That's One Bad Apple! Apple Snails and Other Invaders of the SA River

Curious about apple snails? Ever wondered where their name comes from, how they ended up in the river, whether they’re edible, or why they're such a huge problem? Join us for a deep dive into the world of invasive species in the San Antonio River ecosystem - especially the notorious apple snail. You'll learn about the ecological impact of invasive species and receive classroom resources to help your students explore how these organisms affect our waterways. Then, we'll take a trip to the San Antonio River Lock and Dam for apple snail removal training and get hands-on experience removing apple snails and their egg cases. Come ready to protect and defend our local waterways from these destructive critters!

Details please!

This professional development session is open to all K-12th grade teachers in Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad Counties.

This FREE workshop will take place on Thursday, July 31st from 8:30AM-12:00PM. We will begin the day at the San Antonio River Authority's main office (100 E Guenther St., San Antonio, TX 78204), before taking a ride to the SA River Lock and Dam (510 Brooklyn Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215) for apple snail removal training and some snail hunting time. Then we'll close out the workshop back at the main office.

Please Note:

Part of this training will take place outside. Please ensure you are comfortable working in an outdoor setting, which may include adverse temperatures, uneven terrain, and potential exposure to biting/stinging insects.

The hands-on portion of this workshop involves the physical removal and humane dispatch of invasive apple snails and their egg cases. If this makes you uncomfortable, this may not be the right training for you - and that’s okay! We encourage you to check out our Education Webpage for other opportunities to engage with us.

What will I get for my time?

• 3.5 CPE hours
• Official training to legally remove apple snails and their egg cases
• Invasive species curriculum and resources that you can use to explore this topic with your students
• A free apple snail removal kit