On June 11-12, 2009, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in partnership with the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program and the Port of Corpus Christi, will host the 2009 Seagrass Conservation Workshop.  Upon the 10-year anniversary of the implementation of the Seagrass Conservation Plan for Texas, signed into action by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the Texas General Land Office, this workshop will provide a comprehensive look at the accomplishments of the original Plan, identify unfulfilled and new objectives, and explore future actions and partnerships to further the protection and conservation of seagrass communities along the Texas coast. 

Under the plan, the Texas Seagrass Monitoring Workgroup has coordinated with state and federal agencies, research institutes, and non-profit organizations to meet goals and objectives in the following plan chapters:

• Research - This chapter sets goals to regularly assess status and trends of seagrass distribution on a coast-wide basis, to assess both changes in water quality and seagrass health, and determine causes of changes in seagrass species composition and coverage.   In addition, the chapter outlines objectives to identify habitat functions and productivity of natural seagrass community types, and linkages with other habitats to support habitat conservation, creation, enhancement and restoration.  The results from this research will provide data for development of management policies in response to human-induced impacts.
• Management - The goal of this chapter is to develop a sound management process that coordinates agency policies, public concern, and existing knowledge from research, to achieve effective seagrass conservation.
• Education and Outreach - In this chapter, the Plan focuses on improving the public’s awareness and knowledge in the benefits of seagrass communities in an effort to promote responsible behavior that preserves seagrasses on the Texas coast. 

Developed by the Texas Seagrass Monitoring Workgroup, this meeting is expected to draw over 150 attendees representing governmental, academic, private, and non-profit organizations who will provide recommendations for future actions under the plan. As a goal of the workshop, the workgroup seeks partnership and cooperation from organizations and individuals who share a common interest in the mission of the Seagrass Conservation Plan. Join us in guiding the future of Texas seagrasses.

TEXAS SEAGRASS MONITORING WORKGROUP

The seagrass monitoring workgroup was created by TPWD as an outgrowth of their efforts to implement the Texas seagrass monitoring plan which is a key part of the state seagrass conservation plan. The first meeting was held on July 8, 2003. The workgroup meets roughly every 3 months to discuss issues related to seagrass and seagrass conservation in the state of Texas. Membership includes representatives from a number of state (Texas Parks & Wildlife; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas General Land Office) and federal agencies (US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers), local governmental agencies (Port of Corpus Christi), universities (University of Texas Marine Science Institute, University of Texas, Pan American, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi) and various non-profit conservation organizations (The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program). The main focus of these meetings is to improve communication and coordination between the various entities and individuals working to conserve and protect seagrasses in the state of Texas, thus aiding implementation of various aspects of the Texas Seagrass Monitoring Plan.

Workgroup Committee Chairs

Education

Karen Meador        Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Jace Tunnell          Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program

Research

Ken Dunton            Marine Science Institute, University of Texas
Patrick Larkin         Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Texas A&M University

Management

Beau Hardegree     US Fish and Wildlife Service
Paul Carangelo       Port of Corpus Christi

Committee Members

Dave Buzan                PBS&J
Tom Calnan                 Texas General Land Office
Jim Davenport             Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Mark Fisher                 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Ed Hegen                    Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Nathan Kuhn               Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Alex Nunez                 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Amy Nunez                 Texas General Land Office
Warren Pulich             River Systems Institute, Texas State University – San Marcos
William Schubert         Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Mike Weeks                PBS&J

For more information on the Seagrass Monitoring Workgroup, contact Nathan Kuhn at (512) 389-8061 or e-mail Nathan.Kuhn@tpwd.state.tx.us.

Background Documents

Link here to workgroup meeting minutes.

Education and Outreach Workgroup Summary

Research Workgroup Summary

Management Worksgroup Summary