The Tarrant Regional Water District will develop an aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) well to increase groundwater recharge and storage, support regional climate adaptation, and demonstrate there are opportunities to scale this technology. The ASR well will increase groundwater supplies at Trinity River Authority’s water treatment plant in east Fort Worth, Texas. Water will be sourced from Richland Chambers and Cedar Creek Reservoirs and the George W. Shannon Wetlands in East Texas. This project will recharge an aquifer with extra water that will regenerate ground water resources by repurposing water by putting it back into a depleted aquifer.
State / Province: Texas
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Rock Creek Longleaf Pine Restoration
Through the Texas Water Action Collaborative facilitated by Texan by Nature, we were matched with a Texas Longleaf Team project to restore 2,000 acres of longleaf pine forest in East Texas. Once spanning over 90 million acres in the southeastern U.S., including East Texas, longleaf pine forests have been drastically reduced by urbanization and land use changes. The native longleaf ecosystem is characterized by a rich grassland savannah underneath the towering pine trees, and research has shown that this ecosystem is more effective at capturing and filtering water than traditional production forestry. Partners at Stephen F. Austin State University and Raven Environmental Services are conducting environmental monitoring to demonstrate how healthy ecosystems improve water quantity for Texans. The project will remove noxious invasive shrubs and woody vegetation, replant 100,000 longleaf pine trees, and use prescribed burns to restore habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Ultimately, the benefits of this restoration will enhance the ecosystem’s resilience to drought, pests and diseases, severe weather, and wildfires.
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Longleaf Pine Brazos River Program Expansion
Texan by Nature (TxN) launched the Texas Water Action Collaborative (TxWAC) to connect funders with conservation projects that benefit Texas’ water resources. After a successful pilot in the Trinity River Basin, funding from our partnership will support expansion into the Brazos River Basin. This effort will prioritize projects, engage diverse industries, and fund at least two new initiatives in its first year, amplifying conservation impact statewide.
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Caddo-LBJ Grasslands Habitat Restoration
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is facilitating the restoration of Cottonwood Creek Watershed on the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland in Wise County, Texas. The watershed spans 5,700 acres, including 4,000 acres of National Forest land and 1,700 acres of private land, with 29 miles of mapped streams. This project will be completed in phases, with phase 1 focusing on two stream reaches totaling 80 acres and 1.3 miles of primary stream channel. Restoration will bring stability to the ecosystem preserving it for future generations to reconnect with nature.
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Collin County Agricultural Best Management Practices
The Collin County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is supporting farmers in adopting best management practices (BMPs) to reduce runoff into Lavon Lake, a vital water source for North Texas. These practices, such as cover crops and no-till farming, are designed to lower bacteria, nutrient, and sediment levels in the watershed. Funding enables the SWCD to provide financial incentives and technical assistance, driving voluntary efforts to improve water quality and protect this critical resource.