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Cuthand Creek photographed on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024.<\/p>\n
Smiley N. Pool\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
Stephen F. Austin State University, the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and Angelina College on Thursday announced the launch of the East Texas Water Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n The regional initiative is designed to expand resources to communities as they steward and plan for East Texas’ water resources for generations to come, leaders said.<\/p>\n In a region of Texas that is abundant with water supplies, the resource sustains communities, supports agriculture and forestry, and shapes the economy and quality of life that make East Texas unique, officials said in a news release. The region is also navigating aging infrastructure, changing water needs, workforce shortages, limited technical capacity and gaps in accessible water information.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The East Texas Water Institute will attempt to provide solutions to those challenges and comes at a time when water resources have become a major focus of statewide policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Related: Texas lawmakers, voters approved historic water investments in 2025. What happens now?<\/a><\/p>\n The institute will be housed within SFA’s Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation. The T.L.L. Temple Foundation<\/a> made an initial $500,000 commitment to endow the institute’s executive director position but plans to be a partner in perpetuity.<\/p>\n \u201cFor generations, SFA has served as the university of East Texas,\u201d SFA President Neal Weaver said. \u201cThis institute represents the next chapter in that mission \u2014 bringing together education, research, innovation and partnerships to ensure that water remains a source of prosperity, resilience and opportunity for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Officials said the institute will focus on five areas: collecting water data; educating the public; providing applied research and technical assistance; strengthening education and training pathways for the water workforce; and bringing together regional coordination.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Charlie Glover, president and CEO of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, said water is part of what makes East Texas what it is: serving necessities but also providing opportunities.<\/p>\n “When we look at our work like health, education, human services, economic mobility and economic development, the throughline really is water,” Glover said. “It is the molecule of life, and in that sense, it is what allows or prevents prosperity.”<\/p>\n Glover said a\u00a0thriving future for all in East Texas will depend on how well everyone works together to steward the water, strengthen regional capacity and ensure communities have the tools and partnerships needed to plan.<\/p>\n Among its first efforts, the institute will expand regional aquifer measurements and access to groundwater data while developing public and youth education resources focused on East Texas water.<\/p>\n Related: Meet River and Splash, the North Texas dogs sniffing out underground water leaks<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n