Howdy,
The hallways of the Horticulture and Forest Science Building are bustling with the energy of a new semester, and we’re actively working to harness this enthusiasm as the department continues to move forward with intention and purpose.
The new year finds us with 10 new faculty and colleagues on board to deliver our teaching, research, and extension missions. For our undergraduate programs, our goal is to ensure all RWFM majors exceed the federal qualification standards as well as the certifications administered by professional organizations such as The Wildlife Society, Society for Range Management and American Fisheries Society. Our vision is to produce field-ready professionals capable of addressing modern issues facing the natural resources we rely on. In addition to finalizing the RWFM curriculum, we’re beginning to finish out our legacy degrees that transitioned during the departmental restructuring. Further, we’re doubling down on our graduate curriculum with new offerings including a 3+2 program that will allow students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in five years.
We’re also excited about the opportunities that await us in the field. This year we kick off extensive building projects at both the on-campus Ecology and Natural Resources Teaching Area (i.e., “the range area”) and the La Copita Research and Demonstration Ranch in Jim Wells County. Enhancements to the range area include improved infrastructure supporting academic programming across the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and beyond. Similarly, La Copita will evolve into a dynamic, ranch-scale laboratory focused on producer-driven research, outreach and evaluation of novel rangeland technologies.
As we move forward with these exciting projects, we also remember friends like the late Robert "Bob" Knight, who contributed so much to the field of rangeland science and exemplified the Aggie spirit. I encourage you to learn more about his impact through the story included below.
I’ll sign off for now with the anticipation of a successful new year. I hope you enjoy learning more about all that we’ve accomplished in the first quarter of 2023.
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Gig 'em!
Roel Lopez, Ph.D.
Professor and Department Head
Director, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute
roel.lopez@ag.tamu.edu
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Longtime rangeland professor Robert 'Bob' Knight dies
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Robert "Bob" Knight, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management and former associate department head for academic and student affairs, died Dec. 14. Throughout his tenure, Knight established a reputation as an award-winning, student-focused professional dedicated to advancing the field of rangeland management.
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Texas A&M AgriLife appoints new director for Center of Grazinglands and Ranch Management
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With more than two decades of nationally recognized rangeland conservation and outreach experience, Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D., has been tasked with facilitating this mission as director of the Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management.
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Texas A&M students study abroad in New Zealand and Australia
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From the alpine glaciers of Aoraki-Mount Cook to the tropical shores of the Great Barrier Reef, 24 students from across Texas A&M University recently explored the diverse natural resources and complex conservation topics of New Zealand and Australia.
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Largest scholarship campaign in history of College of Agriculture and Life Sciences announced
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The most aggressive scholarship campaign in the history of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences began in January with an announcement by Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences, of the Dean’s Excellence Scholarships. The campaign will create a series of $100,000 endowments as part of a significant initiative for the College to recruit and support undergraduate students. These endowments will create numerous four-year scholarships of $4,000 or more annually.
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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.
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Bill Fox, Ph.D., associate professor, extension range specialist and director of the Center for Natural Resources Information Technology, has served the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Research for roughly three decades. Despite the varying positions held across the two agencies, as well as the Texas Water Resources Institute, a singular focus has shaped Fox’s work—providing meaningful tools and solutions to land managers.
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Under the direction of Morgan Treadwell, Ph.D., associate professor and AgriLife Extension range specialist, San Angelo, graduate student Deann Burson is working to shed light on how range management practices, such as prescribed fire and herbicide application, affect the concentrations of secondary metabolites in woody species including mesquite, redberry juniper, lotebush and algerita.
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RWFM Stewardship Webinar Series |
The Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management Stewardship Webinar Series provides research-based strategies and applied management recommendations that enhance stewardship practices for our natural resources. Topics include rangeland science, wildlife management and aquaculture. Some webinars may qualify for continuing education credits from the Texas Department of Agriculture for pesticide license applicators.
Registration is $35 per unit. For more information, contact Morgan Treadwell at morgan.treadwell@ag.tamu.edu or Brittany Chesser at brittany.chesser@tamu.edu.
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Preparing the Next Generation of Natural Resource Stewards
We are dedicated to generating sound scientific research, translating and hosting science-based conversations and engaging the next generation of stewardship professionals. RWFM aims to teach the latest ecological and management principles to provide the most diverse and application-based education available in natural resource conservation. The applied professional expertise of our faculty combined with our extensive agency and industry network facilitates career paths for students. Our unique undergraduate degree focus areas and graduate programs prepare individuals for advanced careers with state and federal agencies, private industry, nonprofit organizations and academia.
aglifesciences.tamu.edu | rwfm.tamu.edu
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