Stephen F. Austin State University

Three Stephen F. Austin State University faculty members working to protect East Texas water resources will speak at the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth Friday Luncheon on April 25. Drs. Ken Farrish, Matt McBroom and Hans Williams will discuss current research being conducted by SFA’s Waters of East Texas (WET) Center.

“Rapidly expanding urban centers in Texas are increasing their claim to and utilization of East Texas water resources,” Farrish said. “The need for additional impoundments on East Texas rivers and tributaries to facilitate inter-basin transfers of water to these urban areas has become highly controversial.”

Growing water use within East Texas is also placing added demands on regional water resources, according to McBroom.

“Increased use of water resources from East Texas will come mainly from surface water, since groundwater supplies are limited and already developed,” McBoom said. “SFA is in a unique position, both geographically and technically, to become the expert institution on assessment and mitigation of impacts on water resources and related ecosystems from increased utilization of water in East Texas.”

Nine research scientists from agriculture, biology, environmental science, and forestry are affiliated with the WET Center at SFA.

“The WET Center will make SFA more competitive for outside research funding on water resources and will benefit East Texas by providing reliable science that will help state and local government agencies make decisions about management of East Texas water resources,” Williams said.

The luncheon begins at noon in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Twilight Ballroom, and reservations are required. For tickets, which are $13 in advance or $15 at the door, call the chamber at (936) 560-5533.

The luncheon is being held in conjunction with SFA’s Bright Ideas Conference, beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, April 25. Highlighting creativity in research, scholarship and artistry by faculty members, the conference will include a 1 p.m. performance by the SFA Percussion Ensemble and a 4 p.m. performance by the Original Cast.

Seven spotlight speakers have been selected to present information regarding their work during 30-minute lectures that are free and open to the public. Topics include the effect of light sources on students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; pottery used in rituals from 1000 to 1600 A.D. by the Maya in North-Central Yucatán, México, Belize, and Guatemala; the impacts of private land management practices on wildlife; the creation of the film “Skipping Tomorrow” by the SFA College of Fine Arts; pharmaceutical interests in clay minerals; the use of electronic textbooks; and how the rapidly changing digital environment is affecting libraries.

For more information about the conference, call (936) 468-6606.