Forney Students Learn about Erosion and Water Conservation

Kaufman County 4-H in the Classroom Program Assistants are working with teachers to show students what erosion is all about. 4-H Program Assistants Lisa Nalls and Renee Word have been working with schools in the county traveling around with the Stream Trailer and the Rainfall Simulator.

So what is it that we are teaching? "First and foremost we want the student to understand the vital importance of trees, shrubs and other deep rooted native plants that they see daily in their close environment. These deep root networks are essential to allowing the stream banks to stand up to the cutting power of flowing water," explained by Carrie Sharp Texas AgriLife Extension County Agent for 4-H and Youth Development, "But also how rain falls and how the environment we make today effects where the water goes." The 4-H PA's do this by helping students observe the actions that water has on land, buildings, different types of ground cover before making its way to the stream beds using the rain fall simulator. (Bottom Picture with Program Assistant Lisa Nalls.) Secondly, they demonstrate that streams never run straight and that it is unwise to cut across meanders by using the Stream Trailer from the North Texas Water Resource Institute. ( Top Picture with County Agent Carrie Sharp) Thirdly, they talk about floodplains – what they are and how they are beneficial as long as we have been wise enough to not build there.

All of this is done through demonstration for the student to watch and actually see the differences of the ground water and surface water in the run off from a lawn to the water run off from an area with no vegetation. The students can also see the effects from the stream trailer how the water in the streams moves and effects the erosion of the banks and where the sediment actually ends up.

If you would like to have this opportunity for your class or your youth group, contact the Carrie Sharp, 4-H and Youth Development County Agent at the Kaufman County Extension Office - 972-932-9069 to set up a visit with the 4-H in the Classroom Program Assistants.