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Confessions of the San Antonio river | Suzanne Scott | TEDxSanAntonio

2,038 views · Published 14 November 2014 · 10:26 · Indexed 22 October 2026

Channel: TEDx Talks · 2014 · Nonprofits & Activism

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This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. n drought-stricken south Texas, most people are glad to see the rain for the benefit it brings to recharging aquifers and watering parched lawns. However, the San Antonio River has another opinion. All she sees when it rains is loads of pollution, trash, and faster erosive forces that are degrading her ecosystem and making the recent investment in her restoration unsustainable. The San Antonio River is an important water resource worth protecting and she is coming out of her banks to share why citizens and businesses should care about what they do on their land up in the watersheds and how increases in impervious cover and less green space can impact the health of our waterways. The river has given the city its identity, and a rich history full of beauty and economic prosperity. All she asks in return is a future focused on sustainable land use practices and changes in personal stewardship that will ensure the value of the river and its ecosystem for generations to come.

As General Manager of the San Antonio River Authority (SARA), Suzanne manages a $95.7 million budget and works with engineers, scientists, environmental managers, field crews, and a host of other professionals to design and implement holistic watershed solutions throughout the San Antonio River Basin. At SARA, Suzanne secured funding from the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and community support to complete the $384 million San Antonio River Improvements Project which added miles of hike, bike, and paddling trails to the river, while restoring the environment and creating more enjoyment, appreciation, and value from this treasured resource. 

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