Texas Water Policy
Tom Entsminger, National Wildlife Federation
Water is central to our state’s natural landscape, culture, and economy. Over the years, Texas has experienced water-related issues ranging from droughts to floods and aging infrastructure. The state legislature has made large investments in infrastructure to protect this critical natural resource, and is likely to discuss the possibility of further appropriations in the upcoming legislative session. Tom will review some of the top issues in Texas water and how native plant gardeners can be part of the solution.
Tom is the Policy Director for the Texas Coast and Water Program at the National Wildlife Federation. He previously spent 14 years in state government, developing and administering public financial assistance programs. He served on the Texas Water Development Board’s bill analysis team and participated in several interagency work groups with a focus on collaboration and equitable distribution of public funds, particularly to small, rural, and economically disadvantaged communities. Tom has also worked as a grant writer and a private sector funding specialist focused on helping ensure communities avoid missing out on important funding opportunities.
Trees & Water: Sustainable Practices for Drought and Storm Management
Katherine Newton, Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy
Trees play a crucial role in water management, offering natural solutions for both drought mitigation and stormwater absorption. This presentation will explore how trees can be cared for during drought conditions, emphasizing practices like watering, mulching, and pruning to maintain their resilience. It will also highlight how trees help manage heavy rainfall, absorb excess water, and prevent soil erosion through their root systems and canopy coverage. Additionally, she will discuss best practices for selecting and planting trees to reduce the risk of toppling during storms, ensuring long-term stability. The presentation will conclude with recommendations for drought-tolerant and fast-growing tree species that are well-suited for the local environment, such as Live Oak, Cedar Elm, Bald Cypress, American Sycamore. By understanding how trees contribute to water conservation and storm mitigation, communities can enhance both ecological sustainability and resilience to climate challenges.
Katherine Bravo Newton is the new Executive Director of Willow Waterhole. Originally from Katy, Texas, Katherine received her BS in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University and holds a certificate in Arboriculture 101. With over 11 years of fieldwork experience, Katherine has been involved in species selection across a variety of impactful projects, including riparian restoration, reforestation efforts, and beautification plantings along streets, esplanades, parks, schools, and neighborhoods. During her tenure as Projects Director at Trees For Houston, she led transformative initiatives that significantly enhanced Houston’s greenspace and urban canopy. Outside of her professional accomplishments, Katherine is an avid pickleball player who enjoys participating in tournaments and leagues with her husband. A passionate dog lover, she relaxes at home with her four dogs and volunteers with a local dog rescue, helping transport dogs to their future foster homes. As she embarks on her new journey with Willow Waterhole, Katherine’s passion and expertise will bring innovative leadership and a continued commitment to environmental stewardship.
The Secret Lives of Dragonflies
John Abbott, Author, Professor, and Photographer
Dragonflies and damselflies, both part of the insect order Odonata, can stir up a mix of emotions—anything from fear to admiration. But these insects are quite helpful, feeding on pesky flies like mosquitoes, black flies, and horse flies both as nymphs and adults. They play an essential role in the food chain of freshwater ecosystems. The nymphs, which live longer than adults, have evolved unique traits to thrive in freshwater, and their forms can vary greatly between species. Adult dragonflies are often seen zipping around ponds, and some can even migrate long distances. With a little bit of planning and care, you can bring these beautiful creatures to your yard and get a glimpse into their fascinating lives.
Dr. John Abbott is an Associate Professor and the Chief Curator and Director of Research and Collections for the University of Alabama Museums. He grew up in Texas, falling in love at an early age with insects and natural history in general. John’s research career has focused on many aspects of entomology from the behavior of stoneflies to the conservation of endangered beetles, but his primary focus has been on the systematics, biogeography and conservation of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata). He has incorporated citizen science and crowd-sourcing initiatives to help collect data on a variety of odonate topics from presence/absence of species to trying to unravel the mysteries of dragonfly migration. Current projects include the conservation of rare southeastern dragonflies using population genetics and a global geneology of Odonates (GEODE-dragonfly.net). He has written several books including Common Insects of Texas and a Field to the Insects of North America. John serves as Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of Odonatology and Associate Editor for Odonatologica. He enjoys engaging with others about nature and the topics in science that excite him. He and his wife are nature photographers and teach workshops (AbbottNaturePhotography.com).
Urban Amphibians
Kelly Norrid, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
What was that sound? Was it a bird? An insect? The Bayou City is home to a number of amphibian species dependent on the bayous, streams and rivers of Harris County. Come learn about the hidden life of amphibians inside and outside the loop and what you can do to help preserve and create habitat for these declining species.
Kelly is an Urban Wildlife Biologist at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Originally from Conroe, e studied biological and physical science, environmental science, and geology at the University of Houston.
