Howdy,

Although our work in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is focused on the natural world, I echo the sentiment of Dr. Jeffrey Savell, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, in saying that we are ultimately “in the people business.” Without the people of the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, RWFM, the meaningful impacts we have on rangeland, wildlife and fisheries management wouldn’t be possible.

We capped off the spring 2023 semester with a celebration of the faculty, staff and students who facilitate this good work at the RWFM Beast Feast and award reception here in College Station. Over more than 25 wild game dishes, we celebrated the accomplishments of the semester — including state and national recognition received by faculty and students — and awarded scholarships.

At the beginning of May, 22 students spent two fast-paced weeks in the Hill Country learning from and engaging with experts during our second-annual summer field course at Bamberger Ranch Preserve. Thanks to our faculty and friends at Bamberger Ranch, these students gained critical in-field experiences that are foundational to their education and future careers as natural resource professionals.

The RWFM La Copita Research and Demonstration Ranch is experiencing a flurry of activity as multiple research and land management projects kick off on the 2,726-acre property. In addition to the two graduate students who began their research projects in May, the property will also host Research Experiences for Undergraduates. REU is a National Science Foundation-funded program hosted by universities nationwide to encourage undergraduate participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, research. Over the next decade, La Copita will facilitate numerous research projects focused on adaptive grazing management, wildlife dynamics, prescribed fire, carbon storage and ecosystem services, just to name a few.

Again, everything you will read in this newsletter is made possible by the people of RWFM. I am extremely fortunate to be a part of such an outstanding team and look forward to the future as we continue to expand our positive impact on natural resources and the people they support.  

Texas A&M AgriLife and Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty, students and alumna were recognized for their positive impact in the field of rangeland science, as well as academic skill at the international Society for Range Management conference held Feb. 12-16 in Boise, Idaho.

Robert ‘Bob’ Knight, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management posthumously received the John J. Koldus III Faculty and Staff Achievement Award during Texas A&M University’s Division of Student Affairs award ceremony on May 3.

Much like the keystone species that uphold the integrity of ecosystems, RWFM is comprised of faculty, staff and students who ensure the strength and health of our department.

The Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management hosted a spring seminar series exploring Traditional Ecological Knowledge, also known as Indigenous Knowledge. As defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this field refers to the evolving knowledge acquired by indigenous and local peoples over hundreds or thousands of years through direct contact with the environment. 

The department welcomed speakers and experts from across the continent to share their diverse knowledge and insight. The full lecture series is now available on the department’s YouTube page.