News

Texas A&M institute releases new Texas landowner survey

Texas Land Trends survey to examine status of working lands, needs of land managers

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.    

NRI and TALT: Beyond the fence line

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.

Texas A&M AgriLife maps out Texas’ working lands

A new set of visual representations by the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, NRI, shows the breadth and diversity of the state’s working lands for agricultural production as well as the statewide support provided by Texas A&M AgriLife.

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

Live demonstrations highlight Texas A&M Virtual Beef Cattle Short Course Aug. 3-5

While the three-day event will be online this year due to COVID-19, the live demonstrations will continue, offering ranchers who need basic beef production information the ability to see how things are done up close.

NRI researchers present in Texas Wildlife Association's seminar series

Each year, the Texas Wildlife Association welcomes the opportunity to showcase to its members, partners and guests a variety of natural resource and conservation presentations by agency, landowner, non-profit and university partners. This year’s line-up represents a diversity of topics focusing on wildlife, natural resource management, production agriculture, landowner liability and lease law, wild game cooking and conservation education.

Read Reason for Hope: Reversing the Quail Decline Newsletter

As nesting season begins in earnest, we're encouraged by reports from our TQI cooperators, the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, and Texas landowners that they're hearing and seeing more birds this year. Fingers crossed that this summer is a productive one for our quail!

The 2020 Sustaining Military Readiness Conference is postponed

In coordination with the Sustaining Military Readiness (SMR) Planning Committee, we've made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 SMR Conference planned for August 10-13 in San Antonio, Texas.

America's Longleaf Restoration Initiative 2019 Range-wide Accomplishment Report is published

In 2019, we celebrated more than 1.7 million acres of accomplishments on public and private lands. Flip open the latest Range-Wide Accomplishments Report to read what else 2019 had in store for longleaf conservation.

Laying a foundation for feral hog removal

High Plains Journal — Brought over on ships by Spanish explorers as traveling food sources, feral hogs have slowly built up their numbers over the years. Feral hog populations have reportedly been established in 35 states, but sighted in 48. Read more to learn about the complexities of feral hog population management and damage control where the potential for dedicated resources and funding is steadily growing.

Texas Wildlife Magazine: How Quail Beat the Heat

NRI's Amanda Gobeli was featured in the Texas Wildlife Association's magazine Texas Wildlife covering an important summer topic—How Quail Beat the Heat.

See the NRI 2019 Annual Report

Each spring, NRI releases an Annual Report highlighting our core values, our programs and accolades defining the year. Year 2019 was an exceptional year—because of the work of the people behind NRI, we more than doubled our readership across the board, putting the right research in the hands of stewards around the world.

Quail are Calling

The quail are calling, and we've got our fingers crossed for a great breeding season this year. The Texas Quail Index is starting with Spring Call Counts, and now you can participate (or just learn what it's all about) by taking our online vignette. We also highlight an upcoming webinar for landowners with small-acreage properties and wildlife management goals.

New private land stewardship virtual decks teach all ages about wildlife

In the last few months, the NRI Engagement Team has released several new private land stewardship decks featuring mapping techniques and wildlife management tips. 

Borderlands Bulletin features Texas Land Trends report on fragmentation risk

The Borderlands Research Institute recently featured the Texas Land Trends report in their newsletter Borderlands Bulletin.

‘Sentinel landscapes’ keep quiet vigil against encroachment

April Reversing the Quail Decline Newsletter

A lot can change in a month. As we adjust to new ways of working, socializing, and just plain living, we want to encourage you to persevere. We know our Students of Quail are a resourceful bunch, and we're all in this together! If you're looking for ways to stay busy and learn something new, we have an opportunity for you: help us refine the new TQI Online Course!

Join the Wildlife Diversity Webinar March 18

Hop online on March 18, 2020 from noon until 1 p.m. to hear about the TPWD Conservation License Plate Program funded research by Texas A&M University researchers Danielle K. Walkup, Toby J. Hibbitts, and Wade A. Ryberg:  Movement, Home Range, and Habitat Use of the Spot-tailed Earless Lizards

2020 REPI Report to Congress Now Available

We are pleased to announce from the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program that the 2020 REPI Report to Congress is now available on the Program’s website, www.REPI.mil.

Howdy Abroad: An Interview with Graduate Student and Fulbright Recipient Melissa Meierhofer

Melissa Meierhofer is a Ph.D. candidate in Wildlife and Fisheries Science at Texas A&M and a research associate at A&M’s Natural Resources Institute. The recipient of a Fulbright Grant for the 2019-2020 academic year, she is currently living and studying in Finland. Her research focuses on a fungus-causing disease in bats called “white-nose syndrome,” which is spreading rapidly in North America. In Finland, she is working with other researchers to create mathematical models of the spread of the disease to assist the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service as they try to save bat species. OGAPS caught up with Meierhofer for an update on her research and life in Finland.

The Sentinels to Premiere at the D.C. Environmental Film Festival

The D.C. Environmental Film Festival will hold the first public screening of the documentary “The Sentinels” on Friday, March 13^th at the U.S. Department of the Interior, located at 1849 C Street NW, Washington D.C.  

As population grows, feral hogs start to make traction in Lake Houston area

Feral hogs have been seen clashing with people near suburban hubs across the greater Houston area on social media and in the news this year. The wild pigs have been seen chasing teenagers in Atascocita, on ranches and farms in Liberty County and chastising home owners in The Woodlands.

New survey looks at land-use changes in Far West Texas

A new Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute report shows some interesting land-use changes over the past 20 years for 16 counties in Far West Texas.

New landowner report shows energy, growth trends in West Texas

The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, or NRI, led a collaboration to develop a new report showing how changes in land use have influenced multiple counties in West Texas over the past two decades.

New book published covering all aspects of wild pig biology, ecology, damage, management

NRI's Private Land Stewardship and Engagement Associate Director Dr. Jim Cathey co-authored Chapter 15: "Wild Pigs in South-Central North America" providing scientific research and a review of management practices within a geographical context, in the comprehensive volume Invasive Wild Pigs in North America: Ecology, Impacts, and Management addressing all aspects of wild pig biology, ecology, damage, and management.

Ranch Management University set for April 6-10

COLLEGE STATION — Plans for the next Ranch Management University, to be held April 6-10 at Texas A&M University in College Station, are being finalized and registration is now open.

Open the Reversing the Quail Decline Initiative February Newsletter

February—Disking, shredding, prescribed (Rx) burning—'tis the season for habitat disturbance. Disturbance can open up the landscape and allow for lower successional plant species (like food-producing forbs) to take hold. Doing it now leaves enough time for recovery before nesting season is underway.

If prescribed burning is something you're curious about but the thought of setting fire to your property makes you nervous, never fear—we have some resources to help you get started in this issue.

Report addresses status of working lands in Texas

For more than two decades, land-trends reports have informed private and public landowners and decision-makers. The new Texas Land Trends report "Status Update and Trends of Texas Working Lands 1997-2017," produced by the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, has been published to add to those reports.

Report Reveals Values Increased For Rural Land In Texas

TEXAS RURAL LAND VALUES - A new report shows an increase in rural land values in Texas.  According to a new Texas Lands Trend Report --- from 1997 to 2017, the Lone Star state’s population increased from 19 Million residents to 29 Million.  

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.

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.

Report Shows Land Value Outside Big Texas Cities Is Increasing

Rural land values in Texas are increasing, driven in part by the state’s population growth, according to a new “Texas Land Trends” report by the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.

From 1997 to 2017, Texas’ population increased 48% from 19 million residents to 29 million. That’s roughly 470,000 new residents annually, according to the report.

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).

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. 

Reversing the Quail Decline December Newsletter

The end of the year is a time of celebration for many, but for quail it's often a time of hardship. This month we have an episode of Dr. Dale on Quail that explains why winter is such a tough time for these little birds. Plus we've got a new online lesson all about quail songs and calls.

Arkansas, Texas get feral hog eradication grants

U.S. Department of Agriculture grants will fund feral hog control and eradication programs in Arkansas, Texas and eight other states.

Sentinel Landscapes Partnership Announces a New Landowner Resources Tool

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is proud to introduce an Interactive Landowner Resources Tool as part of the newly designed website to make it easier for private landowners to find voluntary state and federal landowner assistance programs.

Saving Working Lands Workshop Preps West Texas Landowners for Energy Development

On Nov. 14 at Sul Ross State University-Alpine, the Texas Agricultural Land Trust (TALT) and the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) hosted a landowner workshop to address issues related to burgeoning energy development in West Texas.

USDA Announces Funding to Control Feral Swine in Texas

USDA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it is awarding more than $1.4 million to fund three pilot projects to control feral swine in Texas.

Outstanding Early Career Alumni

Alumni from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences received awards for their hard work and dedication following their time at Texas A&M University during a Nov. 15 ceremony held at the Brazos County Expo Center in Bryan.  

NRI's Melissa Meierhofer awarded Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence 2019

Congratulations to NRI's Melissa Meierhofer, the latest recipient of the 2019 Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence for Graduate Student Research.

Protecting US Bases Increasingly Requires Civilian Infrastructure

Defense One — As the House and Senate work to complete the DoD Appropriations and the National Defense Authorization Act, they need to prioritize resilience efforts not only at military installations but the communities that surround them. 

Reversing the Quail Decline Initiative November Newsletter

The November Reversing the Quail Decline newsletter is here! Learn about the latest quail resources, the opening of quail season and more! If this hasn't landed in your inbox yet, sign up! 

Startling statistics everyone needs to know about wild pigs

Whether you refer to them as feral hogs or wild pigs, Sus scrofa is a species that negatively is impacting nearly every part of Texas.

Not only do wild pigs wreak havoc on pastures, fields and golf courses alike, they contaminate our water sources and destroy native species.

Army Reserve ambassador awarded prestigious medal named after own war hero

Col. Olin Findley Brewster, who retired from the military but still serves today as an Army Reserve ambassador in Texas, received the Maj. Gen. James Earl Rudder Medal in Washington, D.C., Oct. 14, 2019.

New online, interactive atlas gives comprehensive view of Texas quail decline

The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, or NRI, has recently published the Texas Quail Atlas, a free online resource and the newest "story map" to be developed by the institute.

Creepy Halloween critters found in Texas

SAN ANTONIO - Are you a fan of spiders or bats or how about some pumpkins?

All those iconic symbols of Halloween are found right here in Texas. But here are some facts on those spooky critters that you may not have known about.

DoD Natural Resource Program to present Climate Adaptation for DoD Resources Managers

This webinar will introduce overarching principles for climate adaptation, describe key climate impacts to DoD natural resources programs and INRMP elements, and provide an overview of the six-step INRMP adaptation planning cycle.

The Collaborative Wildlife Protection and Recovery Initiative releases first national program review

The Collaborative Wildlife Protection and Recovery Initiative (CWPRI) is a voluntary, informal partnership of federal and state agencies and non-governmental parties interested in recovering listed species and preventing new listings under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Reversing the Quail Decline Initiative October Newsletter

The latest Dr. Dale on Quail podcast is here; you'll definitely want to give it a listen if you're planning on going quail hunting this season. We've also got an article about raptors, one of the top predators of quail, and some great news for the Texas Bobwhite Brigades.

2 Texas mussel species don’t need special protections, study finds

Two species of Texas mussels that were in the running to qualify as federally protected endangered species, it turns out, are doing just fine.

Memorandum of understanding signed between Texas, Mexico universities

Southwest Farm Press — Existing collaboration to address agriculture, natural resource issues along the Tamaulipas-Texas borderland region.

State-Funded Studies Help Federal Agency Remove Two Mussels from Endangered Species Candidate List

(Texas Comptroller) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has determined that two Texas mussels can be removed from the list of candidate species under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The determinations were based mainly on research funded by the Texas Comptroller’s office and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

AgriLife Research, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas sign memorandum of understanding

The Eagle — Formalize existing collaboration to address transboundary agriculture, natural resource issues. 

Guide to grazing matters

Grazing is a powerful tool for improving the health of plants and the soil supporting them when it’s managed correctly. Read these adapted remarks by NRI's Dr. James Cathey from the Private Lands Summit hosted by the Texas Wildlife Association.

Newly discovered mussels help refocus conservation

Two new freshwater mussel species in Texas will most likely impact current efforts

Sheppard AFB, wind farm industry improve communication

Times Record News — A fine line exists between sustaining wind energy development and securing safe operating areas used for military installations, but it’s a balance that can be reached, a Texas A&M University Natural Resources Institute official said here Aug. 8.

Online private land stewardship decks available

New land stewardship experiences from the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI) can help those who own or manage land.

Newly discovered mussels may help refocus conservation efforts in Texas

DALLAS – A team of researchers recently discovered two new freshwater mussel species in Texas, which will likely impact current conservation efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The 2019 Sentinel Landscapes Accomplishments Report is here!

It's our pleasure to announce that the 2019 Sentinel Landscapes Accomplishments Report is now available featuring the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership's achievements through Fiscal Year (FY) 2018.

Dr. Roel Lopez awarded the Sam Beasom Conservation Leader Award

The TWA Sam Beasom Conservation Leader Award is given to a member of the professional conservation community who has made an outstanding contribution to the conservation of Texas wildlife and shares the philosophies of Texas Wildlife Association.

AUSA announces Major General James Earl Rudder Medal winner

The Major General James Earl Rudder Medal was established in 1999 and is awarded annually to a serving or former member of the United States Army Reserve who has contributed most to the advancement of the Association’s goal of a seamless and component-integrated Army.

Conservation Wrangler Summit and Celebration Dinner announced

Each year, Texan by Nature celebrates their mission of bringing business and conservation together at their Conservation Wrangler Summit & Celebration Dinner. Leaders in conservation and business come together from all corners of Texas to discuss the positive impacts they are making for community health, economic prosperity, and natural resources.

NRI takes home gold at the ESRI User Conference

Congratulations to Garrett Powers and the team behind story map “Measuring Hurricane Irma's Impact on Coastal Forests” for bringing home First Place in the Spatial Analysis Story Map category from the 2019 Esri User Conference Map Gallery.

New report shows changes in Texas borderlands over time

The Madisonville Meteor—Changes in population density, rapid urbanization and rising land values have altered much of the historically rural landscape of the Texas borderlands, according to a recent Texas Land Trends report. 

Texas Wildlife Radio Show features new Private Land Stewardship experiences

Thanks to our friends at Texas Farm Bureau and to Gary Joiner for producing the latest announcement of our new Private Land Stewardship decks. 

Texas A&M Natural Resource Institute offers online Private Land Stewardship experiences

AgriLife Today — The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute has added a series of new Private Land Stewardship experiences to its website.

Reversing the Quail Decline July newsletter is here!

Summer is here! We're celebrating another successful round of Bobwhite Brigades Camps and giving you an exciting new way to further your quail studies with Private Land Stewardship Lessons.

SERPPAS Principals meet to share priorities for the upcoming year

The 2019 SERPPAS Principals Meeting, chaired by DoD Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment and the Commissioner of Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR), was held on June 4-5, 2019, at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama. 

First endangered mussels successfully raised in captivity by NRI researchers

The freshwater mussel team successfully raised an endangered species of mussel in the lab.

New Texas Land Trends report shows changes in Texas borderlands over time

New Land Trends report covers trends in land ownership along borderlands and addresses population growth, land ownership and fragmentation.

Spending the game bird stamp money

Lone Star Outdoor News — Research, education at the forefront. Funds from the $7 Upland Game Bird Endorsement purchased with hunting licenses in Texas have been used to support research and education regarding bobwhite and scaled quail over the past six years.

Texas Land Trends releases key findings from upcoming 5 year report

The summary report of the 2019 Texas Land Trends report describes key findings of recent changes in topics such as land use, ownership size and property values of private working lands from 1997 to 2017. 

America's Longleaf Restoration Initiative Range-Wide Accomplishment Report is here!

Rather than producing a report solely on what has been accomplished over the past year, this report is a tool showcasing what can be done to reach ALRI's goal of 8 million acres of longleaf pine habitat by 2025.

Texan By Nature — June Conservation Round-Up

Highlighting conservation efforts & events from across the Lone Star State, read June's issue of Conservation Round-Up!

Reversing the Quail Decline Initiative June Newsletter

The birds are hatching eggs, and we're hatching plans! We're gearing up for the Bobwhite Brigades and Statewide Quail Symposium while providing a new podcast and video resources.

JBSA Natural Resource office spotlights endangered bird species

Joint Base San Antonio — May 11 was International Migratory Bird Day and the Joint Base San Antonio Natural Resource office wants to highlight Texas’ native migrant, the golden-cheeked warbler, also known as Setophaga chrysoparia.

Wild Pig Wars: Controversy Over Hunting, Trapping

While Louisiana has a stout wild pig population, and Missouri presumably has a relatively small population, Texas wears a painful crown at the top of the porcine heap in the U.S., as home to roughly 3 million wild pigs. The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI) places the control rate to maintain wild pig populations at 66%. In stripped-down parlance: Texas needs to remove approximately 2 million wild pigs per year to keep 3 million wild pigs on the landscape...

Fungus Causing White-Nose Syndrome in Bats Continues to Spread in Texas

TPWD — The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats has continued to spread into parts of Central, South, and East Texas, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

DOD Announces Winners of the 2019 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards

The research and relocation teams supporting the vulnerable gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) were announced the winner of DOD's 2019 Secretary of Defense Natural Resources Conservation, Large Installation Environmental Award.

Reversing the Quail Decline Initiative May Newsletter

April showers bring May flowers...and hopefully, plenty of great nesting habitat for quail! We recently celebrated Earth Day with our quail ambassadors, Kirby and Bonnie Blue, and we have a new article that goes into more detail about their role in the Quail Decline Initiative.

Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch Wins Lone Star Land Steward Regional Award

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Lone Star Land Steward Awards program recognizes those private landowners for excellence in habitat management and wildlife conservation. The awards also seek to publicize the best examples of sound natural resource management practices and promote long-term conservation of unique natural and cultural resources.

Oaks and Prairies Wildlifer - Spring 2019

The Spring 2019 newsletter for landowners in the Post Oak Savannah and Costal Prairies Regions of Texas is here!

Three Texas Takeaways From The Latest Agriculture Census

TEXAS STANDARD — Roel Lopez on the 2017 data reflecting a changing Texas when it comes to farming and ranching.

Texas Land Trends report shows value of conservation easements to ag, water, wildlife

NORTH TEXAS NEWS — The Texas Land Trends project of Texas A&M’s Natural Resources Institute, or NRI, has published a special series report describing Texas landowner participation in land conservation easements and their value to agricultural production, water and wildlife.

Blooming news in April's Conservation Matters

Read April's Conservation Matters to stay in the know on all things moving the needle for conservation from impact reports to advancing science. 

Melissa Meierhofer receives the P.E.O. Scholars Award

April Quail Decline Newsletter: Spring Has Sprung

Are you hearing that "poor, Bob-WHITE" whistle yet? While quail gear up for the breeding season, we've stayed busy with several programs and preparations for this year's Texas Quail Index.

Melrose Air Force Range: more than a training range

Melrose Air Force Range is not only Air Force Special Operations Command’s only training range used to train our special operations teams, but it is an environmental preserve as well where NRI implements passive automated monitoring systems for T&E species research.

NRI's Dale Rollins launches new podcast on quail

Today, the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch and NRI's Dale Rollins released the inaugural episode with our great friend Gary Joiner with Texas Farm Bureau.

NRI attends TAMU Drone Day

Members of NRI's geospatial team attended the second annual TAMU Drone Day hosted by the Texas A&M Geospatial Professional Society on March 20th.

MJ Hanna hosts plant contest

The first MJ Hanna Foundation Range and Pasture Plant Identification and Range Evaluation contests drew 57 contestants from all over Texas.

NRI scientist is Finland-bound with prestigious Fulbright Award

Melissa Meierhofer was awarded the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship to Finland as a reflection of her leadership and contributions to society.

NRI 2018 Annual Report is here

NRI's latest Annual Report showcases the impactful work our team of research and extension professionals both achieved and launched in 2018 guided by the Land Grant mission.

Houston-area suburbs see uptick in feral hog populations destroying streets, property

Houston Chronicle — If you have noticed more feral hogs in your Houston-area neighborhood recently, you are not alone. Neighbors across the Greater Houston report the wild animals are more frequently making their way into their subdivisions and streets, leaving properties destroyed in their wake.

NRI scientists share achievements at TCTWS

Held February 20-23 in Montgomery, Texas, the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society annual meeting was a success! This year's theme was Preparing Biologists for the 21st Century and Beyond and included activities ranging from paper and poster sessions to workshops and field trips.

Reversing the Quail Decline: Busy as a Bird

March Newsletter — Kirby and Bonnie got to stretch their wings at two events last month where they got to meet-and-great eager wildlife enthusiasts. If that's a descriptor that applies to you, then you'll also want to check out the article and videos below!

Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Report to Congress Now Available

The 2019 REPI Report to Congress summarizing and reviewing the achievements of REPI through Fiscal Year 2018 in now available.

Texas Land Trends report shows value of conservation easements to ag, water, wildlife

AGRILIFE TODAY — The Texas Land Trends project of Texas A&M’s Natural Resources Institute, or NRI, has published a special series report describing Texas landowner participation in land conservation easements and their value to agricultural production, water and wildlife.

More worms, more problems in the February Quail Decline newsletter

The February Reversing the Quail Decline Initiative is here!

Researcher's illustrations appear in Field Identification Key and Guide for U.S. Bat ID Project

Research Associate Krysta Demere was asked to illustrate the anatomical drawings for the U.S. Bat ID Project for the Center for Disease Control in late 2017, and now after a year-long process, the official Field Identification Key and Guide for Bats of the United States of America is published!

SARA Student Internship Announced

The San Antonio River Authority Internship was established in 2012 and is awarded to a highly motivated outstanding undergraduate student of a Texas institute of higher education. This internship is designed to provide an individual interested in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, other Natural or Environmental Science an opportunity to intern with the San Antonio River Authority Environmental Sciences Department in San Antonio, Texas. Applications close February 28, 2019. 

Wild pig control read around the world

Read how NRI's wild pig team expertise is traveling around the world to support local land managers without language barriers.

Hot off the press: Oaks and Prairies Wildlifer

The 2019 winter edition of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Wildlifer newsletter is here!

NRI releases first Conservation Easements in Texas publication

This special series report describes the state’s current participation and growing need for land conservation easements. In this report we assess the value of all conservation easement acres in Texas within three broad categories of ecosystem services to describe the significant impact these lands have on the state's economy.

NRI publishes Development of Multispecies, Long-Term Monitoring Programs for Resource Management

There's growing interest among resource managers to implement long-term wildlife monitoring. The process to develop such a program for your land, as you might guess, can be daunting. So, we set out to build example programs for land managers specific to their objectives—one requiring the most amount of effort, and one requiring the least amount. You decide!

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Superior Service Awards

Congratulations to Dr. Jim Cathey, NRI's 2019 recipient of the AgriLife Extension Superior Service Award!

January Conservation Matters hits the stands

In the January issue, we start the year off announcing a new interactive webpage for one of our projects, diving into the story behind multi-species management and celebrating youth education workshops for local students. Subscribe here to stay in the know on all things moving the needle for research-driven conservation.

New "Reversing the Quail Decline Initiative" Webpage

We have a brand new web page for the Reversing the Quail Decline Initiative on the Dallas AgriLife Center website! Here you'll find an overview of the program, information on our native quail species and links to valuable resources.