Help Educate Texans About Water for Wildlife!

Over the past 6 years, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) has produced "The State of Water" documentary series exploring the crucial issues facing water for Texas including allocations for wildlife and aquatic habitats. This series was shown on PBS stations around the state. Our recent drought, continued population growth, and increasing demands on limited water resources make this topic more important than ever. In an effort to continue to utilize these wonderful documentaries and educate the public about these issues, we are encouraging organizations and groups such as informal science institutions, conservation organizations, community groups, civic organizations, and churches to show these videos. We encourage folks to be creative! Consider hosting a video matinee, video night or a "lunch and learn" opportunity and invite the local community. You can host a screening of one or all 5 of the State of Water Videos or one of the selections from "Water Stories," a compilation of segments from our TPWD television program.

Videos include: "Texas The State of Water, Vol. 1," "Texas The State of Water—Finding A Balance," "Texas The State of Water—The State of Springs," "Texas The State of Water—The State of Flowing Water," and "The State of the Gulf: America's Sea."

TPWD created the "State of Water Video Screening Toolkit" to assist you in preparing for and hosting a screening. The Toolkit also has questions to encourage discussion and conversation for use after screening the video and "Save Water For Wildlife" pledge cards to encourage wise water use by the participants following the screening. The toolkit includes fill-able publicity flyers and media release to make publicizing the event a snap. Hosting organizations may also submit their event to be listed on the TPWD on-line calendar. A host evaluation and participant sign-in sheet complete the toolkit.

If you aren't familiar with the videos, learn more at the website, http://www.texasthestateofwater.org/ The latest video, "The State of the Gulf: America's Sea" can be seen on the website. The State of Water Video Screening Toolkit and related forms can be found http://www.texasthestateofwater.org/screening/index.php

Interested? Contact Cappy Smith at cappy.smith@tpwd.state.tx.us or 512-389-8060 for additional information. There is no charge for the videos.

Thanks for considering hosting an event! Feel free to pass along to other community partners if you think they would be interested in hosting a screening.

Cappy Smith
Aquatic Resource Education Specialist
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
4200 Smith School Road
Austin TX 78744
512-389-8060
Cappy.smith@tpwd.state.tx.us