Monday, June 8th, 2026
Plenary Speaker: Dr. Bridget Scanlon, Professor at The University of Texas at Austin and host of The Water Resources Podcast
Talk details coming soon!
Tuesday, June 9th, 2026
Jay Kleberg is the Executive Director of the Gulf Trust and previously served as Associate Director of Texas Parks Wildlife Foundation. He co-produced the film Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story and was Associate Producer of the documentary The River and the Wall. He is a co-producer and co-director of the documentary series Chasing the Tide, airing across the nation on PBS stations and streaming.
Talk Title: A River Runs Through It
Abstract: From the High Plains to the Coastal Plains, water shapes Texas. It is at the core of our cultural identity and, increasingly, at the forefront of our minds. The Santa Gertrudis Creek, one of the only sources of water in South Texas, served as the backdrop to Jay Kleberg’s childhood. He spent his early professional career on a tributary to one of the world’s largest rivers, the Amazon, and later traversed the Rio Grande, one of the longest rivers in North America. His work now focuses on the Texas Coast. He and his wife recently walked Texas’ 370 miles of beaches and barrier islands and produced a documentary series for PBS. His work has taken him back home, but with a new perspective on its place in the world and the role that water plays in connecting us all.
Wednesday, June 10th, 2026
Gregg Eckhardt is an environmental scientist with 37 years of experience in environmental modeling and analysis, water resource planning and development, state and federal permitting, and water treatment. He is known as The Nerd King of South Texas Water History. As Senior Analyst for the San Antonio Water System, he is involved in the planning, operations, and management of the city’s water supply and wastewater.
Talk Title: San Antonio Water: Sole Source to Diversity
Abstract: From Spanish colonial aqueducts to gushing artesian wells, San Antonio has a unique and colorful water history like no place else on Earth. Gregg Eckhardt will draw from his archive of rare and historic documents and photos to trace the development of the city’s water supply from total reliance on the Edwards Aquifer to a diversified water portfolio. As Texas and the United States face increasing water supply challenges, the example of San Antonio offers many lessons and insights for planners and water supply developers. The presentation will include discussion of project development, regulatory challenges, and the importance of public outreach and support.
