Howdy,

Each fall ushers in a sense of excitement and anticipation for the many projects and partnerships of the upcoming academic year. The annual RWFM Convocation is a celebration of these new possibilities, as well as a way for us to reconnect, welcome our new and returning Aggies and chart a path for the year.

In addition to highlighting student organizations and departmental updates, this year’s convocation included a research poster session featuring the work of nine undergraduate and graduate students. This is a true testament to the hard work of our students, as well as the faculty members who mentor their academic development.

We also had the pleasure of hosting Neal Wilkins, Ph.D., president and CEO of the East Foundation and fellow Aggie, as the Dyksterhuis Distinguished Lecturer. The East Foundation is a valuable research partner, and their ongoing commitment to science-based land stewardship is to be commended. His inspiring words to students, faculty and staff on how to “narrow the gap” in realizing the land-grant mission served to wrap-up the event and kick-off the fall semester with a bang.

Members of the RWFM External Advisory Committee also converged on the Texas A&M campus for our annual in-person meeting. The professional insight and feedback provided by this cohort of alumni and distinguished conservation leaders enables our department to consistently improve course offerings and student learning outcomes. Exciting topics of this year’s meeting included advancing the departmental internship program and exploring the possibility of new degree programs at the intersection of natural resources, hospitality and economics. We will certainly keep everyone updated as we move forward.

If you happen to be on campus this semester, you may see our students in action as we launch a campus-based undergraduate research project monitoring fox squirrels. This project, led by Ty Werdel, Ph.D., RWFM assistant professor of wildlife, is just one example of the many hands-on, field-based learning opportunities we are dedicated to providing students.

I hope you take time to explore the ongoing state and national impacts of our faculty members featured in this newsletter. I have no doubt we will only continue to build upon this momentum in the coming academic year.

New Faculty  

Humberto Perotto, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management. Perotto’s research focuses on the effect of rangeland cover spatial configuration in ecological processes at multiple scales. His research also includes the analysis of the spatial and temporal dynamics of invasive plant species in rangelands. 

Texas A&M University Merit Fellowship

Dylan Stewart, an incoming doctoral student in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, was selected as a Texas A&M University Merit Fellowship recipient on behalf of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In addition to this prestigious recognition, Stewart has also receive the Lechner Scholar Grant for the fall 2023 semester. As a Lechner Scholar, Stewart was invited to join the College’s Agricultural Graduate Excellence Leadership Community. 

Passion for wildlife shapes undergraduate experience of recent graduate

Throughout her time as an undergraduate in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Krista Bligh managed to successfully balance her coursework with the full-time commitment of caring for upwards of 100 orphaned or injured animals of varying species including white-tailed deer, opossums, great horned owls, raccoons and more. Bligh is one of the few federal and state-certified wildlife rehabilitators located in the Brazos Valley and operates the non-profit Paws and Claws Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in College Station.

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 is committed to generating sound scientific research, training the next generation of natural resource stewards and realizing the Land-grant mission as described through our three focus areas of teaching, research and Extension.

We invite you to be a part of our mission to prepare the next generation of natural resource professionals and advance the sound stewardship of natural resources for present and future generations. Your support directly impacts our students by alleviating financial burdens, bolstering experiential learning opportunities and enhancing our living classrooms and labs.