Watershed and Endangered Species Initiatives

Within the Trinity River Basin

January 31, 2025

STEP Meeting

Joe T Garcia's, Fort Worth

11:30 am 

STEP Members
$23 – Cash or Check
$28 – Mastercard or VISA

Non-Members

$33 – Cash or Check
$38 – Mastercard or VISA 

Students w/current college ID
$20

Location

La Puertita at Joe T. Garcia's

2141 N Commerce St.

Fort Worth, TX 76164

Speakers: Heather Firn, Watershed Scientist III and Ryan Seymour, Environmental Scientist III

Heather Firn will begin the presentation by discussing the two TRA Watershed Protection Plans and supporting implementation projects occurring within the Trinity River Basin. Ryan Seymour will then introduce the Trinity River Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances. A 10-year agreement between the TRA and USFWS that addresses the conservation needs of four species of freshwater mussels (Texas Heelsplitter, Trinity Pigtoe, Texas Fawnsfoot and Louisiana Pigtoe) and two species of turtles (Western Chicken Turtle and Alligator Snapping Turtle). 

Bios:

Heather Firn graduated in 2013 with a M.S. Degree in Biology from Southern Connecticut State University. She has previously worked at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center as an Environmental Educator, Brookhaven College as an Adjunct Faculty, and the City of Plano as a Senior Environmental Quality Specialist. In 2020, Ms. Firn began working as a Watershed Scientist III at the Trinity River Authority of Texas to manage watershed and flood risk reduction, response, and mitigation grants that fall within the 18,000 sq. mile Trinity River watershed. Ms. Firn then earned her M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Southern Methodist University in 2021. Her Thesis focused on the work she started with the City of Plano: A "Characterization of an Urban Watershed: The Case for Rowlett Creek Watershed Impaired by Bacteria and Nutrient Concerns". She holds a Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification from the National Environmental Health Association and is also a Certified Floodplain Manager with the Texas Floodplain Management Association. Currently, Ms. Firn is responsible for the implementation of best management practices in the Joe Pool Lake watershed and the Village Creek-Lake Arlington watershed. She is also actively involved in the Region 3 Flood Planning process.

Ryan Seymour is an Environmental Scientist III within the Technical Services and Basin Planning Division of the Trinity River Authority. He has a B.S. in Aquatic Biology and Fisheries Management from Ball State University and a M.S. in Biology from Texas Christian University. Before working for the TRA, Ryan worked at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for 2+ years on the Surface Water Quality Standards team as an Aquatic Scientist and Nutrient Coordinator. At the TRA, Ryan is responsible for the implementation of the Trinity River CCAA and is the Field Lead for the TRA’s Clean Rivers Program. He also holds an Associate Fisheries Professional certification from the American Fisheries Society.