Howdy! 

As we close out a productive and fruitful year in the department, I can’t help but reflect on our continued momentum, with meaningful advancements in research, teaching and extension. It gives us a reason to pause and reflect on all the hard work and accomplishments that have gotten us this far.  

Groundbreaking research, nationally recognized extension efforts, millions of dollars in grant funding, and the development of two new programmatic options for undergraduate students are just a few examples of all we have accomplished over the past year. I extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported each of these efforts. Your dedication to advancing resource stewardship and the mission of our department does not go unnoticed.

We celebrated these efforts and again refocused our vision for the future at the annual departmental retreat held this year on campus. Through breakout sessions, collaborative discussions and strategic planning, we made great strides in setting the course for the upcoming year. A highlight of the retreat was a barbecue training from Dr. Jeff Savell, vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences. It was a great way to end 2024 in anticipation of 2025!   

The new year will mark five years since the reorganization and creation of the department. I like to say that if you wait for perfection, you will never get anything done. Thankfully, our department is supported by an innovative and passionate cohort of individuals with no shortage of ideas for advancing and improving the department. While each idea may not be perfect, collectively, they help us refine and develop our path forward.

We have so much to look forward to, and I invite you to join us as we continue to work and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our students, stakeholders and the natural resources that sustain us.

We wish you and your family a very happy and healthy holiday season.

New faculty member brings avian expertise to Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management

Ashley Long, Ph.D., has joined the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management as an associate professor and Caesar Kleberg Endowed Chair in Wildlife Ecology with a focus on avian ecology and conservation.

Texas Master Naturalist Program receives award to support native pollinators statewide

The Texas Master Naturalist Program received $50,000 in grant funding to support community projects benefiting the state’s diverse native pollinator populations.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management student shares passion for land and country

James Long has a profound connection to both his country and the land he now helps manage as a graduate student in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

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.

With over two decades in higher education, including 18 years of service to Texas A&M University, Melissa Shehane, Ph.D., has modeled a career based on the philosophy of educating through empowerment.  

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.