The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) at Texas A&M AgriLife will host the Spring 2026 Watershed Coordinator Roundtable on April 8 in Houston, bringing together conservation leaders, watershed professionals, and community partners to explore collaborative strategies for protecting water quality across the state. The event will take place at the Tracy Gee Community Center, with free registration and an optional catered lunch available.
Partnerships are central to effective watershed management, according to TWRI Associate Director Lucas Gregory, Ph.D., who emphasized that collaboration allows organizations to achieve solutions no single entity could accomplish alone. Texas continues to advance watershed-based planning to address complex nonpoint source pollution, with over 50 watershed protection plans covering more than 16 million acres currently accepted or under development. These efforts highlight the need for well-integrated partnerships that support long-term improvements in water quality.
The roundtable will feature examples of successful conservation collaborations, including initiatives by Texan by Nature’s Texas Water Action Collaborative and the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Partnership for Forests and Water. These programs demonstrate how strategic partnerships and coordinated funding can directly enhance both water quality and quantity. Gregory noted that the state’s extensive network of committed partners presents opportunities to accelerate tangible, on-the-ground improvements.
TWRI watershed coordinators will share lessons learned about trust-building, shared goals, and community engagement in local partnerships. The event will conclude with a panel discussion and interactive breakout sessions, providing participants with practical tools for identifying collaborators, strengthening relationships, and expanding implementation funding within their own watersheds.
This roundtable reflects TWRI’s ongoing commitment to supporting watershed coordinators and fostering partnerships essential to protecting Texas water resources. The Texas Watershed Planning Program, managed by TWRI, is funded through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, leveraging expertise from across The Texas A&M University System.
