2025 Presentations
Keynote presentation: will a river run through it?
Dr. Robert Mace, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University – San Marcos
Keynote presentation: Living Waters Fly Fishing
Chris Johnson, Living Waters Fly Fishing – Round Rock
Breakout sessions:
Session A
Moderator: Fouad Jaber
Greening Detention Ponds for Multifunctional Landscapes presentation
Dr. Fouad Jaber, Texas A&M AgriLife
Detention ponds were some of the earliest best management practices to manage
stormwater. Dry detention ponds are basically excavated areas with a pipe (orifice) at
the bottom that slowed down overflow and reduced peak flows in the receiving channel
or stream. Minimal treatment occurs in such systems. Wet detention ponds hold water
for longer periods allowing only overflow when new runoff flows into the pond. They
reduce total suspended solids from the effluent in addition to peak flow reduction. In this
presentation two improved designs that increase volume reduction and pollutants would
be presented as alternative more sustainable detention ponds. The first consists of
design ponds as parks that integrate bioswales, native plants and recreation trails with a
meandering river pattern. The other integrates a constructed wetland in the detention
pond that retains and treats small storm events while still performing as a standard
detention pond for larger events. Both the designs provide opportunities for greening
and recreation that could be an asset in new developments.
Urban Waters Looking for Native Roots
Ryan O’Hanlon, Stonefly Aquatic Nursery
Wetland and riparian restoration designs often include many wonderful species, but
don’t always align with the availability and regular production of species from growers or
suppliers. Here, we’ll discuss what this looks like from the growers side of the stream.
Including considerations for time frame, location, pot size, quantities to fill the project
and what we’ve learned along the way!
Assessing Expanded Shale for Urban Runoff Treatment: Integrating Physical Experiments, Flow Visualization, and Numeric Modeling
Dr. Habib Ahmari, The University of Texas at Arlington
Urbanization and expanding impervious surfaces have increased stormwater runoff,
altering its timing and degrading water quality. Urban runoff carries pollutants such as
nitrogen, phosphorus, sediments, and heavy metals, affecting the physical properties of
receiving waters. Stormwater management programs use Best Management Practices
(BMPs) to mitigate these impacts by retaining and treating runoff. However, in dense
urban areas, space and cost limitations often hinder traditional BMPs. This project
evaluates a small-scale engineered filtration media made of expanded shale in a
controlled lab environment at the University of Texas at Arlington. The setup allowed for
rapid, precise testing of different configurations, including inflow-outflow dynamics,
bypass mechanisms, filter media dimensions, and pollutant loading rates. Thirty
scenarios were tested in a 15-ft plexiglass flume using expanded shale mixed with
sandy clay soil, assessing its effectiveness in removing total suspended solids (TSS)
and turbidity. Results showed removal efficiencies of 20-82% for TSS and -4% to 61%
for turbidity, with expanded shale outperforming traditional materials such as sand and
gravel and requiring less channel length. Even at a small scale, expanded shale met the
80% sediment removal standard, highlighting its potential as a highly effective
alternative for urban stormwater management. Flow dynamics over the filtration media
were analyzed using a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system to capture flow patterns
along the flume. Additionally, the Flow-3D model simulated sediment transport under
eight scenarios, replicating the lab geometry. Simulation results complemented physical
observations, reinforcing the effectiveness of expanded shale as a viable filtration
material for managing urban stormwater runoff.
Riparian FRODO: Is Controlling Invasive Species Just a Resource Suck?
Staryn Wagner, City of Austin, Watershed Protection Department
The intention of this discussion is to make possible the presentation of a wide range of
thoughts, opinions, and reasoning related to the control of invasive plant species in and
along our stream and river corridors. At present there is a long and strong held belief
that there is a need for control of invasive plant species in the riparian areas of our
waterways. This effort is lengthy, expensive, and everlasting. With great and
coordinated efforts headway is made against the onslaught of invasives but is there an
end in sight and is there a point where the effort is for naught?
Potential focal points for this conversation:
What are the realistic goals for removing specific invasive species?
Are there some locations to put in the effort and others to let go?
Postage stamp impact. Little spots in a large terrain.
Never fully taken care of. The forever problem.
Would the environmental benefit be greater if the resources were used
elsewhere?
Do you lose the support of those focused on the proliferation of native species?
How do we justify either decision?
The long-term outcome of invasive plant dominance is not fully known.
Session B
Moderator: Rebecca Krug
Updates from the Solar Field
Katie Myers, Tarrant Regional Water District
At the 2022 Urban Riparian Symposium, we gathered information, concerns, and
(mostly) questions from the water world regarding the expansion of utility-scale solar
facilities in Texas. Two years later, we’re back to examine how the landscape has
shifted. What new information do we know about how various development and
management practices affect hydrology and water quality? What research is progress?
Where might the industry be headed in Texas? How are we preparing landowners and
natural resource professionals for this ongoing land use change?
“Hi, N-EWN” in Texas: Collaborating on nature-based solutions from local to
international
Matthew Berg, Rachel Roberts, Abel Porras
The Network for Engineering with Nature (N-EWN) is a community of researchers,
practitioners and educators who are addressing the major infrastructure challenges
facing our society while creating opportunities that align ecological, social and
engineering processes to achieve multiple benefits. This team presentation will feature
Network partners San Antonio River Authority, City of Austin Watershed Protection
Department, and Simfero sharing an overview of N-EWN initiatives across the United
States and in our very own Texas riparian systems. Presenters will highlight
opportunities to connect urban nature with broader regional and national initiatives,
outline innovative watershed modeling approaches, and share lessons learned on
implementing nature-based solutions. This energetic session will aim to bring some fun
in envisioning more resilient communities and ecosystems.
Gaining Ground: Advancing the Use of Erosion Management Structures for
Habitat Restoration
Ryan McGillicuddy, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
In recent decades, land managers in the Southwest have increasingly embraced the
use of low-profile wood and rock structures as treatments for both upland and in-stream
erosional features such as gullies, rills, and headcuts. These structures (commonly
referred to as “Zeedyk” or “low-tech” structures) slow the flow of water across the
landscape, promoting infiltration, soil moisture, and soil capture. The Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department (TPWD) has worked with a private landowner to develop a
conservation demonstration site where several of these structures have been installed,
and is collaborating with state and federal partners and NGOs to further advance their
use and make them eligible for reimbursement through incentive programs.
Conservation Easements: A Tool for Protecting Urban Riparian Areas basics UTCT
Blake Alldredge, Upper Trinity Regional Water District / Upper Trinity Conservation Trust
Session C
Moderator: Melissa Walker
Decision Support for Nature-Based Solutions: The Trinity Floodplain Prioritization
Tool
Dr. Justin Kozak, The Nature Conservancy
The Trinity River Basin, with nearly 11 million acres of land and over 715 river miles is
the most populous basin in the state and serves as the water source to more than half
of all Texans. Water from the Trinity Basin drains into the Galveston Bay and estuary
system, considered one of the most productive ecosystems and commercial fisheries in
the nation. The basin includes five major Texas ecoregions – Cross-Timbers, Blackland
Prairie, Post Oak Savannah, Piney Woods, and Coastal Prairies and Marshes.
Floodplain protection and restoration is an important Nature-Based Solution for
supporting the health and resilience of communities and ecosystems in this important
basin and the Gulf of Mexico. Freely available, the Trinity Floodplain Prioritization Tool is
a decision support tool designed to help identify key opportunities for floodplain
protection and restoration in the Trinity River Basin. Users are able to specify criteria
related to water quality, wildlife habitat, carbon storage, current and future flood risk,
and current and projected land use characteristics. The map interface changes in
response to the user selections to identify sites that meet the selected criteria and help
identify the geographies where floodplain conservation is likely to have the greatest
positive impact for the conservation and community priorities selected.
Implementing Effective Strategies to Preserve Denton County Riparian Areas
Blake Alldredge, Upper Trinity Regional Water District / Upper Trinity Conservation Trust
As working agricultural lands transform into urbanized communities, it’s important to
protect the quality of water in local streams and lakes – – the sources of our drinking
water. A coordinated approach to protecting our natural assets (such as riparian areas,
wetlands, and other native habitats) is needed to ensure the continued health and
sustainability of North Texas waterways for years to come. As part of its regional
Watershed Protection Program, the Upper Trinity Regional Water District collaborates
with multiple partners (i.e. cities, counties, utilities and other agencies and
organizations) on various programs to advance watershed management in North Texas.
In addition, UTRWD established the Upper Trinity Conservation Trust in 2010. The Trust
protects land and preserves water resources by receiving and overseeing conservation
easements. The Trust’s mission is to protect water quality and does this by focusing on
riparian corridors in rural and urban watersheds of our local water supply lakes. In 2017,
the Trust, along with UTRWD and Denton County, jointly sponsored the development of
the Denton County Greenbelt Plan. The Plan identifies and prioritizes areas where
preservation efforts should be encouraged, and to create a common vision for voluntary
implementation by municipalities and developers. Recommended strategies were
included in the Plan to encourage implementation, such as public outreach tools,
funding mechanisms, trail designs and other protection measures. Since 2017, 12
entities have adopted the Plan to date. This presentation will discuss the development
of the Plan, the recommended strategies that were included to encourage
implementation of the Plan by municipalities and developers, and how the Plan has
spurred interest from others in riparian protection that have led to additional projects.
This presentation will also highlight cities who are currently preserving riparian areas
and protecting water quality by various means.
Building More Livable Communities – The Riparian Way!
Aleksander (AJ) Prebensen, City of Fort Worth
The City of Fort Worth has looked at a planned service area of the city and has
collaborated with a developer to do a model site plan of a development that preserves
the riparian areas and creates more livable neighborhoods that conserve canopy, utilize
natural topography, are nature facing, trail oriented, and also address some middle
housing issues through granting density in exchange for the preservation of ecosystem
services. The city is considering design and development regulations and where we can
find flexibility in order to promote more walkable bikable neighborhoods that still deliver
a good or better return on investment for the development community, the city, and its
residents.
Just Stop Mowing! The Trials and Tribulations of Establishing Stream Buffers in
Urban Parks
Michelle Villafranca, City of Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department
In 2021, the City of Fort Worth’s Park & Recreation Department embarked upon a
stream buffer program. Ten parks with were selected to return vegetated buffers along
streams through reduced mowing. Initially, it seemed an easy-to-implement program;
however looks can be deceiving. This presentation will cover the process of selecting
the parks, developing a Natural Areas program, developing policy and maintenance
procedures, working with mow contractors, developing a stream health monitoring
program, and educating the public on the benefits of vegetated buffers.
Waller Creek Project and Downtown Revitalization of Urban Water Way and Trail
System
Melissa Carugati
Session D
Moderator: Nikki Dictson
River Road Park Bank Stabilization Project – City of Boerne
Tami Norton, Ecosystem Planning and Restoration
The River Road Park Bank Stabilization project is located along the north bank of the
Cibolo Creek in Boerne, Texas and was completed in April 2024. This presentation will
detail the design approach for stabilizing 1,550-LF of riverbank using natural techniques
such as boulder toe protection, a native plant and vegetation buffer, and limiting
pedestrian access. The design analysis, criteria, and permitting requirements will be
discussed. In addition to the bank stabilization, the City of Boerne removed sediment
that had accumulated behind the dam located at the downstream end of River Road
Park and, working with Texas Parks and Wildlife and the local high school welding
program, installed fish habitat feature to improve water quality within the Cibolo Creek.
The goal of this presentation is to demonstrate the benefits of natural approaches and
challenges of implementation.
Integration of Transportation and Stormwater Infrastructure (TSI): A Proactive
Approach to North Central Texas Growth and Development
Aaron Hoff, Tarrant Regional Water District
This initiative utilizes proactive planning to address increasingly flooded roadways,
neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure in the rapidly-developing areas of North
Central Texas contending with intense rainfall and escalating stormwater impacts. The
study integrates stormwater, transportation, and environmental planning in a unique
effort to reduce risk in a region growing by 150,000 people per year. Focusing on these
‘exurban’ areas, the study seeks to provide enhanced technical models and emergency
management solutions to guide more informed development decisions. This will be
accompanied by a planning menu for sustainable transportation design and stormwater
detention that blend traditional stormwater features with nature-based solutions. Tools
that quantify the financial benefits of adopting these higher building standards will also
be integrated into the study. The multi-year study is funded with more than $10 million
from state and federal agencies. Study partners include the North Central Texas Council
of Governments, US Army Corps of Engineers, academia, and impacted communities
and organizations. Study goals include: 1. Reduced infrastructure flooding within and
downstream of rapid development areas 2. Tools identifying the financial benefit of
adopting higher standards 3. Enhanced technical models and emergency management
capabilities 4. Planning menu for transportation design, stormwater detention, and
environmental features
Integration of Community Forest Management in Watershed Protection Strategies
Julia Schmidt, Texas A&M Forest Service
This presentation will focus on the integration of community forest management in
watershed protection strategies, discussing the benefits of trees in urban settings,
various methods to manage stormwater runoff, and why this is important. The goal of
the presentation is to give both corporate and individual’s ways to contribute to our
water systems health and share background to the importance of trees in society. By
reviewing green infrastructure, low impact development practices, and how an
individual’s landscaping can enhance stormwater quality, we can give power to the
public in a tangible and obtainable way. This presentation will demonstrate how anyone
can take matters into their own hands and begin to make a difference even in their own
backyard.
Connecting Community to Urban Streams and Forests through Restoration,
Conservation Corps, and Stewardship Events
Emily Finley, Jordan Forbis, Beaver Watershed Alliance
The Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC), a nonprofit watershed
restoration group, has been awarded $2.67 million through the Inflation Reduction Act
and the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program to undertake
an extensive riparian restoration project within an urban park in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The project is in year one, this presentation will share initial steps taken to form
partnerships, develop process-based conservation methods, build a framework for
conservation workforce development and deliver strategies to engage the local
community. The project, “Connecting Community to Urban Streams and Forests in a
Low-Income Neighborhood at Walker Park, Fayetteville, AR,” focuses on the
comprehensive restoration of 3,300 feet of Spout Spring and its associated riparian
zone, along with 22 acres of adjacent forest. Situated in a historically Black community,
this riparian restoration effort aims to revitalize the stream, thereby improving ecological
health and community access. Key components of the riparian restoration include the
design and implementation of natural stream channel design techniques for restoration
and riparian habitat enhancement. Collaboration is central to the project’s success.
Beaver Watershed Alliance, a nonprofit watershed group, is assisting the WCRC in
developing a conservation workforce in coordination with the Arkansas Conservation
Corps, coordinating volunteer stewardship and community engagement events. The
Alliance will share their experience with these outreach and education efforts,
interfacing with a municipality to coordinate project work and next steps for the project.
Through these riparian restoration efforts, the project aims to increase public access to
nature, enhance wildlife habitats, and protect water quality in the Beaver Lake
watershed, as well as reconnect residents of this historically disadvantaged community
with their natural environment. Project Partners include Watershed Conservation
Resource Center, Beaver Watershed Alliance, City of Fayetteville, Beaver Water District,
Northwest Arkansas Black Heritage, American YouthWorks, and the USDA Forest
Service.
Cooling Our Cities: Urban Reforestation and Citizen Science Unite to Combat
Heat
Kirsten Vernin, HARC
The health of our communities and green spaces are intertwined. ForUsTree is about
collectively tending to green spaces and reinvigorating communities’ access to natural
areas and urban forests in an equitable manner. The Initiative will help combat high
temperatures and prepare communities for a changing climate, while also bringing
training and workforce development, access to paid employment, and established
pathways for green careers. This project will grow the urban tree canopy by 54,310
trees, cultivate the workforce by hiring and training 83 Community Engagement and
Environmental Education Interns and Youth Work Crew Members, and reap climate
resilience and community benefits by improving forest health and removing 2,040
hazardous trees. Urban and extreme heat are among the most significant health and
climate issues facing Houston and Harris County. In August of 2024, 157 community
volunteer scientists took to the streets to find the areas in Houston and Harris County
most susceptible to the “urban heat island effect.” Using thermal sensors mounted on
their cars, these volunteers traveled along pre-determined routes to record ambient
temperatures and humidity at three specific times. Together, they drove a total of 3,446
miles within disadvantaged communities in Houston and Harris County, making it the
largest single-day heat mapping campaign in the United States. An outcome is the
direct involvement of the community in producing street-by-street heat data to identify
where, on a granular level, heat is most severe. This presentation will cover the precampaign planning, campaign day, and share key findings based on the heat mapping
results. All data will be publicly available, allowing local communities to use this data
and access strategic planning reforestation resources to help find solutions for their own
neighborhoods. By collaborating across sectors, this project is committed to increasing
tree canopy equity in Houston and Harris County.
Session E
Moderator: Blake Alldredge
Grow Zone Hot Topics: Key issues after 15 years of riparian restoration
Staryn Wagner, City of Austin, Watershed Protection Department
In this presentation we discuss the origin and past decade of the Grow Zone Program (a
municipal riparian restoration effort). Then present the result of an inter-departmental
meeting set on identifying issues and concerns (Hot Topics) that have arisen over the
past twelve years. The goal which is presently underway is to use inter-departmental
groups to focus on each of the Hot Topics and establish protocols for addressing them.
The results from these groups will then be written into the updated Grow Zone
guidelines.
Retrospective of 7,071 E.coli samples from Bull Creek District Park and Barton
Springs, Austin TX
Andrew Clamann, City of Austin, Watershed Protection Department
Over the past 20 years, Austin’s Public Health department has collected >7,000 water
samples for weekly E. coli analysis from two popular aquatic recreation locations in
Austin, Texas: Barton Springs Pool and the Bull Creek District Park. The resulting large
data set has provided dependable insight into the spatial and temporal trends of these
waterbodies. Both water bodies show reduced concentrations of E.coli over time, and
the data shows fascinating trends in both temporal and spatial context that have
ramifications for the management of contact recreation of these are other locations.
Long term, dense, and focused data sets like this are hard to come by, and there are
lessons to be learned from the sample protocol and experimental design.
FRODO: Urban Ag Technical and Financial Assistance
Wilma Tichelaer, USDA NRCS
Common urban agricultural best management practices in relation to resource concerns
that are commonly found in urban settings. This will be geared towards Urban Riparian
areas and the opportunities for NRCS technical and financial assistance.
Session F
Moderator: Ryan McGillicuddy
Water Education: Audiences and Messaging
Melissa Walker, City of Arlington Stormwater Educator/Texas Master Naturalist/Texas
Riparian Association Board Member
Understanding different audience questions and their related messages are an
important component of a quality water education program. Students, teachers,
residents, business owners, rural landowners, developers and government employees
all have a different perspective on their role in water quality. Learning how to provide
appropriate education messages in a clear and concise way to these various listeners
can improve your education goals.
ACCESS Water: K-12 Watershed Education Programs
Dr. Kelly Albus, Texas Water Resources Institute
The ACCESS Water Teacher Education program (TWRI) delivers watershed-based
educational programming for teachers across the state focused on non-point source
pollution. With place-based, hands-on learning through citizen science, the ACCESS
Water program uses research-based techniques to increase the quality of watershedrelated content for middle and high school students and increase student engagement
through local action. This presentation will focus on sharing successes, tips, tricks and
lessons learned from the ACCESS Water team related to water quality programming for
K-12 audiences, and include a facilitated discussion about the future of water education
in Texas.
Project WET (Water Education Today) in Texas
Melissa Mullins – Baylor University Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research
Project WET (Water Education Today) is dedicated to solving critical environmental
challenges by teaching the world about water. Project WET provides hands-on, sciencebased water education resources to formal and non-formal educators around the world.
These resources encourage environmental stewardship and promote meaningful action.
Social justice and sustainability are at the heart of every water lesson and activity.
Come learn about how Project WET works globally, at the national level, and in Texas
from a Project WET Coordinator and an educator who has long used PWET activities.
We might even have time to look at a Project WET activity or two!
Engagement and Partnership to Beautify the Brazos
Mark Keeley – City of Waco
Beautify the Brazos was started in 2022 to engage students at McLennan County
College and Baylor University, Ironman Waco competitors and volunteers, and the
public through Keep Waco Beautiful in a hands-on experience in water quality
monitoring. Since then, it has grown to include more partners and expanded to include
Spring and Fall anchor events. This multi-faceted collaboration between public, private
and non-profit entities and institutions helped to visualize current water quality concerns
and drought impacts, engage citizens, and reconnect people to our water source
allowing them to see the true beauty of the Brazos and its surrounding tributaries. In this
presentation we will discuss previous planning, on-going partnerships, opportunities and
successes, and future goals.
Panel:
Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration Project
Michael Leonard, San Antonio River Authority