Texas
List of Sustainability-Focused Extension Programs
Program: Texas Sustainable Agriculture Research Education
Institution: Texas A&M University
Category: Land, Air Quality/ Climate Change, Water, Energy
Range: Texas statewide
Description: Texas SARE involves a multifaceted effort that provides training opportunities for Texas agriculture professionals to “Train the Trainer.” County Extension Agents, FSA personnel, NRCS personnel, producers, and other agricultural professionals and also incorporates concepts of sustainable agriculture in existing, state-wide training efforts. These training opportunities include conferences, field meetings and workshops held at various locations in Texas.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information, Other
Program: Texas Watershed Steward Program
Institution: Texas A&M University/ Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Category: Water
Range: Texas statewide
Description: All watersheds in Texas are threatened by non point sources (NPS) of pollution which are detrimental to the valuable water resources of the state. To help combat this threat, federal and state water resource management agencies have adopted a watershed-scale approach for managing water quality. One vital component of this approach involves engaging local stakeholders to become actively involved in planning and implementing water resource management and protection programs in their watershed.
To support this need for stakeholder involvement, the Texas Watershed Steward (TWS) program was initiated to provide science-based, watershed education to help citizens identify and take action to address local water quality impairments. Texas Watershed Stewards learn about the nature and function of watersheds, potential impairments, and strategies for watershed protection.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings
Program: CYFAR: Texas A&M Sustainable Communities Project
Institution: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Category: Food
Range: Bexar and Harris County
Description: The CYFAR Program is based on effective research programs for at risk youth and families and on working across the life span on the human ecological principle within the context of the family and community. CYFAR supports intensive, comprehensive, community-based programs developed with active citizen participation in all phases, to ensure that critical needs of children and families are met. CYFAR promotes building resiliency and protective factors in youth, families, and communities. More information about the urban gardening program available here.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings
Program: Texas Master Naturalist Program
Institution: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension & Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Category: Land, Air Quality/ Climate Change, Water
Range: Texas statewide
Description: In Texas, this partnership among the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and some 398 local partners has resulted in a unique master volunteer organization. Since 1997, the Texas Master Naturalist™ program has grown to include 46 chapters and more than 10,600 volunteers serving Texas communities throughout 76 percent of the state’s counties. The mission of the program is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Certification
