Recently, UTD partnered with the Texas Stream Team (TST) to promote environmental stewardship. TST is a statewide initiative and a volunteer-based water quality monitoring program that is administered through partnership between The Meadows Center at Texas State University, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Trained volunteers collect water quality information that can be used for scientific research and to preserve the waterways. Once trained, the volunteers become a “Certified Citizen Scientist” and can volunteer to monitor the cottonwood creek that runs through our campus.

Volunteers complete three phases of training using a test kit that measures the water quality parameters:

• Phase I – includes hands-on training demonstrated by the trainer.
• Phase II – provides volunteers the opportunity to conduct the monitoring procedures in the field with the help of the trainer.
• Phase III – volunteers conduct the monitoring activities independently in the field.

All three phases of trainings are usually completed on the same day.

Here are some of the benefits of becoming a TST Certified Citizen Scientist:

• You will become environmental stewards and contribute to UTD’s efforts on preserving cottonwood creek.
• You will gain hands on experience with conducting water quality monitoring.
• You will contribute to real science that is used by the TCEQ to protect human health and environment.

Please contact the UTD Environmental Team at 972-883-4591 or 972-883-6114 for more information on how to join the UTD Texas Stream Team.