Saturday, April 30, 2011

Conservation Education Day

Ogallala Commons held a Conservation Education Day on March 1 at the Southwest Branch of the Amarillo Public Library.  Educators and landowners attended to learn more about playas and their role in our lives.

Approximately 19,300 playas are found in the Texas High Plains and they serve as the primary source of water recharge to the Ogallala Aquifer.  Darryl Birkenfeld, Executive Director of Ogallala Commons, explained that playas are shaped more like a plate than a bowl.  With gradually sloping sides and a flat center, playas are generally 1-3 feet deep and, when properly cared for, can provide a wonderful habitat for flora and fauna.

As a result of poor farming and grazing practices and increased road construction, the playas have sustained extensive damage.  Landowners had the opportunity to visit with Manuel De Leon from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) who explained conservation methods in relation to farming.  The NRCS offers varying levels of assistance to landowners including technical support and conservation planning.

Ogallala Commons is a nonprofit community development network, offering leadership and education to reinvigorate the commonwealth that forms the basis of all communities.  They offer playa festivals to area 5th graders that include hands-on demonstrations and field trips so students are able to learn about playas, the water cycle, the Ogallala Aquifer and wastewater management.  If you are interested in coordinating a festival, please contact Darryl Birkenfeld at (806) 945-2255 or visit their website at www.ogallalacommons.org.

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