NewsDrop-Winter-2021

DECEMBER 2021

General Manager’s Message 5 Back To Our Roots 9 It All Comes Down To This 16 There Is An I And T In Interning! 24 The EAA Celebrates TWCA Conference 28 R & D On Endangered DNA 32 Recharge Zone Podcast 38 Going, Going, Gone 40 HEB Helping Here Volunteer Event 46 Highlighting The EAA’s Women In Aquifer Science Ongoing Series 50 Champions Fore Charity 58

Edwards Aquifer Authority 900 E Quincy St San Antonio, TX 78215

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G E N E R A L M A N A G E R ’ S M E S S A G E

In 2021, our 25th anniversary year, we did this with even greater intention than usual. We reacquainted ourselves with our roots as an organization, not just in sentimental nostalgia, but in a more insightful inventory of the progress made over a quarter century in fulfilling our mission -- managing, enhancing, and protecting the Edwards Aquifer system. What I gleaned from this exercise is this: our work is not done. Far from being finished, you could say we’ve only just begun. A well-functioning groundwater permitting system has brought stability and reliability to those dependent on the Edwards as their water source, and consequently it has engendered a heightened water conservation ethic across our region. Regulatory programming around protecting Edwards groundwater from pollution has evolved into a more

An established habitat conservation plan is fully operational and is now integrated into our mission, assuring the Comal and San Marcos springs continue to flow to sustain federally protected species habitats. And, through persistent study and applied research, we have significantly grown the scientific body of knowledge about the Edwards. Now, we stand at the crossroads of change, at the cusp of something new and promising – the strategic vision “Edwards Aquifer: the Next Generation and Beyond.” We’ve assessed our past, we’ve taken stock of our values, and we’ve identified new ways to undergird and, where possible, energize our mission. We look to build upon our story through more inclusive, imaginative and innovative means, all with an eye toward creating something transcendent-yet-practical -- a legacy of sustainability through science and service. This work, which will take decades to accomplish, has already begun. We have already started identifying, developing and prioritizing the “tools” we think we will need in order to achieve two over-arching goals of the “Next Generation” vision: 1) a legacy of aquifer sustainability and 2) certainty around the aquifer through credibility in our programming and service.

So, over the next three to five years, we will continue to: identify potential partners to join us in the work; develop the scientific tools necessary to fuel and test new nature-based sustainability initiatives; take stock of our resources and organizational capacity; and explore innovative ways of expanding those resources such as through pilot projects and market-based approaches. In short, we will look to how we can better leverage the achievements of our first 25 years to broaden our impact -- through education, science, regulation service – in meaningful and practical ways for the greater good of our region. “Winter is a season for recovery and preparation,” so suggests acclaimed travel writer and novelist Paul Theroux. And so it is for us as we prepare, with much anticipation, for the work that lies ahead in 2022 and beyond.

Roland Ruiz EAA Genera l Manager

W INTER CAN BE A SEASON OF CHANGE AND, WITH IT, A TIME OF CONTEMPLATION . WE TRANSITION FROM ONE YEAR ON THE CALENDAR TO THE NEXT, AND WE THINK ABOUT WHERE WE’VE BEEN AND WHAT WE’VE DONE, ONLY TO REFOCUS OUR MINDS ON WHAT’S NEXT.

service-oriented, pragmatic approach to ensuring wells remain in good standing and

that regulated substances on the recharge zone are managed, stored and utilized with safeguards in place to prevent contaminants from entering the aquifer.

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Photo: The EAA Education Outreach Center (EOC) at Morgan’s Camp.

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Photo: Front desk at the EOC.

This Harvest Season Has Been Fruitful We have materialized the vision of the Education Outreach Center and are now looking forward to energizing our efforts with the support from our community

Photo: The EAA Education Outreach Center.

In November, a group of H-E-B volunteers helped to prepare the EOC for winter wildlife. Almost 20 volunteers came out to the EOC to build a Wildlife Viewing Area. A decorative metal screen was installed for visitors to hide behind. On the other side of the screen several bird feeders and a solar powered bird bath was installed to provide birds and other animals with food and water to get them through the winter. Hummingbird feeders were hung on the eaves of the building and some bird houses were constructed to hang in the trees nearby. Volunteers also helped to stain the fence around the garden and to put a few more plants in the ground. A thin layer of mulch was put in place to hold moisture in, and a compost bin was built for food scraps. Two raised beds were built to place along the front of the building for accessible lessons on soil sustainability and gardening. As the outside of the building was prepared to shelter visitors of the furry and feathered types, the inside of the building is preparing to receive aquatic residents in the aquarium.

The walls of the building are alive with stories collected this year and exhibits planned and purposed. We are setting roots here for the next generation of the EAA and inching ever closer to opening the doors in the spring. Teeming with networks of contractors, sister organizations and our busy communications and development team, the center has seen some great updates and recognition. In September the Texas Water Development Board awarded the EOC with the Rain Catcher Award, recognizing the Rain Harvesting System installed on the building. The System supplies a drip irrigation system that automatically waters the over 100 native plants that adorn the Education Outreach Center.

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Photo: First limestone wall at the EOC.

Drains were cut into the concrete floors to catch any splashes and a utility sink was installed in the staff room in preparation for the four aquarium tanks that will be placed on display. The aquarium at the Education Outreach Center will house native and non-native species found in the Edwards Aquifer System. Endangered species such as the Texas Blind Salamander and the Fountain Darter will reside here, along with common species, including turtles, crayfish and more. In September, several EAA Staff members went on the hunt for the perfect piece of limestone rock to set upon a pedestal. Visitors will be able to touch and see what the aquifer is made up of- up close!

Another exhibit in the making will compare the root structures and transpiration rates of native vs. non- native grasses. Intern Roxanne Eguia spent some time cleaning and pressing the plant specimens in preparation for the exhibit. Graphic panels about the Edwards Aquifer Authority, the Habitat Conservation Plan and the Geology of the Edwards Aquifer will dress up the walls. Some will have video screens and other interactive displays built in. In November, the first shipment of exhibits and materials came into the EOC. The first item to be installed included the reception desk and surrounding area.

Painted and sculpted on site, the walls of the EOC theatre will be textured to look and feel like the inside of an Edwards Cave. Seating inside the theatre will resemble large chunks of limestone rock and limestone ledges. Window dressings and blinds have been hung in place to give just the right amount of darkness to the “cave” and to slow the growth of algae on the walls of the aquarium tanks. Video screen and graphic panel mounts were installed on the walls in anticipation of the second shipment. The second (and final) shipment of exhibits and displays will come in late January. The second shipment will include interactive elements such as the Permeability Tubes, the Micro-Eye, and the Wells exhibit. The finished graphic panels and video screens will also be installed in this second phase and the finishing touches will go in, leaving plenty of time to prepare for a Spring 2022 opening.

Photo: Geology wall at the EOC.

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Photo: Manage, Enhance, panels at the EOC.

As the Fall comes to an end and a winter chill descends upon us, the Edwards Aquifer Authority Education Outreach Center is keeping warm with thoughts of a well-established demonstration garden.

Our fall interns filmed some great activities in the garden this semester, exploring soil quality and highlighting some of the insects on campus. Roxanne Eguia (Texas A&M San Antonio) and Sandra Bustamante (UTSA) have been supporting the opening of the EOC by creating and mining content for the EOC social media platforms which launched this November. Creating buzz for the much-anticipated spring opening is key to reaching a broader audience across the eight counties the EAA serves, and beyond. We are excited to launch the website for the EOC ahead of the opening, which will cater to our students and educators.

Photo: Trilons and panels at the EOC.

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Photo: Kristy Kollaus-Smith and Chad Furl gathering water samples at the Comal Springs.

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Part one involves water quantity. Most people are aware of the quantity issue primarily because the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) requires a viable effort to maintain flows from the Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs even in a repeat of the drought of record. Part two of the equation, water quality, is just as critical in Edwards Aquifer management. When it comes down to it, water quantity only matters if the quality of the water is of an equally high value. “The endangered and endemic species in the Edwards Aquifer Region have evolved over time with this very stable, high quality of water that comes from the Edwards Aquifer,” said EAHCP Chief Science Officer Dr. Chad Furl. “If you take a look at the watersheds throughout the Edwards Aquifer Region, you see major changes due to growth in population and infrastructure needed to sustain that increase in city sizes. However, when you review the decades of water quality data regarding the Edwards Aquifer, in large part there are hardly any changes at all over time. And that is great news for the endangered species and their habitats as well as the people who live here. But, we must always have a means to detect water quality issues should they occur, and that’s what the EAHCP water sampling programs are designed to do.” The water quality program has evolved since the 2013-2014 timeframe when the EAHCP was first implemented. Initially, the Edwards Aquifer Authority was collecting and analyzing water samples before handing the program off to a contractor to manage for a few years. Recently, Furl and EAHCP Environmental Scientist Kristy Kollaus-Smith took on the operations of the program.

Photo: Chad Furl and Kristy Kollaus-Smith removing sampling station.

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“We conduct bi-annual sampling in the field at upper and lower locations in the Comal Springs and San Marcos Spring areas. There, we look for nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrates as they are leading indicators for the degradation of clear water streams,” Kollaus- Smith explained. “Something new for us that we’re watching monthly is the level of sucralose in water samples. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener made from sugar in a multistep chemical process. Because the human body doesn’t process sucralose, it can be readily found in wastewater and is now looked at as a new way to detect human influence on a water body. We started tracking sucralose this year and though we haven’t seen any issues, the data we are gathering now will be a great baseline to correlate with future water samples.” Kollaus-Smith noted that in addition to the monthly field samples, there are also three real-time water quality stations, each in the Comal and San Marcos systems, which provide water quality (e.g., water temperature and dissolved oxygen) readings every 15 minutes. That up-to-the-minute type of information gives the EAHCP team and EAA staff the ability to detect and address a problem quickly.

Photo: Chad Furl and Kristy Kollaus-Smith removing sampling station.

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“Additional sampling includes fish tissue and sediment sampling. Every other year the team collects fish and silt from the rivers to have them analyzed for metals, herbicides, pesticides and other harmful contaminants. That helps them determine any trends of accumulation of those pollutants that might be occurring in the water.”

These are really just some initial questions we have and we are a long way away from drawing any conclusions. But, sampling for these constituents now gives us a good starting point of information to make more informed decisions about water quality testing programs in the future.” Furl concluded, “When you are working under multi- decade permits like we are with the EAHCP, you have to be able to discover water quality problems as quickly as possible, and also adapt your programs over time to the environment which is continually changing around us. I think the EAHCP leadership and Science Committee feel good about where we are today with our water quality sampling. But, no one takes Edwards Aquifer water quality for granted, which is why we constantly stay alert for even the slightest of change.” All of the 2021 water quality monitoring activities, including the sampling of surface water, groundwater, and fish tissue, in addition to operation of the real-time network, can be reviewed in the Water Quality Monitoring Program Work Plan. You can download that document at: www.EAHCPSteward.org.

In the spring and fall, the Aquifer Science Division of the Edwards Aquifer Authority does a complete spectrum analysis of the water in the Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs. The EAHCP includes that data in its annual reporting so the general public and government agencies alike can have easy access to that information. “Over the past seven years, we have engaged with the EAHCP Science Committee and the National Academies of Sciences in reviewing our water quality testing program,” Furl noted. “Both of those groups, along with data we procure in our sampling, has helped the program evolve and progress over the years. One of the biggest changes made is that we’ve moved away from testing for industrial-type contaminants traditionally included in water quality programs in the 1980s and 1990s.

We’ve found that Edwards Aquifer water has been consistently free of those pollutants over time so we’ve moved to a more forward- looking sampling program and one that mainly focuses on impacts to the endangered species. Today, we cast a wide net in looking at fish tissue, riverbed sediment, groundwater and surface water which gives us a better overall view of how an evolving ecosystem could possibly affect the habitats of the endangered species.” Furl also explained why they are testing for household items like sucralose in diet soda, caffeine, and common over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen. “Today’s wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove personal care produce types of materials and so we need to track these things to determine how they might be present in either low- or high-flow conditions of the springs.

Photo: Chad Furl removing sampling station.

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Photo: EAA intern, Carlos Cortez.

“I AM EXCITED TO WORK ALONGSIDE GREAT INDIVIDUALS IN THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE COMING MONTHS. I KNOW I WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN AND USE A LOT OF SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL HELP ME DEVELOP MY PROFESSIONAL RESUME AND SKILLS.“

“If you are not willing to put in the extra time and effort, someone else will, and they will be more successful than you”. As a current college student at St. Mary’s University I have really made it my goal to make sure that I get the most out of the college experience. Some people may see the college experience as going to parties, others as their first time away from home, but for me it has been trying to learn as much as possible, networking, and preparing myself for my future job. One great opportunity to do that is by getting some real-life experience through a job or internship. So, I began searching for a possible part time job or internship and stumbled across the Financial and Administrative Internship at the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA). I had never heard about the EAA or what they did. Growing up here in San Antonio I knew about the Edwards Aquifer as I learned about it in school but never knew about the EAA. So, I did some research about on it and instantly was interested in applying as it is very important the City of San Antonio and saw an excellent opportunity to get into the field I am currently studying. Immediately I began to read the internship description and what really caught my attention was that I was going to be working alongside multiple departments throughout the EAA. Not only was this going to allow me to get some real-life experience in the Finance and Accounting industry but also how the different departments play a role to the overall organization. So, I submitted the application, got an interview, and ultimately landed the internship.

It has almost been 2 months since I began, and it really has been a great learning experience that has allowed me to not only push myself out of my comfort zone, but expand my knowledge in many different ways. In these past 2 months I was assigned to the IT department. At first, I was skeptical and did not know really what to expect. I figured I was going to be setting up computers and fixing up wiring. However, the IT department was way more than that and with some great mentors like Martin and Victor I have really been able to learn a lot from them and even use some of my skills and knowledge to help them out. In these 2 months I have been able to really learn a lot of skills and knowledge by collaborating on multiple projects and everyday tasks in the IT department. For example, I helped to research and develop the current Disaster Relief Plan that the EAA has in place for their networks. Another project I have been involved in has been implementing and developing an Inventory system for all the technological devices from laptops to iPhones that the EAA owns. Both of these projects as well as many other tasks have allowed me to use my technical skills learned throughout my classes and certifications into practice. At the same time I was faced with a lot of new things that I had no prior experience or knowledge about, but I was able to learn and adjust quickly to all the new skills and knowledge I was exposed to.

I am excited to work alongside great individuals in the different departments in the coming months. I know I will be able to learn and use a lot of skills and knowledge that will help me develop my professional resume and skills. In the coming future I want to be able to take my skills learned at this internship, in my classes, and any other experience to a financial institution working possibly as a financial analyst or with their capital markets team. Finally, I want to take everyone who has allowed me to have this great opportunity, and everyone that has helped me along the way. I still have about 6 months here so I hope to get to know as many people as possible as well as learn everything that I can.

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Photo: Luana Buckner, Roland Ruiz, Velma Danielson, and Greg Ellis at the panel discussion.

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Photo: Roland Ruiz, EAA General Manager [pictured second from right] speaks to TWCA volunteers about the EAA.

Photo: Velma Danielson, Luana Buckner, Michael Beldon, and Roland Ruiz at the TWCA reception sponsored by the EAA.

This past Fall, the EAA participated in the Texas Water Conservation Association (TWCA) Fall Conference. The sponsorship afforded TWCA attendees the opportunity to journey to the EAA Field Research Park and assist with planning native grasses along the berms in place. The intent of the berms and swales is to slow water surface runoff, and increase water yield and quality -- one of the primary land management strategies currently being studied at the FRP.

The following day, Roland Ruiz, spoke at the panel discussion, moderated by EAA Board Chairman Luana Buckner, about the Edwards Aquifer Authority: Past, Present and Future with former EAA General Managers, Greg Ellis and Velma Danielson. The reception following the discussion was in recognition of the EAA’s 25th anniversary, and attended by a number of EAA board members, special guests, and TWCA conference attendees.

Photo: TWCA volunteers planting grasses along the berms.

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Photo: Adam Daw and Katie Bockrath at the Comal Springs in New Braunfels.

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“Is ‘extreme science’ a thing?” That was a first thought after interviewing Adam Daw and Dr. Katie Bockrath, who are the newest U.S. Fish and Wildlife scientists leading the EAHCP’s refugia program. A quick Google search reveals the existence of a website for young people called Extreme Science. For adults interested in extreme science, you might want to follow Daw and Bockrath as they are about to lead the EAHCP into deeper molecular levels of endangered species studies. And while most PhD biologists might think this is fairly standard work, the average citizen will certainly be amazed by the complexity of the science. Adam Daw, who is working out of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Uvalde National Fish Hatchery, will be leading the refugia program and his welcome to the program should be more of a welcome home for him. Daw grew up in New Braunfels and commented that he was quite familiar with the Comal River and Comal Springs systems having lived nearby before leaving to earn his undergraduate degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston. He then acquired his master’s degree in tropical conservation biology and environmental science at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. While finishing up his PhD studies, he landed the job with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Daw’s experience includes rearing of aquatic organisms in captivity to better understand their biology, ecology and potential for commercial aquaculture and restoration. He has a diverse knowledge of both freshwater and marine organisms from microalgae to tuna. Recently, his focus of study has been in developing methods to rear species which are difficult to breed, particularly working on those species’ early stages of life. Before starting with the USFWS, he was using genetics and computer modeling research methods to understand how environmental parameters and culturing methods can impact the species being studied and their place in the ecosystem as well.

Photo: Adam Daw retrieving Comal Springs riffle beetle lure near Spring Run.

Photo: Katie Bockrath checking lures for Comal Springs riffle beetles.

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Bockrath earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of West Georgia and her PhD in genetics from the University of Georgia. Her PhD research focused on assessing aquatic biodiversity and conservation using genetics, population surveys and habitat measurements. She has examined how changes in the environment can cause molecular shifts in various species and their populations, used genetic barcoding to identify species, and used molecular biology to learn about the disease susceptibility of coral in the Florida Keys. Bockrath joined the USFWS as a geneticist with the Whitney Genetics Lab at the Midwest Fisheries Center in Onalaska, Wisconsin. There she studied the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor invasive species, primarily invasive carp. Invasive carp compete for the same resources young native fish need to grow and survive. “The study of the invasive carp in the Mississippi River Basin was quite extensive,” Bockrath explained. “We were taking about thousands of eDNA samples per year to help us understand how these carp are moving and expanding their distribution. eDNA sampling enabled us to detect carp at the very edge of their range and in places they have never been caught. This leads to faster targeted carp removal. Much of what I’ve learned so far in molecular and genetic sciences will be applicable in our work here at the EAHCP refugia. There is still much to understand about these endangered species, especially when it comes to ensuring we have a representative population of them here at the refugia if something happened to those in the wild.” As part of the EAHCP Incidental Take Permit with the federal government, a long-term refugia was required to be put in place. The purpose of the refugia is to preserve endangered species living in the Comal and San Marcos Springs areas in case something unusual, like a drought that matches or surpasses the drought of record from the 1950s, occurs in the natural habitat. The main refugia facilities officially opened in May, 2019 in San Marcos. A 4,000 square-foot backup refugia was completed about a year later at the USFWS Uvalde National Fish Hatchery.

The EAHCP will be initiating some genetics studies on the Texas wild-rice and Comal Springs riffle beetle this coming year and laying some groundwork for new genetic studies on the fountain darter. “In studying the genetics of the Edwards Aquifer endangered species, we will be looking at the gene flow among various populations of those species. That means we will be identifying how diverse the population of each species is so we can make sure we have adequate representation of those animals in the refugia,” Bockrath explained. “This type of science is really fundamental and essential to our ability to repopulate the wild with the species from the refugia in a way that closely resembles those existing before the event that caused the need for repopulation.”

Get ready science fans. This will be extremely interesting research to follow over the next several years.

Photo: Dr. Ely Kosnicki, right, and Jennifer Whiitt checking Comal Springs riffle beetle lures.

“It is really great to be back in the neighborhood I grew up in, and best of all, I’m getting to pursue a passion of mine which is studying endemic, challenging species,” Daw said. “While there has been some great research done on the EAHCP endangered species, we are at a point of applying current science to helping us understand how to efficiently raise these species in captivity. With that foundation of knowledge, you can then develop computer models to predict species growth in both the wild and captivity. The level of science we are working in gets all the way down to the DNA and molecular structures of these species and their food sources. Our new research program lead and geneticist at the San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center, Katie Bockrath, has excellent experience in this type of work. And, I’m thoroughly enjoying the collaboration with her and the whole team as we want to take the refugia science for the EAHCP to new levels.”

The level of science we are working in gets all the way down to the DNA and molecular structures of these species and their food sources.

Photo: Adam Daw with team at Comal Springs.

Photo: Adam Daw searching for Comal Springs riffle beetle lure at Comal Springs.

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Episode 9 | Quality Data Reigns Supreme

Want to learn about the work the EAA does to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer? The Recharge Zone Podcast is the official podcast of the EAA, and the podcast is meant to teach and inform people about various topics that are all Edwards Aquifer related.

Episode 10 | Aquifer Science Visualized

Why is collecting environmental data about the Edwards Aquifer important and how is it stored? On this episode Bryan Anderson, EAA Data Management Director, discusses with hosts Brent and Ann-Margaret the continuous data collected by the EAA Data Management Department. This department oversees 151 active monitoring sites where they collect data, process that data, and disseminate it to the public. Learn all about how the EAA manages these continuous data sets, and how they help us understand the Edwards Aquifer System.

Episode 11 | Fact or Fiction: Aquifer Edition

Learn about some myths and impressive facts about the Edwards Aquifer as hosts Ann-Margaret and Brent discuss what is fact or fiction when it comes to information they’ve heard over the years while working at the EAA.

Recharge Zone Podcast: https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/news-community/the-recharge-zone-podcast/

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Photo: San Marcos Gambusia.

D r. Bob Edwards was the last person to have caught and handled the very rare San Marcos gambusia, a mosquitofish native and endemic to the San Marcos River. Toward the end of his work with this endangered species, he got down to housing one female fish in his lab. After many attempts to preserve the San Marcos gambusia genes through hybridization, he said that last known San Marcos gambusia died a “lonely spinster” after refusing to mate with other species of the Gambusia genus located in the San Marcos River ecosystem. And that concluded the saga of the San Marcos gambusia, one of the Edwards Aquifer’s endangered species. “In 1978 and 1979, a fellow scientist and I were recruited to sample the San Marcos River from Spring Lake all the way down to Martindale,” Edwards said. “In that lengthy expedition, we managed to find 18 San Marcos gambusia. These fish have always been rare being first described in the late 1960s. We managed to breed the fish we caught and created a nice population of the gambusia in captivity. However, that group of fish were transferred to a fish hatchery in New Mexico which handled and managed endangered species. Unfortunately, the entire cultured population perished during an extremely cold winter their first year there.”

Photo: San Marcos Gambusia habitat along San Marcos River.

Edwards explained that upon hearing about the lost culture, he began sampling the San Marcos River every month to try and find other San Marcos gambusia. He found a few males and finally one female. But after two years of trying to find the perfect mate for the female, that last known San Marcos gambusia in existence died as well. It is always a sad day when one of the Earth’s animal species goes extinct. But those events give people the opportunity to discuss what is being done to protect and preserve endangered species around the world, and specifically in the State of Texas.

In 1973, the United States Congress voted to institute the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) carries the responsibility for managing and enforcing that legislation. Early on, there was not a lot of information on species that the Service listed as at risk for extinction. Today, though, the Service goes through a thorough species status assessment before making recommendations on listing the species as threatened or endangered. In the process, regional USFWS staff will evaluate the current conditions of the species in question in the wild and similarly assess the status of its habitat. Then, computer modeling is used to predict how the species might fare in the future based on various development and climate scenarios. At the conclusion of the assessment, the field biologists will make a recommendation to a regional director who will then review the work and make a policy recommendation on the particular listing of that species.

Photo: TPWD scientists seine for fish samples, San Marcos River.

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Illustration: San Marcos Gambusia.

“THE IMPORTANT POINT TO ALL OF THIS IS THAT EVEN THOUGH THE SAN MARCOS GAMBUSIA IS GONE FROM TEXAS AND PLANET EARTH, WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT ITS EXTINCTION FROM THE SAN MARCOS RIVER IS NOT FORGOTTEN. THAT WILL HELP US ENSURE ENDURES, AND THAT ALL OF US CONTINUE TO PUT FORTH EVERY EFFORT TO SAVE OTHER SPECIES THAT ARE IN DANGER OF EXTINCTION.” THAT THE NATURAL HERITAGE OF TEXAS

In reviewing the species specific to the Edwards Aquifer, USFWS Biologist Paige Najvar says the most important things they look at are all of the threats that the species face. “For the Edwards Aquifer species, we understand that this is the only place in the world they exist, meaning that if something ever happened to the aquifer, the endangered species and others could be gone forever. Additionally, we consider the amount of water being pumped from the Edwards Aquifer now and amounts needed for the future, how water quality is being maintained, and other conditions that might threaten the water quality and quantity needed to preserve the endangered species.” When it comes to the San Marcos gambusia, fellow biologist with Najvar in the Austin Ecological Services Field Office, Donelle Robinson, explained that the species was proposed for listing as endangered in 1978. At the time, the fish was already rare with an estimated population of about 1,000 fish. “The San Marcos gambusia was officially listed as endangered in 1980. At that time, there were several focused efforts to find Gambusia in the San Marcos River and increase their population in captivity.

However, all of those attempts were not successful. Around the 1990 timeframe, another extensive survey of portions of the San Marcos River was conducted to see if there might be any San Marcos gambusia still living. That work also came up empty. We reviewed all of that program data and reporting before we made the decision to propose delisting the San Marcos gambusia due to extinction. We are currently in the comment phase of the process and that will give us essentially one last opportunity to see if there is any information out there that would warrant us reconsidering the removal of the San Marcos gambusia from the endangered species list.” Kevin Mayes, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Native Fish Conservation Coordinator, was a part of the team that scoured the San Marcos River in 1990 in what would be a final effort to locate a San Marcos gambusia. “It was definitely quite the excursion. There were at least a couple of dozen fish biologists with seines and dip nets on the hunt for the San Marcos gambusia. Over the course of a few days, we collected thousands of Gambusia. We took them to the federal fish hatchery in San Marcos where each fish was examined by experts like Bob Edwards and Clark Hubbs.

Only a few potential hybrids were found, but there were no pure San Marcos gambusia, only Western Mosquitofish and Largespring Gambusia which are also native to the river.” When asked what could have caused the loss of the San Marcos gambusia, Mayes said, “There are some theories that say the non-native elephant ear plants that once blanketed the San Marcos River essentially crowded out the San Marcos gambusia. But, there are probably a number of factors, such as a long history of dam construction, urban runoff increasing with the growth of San Marcos, the channelization of some parts of the river and the introduction of additional exotic, non-native plants that led to changes in habitat for the San Marcos gambusia.” Mayes’ final thoughts about the San Marcos gambusia were essentially a call to action on the part of citizens and biologists alike. He said that more than 40 percent of America’s freshwater fishes are imperiled and subject to possibly being listed on the federal endangered species list.

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Photo: Rosemary Melody, H-E-B Environmental Affairs Project Manager, and H-E-B volunteers presented the EAA with a $1,000 contribution to the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy.

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H-E-B hosted a month of giving during the month of November and made a call for their partners to support ef forts in the community while get ting to know the different organizations they support.

In November, a group of H-E-B employees from Texas volunteered for a landscaping beautification event at the EAA Education Outreach Center at Morgan’s Wonderland Camp.

Photo: Volunteers helped build a bird watch area.

Volunteers helped build a bird and but terfly friendly habitat, assembled raised beds, mulched the garden, planted native flowers, and assembled and installed a compost bin.

Photo: Karston made a special appearance while volunteers helped assemble and stain wooden planters.

Photo left: Karston, EAA’s Texas Blind Salamander mascot, and Amy from HEB, who helped out in the demonstration garden area as other volunteers also stained the fence and planted native plants. .

WE ALSO EXTENDED A TEXAS-SIZED THANK YOU TO H-E-B FOR AWARDING THE EDWARDS AQUIFER CONSERVANCY WITH A $1,000 DONATION!

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Photo: EAA Hydrologic Coordinator Jesse Chadwick, looking at rock samples.

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Photo: EAA Hydrogeologist, Jessica Quintanilla, prepares a water quality sonde for deployment in Bandera County, TX.

has long been a proponent of hiring a diverse and talented workforce in all facets of its operations, including science and research. Though STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) career fields are traditionally male dominated, the EAA has had the pleasure of hiring a number of up and coming women scientists on the Aquifer Science Team. Each of these women took the opportunity to share with the NewsDrop readers the unique stories about their education and STEM path and career milestones at the EAA in the hopes of inspiring other young women to join STEM fields.

Photo: EAA Lead Hydrologic Data Coordinator, Gizelle Luevano, and EAA Hydrogeologist, Jennifer Adkins- Schudrowitz, collecting water quality samples from Comal Springs, New Braunfels, Texas.

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JENNIFER ADKINS-SCHUDROWITZ, PG

“This project is a multi-year partnership between the EAA and USGS [United States Geological Survey] intended to refine data and create new geologic maps of the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers. This advanced mapping works to subdivide both aquifers into more detailed hydrostratigraphic units, to better define and understand the water bearing characteristics of the aquifers. In 2017, Jennifer successfully completed the requirements to become a licensed Professional Geoscientist (PG) in the state of Texas. “I was relieved when I read the letter confirming I had passed both sections of the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) exam, it’s no small feat and is definitely an important career milestone.” Recently, in July 2021, Jennifer was asked to present on the NBU-ASR project at the American Groundwater Trust Texas Groundwater Conference in Austin. This conference focuses on legal, policy, management, and scientific and engineering aquifer related issues throughout the state. “Our presence and involvement in events like this are critical in assuring the public and stakeholders of EAA oversight throughout the ASR process and encouraging collaboration and data sharing with other experts in the field.

In general, this presentation sought to highlight how our efforts and the

collaborative approach we have taken with NBU on this project work to establish a path forward, where we as an agency are regulatorily active and protective of the freshwater portion of the Aquifer, which is our main concern, but are also facilitating a process that has potential to benefit the entire system, especially during times of severe drought.”

Jennifer Adkins-Schudrowitz has been employed at the EAA for the past eight years. Through graduate school, Jennifer worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Arkansas, instructing students in Introductory Geology and Labs. However, her STEM career really took off when she interned concurrently at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and at the EAA. “I was lucky in that one of my responsibilities through both of my internships was to collect data for my master’s thesis. I was investigating groundwater flow in the Edwards Aquifer through the Knippa Gap in Uvalde County. I was and still am, fascinated with the unique karst system that makes up the Edwards Aquifer. The more I researched the Edwards Aquifer and the EAA, I knew it was the place I wanted to be.” Shortly before graduating from the University of Arkansas with a masters in Geology in 2013, Jennifer was employed at the EAA as an Environmental Coordinator. She was thrilled to start working as a full-time employee at the EAA because its mission statement and CORE values align with her own ideals. “The EAA is a unique entity that

I am passionate about my work at the EAA and a career in public service because what we do matters, ensuring that natural resources, like the Edwards aquifer are shared equitably and used wisely for future generations, like my children.” As an Environmental Coordinator, Jennifer conducted aquifer protection activities related to regulatory programs, groundwater research, well protection, and conservation. Focusing on the Limited Production Well Program and Well Registration and Closure Programs. In 2016, Jennifer was promoted to her current position, where her responsibilities range over a variety of activities related to groundwater research and conservation. “As a Hydrogeologist, I work to promote aquifer sustainability and the development of appropriate groundwater management and conservation strategies through hydrogeologic research. I work on various research projects, including the NBU-ASR [New Braunfels Utilities-Aquifer Storage and Recovery] project — a multi-phase collaborative project establishing an ASR system that stores a blend of

Edwards Aquifer freshwater and treated surface water into the brackish portion of the Edwards Aquifer. As the project manager and a member of the NBU-ASR work group, I represent the EAA in both a scientific and a regulatory compacity. This project sets precedence for future ASR programs and promotes significant and lasting changes regarding groundwater management and conservation practices, while underscoring the EAA’s role as a regional resource working to facilitate different pathways to a more sustainable future. My participation on this project continues to be a career highlight that provides

JENNI FER ’S ADVICE TO FUTURE FEMALE STEM IS TO FOCUS YOUR EFFORTS ON SOMETHING YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT. “IF YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT SOMETHING AND LOVE WHAT YOU DO, THEN YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. JUST KEEP MOVING FORWARD, WORK HARD, AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF BEING AMBITIOUS.”

me with a distinct sense of accomplishment and has afforded me unique

experiences that continually strengthen my leadership and technical abilities.” Jennifer also manages the EAA’s Hydrostratigraphic Mapping project.

works to base regulation on sound science-driven data.

Photo: EAA Hydrogeologist, Jennifer Adkins-Schudrowitz, explains how to mathematically determine three well volumes with high school interns Samuel Franklin and Tyler Rogers at Girl Scout Well, New Braunfels, Texas.

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JESSICA QUINTANILLA

bacteria counts and dye trace samples, and a fume hood for chemical experiments. It took seven months to complete, and while the lab doesn’t directly relate to the research, it is the foundation for the work we do.”

Jessica Quintanilla, Hydrogeologist, has been

environment that the EAA offers.” After her promotion, Jessica was tasked with restructuring EAA’s water quality database. Jessica used her knowledge and expertise in databases to come up with a solution that was more user friendly than the older system. “Redesigning the geochemical database makes our data accessible to all members of the Aquifer Science Team. It allows our team to take ownership of the information we collect by giving direct access to the database to manage those records we create. As standard protocol I also conduct quality control checks for all lab reports we receive because we want to use the most accurate data in our research.” When not working on the water quality database, Jessica collaborates with UTSA on a study to determine the source of water supplying the Comal Springs complex. “The research we are conducting is trying to identify the source water that feeds Comal Springs 1, 3, and 7 using geochemical and physiochemical data. The study is relevant to the EAA’s purpose because it affects how the Habitat Conservation Plan protects threatened and endangered species and our understanding of the Edwards aquifer at large.”

employed at the EAA for more than six years. After graduating from Texas Tech University with a master’s degree in geosciences, Jessica knew she wanted to work in a field where she could combine her knowledge of hydrogeology and geochemistry. “It took me awhile to find a job, but the EAA’s mission and research aligned with what I had studied in school. I have an interest in geochemistry because it reveals important information about the Edwards in relation to the geology. It sort of completes a picture and tells a story of how these complex hydrologic systems that we study, interact.” Jessica was initially hired on as an environmental science technician at the EAA where she collected water quality data for the Informational Flow Study (IFF). “When I was first hired in 2015, the IFF study was just getting started and my primary responsibility was to collect water samples to support the project. It was around that time that we began introducing isotopes to the sampling suite and working closely with the geochemistry. The isotope sampling is important because it’s used to trace the source and age of the water.” In 2017 Jessica was promoted to hydrogeologist. “I was thrilled with the news! This position allows me to continue developing my skills as a researcher. It’s an incredibly unique work

JESSICA’S ADVICE FOR FUTURE WOMEN IN STEM ENCOURAGES THEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR WORK, UNAPOLOGET ICALLY. “STEM IS A HUMBL ING F IELD. STRIKE BALANCE BETWEEN BEING A STUDENT WHOSE ALWAYS READY TO LEARN AND AN EXPERT WHO KNOWS THEIR CRAFT. AND DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR SPEAKING UP. YOUR INPUT MAT TERS AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE’S.”

One of Jessica’s career highlights occurred in October 2021 when she was asked to present her research of the Comal Springs at GSA (Geological Society of America) 2021 annual meeting. “Presenting at GSA was both rewarding and enlightening. I’m just proud that I got through my presentation, but the real takeaway from the experience was collaborating with other researchers and speaking with other experts, colleagues in karst, to try and gain some insight on how we might try to approach our own problems.” Another career highlight for Jessica was conducting laboratory building was not efficient, it was unorganized, overcrowded and lacked storage. And the work we do is specialized so the setup was tailored to fit our workflow. Now there is space for field instruments, a space to prepare sample kits, benchtops to calibrate and process samples, there’s a dedicated area for analyzing oversight on EAA’s field laboratory remodeling efforts. “Our old field

This ongoing series will feature five, up and coming, women scientists on the EAA’s Aquifer Science Team. Learn more in our next edition.

Photo: EAA Hydrogeologist, Jessica Quintanilla, demonstrates geophysical surveying techniques to University of Texas students in Uvalde County.

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Dear Friend of The Edwards Aquifer Authority:

Season’s Greetings! The Edwards Aquifer Conservancy, the non-profit fundraising arm of the EAA, invites you to support the Edwards Aquifer Authority as it concludes the celebration of its first 25 years, and looks forward to the next twenty-five! We will apply all our received contributions and use the 2022 Valero Texas Open’s Champions fore Charity event, which provides us with a 7% match for every dollar raised on our behalf! The Edwards Aquifer Conservancy’s mission is strictly to support and help the work of the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), including setting up programs and practices that protect habitat and species while sustaining agricultural practices; promoting water conservation and water education; and supporting the development of natural water management solutions within the diverse Edwards Aquifer region. The funds raised through this campaign will go towards two main initiatives that are the twin pillars of the EAA’s vision for the next 25 years, The Edwards Aquifer: The Next Generation, and Beyond. The first initiative will offer a STEAM educational experience for all guests, young and old alike, at the EAA Education Outreach Center (EOC), found at Morgan’s Wonderland Camp. The second initiative is the EAA Field Research Park (FRP), which is a 150+ acre site where EAA staff are managing sustainable land management and field research activities. To contribute to the cause, please go to www.eaconservancy.org , and then click on the “Donate” button. You will be taken to a page where you can take one of three actions: 1) Contribute online directly to the Conservancy via our PayPal account; 2) Contribute via the Champions fore Charity online link; or 3) Send a check to the Conservancy via mail. Should you have any questions or need more donor forms, please call me at 210-430-7177 or email me at mdelagarza@edwardsaquifer.org.

We appreciate your kind consideration of our request, and we thank you in advance for your support. Happy and safe holidays!

Sincerely,

Michael De La Garza Executive Director Edwards Aquifer Conservancy

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