Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week to be highlighted April 28-May 5

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Watershed Protection Plan Program and the Texas Water Resources Institute have partnered with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, TSSWCB, and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts to highlight Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week on April 28-May 5.

The awareness campaign, called "May the Forest Be With You Always," invites Texans to appreciate the relationship between soil, water and the forests that shape the state's landscape.

This weeklong recognition helps emphasize to landowners that conservation of natural resources is important, not just this week, but all year long, said Michael Kuitu, AgriLife Extension specialist and Texas Watershed Steward program coordinator, Bryan-College Station.

"Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has numerous public outreach programs that highlight not only the importance of soil and water stewardship but how to achieve it, regardless of whether or not you live in the country or work for a heavily urbanized city," Kuitu said. "We want to celebrate soil and water stewardship week, but it is important to note that the need for stewardship of these critical resources is necessary all year long."

The importance of forest landowners

Beyond producing oxygen, storing carbon and serving as havens for biodiversity, forests play a crucial role in safeguarding soil and water resources. Forests protect soil and water by preventing erosion, filtering contaminants and fostering healthy watersheds.

Forest landowners are an important part of Texas agriculture and work closely with local soil and water conservation districts and the Texas A&M Forest Service to implement conservation practices that promote the health and sustainability of forests and forest ecosystems.

"Texas A&M Forest Service is a proud partner and supporter of Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week, said Hughes Simpson, Forest Resource Development chief operating officer, Texas A&M Forest Service, Bryan-College Station. "One of our guiding principles is helping private landowners become better stewards of their land through trainings, landowner assistance programs, grants and more."

Since 1939, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and partners have worked to encourage responsible natural resource management.

"Our goal is to shine a light on the forestry industry's integral role in tandem with agriculture. The collaboration between these sectors is essential for maintaining the health of our soil, water and forests," said Rex Isom, TSSWCB executive director, Temple. "Recognizing their relationship is a step towards fostering sustainable practices that benefit us all."

Importance of trees and conservation

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, privately owned forests contribute significantly to the Texas economy and provide numerous environmental and social benefits. Several essential products are made from trees, including paper products, lumber and even household items such as toothpaste, medicines and dyes. Trees also offer habitat and food to birds, insects, lichen, fungi, mammals and reptiles. Finally, trees increase the quality of life through a relaxing effect, reducing stress.

In Texas, 17 million people get their clean surface drinking water from forests and as stewards of these precious natural resources, the bond of soil, water and forests must be acknowledged and conserved.

This campaign aims to bring more awareness and support to voluntary land stewardship because the way resources are managed on private lands directly impacts natural resources.

Partnering organizations in the campaign include the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, AgriLife Extension, Ducks Unlimited, Plains Cotton Growers, Texan By Nature, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council, Texas Association of Dairymen, Texas Conservation Association for Soil and Water, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Forestry Association, Texas Hemp Coalition, Texas Poultry Federation, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association, Texas Water Resource Institute, Texas Watershed Steward Program, Texas Wildlife Association, The Nature Conservancy, Upper Trinity Conservation Trust, and U.S. Department of AgricultureNatural Resources Conservation Service, and Water Grows.

For more information on the campaign, visit www.tsswcb.texas.gov.

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