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Whitetails Go From Gloom To Boom

Whitetails go from gloom to boom

Things were not looking good for Texas’ white-tailed deer population in January with the U.S. Drought Monitor showing more than 90 percent of the state experiencing abnormally dry to exceptional drought conditions. Then came winter storm Uri in February with freezing temperatures, snow and ice across much of the state, which continued the shortage of plants for browsing and prompted significant mortality of animals from axis deer to bats, according to a report by Alan Cain, Texas Parks & Wildlife…

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Water Seed Grant Initiative Webinar Summarizes Project Progress

Water Seed Grant Initiative webinar summarizes project progress

In 2020, seven multidisciplinary teams were chosen as recipients of the fiscal year 2020-2021 Water Seed Grant Initiative, “Research, Engineering and Extension: Creation and Deployment of Water-Use Efficient Technology Platforms.” The teams were selected by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES). Through the initiative, the three Texas A&M University System agencies have provided $1,136,627 in funding for the grants for 20 months across fiscal years 2020 and 2021, administered by Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI).  …

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White House To Review Floodplain Building Codes In Response To Petition

White House to review floodplain building codes in response to petition

The White House on Tuesday announced a series of new proposals for climate initiatives, including new building standards for structures in flood-vulnerable areas. In the fact sheet, the Biden administration announced a comment period for an update to the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) standards for floodplains. The last major update to the standards took place in 1976.   Read more from Zack Budryk with The Hill here.

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EPA Announces The Expected Availability Of $21.7 Million In Grant Funding To Support Rural And Small Water Systems

EPA announces the expected availability of $21.7 million in grant funding to support rural and small water systems

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it expects to issue by October 15th a $21.7 million grant funding opportunity for technical assistance and training providers to support small drinking water and wastewater systems that are often located in rural communities across the United States. EPA’s funding will improve public health and environmental protection by helping ensure that drinking water in these communities is safe and that wastewater is treated and responsibly returned to the environment.   Read…

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Two Distinctive Hill Country Wineries Show Why Texas Wine Month Is Well Worth Celebrating

Two distinctive Hill Country wineries show why Texas Wine Month is well worth celebrating

With more than 500 wineries driving an economy valued at $13 billion, it’s clear Texas wine has long passed the all-hat-and-no-cattle phase. That there’s red, white and rosé gold in them there hills is further underscored by other statistical rankings that put the Texas Hill Country among the best most-visited wine producing regions in the US. Texas Wine Month, which takes place in October, celebrates this and more.   Read more from Ron Bechtol with the San Antonio Current here.

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If You Think The Texas Electrical Grid Is Fragile, Take A Look At Our Water Infrastructure

If you think the Texas electrical grid is fragile, take a look at our water infrastructure

In August, during the second special session of the 87th Texas Legislature, the Texas Capitol flooded. After the water stopped cascading down the pink granite walls inside the Capitol extension, the Legislature resumed its deliberations. The August flood was preceded by February’s severe winter storm. Hundreds of Texans died in the cold and dark after days without power and, in some places, without water.   Read more from Todd H. Votteler on the Dallas Morning News here.

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Already, 18 Weather Disasters Costing At Least $1 Billion Each Have Hit The U.S. This Year

Already, 18 weather disasters costing at least $1 billion each have hit the U.S. this year

This year is on pace to be one of the most active and costliest years for disasters in the United States. Through the first nine months of 2021, the U.S. has endured 18 separate weather and climate disasters that have cost at least $1 billion, according to the latest report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information. Read more from Kerrin Jeromin with the Washington Post here.

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Climate Change Is Making Texas Hotter, Threatening Public Health, Water Supply And The State’s Infrastructure

Climate change is making Texas hotter, threatening public health, water supply and the state’s infrastructure

Climate change has made the Texas heat worse, with less relief as nighttime temperatures warm, a report from the state’s climatologist published Thursday found. Climate data also show that the state is experiencing extreme rainfall — especially in eastern Texas — bigger storm surges as seas rise along the Gulf Coast and more flooding from hurricanes strengthened by a warming ocean, the report says. Those trends are expected to accelerate in the next 15 years, according to the report, which…

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All In The Family

All in the Family

Bryan Parras recalls a time in elementary school when he accompanied his dad on a work trip to Nederland, in Texas’ Golden Triangle. The warehouse where his dad organized county workers was “just one open vacant room with a bunch of chairs like you would see in a movie.” Bryan, now 44, remembers running around outside, playing on a mound of sand, while his dad discussed strategy with Jefferson County employees.   Read more by Irene Vázquez from the Texas…

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Return On Investment: How Putting A Dollar Figure On The Value Of Conserved Lands Can Help Save More Of Them

Return on Investment: How putting a dollar figure on the value of conserved lands can help save more of them

The fall issue of the Land Trust Alliance Saving Land magazine highlights recent grants to land trusts for remote monitoring projects, transformative partnerships between land trusts and Indigenous groups and NRI's work to define the economic value of protected lands.   Read more from Brittany Wegner with Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute here.

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