Opportunities for online rainwater harvesting course given
COLLEGE STATION â€" The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is offering three opportunities for small-acreage landholders to participate in an online course on rainwater collection for livestock and wildlife.
(Media-Newswire.com) - COLLEGE STATION – The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is offering three opportunities for small-acreage landholders to participate in an online course on rainwater collection for livestock and wildlife. The four-lesson "Rainwater Harvesting for Livestock and Wildlife" course, which can be taken from anywhere there is reliable Internet access, is designed to be completed over a four-week period, according to Justin Mechell, the AgriLife Extension program specialist in College Station coordinating course offerings.
"Though we have made these four lessons to where they can be reasonably completed in the four-week time frame we have established, the course may be completed more quickly if desired," he said. "If a participant is planning on using a dial-up Internet connections, that's OK, but download times for course materials may be lengthy."
Mechell said while he expects most participants will be from throughout Texas, there likely will be others taking the course from different states too.
The entire training for this self-directed course will be hosted online and the techniques discussed can be used on large and small scales, Mechell said.
"Through this course, participants will gain an understanding of rainwater system designs and sizes for collecting rainwater for use by livestock and wildlife," he said.
Course opportunities will be offered within the time frames of June 7-July 2, July 26-Aug. 20 and Sept. 13-Oct. 8. The course lessons can be taken and completed at any time within the selected registration period.
The courses will be facilitated by Mechell and Billy Kniffen, an AgriLife Extension state water resource specialist from Menard County. Each of the four course lessons is comprised of a Power Point presentation with audio, assignments, discussion board and supporting videos and publications.
"The discussion board allows participants to ask questions directly to the course teachers," Mechell said.
The first lesson, "Rainwater Harvesting Introduction," will address the growing need for rainwater harvesting as a source for water. Rainwater harvesting basics will be discussed, including rainwater system components, set-up, use and maintenance. There also will be discussion on Texas law related to rainwater harvesting and financial incentives for installing a system.
The second lesson is "Rainwater Harvesting for Livestock" and focuses on livestock water needs along with rainwater system designs and the calculations to determine the size of the system needed to provide for them.
"Rainwater Harvesting for Wildlife" is the third lesson and covers how rainwater systems can be used to help attract wildlife. It includes discussion of proper wildlife management, rainwater harvesting methods for attracting desired species and correct sizing of a system for wildlife use. Examples, concerns and benefits of attracting wildlife also are discussed in this lesson.
The final lesson is the "Conclusion" portion and is a retrospective on how an entire rainwater harvesting system works, as well as a review on the design, application, set-up, maintenance and benefits of rainwater harvesting.
Each course lesson should take two to three hours to complete, Mechell said.
The cost for the online course is $50 and registration is through the Texas AgriLife Extension Conference Services website at http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu.
The courses can be found by clicking the "Online Courses" tab on the Conference Services list on the site's home page and then scrolling down.
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