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It’s that time of year again. Boating and swimming season are just around the corner. As Texans take to the water for fun in the sun, please be reminded of some safety considerations.
1. Wear a Life Jacket: The Coast Guard states that over 90% of persons who drown each year would still be alive if they just wore a Life Jacket. (Life Jackets have changed a lot in the past few years. An inflatable vest the size of a fanny pack is now available for adults!)
2. Learn to Swim: A significant number of drownings in Texas involve people who do not know how to swim. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance slogan “Drowning is Preventable” is highlighted in the 2015 Water Safety Month Campaign. Swimming skill is an important part of drowning prevention.
3. Closely Supervise Children: It can take only a few seconds for a person to drown. Drowning has been called the silent killer because a person who is drowning does not necessarily make noise. It is important to swim as a group and always have a person designated as a look out.
May is National Water Safety Month and National Safe Boating Week is May 16-22. Information and Resources are available at http://www.nationalwatersafetymonth.org/ and http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/
For more information about boating access and swimming locations in Texas you may access the interactive maps at http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/where/
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 Seagrasses are highly specialized marine plants that grow rooted and submersed in the waters of Texas bays and estuaries. They produce food for a wide variety of organisms and add oxygen to the water. They stabilize and oxygenate sediments improving water clarity and preventing erosion. Seagrasses also improve water quality by absorbing nutrients from the water, and help reduce greenhouse gasses by taking up carbon dioxide. Dense seagrass beds form a habitat that provides shelter for small invertebrates and fish, as well as ambush points for predators. The combination of food and shelter that these habitats provide makes them vital nursery areas for juvenile fish and invertebrates. Seagrass beds rank with coral reefs and rain forests as some of the most productive habitats on the planet.
Several natural (sea-level rise, hurricanes, algal blooms, high runoff following floods) and man-made factors (dredge and fill operations, water pollution, and propeller or “prop” scarring) can negatively impact seagrass health. Either the plant suffers direct physical damage (e.g. removal or burial), or conditions are created that are unfavorable for the growth of the plant (e.g. increased turbidity prevents sunlight from penetrating to the plant). Natural and man-made disturbances may at times interact creating an even greater impact. For example, heavy prop scarring can make seagrass beds more susceptible to storm damage. Use these coloring pages to educate kids about the importance of protecting seagrasses!
 Wondrous Wetlands
Wetlands fall somewhere between land and water, hence the compound word: wet + land. They mark the place where two habitats interface, or where earth and water come together. When a terrestrial habitat and an aquatic one come together it creates a unique habitat all its own, the wetland habitat.
Throughout work on this topic, help your students understand:
- what a wetland is and that wetlands are not always wet (many wetlands are only seasonal)
- that wetlands can be found in every part of Texas.
- that Texas has two main types of wetlands: freshwater and coastal.
- that wetlands are places where species diversity is high.
- that wetlands often serve as transitional zones between land and water (especially coastal wetlands).
- that wetlands help us in many ways including protecting water quality, providing wildlife habitat, and providing flood control.
- that lakes aren't considered wetlands because they are too deep. A wetland will usually need to be shallow enough to support wet-footed plants.
- that wetlands are often undervalued because they aren't always the prettiest landscapes.
Print "Wondrous Wetlands" You may print and distribute this pdf of the article for classroom use.
Student Research Pages These web pages are for your students, with links to activities, video clips and related Web sites to guide students' research.
Background for Teachers Learn more about this topic.
Vocabulary – definitions and context These definitions include a context sentence to aid understanding.
Activities and Lesson Plans From discussion questions to fun activities, try these supplements to your curriculum to aid students' understanding.
Project WILD Activities Activities suited for this topic.
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View all upcoming events on the Events Calendar.
Mar 14
Angler Education Instructor Training Workshop (Pearland) Become a TPWD certified Angler Education Instructor and teach others to fish, students, community members, etc!
Mar 16
Project WILD Facilitator Training (Hawkins) Join the corps of volunteer Facilitators who lead the suite of Project WILD workshops - prerequisite required.
Mar 21
Project WILD (Dallas) Learn to share conservation with children: Professional Development for anyone who works with children.
Mar 28
Growing Up WILD (Texas State Aquarium) Learn to share conservation with children: Professional Development for anyone who works with children.
Ongoing Boater Education Classes
April 10-12
Becoming an Outdoor Woman Workshop (Palacios) Join other women in an atmosphere where women feel comfortable learning new skills associated with hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities, in a supportive and non-threatening environment. Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/tpwdoutdoorwoman
To learn more about other fun events and recreational activities, we invite you to sign up to receive our free email updates. Here are archived copies to preview:
Life’s Better Outside e-newsletter, featuring stories and news on hunting, fishing, state parks, and conservation efforts
State Parks Getaways e-newsletter and State Parks Promotions and Offers, highlighting ideas for your next park visit, news of park events, and fun seasonal activities
Preview the next issue of the Award winning Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine
Specialty Newsletters, such as Eye on Nature and Texas Hummer, including topics on wildlife diversity, conservation and statewide volunteer opportunities
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