New plans would protect salt marsh, coastal communities and military installations
A regional partnership spanning North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida released targeted plans for each state in April 2026 to conserve coastal salt marshes—grassy wetlands that fill with saltwater and drain as the tides ebb and flow. These habitats protect communities and more than a dozen at-risk military installations from floods, provide fish breeding grounds, and offer recreation and seafood to millions of people.
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Graduate student bags study species in first hunt
From New York to Texas. From city to brush country. From non-hunter to hunter. That is just part of Edward Tomassetti's journey to study a native big game species.
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NPR's Here & Now: Feral hogs are invading Texas suburbs
Texas has a growing feral hog problem. An estimated 3 to 4 million of them live there, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in crop damage. Now, they're moving into suburban areas. Here & Now's Scott Tong speaks with Jay Long, a pig researcher at NRI, about why feral hogs are such a difficult invasive species to control and what strategies exist to combat them.
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Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week recognizes the vital role of native ecosystems
Texas A&M NRI has partnered with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas Soil & Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD) to highlight Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week and the importance of voluntary land stewardship in Texas. The statewide campaign is April 26 through May 3, 2026 and the focus this year is "Soil. Where it all Begins."
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Updated prescribed fire liability report for the southern US
The use of prescribed fire remains a critical component of land management across the southern United States. As land managers, private landowners, and agencies work to apply fire at the scale and frequency necessary to achieve ecological and management objectives, understanding liability continues to be an important consideration.
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An update on feral pig laws and regulations in Texas
Feral pigs now occupy nearly all of Texas, causing more than $670 million in agricultural damage each year while also impacting water quality, infrastructure and wildlife. With few hunting restrictions and a range of available control methods, effective management depends on understanding current regulations, safe practices and coordinated removal strategies.
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REPI report to Congress highlights continued investment in military readiness and conservation partnerships
The Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI) has released its 2026 Report to Congress, highlighting another year of growth in collaborative efforts that strengthen military readiness while advancing natural resource conservation across the country.
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NRI's Forrest Cobb honored as Distinguished Alumni by Texas A&M–San Antonio
The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute is proud to celebrate Forrest Cobb on being named a 2026 Distinguished Alumni Honoree by Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
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New Kingsville breeding facility aims to give Texas ocelots a second chance
Fewer than 100 ocelots remain in the wild in the United States, all in deep South Texas. Habitat loss, fragmentation and limited genetic diversity have pushed this iconic native cat to the brink. The new breeding facility in Kingsville, highlighted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, represents a critical step toward strengthening the long-term recovery of the species.
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Early mornings and field work at Holloman Air Force Base
Written by Hanna Hardt: There wasn’t one big, cinematic moment that defined my summer working at Holloman Air Force Base. No single breakthrough, no dramatic turning point. Instead, it was the accumulation of the little moments that made the experience feel meaningful—and made me undeniably grateful to be there.
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