out the post field day evaluation. A summary of results are as follows:
- 100% of participants increased their knowledge on the management of aquatic habitats overall
- 100% of participants increased their knowledge on implementing management practices (aquatic herbicide treatments, native grasslands, attracting wildlife, etc.)
- 100% of participants increased their knowledge on current issues landowners face when managing aquatic habitats on ag lands
- 100% indicated that by attending they believe the knowledge they learned will allow them to better manage or provide guidance for sustainable aquatic habitat management
- 20,774 water surface acres are managed or provided guidance by these participants
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
As a result of this program, virtual portions have been sent to three other entities (Texas Park and Wildlife Department, regional NRCS offices, Hutto Park and Recreation Department, AYW Texas Conservation Corps), followed by at least one field day each for professional development on aquatic habitats on agriculture lands. Several participant groups have partnered with trainers to create annual regional workshops modeling topics and delivery methods that were covered in this project. At least 6 partcipants have created their own outreach materials based on information learned within this program.
Information Products
- Aquatic Site Visit Checklist for Professionals (Fact Sheet)
- MANAGING AVIAN DAMAGE IN AQUATIC HABITATS (Fact Sheet)
- A LANDOWNER’S GUIDE: Aquatic Site Visits (Fact Sheet)
- Using Aquatic Vegetation for Restoration (Video)
- Aquatic Mammal Management on Ag Lands (Video)