Field Notes

• Podcast Ep #12: Monitoring wildlife for New World screwworm Jan 14, 2026
  

  For many Texans, the New World Screwworm feels like a problem of the past. It was eradicated from the United States in the 1960s and is rarely discussed outside of history or veterinary textbooks. In Episode 12 of The Land Steward Podcast, we take a closer look at why the screwworm is once again a concern for Texans. 

• The Fall 2025 NRI Sourcebook is here Dec 11, 2025
  

  Directly from the field, the Fall 2025 edition of the NRI Sourcebook brings together a seasonal, digital collection of recently published peer-reviewed scientific publications, applied research reports, and science-based resources developed by Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute researchers and collaborators. Each volume reflects our commitment to advancing conservation, natural resource management, and private land stewardship through interdisciplinary, applied research.

• Conserving South Atlantic salt marsh through collective action Nov 30, 2025
  

  The South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI) is a voluntary, non-regulatory partnership of individuals working together to protect and restore salt marshes across a four-state region from North Carolina to Florida. This regional initiative is coordinated by NRI’s Amanda Gobeli, who oversees federal, state, and local partner organizations and engagement for the implementation of their conservation plan. We recently sat down with Gobeli to discuss how her role within SASMI is shaping the defense against specific threats to our coastal salt marshes.

• Podcast Ep #11: Restoring the legacy of the Longleaf pine ecosystem Oct 2, 2025
  

  Today, organizations like the Texas Longleaf Team, led by Jenny Sanders, work to promote restorative land management practices to bring back this iconic species. Listen to Episode 11 of The Land Steward Podcast to learn more about their efforts.

• Why feral pig management is essential for new landowners Sep 19, 2025
  

  Texas faces a threat that is adaptable, pervasive, and alarmingly expensive: the feral pig (Sus scrofa), known variously as wild hogs, wild boars, or razorbacks. This invasive exotic species has populations estimated in the millions, and the damage they inflict can be severe. A new publication, "Managing Feral Pigs on Small Acreage Properties and Metropolitan Areas," underscores the urgent necessity of modernized feral pig management strategies, especially as Texas rapidly urbanizes.

   

• From Maps to Mentorship: NRI partners with Borlaug Youth Jul 2, 2025
  

  The story of Texas’s working lands, or privately owned farms, ranches, and forests, is one of rapid changes that have widespread implications for national and food security, rural economies, and the conservation of wildlife, water, and other natural resources. Over 139 million acres of valuable landscapes supporting these processes are threatened by suburbanization, rural development, and land fragmentation driven by rapid economic and population growth.

• Creative Solutions for Species Management: The ESA Toolbox Jun 1, 2025
  

  Today, the DOD manages over 500 species listed as either threatened or endangered under the ESA and hundreds more “species-at-risk” that may warrant federal protection in the future. The DOD is committed to providing conditions compatible with conducting military training, testing, and operational missions while ensuring the conservation of ecosystems on which these species depend. However, in some circumstances, overlap between military mission activities and species habitats can result in area access and training constraints. Creatively managing the military mission and species conservation can reduce—or even eliminate—potential conflicts.

• Podcast Ep. #9: The Story of Texas Land Trends May 12, 2025
  

  Over the last 25 years, we’ve documented how rapid population growth has changed Texas lands through fragmentation, development, and suburbanization. More and more people are moving to Texas every year, prompting decision-makers to seek additional natural resources and land to support them. In a state as vast as Texas, which boasts 142 million acres of private farms, ranches, and forests, our working lands are the beating heart of our state. Losing working lands impacts everything from wildlife habitat to rural economies to food and water security for major urban centers. Our changing landscape will impact all Texans, and a better understanding of the drivers of change will support the future conservation of working lands.

• Podcast Ep. #7: The Managed Lands Deer Program and Families Who Hunt in Texas Feb 14, 2025
  

  The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute hosts The Land Steward Podcast each month with specialists in the field with diverse backgrounds to have relatable conversations about land and wildlife stewardship. In Episode 7, BW, our podcast host was able to bring the show on the road to her family’s ranch in the Hill Country to share candid interactions and discussions about managing deer populations as a family and how that experience has shifted the mindset on the ranch. 

• The Winter Sourcebook Volume VI is here Feb 10, 2025
  

  Directly from the field, the Winter 2025 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.

• Scientist Q&A with Dr. Sarah Turner Jan 29, 2025
  

  Like many scientists, Research Assistant Professor Dr. Sarah Turner, took a circuitous route to find her passion. We had the opportunity to sit down with her to learn more about her academic background—brimming with brilliant mentors, interesting internships and lots of challenging work—her education, fieldwork, and her future endeavors as she moves into an instructional role at Texas A&M.

• NRI Scientists Mentor Youth in the Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program Jul 19, 2024
  

  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 Jul 15, 2024
  

  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.

• The ESA and the Role of Private Lands with Tiffany McFarland May 14, 2024
  

  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.

• Podcast Ep. #5: Life Skills and Wild Pig Management with Jay Long Apr 2, 2024
  

  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.

• Podcast Ep. #4: Finding Natural Resource Professionals in Texas and Wildlife Tax Valuations Feb 9, 2024
  

  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.

• What Landowners Need to Know as We Reflect on 50 Years of the Endangered Species Act Nov 10, 2023
  

  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 Summer Sourcebook is here Sep 18, 2023
  

  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.

• Q&A with Texan by Nature: Meet the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute May 31, 2022
  

  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.

• Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week Highlights the Importance of Healthy Soil Apr 24, 2022
  

  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. 

• What Landowners Need to Know: The Endangered Species Act in Texas Dec 1, 2021
  

  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.

• The Spring 2021 Sourcebook: Volume 2, Issue 1 Jun 4, 2021
  

  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.

• A Story Map: Texas Longleaf Landscapes Dec 14, 2020
  

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