For More Information: Contact Maria Yanez, Ogallala Commons Regional Coordinator 832-524-9448 maria@ogallalacommons.org
Outdoor enthusiasts, agriculturalists, Master Naturalists, city planners, educators, hikers, and the interested public are invited to attend an OC Field Day presented by Ogallala Commons (www.ogallalacommons.org) on Tuesday, April 14th from 9:30am-1:30pm in Borger, Texas. The education event will provide information about the Rock Creek restoration project, with an overview of techniques used to slow, spread, and soak stormwater, to recover a healthy water cycle and replenish groundwater aquifers. After lunch, a tour will be taken to view the restoration work recently completed near Johnson Park in downtown Borger, TX.
“The Borger community has a stellar natural asset in the headwaters of Rock Creek, which has flowing water inside the city limits and accessible to the public within the boundaries of Johnson Park,” notes Will Masters, OC Ogallala Life Educator. “In March, our team of volunteers installed 68 installations (small leaky weirs and rock dams) using nearly 2 trailer loads of donated Christmas trees, poles, deadwood, live cuttings, along with rocks and earth gathered from the site. These natural materials that will spread and slow the water flow across the wider creek valley, allowing it to better soak in and recharge the groundwater aquifer.”
Doors will open at 9am at The Dome Civic & Convention Center (1113 Bulldog Blvd. in Borger, TX) with the program starting at 9:30. The opening presentation will discuss an overview of the Ogallala Aquifer in the northern Texas Panhandle, given by Ashley Ausbrook, District Hydrologist and Programs Manager at Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District, White Deer, TX. Next up, a presentation outlining the importance of landscape rehydration and the impacts of the Rock Creek restoration project, offered by Will Masters and Donovan Johnson. After a break, the final presentation of the morning entitled, “Benefits & Impacts of Natural Infrastructure in Borger, TX” will be given by Nicole Chavez, Civic, Convention & Main Street Coordinator for the City of Borger, TX.
At 11:30am, a lasagna dinner catered by Roma Restaurant will be served to the group. At 12:10pm, the group will depart for a Field Trip to nearby Johnson Park, where the tour can enter Rock Creek and view the leaky weirs and small dams that were recently erected. The tour will hike along a bit farther down the creek for those who are able. The field tour will adjourn at 1:15pm.
Registration for the event is $25 per person (which includes the cost of lunch, drinks, and snacks). To register, please email or call to Maria Yanez, Ogallala Commons Regional Coordinator (maria@ogallalacommons.org or by phone at 832-524-9448).