Texas State Gets Grant for Water Research
Texas State University will do emergency research on water conservation. Photo courtesy flickr.com/cogdogAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
By Bettina Meier
As the severe drought in Texas has encouraged more private organizations to fund water research projects in the area, Texas State University received a donation of $1 million to do emergency research on water conservation.
The nonprofit Meadows Foundation gave the money today to Texas State University’s San Marcos River Systems Institute, which the university is renaming the institute the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.
Texas State University President Denise Trauth says the money will help with long-term solutions for effective water use in severe droughts like the one we saw last year.
“We’re working out of crisis mode,” Trauth said. “We need a big solution whether we are partnering with other states that have water or other countries. This gift from the Meadows Foundation funds our ability to bring in the best minds literally in the country who are dealing with freshwater issues.”
The university hopes to grow the institute into one of the leading water research facilities in the country.
The donation is just the start, Trauth says. She hopes to raise $10 million from private organizations and plans to apply for matching funds through the state.
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