Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute

Conserving water resources and preparing for future water demand is critical in assuring state prosperity and quality of life for all Texans and natural systems alike. Undeveloped lands act as natural filters to clean water and direct it into our aquifers, reservoirs, streams and rivers. Did you know properties conserved under the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program could support the water needs of 182K households every year across the state? Read the full report here: tx.ag/TFRLCP2024 Photo: Sycamore tree, Yellow Bluff Canyon by Charles Kruvand

Texans—We’re thrilled to share the latest key findings from the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program evaluation. For starters, did you know that the conserved land under this program potentially provides $22.6M annually for coastal and inland flood prevention? Read the rest of the report here: tx.ag/TFRLCP2024 Photo: Bartush Ranch by Mary Del Olmo

Calling all Texans to go Lights Out to protect migratory birds during this season of migration. Turn off or dim non-essential lighting outside and inside from 11 pm to 6 am through November 30. With the simple flip of a switch, each of us can do our part to protect millions of migrating birds soaring across our Lone Star skies. Learn about dark sky conservation in this video: https://lnkd.in/gMM_qT2w #LightsOutTexas #BringBirdsBack 

Join Hill Country Alliance on Wednesday, October 30 for a free virtual event about private dams and the permitting process. You'll learn the different types of dams, which agencies have jurisdiction over new dams, what public processes are available to you, and what to do when you discover an unauthorized dam. Register for free: https://lnkd.in/gkZjqagZ

Every year we conduct surveys of the Navasota ladies' tresses, an endangered orchid species found only in a handful of Texas counties. During the survey we conducted last week, our team found a few plants in the "asparagus" stage so we expect to see some blooms in the next few weeks! #FieldworkFriday Pictured here: Dr. Sarah Turner with an asparagus stage Navasota ladies' tresses. Photos by Kevin Skow.

Dr. Stephen Webb has led an ongoing research project focused on relocating bighorn sheep in Sonora, Mexico from a breeding facility to a free-range property. Early post-monitoring data suggests that the effort, conducted in partnership with a private landowner, was successful and this data will help the team to prioritize future release sites and better manage critical habitat across Sonora, Mexico. Read the project update from earlier this year: https://lnkd.in/gd5TqfYX #privatelandstewardship Photo courtesy of Ivan Lozano.

The West Texas Rangelands blog is a fantastic resource for folks in West and Central Texas—Dr. Morgan Treadwell shares up-to-date information about the art and science behind rangeland management. The blog covers a wide array of topics including current news and research, prescribed burning, grazing management, and more. Check out the website: https://lnkd.in/g4UwhtFQ Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management

Don't forget—the Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management webinar on chronic wasting disease and white-tailed deer health and management is taking place this Thursday, October 3 at noon. Registration: https://lnkd.in/gPekbx4Y

At the Land Trust Alliance this morning with the DoDs REPI program. Packed house to include panel discussion with military services. An example of how national defense and land conservation can work together! Happy that Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute can participate.

Our director, Dr. Roel Lopez, recently sat down for an interview with Stephen F. Austin State University's Sawdust Magazine to discuss his time as a student and how it shaped him into a leader, researcher, and educator with a passion for inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders. Read the interview: https://lnkd.in/g9rf_7fD #ConservationLeadership