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.

The Texas Tech football program went into NFL draft weekend with one player sure to be selected and a few who profiled with late-round or undrafted free-agent grades.

That’s exactly how it worked out. The Arizona Cardinals drafted safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth round, the Jacksonville Jaguars took defensive end Myles Cole in the seventh round and several Red Raiders came to terms on free-agent deals.

It was the eighth year in a row the Red Raiders had no more than two players drafted, and more of the same could be in store next year.

Running back Tahj Brooks looks like a good bet to be drafted in the middle rounds. No other Red Raiders are sure to be selected next year, though, when Green Bay hosts the festivities.

Here is a way-too-early look at the Red Raiders’ 2025 draft prospects, listed alphabetically and not necessarily all-encompassing.

More: Tahj Brooks, 8 others honored with Texas Tech football team awards

More: Cameran Brown earns No. 2 QB status after Texas Tech football spring game

Safety Julien (C.J.) Baskerville

Baskerville’s rangy at 6-3, 215, and Pro Football Focus gave him the highest grades of any Tech defensive player last year overall, as well as for defending the run and for tackling proficiency. He’s dealt with foot, toe, wrist and knee injuries, playing through pain as well as missing seven games the past two years.

By any name: Texas Tech football’s Julien (C.J.) Baskerville was a preemie. That didn’t hold him back in life or sports

Running back Tahj Brooks

Tech 5-10, 230-pound bell cow is coming off a season in which he carried 290 times for 1,538 yards, ranking second and fourth in the FBS. The Doak Walker Award semifinalist decided to stay another year based on feedback from NFL scouts and efforts from the Matador Club collective.

The website NFLDraftBuzz.com ranks Brooks the No. 11 running back for 2025 and the No. 113 overall prospect.

Inside Tahj Brooks’ decision to stay with Texas Tech football in 2024

Offensive lineman Davion Carter

Carter’s short at 6-foot and 295 pounds, but among FBS offensive guards last season, he received the sixth-highest run-blocking grade, the eighth-highest pass-blocking grade and the third best overall grade from Pro Football Focus. That was at Memphis, for whom he made 23 starts before transferring to Tech.

For Texas Tech football team, two offensive line spots generate fierce competition

Tight end Jalin Conyers

The former national top-250 recruit from Gruver spent a year at Oklahoma and three at Arizona State before coming back to West Texas. The 6-4, 265-pound Conyers has plenty of size to block, but he’s at his best as a receiver, catching 68 passes for 784 yards and five touchdowns the past two years.

Texas Tech football welcomes new fleet of tight ends as spring starts

Wide receiver Josh Kelly

Kelly came to Texas Tech after playing four years for his hometown Fresno State and one for Washington State. His 61 catches for 923 yards and eight touchdowns last season were career highs, and he impressed coaches and teammates this spring with his run-after-catch ability.

How Caleb Douglas, Josh Kelly connected with Texas Tech football

Cornerback Bralyn Lux

The Fresno State transfer had the second best overall grade among Big 12 cornerbacks last season by Pro Football Focus, scoring well both in pass coverage and defending the run. He’s undersized at 5-11, 185 and he’ll be under the gun with multi-year starting corners Malik Dunlap and Rayshad Williams completing their eligibility.

Bralyn Lux earns high praise in Texas Tech football’s first practice of the 2023 season

Offensive lineman Caleb Rogers

Pro Football Focus gave Rogers the seventh-best grade of 33 tackles in the Big 12 last season, but he’s moving inside for 2024 based on the recommendation of NFL evaluators. Rogers (6-5, 310) goes into his fifth season with 42 career starts, all at tackle.

Texas Tech football lineman Caleb Rogers sees his future being at center

Offensive guard Vinny Sciury

Sciury (6-4, 295) transferred from Toledo, where he started 33 games in a row at left guard and earned first-team all-Mid-American Conference recognition in 2023 on a team that finished 11-3. He received the 12th highest pass-blocking grade among FBS offensive guards from Pro Football Focus.

Transfer portal additions say Texas Tech football coaches have lived up to promises

Tight end Mason Tharp

There are 133 teams in the FBS, and Pro Football Focus gave Tharp the 11th-best run-blocking grade among all the tight ends last season. At 6-9, 270 pounds, he can move people, and it can take multiple defenders to drag him down after a catch. Health, especially concussions, are a red flag with Tharp having missed nine games the past three seasons.

Bowl berth gives Texas Tech football’s big boys another hunting trip to plan

From controlling home environments with commands like “Siri, turn on the living room lights” to managing fraud and risk in financial institutions, artificial intelligence is integral to many products and services we use daily.

And the news cycle reminds us frequently that this is just the beginning — that the full promise and peril of AI still lies before us. This is not just technology that will allow us to do the same things in a new way; it has the potential to make us “extra” human — smarter, faster versions of ourselves.

“Every aspect of civilization will be impacted, I believe, by AI, and therefore I wanted to study it thoughtfully and thoroughly before jumping into legislation,” said Senator Tan Parker.

The Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council was established through House Bill 2060 during the 88th legislative session. Composed of founding members and Co-Chairs Senator Parker and Representative Gio Capriglione, along with five other public members, the council intends to increase the study, use, and public awareness of AI. At the heart of any successful endeavor lies collaboration. The Texas AI Council will serve as a nucleus for fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry leaders, academic institutions, and research centers.

“There are very real and concerning downsides that have to be managed when it comes to AI and as a result of that, while I am always a free-market, free-enterprise guy trying to minimize regulation, some regulation will be necessary,” said Senator Parker. 

That’s why he and the AI advisory council are taking a thoughtful approach. Through public hearings and agency testimony, they will create recommendations for legislation, which they plan to issue by December 2024.

“Communication and knowledge are the cornerstones of progress, and our council will serve as the catalyst, uniting minds from all sectors to produce thoughtful policy concerning AI advancement and technology,” according to Senator Parker.

The group’s first working meeting was at the end of March, when it heard from four state agencies, including the Texas Department of Information Research (DIR) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

“I was quite pleased, actually, with the progress and the thoughtfulness of the agencies in terms of how they’re approaching AI,” Senator Parker noted.

For example, TxDOT is using AI to cut down accident response time, process payments, manage traffic, and evaluate aging infrastructure.

The Texas Workforce Commission also testified about their chatbot named Larry being used to screen calls and efficiently connect them with the best department. Parker doesn’t envision this ever becoming an all-bot operation, saying the people of Texas are best served by man and machine working together.

“We must maintain a human touch and a human presence with regard to the workforce commission, as you have people that are struggling for work and trying to find new careers and so forth,” Senator Parker said. 

The council will continue hearing from agencies and the public through the summer—information that will help inform the group’s recommendations. Parker is confident in this approach. He strongly believes in the states, particularly Texas, leading the nation on critical issues.

He pointed to Jenna’s Law. Passed in 2009 and amended in 2017, the legislation mandates K through 12 training for educators. After being passed, a study found educators reported suspected abuse almost four times more than before the training. Now, Senator Cornyn is moving that law through the U.S. Congress. Parker hopes to see it become a federal law by year’s end and believes the Lone Star State can again lead the nation on AI legislation.

Texas has long been a beacon of innovation and growth in many areas, and AI creates an unprecedented opportunity to further bolster the state’s reputation as a leader in groundbreaking research and development while increasing the benefits to Texans in their everyday lives. The council aims to support cutting-edge research initiatives and breakthroughs in AI while propelling Texas to the forefront of global innovation and efficiency.

The next AI Advisory Council meeting will be held at the Texas Capitol on May 8th. For more information, including background on council members, overall objectives, and when and where you can participate in public testimony, check out the website.

Voices contributor Nicole Ward is a data journalist for the Dallas Regional Chamber.

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