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Highlights from the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership
Highlights from Plum Creek Watershed Partnership
New Citizen Science Water Quality Monitoring Group
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The Plum Creek Stewards is a new group monitoring the Plum Creek Watershed under Texas Stream Team. Our trained citizen scientists collect standard water quality parameters at one site monthly. The data include dissolved oxygen, air and water temperature, pH, water transparency, and field observations such as flow, weather, presence of algae, water surface and odor. The Stewards not only add to the statewide database held by Texas Stream Team; they also serve as observers of Plum Creek, especially in the rapidly urbanizing areas which may be subject to swift changes in water quality that merit reporting.
Events: Trash and Trees
The first weekend in November was a busy and beneficial time for the Plum Creek Watershed. Two successful volunteer events occurred: Keep Lockhart Beautiful Fall Cleanup and the Re-leaf Reforestation. The Keep Lockhart Beautiful 2021 Fall Clean and Green event was the first in-person cleanup event in the watershed since the onset of the pandemic. Over 120 volunteers collected nearly 1,000 pounds of trash in 6 parks across Lockhart, including Town Branch Creek. Thanks to a generous donation from Scenic Texas, 100 trees were given to cleanup participants. Volunteers were also fed breakfast tacos and received “Keep Lockhart Beautiful” reusable facemasks.
"Keep Lockhart Beautiful" Volunteers
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust held its second ReLeaf event at the Plum Creek Wetlands Preserve. The Preserve, located just north of Lockhart, contains 21 constructed wetland ponds, which attract a variety of wildlife including deer, amphibians, reptiles, and pollinators. The Re-leaf Reforestation project aims to return the 265-acre Preserve to its native vegetation. During the two-day event, 30 volunteers planted over 700 native trees. The event attracted volunteers from various organizations, such as the Lost Pines Master Naturalists, Guadalupe County Master Naturalists, Lockhart ISD, Texas A&M Forest Service, GuadalupeBlanco River Authority, Plum Creek Watershed Partnership, Keep Lockhart Beautiful, and Texas State University.
