TGR NEWS - July 2021
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2021 Watersaver Landscape Tour Draws Hundreds of Viewers
More than 350 people signed up or signed in to view the 2021 Watersaver Landscape Tour and get some great information about creating colorful landscapes using native plants and saving water. Famed horticulturist Calvin Finch kicked off the event with some opening remarks about the 21-year history of the tour and some insights on how homeowners can use the information for their own homes.
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“The Trinity Glen Rose District (TGR) began cosponsoring the event a few years ago and we’ve really enjoyed working with not only the homeowners allowing us to showcase their landscapes, but also the people who really get excited about viewing them,” said George Wissmann, TGR General Manager. “Some of the landscapes that are displayed have been in development for many years, so we always encourage people to take small steps in converting high water-use yards to ones that incorporate native, water-saving plants.”
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If you missed the broadcast, TGR has a way for you to view the video tours at each home and download a plant list for each residence. Just go to: www.TrinityGlenRose.com/events.
TGR Board to Restart In Person Meetings
The Trinity Glen Rose District will be holding its next board meeting on Thursday, July 8. However, there are a few changes to be made for this meeting. During the pandemic, the board was meeting online which was allowed by the State of Texas. Given the recent changes in restrictions on public meetings, the board has decided to resume its traditional in person meetings.
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Also, in the past, the board held its meetings at Concordia Lutheran offices. Since the District has moved its offices to the City of Helotes, the board will now be utilizing the City of Helotes’ City Hall chambers to hold its meetings in the future. If you would like more information, go to: www.TrinityGlenRose.com/tgr-business.
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Though the board will be meeting in person, the public can attend virtually through Zoom. You can register here - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtf-GorTguHtw2syJqhbu6uUJ8BvjGde30.
Camp Bullis Sentinel Landscape Designation Takes a Significant Step Forward
With Camp Bullis located in the heart of the Trinity Glen Rose District, TGR staff have been working with the Alamo Area Council of Governments to help the Army installation gain a Sentinel Landscape designation. Sentinel Landscapes are working or natural lands important to the nation’s defense mission, but also places where preserving those landscapes strengthens the economies while conserving natural resources, such as the Trinity Aquifer.
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Recently, the partnership was invited to submit a full proposal for the federal designation. That proposal will be due August 27 of this year.
You can learn more about Sentinel Landscapes at: www.aacog.com/742/Sentinel-Landscape-Initiative.
Time to Have your Sprinkler System Checked
July through September is typically the hottest and driest stretch of weather we see in South Texas each year. Any by now you know that means that your water conservation knowledge and skills should be on high alert. Because landscape watering can account for up to 60 percent of the city’s water use during this time of year, the Trinity Glen Rose District always like to remind homeowners and business owners to have their sprinkler systems inspected before the systems are turned on for regular use. Wasted water cannot be retrieved, so you only get one chance to efficiently use the water provided by the city’s water resources such as the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers.
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The quickest do-it-yourself way to check your system is to start it up and then inspect each of the sprinkler heads in all of the system’s zones. Look for broken heads or heads that have sunken below ground. Then make sure that the heads are not watering the streets and sidewalks. Then you can observe whether there is adequate water pressure feeding each sprinkler head. A broken pipe or sprinkler head can drain away pressure and waste significant amounts of water.
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Also, if you have been slowly and steadily replacing high water use plants with native low water use plants, you might make sure that your sprinkler system either does not water areas with native plants or waters only a little.
Here is some great news for you. The Trinity Glen Rose District and San Antonio Water System have teamed up over the last few years to offer free irrigation system consultation programs. In fact, TGR will give you a $50 coupon to have the consultation done. Just go to www.TrinityGlenRose.com/conservation for more information.
TGR Addressing COVID-19 Virus Health Safety Concerns
The Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District (TGR) staff relocated to a new office in Helotes just before the March COVID-19 virus pandemic declarations by the State of Texas and City of San Antonio.
As of July 6, District staff alternate days throughout the week to minimize risk to constituents, staff and the general public by reducing group interactions. In the event an in-person appointment is needed, we will make every effort to accommodate. We will conduct a temperature screening prior to entering the office and require that all individuals present wear a mask and maintain 6' social distancing at all times. We will continue to monitor public health reports and recommendations and will continue to make future decisions based on the guidance provided by public health officials.
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If you need assistance, you may call the office at 210-698-1155 and leave a message or you may call 210-219–5555 to contact someone directly.
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New TGR District office location address:
Physical: 14789 Old Bandera Road, Suite 105, Helotes, Texas 78023
Mailing: 12790 FM 1560 N Box 1589, Helotes, Texas 78023
TGR Publishes 2020 Annual Report
The Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District (TGR) just published its 2020 Annual Report. The TGR board reviewed the report in early March and approved the document for publication at its March meeting.
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The 2020 Annual Report provides good background on the:
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purpose of the district
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district goals
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current leadership
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well monitoring work
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financial position, and
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community outreach programs
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This year, the District included two charts which outline TGR’s involvement in regional GMA-9 joint water planning efforts required by the State of Texas. The charts provide a 10-year history of water use in the region and how that compares to the region’s goals for water production from the Trinity Aquifer. Those goals are known as “desired future conditions.”
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