Texas Stream Team honored by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

The Texas Stream Team, part of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, received a Texas Environmental Excellence Award from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Governor Greg Abbott and TCEQ commissioners selected 10 winners in nine categories. The awards recognize efforts to use less water or energy, educate the public about natural resources and reduce pollution.

"I am proud to announce this year’s winners," said TCEQ Chairman Jon Niermann. "Not only are they innovative, but each one demonstrates a commitment to our state’s environment that should inspire all Texans to follow their lead."

The Texas Stream Team was recognized in the Civic/Community category for its efforts to raise awareness and develop environmental stewards. The team was also recognized for the value of the data collected and recorded online. This helps regional leaders and advocates to assess their local water quality, and when necessary, allows them to develop remediation strategies and conservation efforts.

Since its inception almost three decades ago, the Texas Stream Team has worked to fight pollution in the 191,000 miles of Texas waterways, training volunteers to collect and assess water quality data. These dedicated citizen scientists, consisting of students, educators, community members, professionals and private sector partners, serve as an early warning system for water pollution. The program not only records data that is used to keep the waterways healthy, but allows each volunteer to serve as a vocal ambassador.

The statewide network of volunteers works to identify areas of concern, reduce pollution and provide agencies with information to improve and conserve Texas waterways. In 2018, volunteers spent almost 6,000 hours sampling water, traveling 61,305 miles to over 240 different monitoring sites. 

TEEA winners will be recognized at a banquet on May 15 as part of the TCEQ’s Environmental Trade Fair and Conference at the Austin Convention Center.