NewsDrop-April-2025

FEATURE STORY

By: Kathleen Coglianese Aquifer Science Research Intern

ABOUT THE EDWARDS AQUIFER WITH THE PUBLIC. SHARING SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE

EDTalks is a new take on our previous distinguished lecture series with a more topic-based approach that explores current and existing issues, relevant research, and the application of research to the Edwards Aquifer and other aquifer systems of south-central Texas. The all-day EDTalks seminar in March was hosted at the Urban Ecology Center at Phil Hardberger Park. The topic of EDTalks this year was Making connections between land management and the sustainability of water resources . EDTalks featured six speakers: Roland Ruiz (EAA), Matthew Berg, PhD (Simfero), Andrew Samson, PhD (Meadows Cen ter for Water and the Environment), Mollie Walton, PhD (MW Restoration Ecology), Brad Wilcox, PhD (Texas A&M Univer sity), and Michael Young, PhD (The University of Texas at Austin). Each speaker gave an educational presentation covering

topics from drivers for nature-based solutions, to interactions between land, surface, and groundwa ter systems, and water and soil conservation in the Edwards Plateau. The purpose of the EDTalks series is for EAA to share scientific knowledge about Edwards Aquifer with the public, partners and collaborators, and others interested in learning how to enhance and protect the aquifer. Over 100 people attended EDTalks this year, ranging from members of the public, college students, researchers, policy mak ers, and groundwater conservation districts. EDTalks provided an opportunity for attendees to discover how they can use nature-based solutions to help

with their planning needs and learn more about the applications of sustainable land management strate gies to affect real change. Attendees were also able to earn up to 6 hours of CEU/PG credit for continu ing professional education requirements. This year, EDTalks also featured a new element called EDWalks, a walking tour of savanna resto ration at Phil Hardberger Park led by EAA’s Casey Cowan and Jewell Lee Cozort and the City of San Antonio’s Wendy Leonard and Cassidy Kempf . Although some welcome rain showers limited the use of the trails, the guides were available to share facts about the park and answer questions on the covered pavilion overlooking the site. The guides

were also able to introduce EDWalks participants to the native plant wildscape demonstration garden. The wildscape is part of the park’s savanna resto ration project and is full of native plants such as Walking Stick Cholla ( Opuntia imbricate ) and Texas Betony ( Stachys coccinea ) which attract wildlife like birds and pollinators and help restore the natural habitat. The EDWalks component allowed partici pants to see and visualize many of the same princi ples discussed during the event. To close out the day, SwRI sponsored a networking social hour, which encouraged attendees to expand their networks, cultivate collaborations in science, and interact with EAA representatives!

EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY (EAA) PARTNERED WITH SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SWRI) TO HOST THE SECOND EVER EDTALKS SEMINAR ON MARCH 28TH, 2025!

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