Texas
Soil and Water Stewardship Week highlights forests – Texas Farm Bureau
The importance of voluntary land stewardship and the role that forests play in Texas are the focus of this year’s Soil and Water Stewardship Week set for April 28 through May 5.
The theme of the statewide campaign is “May the Forest Be With You Always.”
The promotional efforts are hosted by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas Soil & Water Conservation Districts, as well as other organizations in Texas, including Texas Farm Bureau.
“Forests contribute immeasurably to the well-being of our communities, our state and the planet,” a campaign news release said. “Beyond producing oxygen and storing carbon, as well as being havens for biodiversity, forests play a crucial role in safeguarding our soil and water resources. They stand as protectors, preventing erosion, filtering contaminants and fostering healthy watersheds. This year’s theme invites us to appreciate the intricate relationship between soil, water and the abundant forests that shape our Texas landscape.”
Forest landowners are an important part of Texas agriculture. They work closely with their 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.
The goal of this year’s campaign 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 soil, water and forests. Recognizing their relationship is a step toward fostering sustainable practices that benefit us all, organizers said.
Privately-owned forests contribute significantly to the Texas economy and provide numerous environmental and social benefits.
Essential products made from trees include paper products, lumber, toothpaste, medicines and dyes.
Trees also offer habitat and food to birds, insects, lichen, fungi, mammals and reptiles.
In addition, trees increase quality of life through a relaxing effect, reducing stress. It doesn’t matter where you are—the forest is always with you.
In Texas, 11.7 million people get their clean surface drinking water from forests, organizers said.
This campaign aims to bring more awareness and support to voluntary land stewardship because the way we manage our resources on private lands directly impacts our natural resources.
Partnering organizations in campaign includes 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, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and Water Grows.
Texas
Scattered storms, flooding risk, cooler temperatures in store for North Texas into Memorial Day week
Texas
Storm cleanup continues after Central Texas thunderstorms topple trees, damage roads
AUSTIN, Texas — Severe thunderstorms that moved through Central Texas Tuesday night left behind downed trees, power outages, and damage across parts of the area.
Scenes from the storms showed powerful winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning moving through the region.
In Georgetown, damage could be seen at a gas station where Chalmer Williams took shelter as the storm moved through.
“If you see the video, the cashier who was in front of me was trying to signal people to come inside,” Williams said. “Luckily, she lets me in, and in my mind I’m thinking ‘man, maybe this isn’t just a thunderstorm,’” he said.
As conditions worsened, Williams said he became more concerned about what was happening outside.
“Especially when the roof of the gas station started to come off, I’m like ‘man, maybe I’m in the middle of a tornado and don’t even know it,’” Williams said.
Meteorologists say the storms were strong, but also fairly well predicted.
“The storm moved into the Austin area and the I-35 corridor right at 9 o’clock, and that was basically what time the model suggested would happen,” said Troy Kimmel, an incident response meteorologist.
RELATED| Severe thunderstorms cause widespread power outages, downed trees across Central Texas
KEYE
The storms quickly caused problems across the area.
Off Barton Springs Road in Austin, a man was critically injured after a tree fell on him outside Green Mesquite BBQ. The restaurant was closed on Wednesday.
At one point, more than 5,400 Austin Energy customers were without power. Most people have since had their power restored.
Kimmel said straight-line winds can sometimes cause more widespread damage than people realize.
“The straight lines wind do what? They spread out, and they can cause more damage over a wider area. It can affect utilities, bring down trees, and, of course, the power lines over a wider area,” Kimmel said.
On Berry Creek Drive, the ground underneath part of the roadway was washed away, creating additional traffic issues tied to the weather.
With more rain chances in the forecast this week, meteorologists are urging Central Texans to stay weather aware.
For Williams, the experience was a reminder that safety comes first during severe weather.
“There’s going to be hardships, and sometimes we just want to fight through it like I was on I-35,” Williams said. “The best answer is to seek refuge, to seek safety, to seek comfort, and then when it’s time, get back out there and fight.”
Texas
Fifth person dies following multi-vehicle crash in Sabine Pass, according to Texas DPS
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A fifth person has died after a deadly wrong-way crash involving multiple vehicles in Sabine Pass, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Troopers said 22-year-old Caleb Burge, who was rushed to a Beaumont hospital after the accident on Monday afternoon, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.
ORIGINAL REPORT: 4 killed in multi-vehicle crash in Sabine Pass, according to Department of Public Safety
Four other people were declared dead at the scene immediately following the wreck, including 28-year-old Cesar Rojas, 27-year-old Emmanuel Reynosa Rivas, 28-year-old Angel Dominguez, and 27-year-old Osvaldo Alvarez.
At least seven others were taken to area hospitals after the crash involving a Chevy van, Prevost bus and Audi sedan. Investigators said the van crossed into the oncoming lane and crashed into the bus. After the impact, the van went into a ditch, and the Audi hit the rear of the bus, investigators said.
Troopers did not release additional details, and the crash is still under investigation.
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