Riparian Habitat is Important
There is nothing better than riparian habitat. It’s true, the plant communities that comprise riparian areas are critical for wildlife. In many cases riparian areas have higher plant and animal diversity than surrounding areas. Although riparian areas such as creeks, streams and rivers are ever-changing, unprecedented rain events can cause serious problems with the health and function of these systems in the short-term. Central Texas has been hammered with rain, but Texas landowners have help when it comes to figuring out what to do with their flood-impacted properties.
The Nature Conservancy, Texas Parks and Wildlife, City of Wimberley, Texas A&M Forest Service and other Central Texas conservation agencies and non-profit organizations are offering natural resource restoration workshops June 10, 11 and 12 for landowners and residents whose properties were affected by flooding on the Blanco River. Water is important for the Hill Country, but it’s also important that riparian areas function properly.
What: The workshops will cover the do’s and don’ts of riparian (stream side) recovery following the Blanco River flooding. Field trips will cover restoration tips and plant identification and provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of Texas’ top riparian restoration experts.
Habitat Management Sponsors
Host organizations: The Nature Conservancy, Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Hill Country Alliance, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas AgriLife Extension, Hays County Master Naturalists, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the City of Blanco, the City of Wimberley, and more.
Who should attend: Landowners, restoration volunteers, residents from Hays County and other interested parties.
Details of the Riparian Habitat Workshop
Where & When: Three one-hour workshops, each followed by a one-hour field trip:
- June 10 — The Old Blanco County Courthouse in Blanco, from 9:30–10:30 a.m., field trip to the Blanco River (exact location TBD but will be announced at the workshop).
- June 11 — A private residence in Burnett Ranches subdivision from 5-7 p.m. The property is situated along the Blanco River, which we’ll survey as the field trip. (Contact Rachael Ranft at rranft@tnc.org to RSVP and for the location)
- June 12 — The Wimberley Community Center, breakfast from 8-9 a.m., workshop from 9-10 a.m., field trip to Blue Hole at 10 a.m.
RSVP: contact Rachael Ranft at rranft@tnc.org. Refreshments will be served.
Riparian Management Resources