Red River Boundary

with Dr. Davey Edwards, PhD, PLS, LSLS, CFedS

One of the most difficult but easily identifiable boundaries in any cadastral system is a call for the river. However, legal interpretation of the exact position of these boundaries can cause quite a bit of confusion with not only the layman but also the professional.

This course goes into an in-depth discussion of river morphology and how that relates to riparian boundaries. It looks at some of the legal principles that address river morphology like accretion/erosion, reliction, and avulsion.

Leadership in Surveying

with Dr. Davey Edwards, PhD, PLS, LSLS, CFedS

Mock Trial (Virtual)

with Gary Kent, PS

This mock trial is based on an actual boundary dispute that was litigated in court. Two attorneys and a judge will participate – with the audience sitting as jury – as the plaintiff and defendant, and the two surveyors testify and we explore relevant issues such as the chains of title, conflicting lines of possession, the related boundary law principles, and differing claims of title, both written and unwritten. As an integral part of the trial, questions will be taken from the audience.  Throughout the day, the audience will observe and learn about court room procedures including direct and cross-examination, the juries will compare and debate the merits of the defendant’s and plaintiff’s cases, and the day will end with a presentation on the characteristics of good expert witnesses and what purpose they serve.

ALTA Standards Overview (virtual)

with Gary Kent, PS

After 5 years of work on the part of the Joint ALTA/NSPS Work Group, the 2026 Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys were adopted by ALTA and NSPS in October 2025 with an effective date of February 23, 2026. This program outlines the changes from the 2021 Standards and provides a detailed explanation of the reason for each and how each affects the surveyor. Emphasis will be given to the most significant changes including an improved definition of Relative Positional Precision, changes to the Section 4 Records Research requirements, new clarity on what processes and procedures may be employed in performing a Land Title Survey (including a change to Table A item 15), better clarity as related to the Section 5 Easements and Servitudes section, and a new Table A item calling for a table identifying certain conditions that were observed in the process of conducting the survey. In addition, an overview of the entire set of 2026 Standards will be provided, including a detailed explanation of the relationship between Land Title Surveys and title insurance. Guidance on certification to successors and assigns will be provided, and throughout the program, the presenter will include ethics considerations and answer any and all questions relating to Land Title Surveys.

State Plane Reference Frames (virtual)

with Texas Spatial Reference Center at the Conrad Blucher Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi