Journal

Autumn Brings Increased Deer Activity on Roadways

The familiar cadence of football season, pumpkins draped across neighborhoods, crunchy and bright autumn foliage, and a chill in the air... it must be hunting season.

AgriLife Today: Hibbitts adds herpetology expertise to Texas A&M Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology

New role, innovative classes introduce students to reptile and amphibian conservation, ecology

SERPPAS: Red-cockaded Woodpecker Downlisted

We are excited to share the announcement from the Department of Interior that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is downlisting the red-cockaded woodpecker from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act.

NRI Announces $2 Million for Conservation Easements in Camp Bullis Sentinel Landscape

In response to the rapid urbanization surrounding Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, NRI is offering $1.9 million in funding through the USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program. This funding is available to help private landowners within the Camp Bullis Sentinel Landscape area protect agricultural and open lands through conservation easements.

The Fall Sourcebook is Here

Directly from the field, the Fall 2024 NRI Sourcebook is here. Each year, we publish a digital collection of recently published peer-reviewed scientific publications, research reports, and resources developed to support the improvement of conservation, natural resource management, and private land stewardship. This collection is for you, your partners and community to use and share where we can collaborate to create resiliency.

Millions of bats call Texas home sweet home

Everything is indeed bigger in Texas, including its bat colonies. Texas has 33 species of bats, more than any other state, and is home to the largest bat colony in the world.

New SERPPAS publication provides overview of living shoreline permitting and regulatory review

In a new publication, “Overview of Living Shoreline Permitting and Regulatory Review in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi,” University of Georgia experts partnered with the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) to examine the use of “living shorelines” to stabilize the coastlines of military installations facing erosion and the regulatory landscape for project planners interested in implementing the nature-based solution.

Extension Publication released on Feral Pigs and Disease Concerns

The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI) released a new publication titled “Disease Concerns Associated with Feral Pigs” that covers the science behind the most common and emerging diseases associated with this animal and the way diseases are transmitted.

Farm and ranch lands program safeguards millions in water conservation, flood prevention and ag productivity

NRI released the 2024 evaluation report today for the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program (TFRLCP) publishing key findings to support the program’s efforts to help safeguard the public benefits derived from working lands.

Bighorn Sheep Relocation in Sonora, Mexico

Mountain sheep (Ovis spp.) abundance across North America has declined more than 60% from historic times due to factors such as overgrazing, habitat fragmentation, and disease transmission from domestic livestock and exotic species.

Sawdust Magazine: Q&A with Dr. Roel Lopez

Dr. Roel Lopez sits down with Stephen F. Austin University's Sawdust Magazine to share about how his time at SFA shaped both his research and his advocacy for a "learn by doing" style of teaching.

Lone Star Healthy Streams workshop set August 30th in Industry

Focus on watershed health and best management practices for grazing livestock, backyard poultry, and feral hogs.

Lone Star Healthy Streams workshop set August 13th in Wallisville

Focus on watershed health, soil health, and best management practices for pastures, livestock and feral hogs.

NFWF Announces Record $33.5 Million in Conservation Grants to Restore Longleaf Pine Habitat and Help At-Risk Wildlife

Supporting rural communities, this largest grant slate in program history will impact more than 500,000 acres of longleaf pine habitat, increase longleaf seedling capacity, and improve wildlife populations across eight southern states

NRI Scientists Mentor Youth in the Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program

Because we are uniquely positioned to speak on land trend issues, we seek to share our expertise about critical natural resource issues with all Texans. Most recently, we had the chance to mentor some of our future leaders and on how they can work together to improve Texas lands from their own hometowns.

Podcast Ep. #6: Small Acreage & Wildlife Management with Chase Brooke

The NRI podcast crew recently had an opportunity to sit down with Chase Brooke, an AgriLife Extension Small Acreage and Wildlife Management Specialist, to shed some light on the little bit of grit and luck it takes to steward your small slice of Texas and the wildlife that thrive because of healthy working lands.

NRI assists GOHUNT and NDOW team with a bighorn sheep research

NRI's Marcus Blum joins the Nevada Department of Wildlife to capture data to assess sheep health and determine if the sheep are sick with pneumonia.

Six Texas freshwater mussels, the “livers of the rivers,” added to endangered species list

AP News, Dallas—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared six species of freshwater mussels found in Central Texas as endangered and another as threatened. Environmental scientists refer to freshwater mussels as “the liver of the river” because they filter harmful substances like algae from bodies of water. But the species, once found in abundance in Central Texas, have declined in recent years due to population growth and development destroying its habitat.

Case Study Quantifies Value of Restored Native Vegetation in Eagle Ford Shale Play

College Station, TX—Texan by Nature (TxN), in partnership with EOG Resources Inc. (EOG),  EcoMetrics, LLC, and Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI), released report “Valuing Native Vegetation Restoration on Oil & Gas Rights of Way,” which details the results of a new case study designed to quantify the environmental and economic return of native rangeland restoration in the Eagle Ford Shale play.

Announcing the 2024 Sentinel Landscapes Designations

Today, the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, comprised of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DOD), and Department of the Interior (DOI), announced the designation of five new sentinel landscapes. In these landscapes, natural and working lands thrive alongside military installations and ranges.

The ESA and the Role of Private Lands with Tiffany McFarland

One of the most important aspects of our work is sharing conservation knowledge and experiences with private landowners, citizen scientists, and policymakers. This exchange with the public is crucial for any kind of conservation success, and we are honored to share our findings through our researchers, experts, and communicators. For the last 15 years, one of NRI’s research associates, Tiffany McFarland, has been involved with the research and management of endangered species. This spring, she had the opportunity to visit with land stewards about the role of private lands and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Ranching & Wildlife Expo, where she shared background information about the ESA and why private land managers are so important to ensuring the longevity of rare species.

Texas A&M AgriLife wildlife data included in global study

As activity-related restrictions were implemented across the globe in early 2020 to slow the spread of COVID-19 — a period of reduced human movement referred to by researchers as the “anthropause” — biologists saw an extraordinary opportunity for research.

SERPPAS Protects Military Lands, Defense Communities, and the Coast

The southeastern United States is home to a large military presence and contributes to national security through the important land, sea, and air space needed for realistic training and testing. The military’s influence in the Southeast extends beyond defense; it drives economic growth for many communities, manages considerable natural resources, and owns vast tracts of undeveloped land.

African Swine Fever Negatively Impacts Global Pork Production

Diseases affecting wild and domestic swine (Sus scrofa) play a significant role in the success of the global pork industry. Supply chains have faced substantial challenges in recent years due to African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild pigs. This virus is transmitted by direct contact with infected animals or indirect contact with contaminated objects. Symptoms in swine are characterized by high fevers, hemorrhages, and high mortality rates, reaching up to 100% in some cases. Fortunately, humans cannot contract ASF and no cases have been confirmed in the United States through the rigorous monitoring and surveillance protocols enacted by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS). However, the disease has still taken a substantial toll on global pork production and trade.

Podcast Ep. #5: Life Skills and Wild Pig Management with Jay Long

Managing species of all kinds from endangered to invasive, we were honored to have NRI’s Jay Long for Episode #5 of The Land Steward Podcast, “Life Skills and Wild Pig Management”. In true spirit, this episode is full of relatable challenges and prescriptive solutions that you can use today—what a great time to be a land steward.

Nevada’s first big-game moose hunt will be tiny as unusual southern expansion defies climate change

RENO, Nev. (AP) — In what will be a tiny big-game hunt for some of the largest animals in North America, Nevada is planning its first-ever moose hunting season this fall. Wildlife managers say explosive growth in Nevada moose numbers over the past five years, increasing to a population of more than 100, justifies the handful of harvests planned.

FFA Career Development Event at Long Acres Ranch

Agriculture itself changes very little. However, as we learn more, along with tools and technology advancement, our approach to agriculture changes. The next generation will build upon the current generation as it has always been done since the beginning of time to advance these agricultural changes.

AgriLife Today: Spring highways see increase in cold-blooded commuters

Texas A&M AgriLife experts share reasons for turtle sightings along roadways, ways to help

AgriLife Today: Wild turkeys are strutting into spring

Collaborative conservation efforts, research aim to bolster wild turkey populations across Texas

The Wildlife Society: Q&A: How to Conserve Wildlife Without Conflict

Imagine a world of conservation without conflict, where landowners, state and federal agencies, and environmental organizations all got along, working toward the common goal of helping imperiled species thrive.

It’s easy to see such a notion as a pipe-dream in a world fraught with endless lawsuits and protests. But one organization believes such a step is possible—in fact, they have made great achievements in the conservation world operating on such a principle in just over five years.

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership Releases the 2023 Sentinel Landscapes Accomplishments Report

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is pleased to announce that the 2023 Sentinel Landscapes Accomplishments Report is now available.

Podcast Ep. #4: Finding Natural Resource Professionals in Texas and Wildlife Tax Valuations

In the spirit of teaching and extending science, we were excited to kick off the new year with Episode #4 of The Land Steward Podcast, “Finding Natural Resource Professionals in Texas and Wildlife Tax Valuations”. This episode is chock full of personal and relatable experiences—what a great time to be a land steward.

NRI Partners Awarded Grants Through America the Beautiful Challenge

The Department of Defense’s (DOD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program is pleased to join the Council on Environmental Quality and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in announcing over $141 million in grants through the new America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC). The 74 new grants will support projects that conserve, restore, and connect habitats for wildlife while improving community and installation resilience across 46 states and three U.S. territories.

Sierra: Ocelots Find an Unlikely Haven in South Texas

A thick humidity lingers during most seasons in South Texas. Spiny hackberry, blackbrush, and other thorny plants create dense walls of vegetation. The Texas sun shines often, dousing the hundreds of thousands of acres of ranchland in near-white light. But upon closer look, one might catch a flash of a golden fur coat, spotted with black blotches and bands or big, luminous eyes peeking between a thicket of shrubland. These wild cats are ocelots—and they’re among the only two small populations remaining in the entire nation.

Podcast Ep. #3: The Endangered Species Act at the 50th Anniversary Symposium in Texas

This month on The Land Steward Podcast, we feature a behind-the-scenes episode from the 50th Anniversary Symposium of the Endangered Species Act where attendees included some of the original authors of the ESA, the James G. Teer Conservation Leadership Institute and many folks from industry, NGOs, DoD and more. 

Dr. Roel Lopez Awarded DSC Trailblazer Award

NRI's Director, Dr. Roel Lopez was chosen as this year's Conservation Trailblazer Award recipient. The Trailblazer Award celebrates the immense contribution of wildlife professionals to the field of game and non-game wildlife conservation, including wildlife and habitat management, applied research and policy.

Range-wide Conservation Plan for Longleaf Pine Released

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests once dominated the landscape of the Southeastern United States. From the Atlantic coastal plain of southeastern Virginia to the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas, these forests encompassed over 90 million acres and represented an extraordinary wealth and diversity of cultural, ecological, and socio-economic values.

When America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative (America’s Longleaf) was first formed, the extent of longleaf pine forests had been greatly reduced with an estimated 3.4 million acres remaining. Through the collaborative restoration and conservation efforts of partners involved in America’s Longleaf, that downward trend has been reversed and the current data indicate that the acreage of longleaf pine has increased to approximately 5.2 million acres. This progress is encouraging, but there is still much work to be done to achieve the restoration goals outlined in this Conservation Plan.

What Landowners Need to Know as We Reflect on 50 Years of the Endangered Species Act

To reflect on 50 years of the Endangered Species Act this fall is to acknowledge the nation’s wildlife and wild places in its simplest form. At the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, it's an opportunity to appreciate the research at the nexus of national security, conservation, and healthy working lands. Every day, we look to strengthen wildlife conservation and to keep working lands sustainable.

The Land Steward Podcast: Origin Stories

SERPPAS Awarded 2023 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural Resources

At the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Annual Meeting in Calgary, Alberta, SERPPAS was awarded the 2023 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural Resources.

The Summer Sourcebook is here

Directly from the field, the Summer 2023 NRI Sourcebook is here. Each season, we publish a digital collection of recently published peer-reviewed scientific publications, research reports, and resources developed to support the improvement of conservation, natural resource management, and private land stewardship. This collection is for you, your partners and community to use and share where we can collaborate to create resiliency.

Service Seeks Public Input on Plan to Expand Ocelot Range in South Texas

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public input on an application for an Enhancement of Survival Permit associated with a proposed Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement with the East Foundation that would support the recovery of endangered ocelots by expanding their range in South Texas.

Defending Wildlife and Wildlands in the Hill Country

By Azalia Rodriguez, Defenders of Wildlife

As the Texas Hill Country landscape continues to change, local wildlife is being pushed to its limits.  Golden-cheeked Warbler populations are declining, indicator species in our waterways are disappearing, and migratory birds are being directed off their natural flight pathway.

NRI's Debbie Danford receives the 2023 Gulf Coast CESU National Award

Director of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit and grants manager for NRI, Debbie Danford, was recognized as part of this year’s CESU Network National Awards for her outstanding leadership and individual contributions to the advancement of the Gulf Coast network.

Texas Hill Country Conservation Network: Unleashing the Power of Connections and Community

The recently released Land, Water, Sky, and Natural Infrastructure Plan expands our perspective of Hill Country infrastructure beyond the concrete and steel that physically supports our cities and society. This plan provides us with a framework for conversations in our communities to value natural infrastructure in the same way we value built infrastructure – as critical and tangible systems necessary for our way of life and worthy of major investments.

The Wildlife Professional: Live-streaming brings remote learning into the field

The global COVID-19 pandemic changed the course of education, including how professors taught wildlife management classes. It's difficult for students to collar a deer or capture frogs when they're in lockdown in their parents' basement, after all.

But TWS member Shelby McCay, project coordinator at the Texas A&M University's Natural Resources Institute, had the perfect prescription for the challenges online learning caused for her students.

A Natural Infrastructure Plan for the Hill Country

The Texas Hill Country Conservation Network is proud to release the Hill Country Land, Water, Sky, and Natural Infrastructure Plan. This plan includes a shared vision for the Hill Country, collaboratively developed infographics, and objectives & strategies for achieving the Plan’s vision. 

Announcing the 2024 Sentinel Landscape Designation Cycle

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is thrilled to launch the 2024 Sentinel Landscape Designation Cycle! 

Special Announcement: The Coca-Cola Foundation, Silk, Google, Meta, and Microsoft Fund Longleaf Pine Restoration in East Texas

The Coca-Cola Foundation, Silk (a Danone North America brand), Google, Meta, and Microsoft are coming together to collaboratively invest $972,000 to restore 2,000 acres of longleaf pine forest on private lands in Trinity County, Texas. Coordinated by the Texas Longleaf Team, with support from Texan by Nature, the restoration will entail managing and removing invasive plants, conducting prescribed fire, and planting approximately 100,000 Longleaf Pine seedlings over the course of five to ten years to create a healthy Longleaf Pine ecosystem that will filter and store freshwater, sequester carbon, support biodiversity, and benefit the community.

q&a+water: Roel Lopez

In this issue’s Q&A, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, interviews Dr. Roel Lopez, Director of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute and Department Head for the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management at Texas A&M University. 

Plan unveiled to protect the future of 1 million acres of salt marsh along U.S. South Atlantic coast

The “Marsh Forward: A Regional Plan for the Future of the South Atlantic Coast’s Million-Acre Salt Marsh Ecosystem” has officially launched! The culmination of two years of work by dedicated partners, the Plan outlines key strategies, objectives and actions to achieve our goal to enhance the long-term abundance, health, and resilience of the approximately 1 million acres of salt marshes within the South Atlantic states to ensure no overall loss of the benefits these wetlands provide to fish, wildlife and people. It will guide our way as we Marsh Forward together and shift our focus from developing the plan to implementing it.

Results of statewide landowner survey published

AgriLife Today — The stewards of Texas’ working lands have spoken. The data collected by the survey aids natural resource agencies in developing and implementing educational resources and programming to benefit landowners and the landscapes they steward. 

NRI adds to landowner resources on carbon markets

AgriLife Today — Researchers with the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and others recently published Rangeland Carbon Markets, a detailed report aimed at helping Texans understand the rapidly evolving domain of voluntary carbon markets.

Featured Map: Out of this world imagery for natural resources management

What do natural resources professionals have in common with rocket scientists?  More than you might think. Spacecraft-based cameras that orbit the globe have been providing images that guide natural resource management for decades.

The 2023 REPI Report to Congress is here

We are pleased to share that the REPI Program has officially delivered the 2023 REPI Report to Congress. The congressional report provides information on the REPI Program and supportive DOD efforts to conserve land and address threats to military readiness from development pressures, environmental constraints, and extreme weather events. 

Read the Statewide Texas Landowner Survey results

Researchers from the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI), in collaboration with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and agricultural and natural resource professionals distributed the survey to better understand rural landowners and their land management objectives, challenges, concerns, and preferences.

Investing in Conservation: Quantifying ecological return on investment

Conserving Texas: Quantifying Ecological Return on Investment was developed to better understand the current benefits and needs for financial investment in our state's natural resources to best support our growing state population, the stewards of the land, our thriving economy, and healthy landscapes. 

Natural resource partners release the latest report on rangeland-related carbon markets

Announcing Rangeland Carbon Markets, a primer on the history, function and processes of carbon markets relevant to Texas rangelands.

Separating Fact from Fiction: The Threat of Canada's "Super Pigs"

Recent reports from popular articles  and Canadian news outlets have made sensational claims about wild swine (Sus scrofa), suggesting that a new breed of “super pigs” is expanding their range to the United States. Accounts generally allege that this new breed, weighing ~600 lbs, now exists through natural selection within existing wild pig populations or hybridization between feral swine and Eurasian boar. Are these accounts accurate, or is the media exaggerating a small number of reports? Without concrete scientific date, we can only examine the legitimacy of a new, larger breed of ‘super pig’ by stepping through some questions and scenarios:

Celebrating the FFA Career Development Event at Long Acres Ranch this Spring

This spring, Texas FFA students had the opportunity to prove their knowledge and skills at the Seven Lakes Career Development Event Invitational held at Long Acres Ranch.  

Read the 2022 Sentinel Landscapes Accomplishments Report

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership Federal Coordinating Committee (FCC) is thrilled to announce three significant milestones: the 2022 Sentinel Landscapes Accomplishments Report, the designation of the South Carolina Lowcountry Sentinel Landscape, and the partnership’s 10-year anniversary. 

Resource: Soil Carbon 101

Check out this new handout to help landowners and managers determine if soil carbon storage markets are right for you. Thank you to our partners at the Noble Research Institute, Texas Grazing Lands Coalition, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the Texas Agricultural Land Trust and AgriLife Extension for your support in developing this resource. 

Energy Today: Buffalo for the Broken Heart

Texas A&M AgriLife wildlife management awarded at state conference

San Antonio Rodeo Seminar Recap

Our director, Dr. Roel Lopez, recently had the pleasure of speaking at the Wildlife and Natural Resources Seminar at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

A Virtual Approach to Field-Based Learning

In its best form, education equips others to make the best and most informed decisions—it requires preparation and constant adaptation to the environment and levels of engagement, sometimes in the very moment.

AgriLife Today: Natural Resources Institute aids in Florida gopher tortoise recovery

Collaborative effort celebrates recent achievements and outlines future goals.

Our Town Temple: Restoring Glory

Some folks call them horned frogs, others know them as horny toads, and the scientific community refers to them as horned lizards, which is the correct terminology. But whatever the name, most people over 40 remember the flattish spiked lizard fondly. Sadly, most people under that age have never seen one.

First Steps: Gopher tortoise hatchlings indicate relocation success

A keystone species found in the southeastern U.S., the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) was listed as threatened in the western part of its range in 1987 and warranted for listing as threatened in the eastern part of its range in 2011, primarily due to the destruction and fragmentation of its native habitat. These findings prompted action among conservation groups to begin captive breeding or relocation programs to bolster population numbers and ensure that existing populations have safe habitats.

Announcing the new statewide assessment: Putting a dollar amount to Texas ecosystem services

Promoting the long-term sustainability and stewardship of natural resources begins with a basic understanding of ecosystem services and their public benefits. Ideally, the ability to assign monetary value can illustrate the importance of their fundamental contributions to society. An analysis like this can serve to support land conservation strategies and policies to promote the conservation of open spaces and natural resources.

The Fight to Save Florida's Key Deer - B&C Impact Series

You won’t find Key deer in the Boone and Crockett Club’s records. There isn’t even a hunting season for these tiny deer living in the Florida Keys. That doesn’t mean Boone and Crockett Club members turned a blind eye to this whitetail subspecies that was going extinct in the 1940s. B&C members Jay N. “Ding” Darling and C.R. Gutermuth worked to end market hunting of Key deer and protect essential habitat to ensure their survival well into the future. This is how they pulled it off.

Featured Map: What satellites tell us about drought in Texas

Scientists employ various methods, models and data to track weather patterns, including drought – a condition closely monitored by Texans, especially those involved in agriculture and natural resources. 

Feral Hog Control Workshop and Resources Available to Landowners

Landowners in Hardeman, Wichita, Clay, Wilbarger, Milam, Williamson and Nueces counties interested in participating in a wild pig workshop and training can join us for free this fall to learn more about effective management practices and to become familiar with smart trapping techniques.

Deep in the Heart K-12 Student Learning Resources Now Available

Clips of the American Bison, Black Bear, Texas Gulf Coast, and Guadalupe Bass are now available for educational use to connect students to Texas's unique environments, inspire awe in the natural beauty of our state, and lead to actions that support conservation.

NRI awarded $8.5 million for Camp Bullis Sentinel Landscape in Regional Conservation Partnership Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it is awarding $197 million for 41 locally-led conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

America's Longleaf releases the 2021 range-wide accomplishments report

America's Longleaf released the new 2021 Range-wide Accomplishment Report showcasing a landmark year and the success of tireless efforts across the 9-state historic range to bring back longleaf pine.

Leopold Live! Chapter 2 Recap: Deer Harvest Record Keeping

Lights, camera, action! We’re back with the newest episode of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 at the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve.  During this installment we chatted with ranch manager, Steven Fulton, and retired Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist, Mike Krueger, about deer harvest record keeping methods. We also discussed how you can use these techniques for the benefit of your deer herd and  how you can use to qualify for the wildlife tax valuation program here in Texas.

What is a Conservation Easement?

As open space land in Texas is constantly changing and repurposed to support our growing populations and urban areas, have you ever wondered what would happen if land wasn't so easily fragmented? What if the private land you own or have spent time on stayed as it is forever?

When an NRI Aggie travels to Antarctica

Antarctica is an idyllic land that, for centuries, has drawn explorers to its shores in search of knowledge and renown. More than ever, the effects of climate change are visibly stretching across its vast frozen landscapes, calling out to scientists and climate activists in search for answers.

1-d-1 Wildlife Tax Valuation - Protecting Texas Today, for Texans Tomorrow

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), in collaboration with the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society (TCTWS) and the James G. Teer Conservation Leadership Institute, released their new video 1-d-1 Wildlife Tax Valuation – Protecting Texas Today, for Texans Tomorrow earlier this spring to build awareness and recognition for the private landowners who carry the weight of conservation and land stewardship in Texas. 

Leopold Live! Chapter 2 Recap: Erosion Control

Lights, camera, action! We’re back with our latest episode of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 at the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve.  We spoke with Bamberger’s ranch manager, Steven Fulton, about erosion control methods and how you can implement these practices for the benefit of soil and wildlife on the land. We had a great time talking about this tool you can use to qualify for the wildlife tax valuation program here in Texas.

Q&A with Texan by Nature: Meet the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute

Texan by Nature (TxN) is proud to partner with 105+ conservation organizations working to positively benefit Texas’ natural resources and communities through innovative approaches. TxN accelerates conservation by bringing together organizations and businesses through programs that convene diverse stakeholders and catalyze science-based conservation efforts.

Last week to take the Texas Landowner Survey

With the help of our partners in February, NRI released the 2022 Landowner Survey for landowners who own or operate private working lands in Texas. This voluntary questionnaire serves to gather information on the needs, preferences, concerns, and challenges regarding the everyday management of property that landowners face. The survey is set to close on May 13!

Leopold Live! Chapter 2 Recap: Rainwater Harvesting for Wildlife

From the Texas Hill Country, we’re back with our latest episode of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 at the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve.  During this installment, we chatted with Bamberger’s biologist, Christina Farrell, about how you can harvest rainwater for your home and for the wildlife on your property. We had a great time talking about this simple tool you can use to qualify for the wildlife tax valuation program here in Texas.

Texas' first wildlife film is here

Deep in the Heart is a visually stunning celebration of Texas’ diverse landscapes and remarkable wildlife found nowhere else. Narrated by Matthew McConaughey, the film aims to conserve our remaining wild places, to show the connectivity of water and wildlife, and to recognize Texas’ conservation importance on a continental scale.

Texas Master Naturalists Host Virtual Volunteer Fair

The Texas Master Naturalist program is hosting its fourth Virtual Volunteer Fair on Thursday, May 5^th.

Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week Highlights the Importance of Healthy Soil

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB), Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts, NRI, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Texas Wildlife Association are joining organizations across the state in a campaign to highlight the importance of voluntary land stewardship in Texas. 

Texan by Nature Partners with EOG Resources, NRI & EcoMetrics LLC to Quantify Economic Value of Rangeland Restoration

Texan by Nature (TxN) announced a new partnership with EOG Resources Inc. (EOG), Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI), and EcoMetrics, LLC (ECO) collaborating on a 2-year project to quantify the environmental and economic return of restoring rangeland in the Eagle Ford shale play with native vegetation. 

DoD program protects climate landscapes and military bases

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership buffers military bases from development while easing the way for federal and local land protections.

Leopold Live! Chapter 2 Recap: Grassland Preparation for Pollinators

We’re back with our newest episode of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 from the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve.  We truly enjoyed getting to connect with you to talk about another wildlife management tool that you can add to your stewardship toolbox. In this episode we talked with the ranch’s resident zoologist, Jared Holmes, about native grasslands and how they can be used to benefit pollinator species on your property.

Featured Map: Cattle trails to Texas highways

Depicting their latest discovery, the Texas Land Trends team developed a new map series featuring the original Texas cattle trails to show how the historical cattle drive routes and supply posts have evolved into major highways and urban centers today. 

NRI releases Texas water survey for all Texans

The Texas Water Survey was developed to determine daily use and management of water resources across Texas, in addition to challenges, concerns and water recreation experiences. 

New Camp Bullis Sentinel Landscape Seeks to Strengthen Military Readiness, Natural Resource Conservation, and Agricultural Productivity

One of the nation’s newest Sentinel Landscape recognitions has been awarded to the area surrounding Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis.

Leopold Live! Chapter 2 Recap: Cowbird Trapping

We’re back with our latest installment of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 at the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, and we greatly enjoyed connecting with you to talk about wildlife management techniques. In this episode we spoke with the Bamberger Ranch’s resident ornithologist, Christina Farrell, about cowbird trapping and how it can be used to benefit native bird species on your property. Under the wildlife tax valuation program in Texas, cowbird trapping is listed as a qualifying management practice in the predator control category. But why? First we need to dig a little bit into the natural history of this species.

HEB Funds Texas Longleaf Team’s Longleaf Pine Conservation

The Texas Longleaf Team is excited to partner with HEB to promote the restoration of the longleaf ecosystem in support of private landowners and rural communities in East Texas. Their support will promote carbon sequestration, water infiltration, biodiversity, recreation, and rural economies.  

New Sentinel Landscapes to Strengthen Military Readiness, Address Climate Change and Other Natural Resource Challenges

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, comprised of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Interior (DOI) announced three new areas designated as sentinel landscapes, where natural and working lands thrive alongside military installations and ranges. These landscapes play a key role in strengthening the nation’s military readiness while addressing natural resources concerns like climate change and contributing to the America the Beautiful initiative.

NRI releases Texas landowner survey to examine status of working lands and needs of land managers

NRI's Texas Land Trends program released the 2022 Landowner Survey for landowners who own or operate private working lands in Texas. This voluntary questionnaire serves to gather information on the needs, preferences, concerns, and challenges regarding the everyday management of property that landowners face.

Texas’ Lands & Natural Resources Provide Resilient Infrastructure

ICYMI: Texan by Nature and North Texas Municipal Water District launched a free webinar series, “Conservation – The Texas Way.” This four-part series provides education and awareness of the best water conservation practices in the Lone Star State. The series shares new data, ideas, actionable next steps, and resources for both individuals and businesses.

A wild pig interview with students

When it comes to wildlife research, our foundational methods for capturing data and learning don’t change very often—the key is in how we study what we’ve learned and how we remain stewards of discovery together.

How a Texas songbird and its endangered status became the center of a fight over the Hill Country

The Texas Tribune—Scientists say a study that estimated far more golden-cheeked warblers in Texas than previously thought has been attacked and taken out of context as the state and federal government battle over the bird’s endangered status.

Texas airspace planning and forecasting to combat encroachment on military preparedness

NRI’s latest web tool, the Texas Airspace Planning and Forecasting Tool, provides a comprehensive solution for planners. Employing easy-to-navigate functionality, the tool combines those military installation fence lines on the ground and airspace boundaries over head with forecasted land development data up to year 2050.

New military land use compatibility tools to shape the future of action plans across the nation

NRI developed several reports and web tools to assist installation personnel and community stakeholders in addressing various aspects of encroachment issues facing Texas installations from airspace, land and threatened and endangered species forecasting.

Leopold Live! Chapter 2 Recap: Herbicides and Brush Management

This past month we premiered our seventh episode of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 with our wonderful partners at the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, and we truly enjoyed connecting with you to talk about private land stewardship here in Texas. In this latest episode we spoke with Bamberger’s ranch manager, Steven Fulton, about herbicides and brush management and how this tool can help you manage wildlife habitat on your landscape.

Feral Swine Trap Loan Program Available to Landowners in Clay, Hardeman, Wichita and Wilbarger Counties

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) is working with the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Texas Wildlife Damage Management Association (TWDMA), Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI), and four local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) to help address the issues that feral swine pose to agriculture, ecosystems, and the health of humans and animals.

What Landowners Need to Know: The Endangered Species Act in Texas

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) is a critical piece of legislation related to the conservation of threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems. This lesson provides historical context, a step-by-step look at the listing process, details on how this legislation impacts private landowners, and resources and opportunities for Texans.

Study investigates reintroduction of ocelots to native Texas range

A team of collaborators will study the viability of potential actions designed to reestablish a population of ocelots in South Texas to help increase their numbers in the U.S.

New film: How the Texas Longleaf Team works with landowners to restore the longleaf ecosystem

The NRI Texas Longleaf Team recently had a chance to work with Texan by Nature to produce a film celebrating the work we do, highlighting one of our landowner partners, Pine Island. 

Lights Out, Texas!

Each year, NRI participates in the Lights Out, Texas! campaign to promote education, awareness, and action that focuses on turning out lights at night during the spring and fall migrations to help protect the billions of migratory birds that fly over Texas annually.

Leopold Live! Chapter 2 Recap: Supplemental Water for Wildlife

In this latest episode we chatted with our own Dr. Jim Cathey and Bamberger’s resident zoologist, Jared Holmes, about supplemental water for wildlife and how you can implement it as a practice to help benefit species on your property.

TxMAP: A new way to map with conservation data

Creating your individualized, conservation-minded map of Texas just became the bee's knees.

Leopold Live! Chapter 2 Recap: Game Cameras

Lights, camera, Leopold Live! Last month we premiered our fifth episode of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 with our incredible partners at Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, and we truly enjoyed sharing more about wildlife management practices through the series.

Return on Investment: How putting a dollar figure on the value of conserved lands can help save more of them

The fall issue of the Land Trust Alliance Saving Land magazine highlights recent grants to land trusts for remote monitoring projects, transformative partnerships between land trusts and Indigenous groups and NRI's work to define the economic value of protected lands.

September Conservation Matters is here

Water Seed Grant projects summarize progress, new chapter of Leopold Live! premiers, three AgriLife scientists earn recognition and more!

NRI's Director Dr. Lopez to head Texas A&M rangeland, wildlife and fisheries department

Will continue in dual role as the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute director

Featured Map: Land ownership types across the U.S.

Working lands, whether private or publicly owned, provide substantial economic, ecological, and recreational resources across the U.S. Here in Texas, we often boast of being a “private land state”, meaning the majority of the land (~95%) is held in private ownership. Many may wonder how this came to be and if other states fall under similar ownership patterns. For this new Featured Map, we briefly explore the history of land settlement across the nation and demonstrate the unique ownership landscape that exists today.

Private Land Stewardship Academies: Threatened and Endangered Species

We're building a community of practice around land stewardship where you can click, open, explore, shuffle and share the content to save and use as you need it. We're excited to share the final of four collections with you—out now: Threatened and Endangered Species.

Leopold Live! Chapter 2: Food Stations Recap

Lights, camera, Leopold Live! Last month we premiered the fourth episode of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 with our incredible partners at Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, and we truly enjoyed getting to share even more about wildlife management practices through this series. Our hosts, Dr. Roel Lopez and Dr. April Sansom, introduced this new chapter of Leopold Live! and explained how new episodes will be a little different from what we covered in Chapter 1.

Texas A&M bird collection influences the future of ornithology, conservation

More than 27,000 birds that span state, nation and globe used for research, education

Read August's Conservation Matters

Helping Texas' unique snakes, Urban Riparian demonstration site gets more funding, tap water's journey & more in this issue of Conservation Matters.

Leopold Live! Chapter 2: Brush Clearing and Brush Piles Recap

Lights, camera, Leopold Live! Last month we premiered our third episode of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 with our incredible partners at Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, and we truly enjoyed getting to share more about wildlife management practices through the series. 

A Big Opportunity for Small-Acreage Landowners

Conservation efforts often focus on large properties with thousands of acres of potential habitat. That focus is understandable, given the impact that effective stewardship of those holdings can have.

A video: How freshwater mussels attract fish

Did you know that freshwater mussels (Unionidae) use a variety of methods to attract fish? While some passively release glochidia in the water, others proactively lure fish to resemble minnows, insects and other prey. A little hard to imagine, right?

Private Land Stewardship Academies: Vegetation and Landscapes

We're building a community of practice around land stewardship where you can click, open, explore, shuffle and share the content to save and use as you need it. We're excited to share the third of four collections with you—out now: Vegetation and Landscapes.

Leopold Live! Chapter 2: Bluebird Boxes Recap

Lights, camera, Leopold Live! Last month we premiered our second episode of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 with our incredible partners at Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, and we truly enjoyed connecting with you again as we continue with the series. Our usual hosts, Dr. Roel Lopez (TAMU NRI) and April Sansom (Bamberger Ranch), opened the episode by introducing this new chapter of Leopold Live! and explaining how these upcoming episodes will be a little different from what we covered Chapter 1.

Read July's Conservation Matters

TWRI publishes 2020 Annual Report, landowners can take a survey about longleaf pine, meet a scientist & more in this issue of Conservation Matters.

Helping Texas’ unique snakes through research

NRI as a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife, has been doing a lot of work researching three unique snakes; the Louisiana pinesnake, the eastern indigo and the massasauga rattlesnake.

ALRI Celebrates Landmark Year With 2020 Range-wide Accomplishment Report

America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative released its 2020 Range-wide Accomplishment Report celebrating a decade’s worth of accomplishments and significant progress towards restoring longleaf pine. 

Calling all landowners: a two-minute survey about longleaf pine

To amplify our restoration impacts in East Texas, we developed a short survey to learn more about how we can best serve possible landowner partners. 

Private Land Stewardship Academies: Wildlife Management

We're building a community of practice around land stewardship where you can click, open, explore, shuffle and share the content to save and use as you need it. We're excited to share the second of four collections with you—on deck: Wildlife Management.

Read the June Issue of Conservation Matters

Texas Land Trends Data Explorer tool reboot, meet scientist Pam Plotkin, NRI Sourcebook published & more in this issue of Conservation.

Leopold Live! Chapter 2: Wildlife Valuation 101 Recap

Leopold Live is back! We have officially premiered our first episode of Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 with our incredible partners at Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, and we truly enjoyed connecting with you again as we embarked on this next part of this series.

The Spring 2021 Sourcebook: Volume 2, Issue 1

From the field to your desk, the Spring 2021 NRI Sourcebook is here — a digital collection complete with the recently accepted peer-reviewed scientific publications, research reports, and resources developed to support the improvement of conservation, natural resource management and private land stewardship.

Reboot: The Texas Land Trends Data Explorer

Under the Texas Land Trends project, informative reports have been developed over the years to empower public and private decision-makers with the information needed to plan for the conservation of vital working lands. Public usability and access to this report data has been a cornerstone of this long-standing effort, promoting the creation of the Data Explorer tool, which was first launched in 2015.

Fossilized tracks show earliest known evidence of mammals at the seashore

Researchers report the discovery of several sets of fossilized tracks, likely from the brown bear-sized Coryphodon, that represent the earliest known evidence of mammals gathering near an ocean.

Preparing for hurricane season, NRI publishes 2020 annual report, meet scientist Paul Montagna & more in May's Conservation Matters

NRI selected as DoD 2021 Environmental Award Winner

Academy of Finland funds topical, high-impact and innovative Postdoctoral Researchers in biosciences, health and environment

The Academy of Finland’s Research Council for Biosciences, Health and the Environment today decided to fund 33 new posts as Postdoctoral Researchers including NRI's Melissa Meierhofer.

Behind the Scenes: Leopold Live Chapter 2

We've officially kicked off filming for Leopold Live!: Chapter 2 and we're excited to give you a behind-the-scenes peek at what's coming up in the next few months from new stewardship practices to practical knowledge to keep in your back pocket. 

The NRI 2020 Annual Report is here

Each spring, NRI releases an Annual Report highlighting our mission, our programs, and the impactful projects defining the last year. We are continually grateful for the opportunities to pursue natural resource conservation solutions across the nation for generations to come. 

PEW: Along Southeast Coast, Plan to Protect 1 Million Acres of Salt Marsh Draws Broad Support

Fishermen, hunters, and others say safeguards would help nature and communities from North Carolina to Florida

Private Land Stewardship Academies: Natural Resource Management

We're building a community of practice around land stewardship where you can click, open, explore, shuffle and share the content to save and use as you need it. We're excited to share four collections with you—first up: Natural Resource Management.

2021 Soil Stewardship Week: Healthy forests, healthy communities

NRI has partnered with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Association of Texas Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Wildlife Association, and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association to highlight Soil and Water Stewardship Week and the importance of voluntary land stewardship in Texas. The statewide campaign is April 25 through May 2, 2021, and the focus this year is “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.”

Earth Day: Restoring the only land we have

Stewardship, conservation, restoration—all words you'll read and hear at NRI. This week, we're joining communities around the globe in celebrating Earth Week—Restore our Earth, and we want you to come along. Read more to find out how you can jump in this week.

April Conservation Matters is here

Texas Longleaf Implementation Team named 2021 Conservation Wrangler, TWRI publishes new txH2O magazine & more in this issue of Conservation Matters.

Pretty and powerful: six wildflowers that benefit Texas ecosystems

April showers bring May flowers, which may be the better part of spring for Texans—a charismatic display to distract us from the inevitable heat ahead. Alas, they are more than their displays.

What's the rub: Why wild pigs rub on trees, poles and posts

New video: Have you ever wondered why wild pigs leave rub markings on trees, poles, posts and other surfaces? Learn the three most common reasons why we find these rubs in various places, what they mean and how this behavior impacts vegetation and structures.

CultureMap: Laura Bush nature group picks 4 Texas conservation projects to help

Texas conservation nonprofit Texan by Nature has named its picks for conservation projects for 2021, which include water, pine trees, birds, and horned lizards.

TLIT Named 2021 Conservation Wrangler by Texan by Nature

Texan by Nature (TxN), a Texas-led conservation non-profit today announces the selection of the 2021 Conservation Wranglers. Conservation Wrangler is an accelerator program that catalyzes the very best Texan-led conservation projects occurring in the state. Selected projects are science-based and demonstrate a positive Return on Conservation for people, prosperity, and natural resources.

No Party like a Plant Party: A look into Texas Rangeland Plants

Dr. Megan Clayton, Associate Professor and Extension Range Specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and one of NRI’s partners in support of RREA, is seeking to address the widespread lack of plant knowledge with a new program that puts the spotlight on Texas vegetation.

Update: Wild pigs negatively impact ground-nesting birds

Abatement efforts to reduce the negative impacts associated with wild pigs remain essential to the conservation of natural resources and native wildlife. Learn more about the impact of wild pigs on ground-nesting birds in our latest short video.

Conservation Matters: March 2021

Read about the Ogallala Aquifer Virtual Summit, see the featured map, meet a scientist & more in this issue of Conservation Matters.

Activity Patterns and Behavioral Modifications of Feral Swine in North America and Eurasian Boar in Europe

One means of understanding wild pig biology and behavior is turning to their not-so-distant relatives, the Eurasian boar. Read more to see how we examine the differences between North American feral swine and Eurasian boar research focused on the activity patterns and behavioral modifications of these animals in response to both human control efforts and environmental influences.

Texas Brigades summer camps offer wildlife knowledge, life skills

Summer is fast approaching, and that means summer camps are on the horizon. But not all summer camp experiences are created equal...

Featured Map: Demonstrating the cascade of stewardship

Water is a cornerstone in supporting Texas’ rich array of landscapes, burgeoning populations and prosperous economy. Managing and regulating this valuable resource to ensure long-term, sustainable use is a top priority for state and local planners—however, it quickly becomes a delicate balance with consideration to ecological processes, natural disasters and general land/water ownership rights.

Texas Brigades accepting summer camp applications through March 15

Texas Brigades is accepting applications for its summer Brigade Camps. Applications are due online by March 15.

Promoting Coastal Resilience Through Partnerships and Planning

What some might see as an unlikely partnership at first, has blossomed into an action-oriented, trail-blazing group of partners working collaboratively towards a common goal: building coastal resilience in the Southeast region.

2021 REPI Webinar Series is Released

Join the REPI office for this online series highlighting best practices, knowledge sharing and tutorials on REPI partnership efforts that support military missions, accelerate the rate of conservation, and promote military installation and community resilience.

Leopold Live: Chapter One

Just like old times, only different. Adjusting to social distancing measures allowed us to think creatively in how we approach our engagement and education work, and partnering with the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve was a smart match for our team and like-minded missions—educating land stewards by demonstration and practice. 

Citizen science: How a community saved the Key deer

When a member of a Florida Keys community found an old survey collar, a local Facebook group dedicated to a native endemic species pulled together and reached out to NRI reminding us how critical citizen science can be for wildlife. 

Sentinel Landscapes Partnership Announces 2021 Designation Cycle

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is now accepting applications for its 2021 designation cycle! Apply today to become part of an innovative community working to strengthen military readiness, bolster agricultural economies, and enhance climate change resilience. 

TSSWCB Receives Additional Funding from USDA-NRCS to Address Feral Swine in Texas

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it is awarding approximately $1.5 million to the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) to fund three additional pilot projects to control feral swine in Texas.

Financial, ecological benefits of conservation easements on working lands

A recent report by the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Texas Water Resources Institute and Texas Land Trust Council shows state-funded conservation easements in Texas provide numerous financial and ecological benefits.

A Story Map: Texas Longleaf Landscapes

Explore the historic southeast range of Texas longleaf with us as we dive into their richly diverse conservation value. 

Quail Decline Initiative: A Fond Farewell

This month, the Reversing the Quail Decline Initiative draws to a close. We wrap things up by celebrating Mr. Kirby Quail's 6th birthday, highlighting some new resources and a license plate you'll want to take a look at, and putting the spotlight on two more quail organizations you may want to follow. Thank you for sticking with us, and for your passion for Texas quail!

Texas farm and ranch land conservation program publishes evaluation report

The goal of this report was to examine the conservation easements executed under the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program, evaluating ecological and economic values secured through the protection of these properties as well as the fiscal efficiency of state funds to protect working lands with high agricultural value at a relatively low cost for state residents.

Quail are flying this November

Leaves are falling, and quail are flying! This month, we're putting the spotlight on several organizations you'll want to follow to continue your quail education. We've also included the quail hunting forecast from TPWD and the newest Dr. Dale on Quail podcast, which you should give a listen to if you're planning to run dogs in rattlesnake country. 

Fall 2020 Sourcebook: Volume 1, Issue 2

The Fall 2020 NRI Sourcebook (V1:I2) is here, a digital collection complete with the recently published peer-reviewed scientific publications, research reports, and resources developed to support the improvement of conservation, natural resource management and private land stewardship.

13,500 minutes of the Texas Early Notification Tool

It’s been one year since TENT was launched and more than 450 30-minute sessions have been conducted by industry leaders, community stakeholders and military planners working collaboratively and proactively to avoid conflict.

Join Us: Lights Out Texas to Help Migrating Birds

Join us for Lights Out Texas through October 29 to keep migrating wildlife safe and conserve energy. 

Quail Season Approaches

It's October, which means quail hunting season will soon be here (starting on Halloween this year!). Until then, we've got some recommendations for quail research institutions you should follow, as well as a new live video series focusing on Aldo Leopold's wildlife habitat management tools.

USDA Launches Strategy to Continue Conserving the Gopher Tortoise and its Critical Habitat

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today released its new 5-year plan to conserve the Southeast’s threatened gopher tortoise by focusing on the conservation and restoration of its key habitat―longleaf pine forests, and fire will play a leading role in the efforts.

Researchers identify unique populations of dunes sagebrush lizard

Study raises concern of land fragmentation, population vulnerability of endemic lizard

Trump Administration Proposes Downlisting of Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Under Endangered Species Act

U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Fort Benning Garrison Commander, Col. Matthew Scalia, were joined by public and private representatives today to celebrate the proposed downlisting of the red-cockaded woodpecker from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Announcing the REPI Resilience Webinar Series

To showcase ongoing military installation resilience efforts, REPI is supporting several virtual engagements this fall. Read more to see the Resilience Webinar Series Review highlighting the diverse range of workshops and webinars hosted by REPI, Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability, and Western Regional Partnership. Throughout this series, REPI will engage with installations, partners, and resilience leaders across the country to discuss how installation resilience can enhance military readiness.

Leopold Live launching in one week

If clinging to routines is what keeps us moving forward in these unusual times, consider this a hat tip to the creativity spurred on by our need to connect and teach in-person. Leopold Live! is here. 

U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Groundwater Conference, a map of Texas phenology, measuring hurricane risks & more in this issue of Conservation Matters

Subscribe here to receive Conservation Matters in your inbox each month.

News from Reversing the Quail Decline

The release of the Special Edition Quail Sourcebook is bittersweet as it marks the end of the RQDI grant and means that the program is drawing to a close.

Improving Cooperative State & Federal Species Conservation Efforts

Since the enactment of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1973, wildlife conservation has evolved to include more robust science, greater public involvement, and expanding partnerships. However, the ways state and federal managers work together hasn't evolved at the same pace. A more proactive approach to encourage, promote, and assist states in implementing conservation is overdue.

In May 2019, the University of Wyoming's Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources and College of Law, along with Texas A&M University's Natural Resources Institute and School of Law, convened a workshop that brought together 22 federal ESA and state wildlife conservation experts to reimagine the state-federal relationship and discuss opportunities for states to engage more meaningfully in species conservation efforts.

NFWF Announces $5.6 Million in Grants to Advance Longleaf Pine Habitat and Support Wildlife in Eight Southeast States

Twenty-three grants will support efforts to conserve nearly 350,000 acres of longleaf pine habitat and help recover populations of at-risk wildlife

2020 Sentinel Landscapes Accomplishments Report Now Available

The report outlines how the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership enables the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DoD), and Department of the Interior (DOI) to collaborate on land conservation and natural resource restoration projects that enhance national security by increasing the resilience of military installations and ranges.

Partnership Aims to Bolster Military Readiness, Protect Environment

By David Vergun, DoD News — A report released today describes the work done to strengthen military readiness and protect the environment by a partnership that includes the Defense Department, the Agriculture and Interior departments, state and local governments, and nongovernmental organizations. 

A new perspective on Texas phenology

In our latest featured map, we took satellite imagery collected throughout 2019 and stitched them together in an animation to illustrate the phenological changes of vegetation across Texas.

A growing Texas means loss of working lands

From 1997-2017, Texas lost about 2.2 million acres of working lands.

Bird Species of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem

Longleaf pine and birds go hand in hand.  A well-managed longleaf pine forest that utilizes frequent prescribed burning can provide ideal habitat for a variety of bird species, as well as other wildlife.

LPC Releases New Fact Sheet on Advantages of Longleaf in Windstorms

The Longleaf Partnership Council (LPC) is pleased to announce a new communications fact sheet, Blowing in the Wind: Advantages of Longleaf Pine in Wind Storms.  This informational product demonstrates the benefits of longleaf pine during windstorms such as hurricanes and tornadoes.    

Conservation Matters: Focusing on water quality, land stewardship tools, a watershed protection plan & more

Beyond the fence line with Texas Ag Land Trust

Listen in on Texas Ag Land Trust's latest podcast as TALT CEO Chad Ellis and NRI's Dr. Lopez delve into key land trend findings and what they mean for Texas’ working lands.

A land stewardship experience dispatch

We're building a community of practice around land stewardship from the wings that fly above to the water trickling through the soil. Check out this peek into the 22 mini-decks you can dive into today.

Landowner Loop: tending the soil first

We do know that thorough conservation is more than applied science and collaboration; it requires the stewardship of discovery and the constant observational loop, if you will, where we go back to the space of application and learn the sequence of science. So, instead of a Private Land Stewardship vignette or a publication to aid in your efforts today, we're learning from landowners in our continued series called "Landowner Loop", where we keep tools in the field and feedback loops open.

Forging Ahead

COVID may have changed our summer plans, but we're forging ahead with new ways to deliver quail education. This month, you can practice your plant identification skills with a new PLS vignette, enjoy some online learning activities hosted by the Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade, and join us in congratulating Dr. Dale Rollins on achieving professor emeritus status!

NRI's Dale Rollins awarded professor emeritus

For someone who retired from his roles with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Research seven years ago, Dale Rollins, Ph.D., has yet to slow down.

Introducing the NRI Sourcebook, protecting water quality through lawncare, meet a scientist & more in this issue of Conservation Matters

Things are heating up

Summer is here, and there's plenty for quail enthusiasts to do! Texas Wildlife Association's annual convention normally takes place in San Antonio this month but has moved to an online format this year. There's also a new map resource we want to share, a vignette on wildlife tax valuation, and an upcoming virtual camp experience that young Students of Quail won't want to miss.

A Look at Texas Agriculture and the Texas A&M AgriLife Support Network

Texans will agree that you could never experience the full breadth of the state in one lifetime. It’s easy to identify the unique characteristics sprinkled throughout, ranging from the population composition and cultures, the native flora and fauna, and the spectacular river systems like the Red River in the north and the Rio Grande in the south. In true Texas form, you will also find a range of agricultural production strategies varying by regional differences in climate and landscape. At the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, we tell the story of our state’s privately-owned farms, ranches, and forests, otherwise known as working lands, which provide numerous ecological, economic and intrinsic benefits to our communities and beyond.

Summer 2020 Sourcebook: Volume 1, Issue 1

The Summer 2020 NRI Sourcebook (V1:I1) is here, a digital collection complete with the recently published peer-reviewed scientific publications, research reports, and resources developed to support the improvement of conservation, natural resource management and private land stewardship.

Pillars of Knowledge in Quail Management: R-Selection

In the book “Texas Quails,” the authors discuss the scientific aspects of quail management and highlight four knowledge-based tenets which should inform any quail management decision. These “pillars of knowledge” include r-selection, successional affiliation, adaptive plasticity, and weather influences. In this new blog series, we will look at each of these pillars individually and explain why they should be the fundamental tools for any quail-minded manager.

Resources for New Landowners: Aldo Leopold's Five Tools of Wildlife Management

In Game Management, Aldo Leopold wrote, “Are we too poor in purse or spirit to apply some of it to keep the land pleasant to see, and good to live in?” This conveys a simple truth for both green and veteran landowners: land management may require hard work, but generates value for the land and our spirits. The most effective land management is that which is intentional.

Long Acres Ranch welcomes hundreds for FFA Career Development Event

In late February, some of the brightest high school minds and future natural resource professionals from all across Texas converged on Long Acres Ranch to compete in an invitational Future Farmers of America, or FFA, Career Development Event.

Sentinel Landscapes: Uniting People, Securing the Future

In 2013, the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture, and Department of the Interior came together in collaboration to launch the Sentinel Landscape program. This program is an innovative approach to landscape conservation—recognizing the seemingly disparate but actually interwoven values of national security, conservation, and working lands and leveraging this cross-sector collaboration to unite people and secure the future of landscapes across the country.

The Concept of “Slack” in Quail Habitat Management

“Habitat” is a term commonly used in wildlife management which refers to four essential components: food, water, shelter, and space.  While this is a simple definition, it can be surprisingly difficult to describe quality bobwhite quail habitat, especially since there’s no exact formula for it.

Featured Map: Fragmentation Risk Index

How we, as collective stakeholders in the state, balance our needs and the challenges from land-use changes will influence future outcomes for Texas’ open spaces. Where do we start?

Research accolades: The 56th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society

The 56^th Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society (TCTWS) wrapped up in Corpus Christi last week, with many of our NRI team members assuming active roles in the conference as exhibitors, presenters, and leaders.

Spotlight on Quail Predators: Bobcats

Their stealth, acute hearing, and well-developed sense of smell combined with razor-sharp teeth and claws make bobcats excellent predators and this fact leads to the inevitable question for quail enthusiasts - how frequently do they predate quail?

New West Texas Landowner Report serves to conserve the future of west Texas landscapes

Developed in partnership with Texas Agricultural Land Trust and the Borderlands Research Institute with funding by the Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation, the West Texas Landowner Report serves to compile information that can serve to better inform key partners and organizations working to conserve and shape the future of West Texas.

Documentary on collaboration between defense, conservation, and agricultural communities will premiere at the D.C. Environmental Film Festival

An exciting new documentary that explores the benefits of the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership will premiere on Friday, March 13th at the 2020 D.C. Environmental Film Festival in Washington, D.C. Now in its 27th year, the Festival is considered the world’s premiere showcase of environmentally-themed films.

Sodium Nitrite: A Potential Toxicant in the Fight Against Invasive Wild Pigs

The use of toxicants for the management of wild pig populations is another potential tool to reduce damage and prevent populations from growing and spreading. Research is ongoing to answer critical questions regarding efficacy and humaneness as well as any potential environmental impacts prior to the use of toxicants, like sodium nitrite, on wild pigs in Texas.

The Landowner Longleaf Challenge: A case study

Finally, as the campaign came to a close in 2019, we took a real look at how a digital data campaign created face-to-face connections, putting the social back in social media and trees in the ground. 

Some landowners diversify as Texas working land declines

The Big Bend Sentinel — Over a twenty-year period, Texas lost 2.2 million acres of working lands, with 1.2 million of those being converted to non-agricultural use in the last five years alone,  according to a new study of Texas land trends from 1997 to 2017 by Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.

NRI launches new screening tool for wind energy developers and military

COLLEGE STATION, TX — The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI), in collaboration with the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC) within the Office of the Governor, Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), and with input from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), launched the Texas Early Notification Tool (TENT).

Texas Quail Index 2019 Summary

We've collected, analyzed, and summarized the data, and now you get to see what we learned about quail in 2019. We had plenty of rain at the start of the breeding season, but did that translate to more birds?

NRI publishes Status Update and Trends of Texas Working Lands 1997-2017

We are proud to present the long-awaited Texas Land Trends: Status Update and Trends of Texas Working Lands 1997 - 2017  published in December 2019. Texas Land Trends reports have informed private and public landowners and decision-makers for over two decades. With this report, we are able to examine new patterns and identify trends following the release of the Census of Agriculture datasets by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS). These datasets provide key information for complex Texas natural resource challenges through the power of a “good map.”  The Texas Land Trends:  Status Update and Trends report is the fifth iteration and specifically describes the status and recent changes in land values, ownership size and land use of privately-owned Texas working lands.