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| Zizania Texana (Photo credit: http://esciencenews.com) |
SAN MARCOS, Texas - The Texas Wild Rice Festival brought together the community to help spread awareness to the zizania texana and other endangered species that call the San Marcos River their home.
The two day festival kicked off Friday, April 11, 2014, at 5 p.m. at Sewell Park to bring awareness to the public of the eight endangered species living in the river, more notably the Texas Wild Rice in which the festival name is derived from. The festival included live music and performances, interactive activities, and information about the eco system unique to the area.
The zizania texana, more commonly known as the Texas Wild Rice, is only found in San Marcos, Texas, on the San Marcos River. It is federally listed as an endangered species, facing threats from recreational activity on the river, and local wildlife.
Michelle Crawford, a doctoral student at Texas State University, is studying the zizania texana as her dissertation. Her study focuses on the many aspects that make the zizania texana thrive, such as how different lighting may affect the plant. Crawford was conducting a survey at the festival.
“We’re just trying to see in general where people are in regard to protecting those beds [of Texas Wild Rice],” said Crawford.
Valerie Solis, also a doctoral student at Texas State University, was helping out with the survey. She says damages to the Texas Wild Rice come from people just not knowing that the grass is endangered.
“You’re throwing your frisbee out with your dog, and your dog is laying in it,” said Solis. “[The Texas Wild Rice] is getting torn up.”
Other students were also involved with the festival. Volunteers from the Texas State University Human Environmental Animal Team, H.E.A.T., helped with setting up.
Rachel Wilson, H.E.A.T. volunteer coordinator, said to “treat it [the river] with respect,” when asked what people can do when visiting the San Marcos River.
Reid Liberato, a senior marketing student at Texas State University, comes every sunny day to the river. A tradition he has been doing since his freshmen year.
“The river will always be the river,” said Liberato after explaining how much San Marcos has been changing through recent construction. “You can’t build a building in the river.”
The festival also hosted a screening of "Yakona," a documentary covering the San Marcos River history since prehistoric times.
For more information on the Texas Wild Rice Festival, visit http://www.texaswildricefestival.org.
Other students were also involved with the festival. Volunteers from the Texas State University Human Environmental Animal Team, H.E.A.T., helped with setting up.
Rachel Wilson, H.E.A.T. volunteer coordinator, said to “treat it [the river] with respect,” when asked what people can do when visiting the San Marcos River.
Reid Liberato, a senior marketing student at Texas State University, comes every sunny day to the river. A tradition he has been doing since his freshmen year.
“The river will always be the river,” said Liberato after explaining how much San Marcos has been changing through recent construction. “You can’t build a building in the river.”
The festival also hosted a screening of "Yakona," a documentary covering the San Marcos River history since prehistoric times.
For more information on the Texas Wild Rice Festival, visit http://www.texaswildricefestival.org.
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