Group Learns About Resource Alternatives for the Future

By Dee Ann Cameron, State Public Affairs Specialist, Temple

The Texas Council of Chapters of the Soil and Water Conservation Society held their 40th annual meeting in Midland, Texas July 14-16. The theme for the convention was “Wind, Water and Other Alternative Resources – The Future is Here.”

The theme was demonstrated very well during the Technical Tour on Wednesday. Midland District Conservationist Ray Schimcek served as the tour guide, with University of Texas Lands Executive Director Steve Hartmann providing much of the information at the tour stops.

A busload of over 50 participants traveled to Iraan, Texas to have an up-close look at a wind energy farm, which is located on University of Texas lands. Hartmann explained to the group how wind energy is not only the most economical production of renewable energy, it is also environmentally responsible. It is considered a “clean energy” because it doesn’t rely on fuels like oil, coal or natural gas.

From Iraan, the group traveled a short distance to Bakersfield to tour the University of Texas Lands Vineyards, which grows the grapes that produce the very popular Ste. Genevieve line of wine. The vineyard was established in 1974 utilizing soil sampling assistance from the NRCS. A tour of the winery was next on the agenda. The largest of Texas' 54 wineries, Ste. Genevieve is one of the fastest growing wines in the country. This vineyard was one of the first in Texas, paving the way for other wineries to get established. Interestingly, Texas is now the ninth largest wine producing state.

After a barbecue lunch was enjoyed on the lawn at the winery, the return trip to Midland took the group over the Pecos River, for a first-hand look at the saltcedar and Ecosystem Restoration Project. The project was established in 1997 to address alternatives for controlling the water-consuming saltcedar along the Pecos. In 1999 North Star Helicopters applied aerial Aresenal® treatments along the river, eventually going into the whole river basin. From 1999 through 2005 over $2.6 million has been spent treating $13,497 total acres along the river and the entire basin.

According to Charlie Hart, Texas Cooperative Extension professor and range specialist, the project has already seen significant water savings from the treatment. Through the project’s first 7 years, total water salvage estimates are between 54,268 to 81,402 acre feet (17.7 to 26.5 billion gallons).

The second day of the meeting featured presentations by resource experts on topics such as managing municipal waste water in a semi-arid area, managing irrigation water utilizing micro-irrigation, geothermal energy production, the future in using bio-diesel for energy and many others.

Thursday night, meeting participants were treated to a action-packed baseball game featuring the Midland Rockhounds, which have one of the best records in the Texas League and the best standings among Oakland Athletics Double A affiliates.

Many NRCS employees from across the state volunteered their time to help produce the event, which was very educational, exposing a lot of great information about our natural resources.

The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization - founded in 1943 - that serves as an advocate for conservation professionals and for science-based conservation practice, programs, and policy. If you have any questions contact the Soil and Water Conservation Society, which is a national organization, or contact the Texas Chapter President Robert Schmidt.

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