Partner Spotlight: Brazos Valley Master Naturalists
Since 2016, the Brazos Valley Master Naturalists (BVMN) has partnered with Texas Stream Team to monitor water quality at streams and tributaries across Brazos and Grimes counties. Through regular sampling, the group has built a long-running dataset that helps document conditions across the Gibbons Creek–Navasota River watershed. Over time, their monitoring has highlighted ongoing challenges such as bacterial contamination and, in some cases, brought attention to larger water quality issues, including a sewage line mistakenly connected to the stormwater system and instances of illegal dumping.
In this spotlight, BVMN members reflect on how the partnership got started, what they’ve learned along the way, and why community science remains an important part of caring for local waterways.
When did the BVMN first partner with Texas Stream Team, and how has the group grown in terms of membership since then?
The Texas Master Naturalist Brazos Valley Chapter first partnered with the Texas Stream Team in early 2016, with our initial sampling taking place on February 28, 2016, at Lick Creek Park. Two of our naturalist members had completed Stream Team training in 2014 and encouraged others to participate. By the start of 2016, 11 members had completed the core training, and four of those also received E. coli testing certification. We began by scouting locations at Lick Creek Park for monitoring. Later that year, we partnered with the City of College Station to monitor sites that they identified as priorities.
We have been monitoring 5 sites in total. Through 2024, we had 38 people trained in the program. As a college town, we’ve had lots of turnover due to attrition, and COVID-19 caused temporary pauses at some sites. In 2025, we trained an enthusiastic group of 12 new volunteers. We recently added a new site location in Grimes County and are in the process of adding another in Brazos County. We anticipate adding even more sites in 2026 once the new members gain experience.
Why was it important for BVMN to partner with Texas Stream Team?
Our chapter was concerned that ongoing urban development in and around the Lick Creek area could lead to contamination. We decided to partner with the Texas Stream Team and proactively monitor the health of streams and tributaries in or near urban areas to keep them clean and healthy.
Have there been any unexpected or noteworthy findings from your group’s water quality monitoring efforts over the years?
Steve Simcik, Jim Baltrop, and Amanda Chau discovered major contamination in the Wolf Pen Tributary on March 11, 2017. We found 35 dead sunfish, and the E. coli count was extremely high (21,700 cfu/100mL). After reporting this to the City, it was determined that the construction company for a nearby commercial plaza had accidentally connected its sewage line to the storm drainage system. Emergency repairs were completed, and the creek recovered.
In addition, during recent site scouting in Grimes County, Kelly and Glen Hill identified an area of illegal tire dumping and reported it to the county. Under the Crime Stoppers Program, the county is now offering a reward for information that could identify the responsible individuals. They published a newspaper article describing the impact of this crime.
From your perspective, how has this collaboration benefited the Brazos Valley community?
We have been able to assist our local government in addressing the management of problem areas. As shown in the examples above, our chapter’s involvement with the Texas Stream Team has resulted in cleaner waterways. Our work with the program has also sent a message to community leaders that we are concerned about conservation issues. Our hope, of course, is that we may be influencing local policies in a positive way.
What advice do you have for individuals interested in joining the Texas Stream Team?
I strongly encourage interested individuals to participate! It’s a fun and rewarding outdoor social activity that supports our Texas Master Naturalist objectives in environmental stewardship and conservation. Be committed to regular involvement. Be patient with yourself! There will be a learning curve, and you will be very dependent on the printed field guides for a very long time!
What advice would you offer other organizations interested in partnering with Texas Stream Team?
The Texas Stream Team is an excellent way to engage community members in protecting environmental resources. Due to the need for consistency in all volunteer efforts, the Meadows Center has very exacting standards. The requirements may seem meticulous, but they’re really important. Please be aware from the outset that your data can only contribute to studies by government agencies if it adheres to these protocols. Be sure that your members understand this and monitor them closely.
